This blog discusses the COVID-19 pandemic from a student affairs perspective. The author, Katie Treadwell, describes going on a study abroad trip during March, 2020, and struggling to navigate the early days of the lockdown. So how can campus leaders respond? Reconsider crisis preparedness, response, and recovery plans. Advocate for equal time spent planning recovery efforts – the most critical but typically overlooked elements in emergency management plans. Review threat assessment and behavior intervention practices. Train team members and campus partners in critical strategies. Use a well-developed rubric for every single case. Rehearse tabletop exercises for senior leadership and campus first responders. Consider ways to expand training for students and employees at all levels. Require bystander intervention training for all students, faculty, and staff. Familiarize the campus community with reporting requirements and expectations each year. Reflect on the role of trauma on campus. Create space for uncertainty, grief, and compassionate leadership. Reserve time for sustaining the work and protecting the experiences that nurtured us during the pandemic. Prioritize lessons learned about work/life balance
What’s Next? Reflections on Pandemic-Era Campus Safety
Source: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education