If you have watched the news lately, chances are you have seen at least one story about a school shooting. Even just a few weeks ago, on Aug. 27, there was an active shooter situation just 15 minutes away from us at Eastern Tennessee State University. The Stampede wanted to know what questions Milligan students have about their safety here at Milligan and answer them to keep our students informed and safe. Brent Nipper, Director of Property and Risk Management, answered questions that Milligan students are asking.
1) What should a student do if a gunman were to come to chapel?
In the event of an active shooter situation, students should follow the Run, Hide, Fight model. Specific to the chapel, if running is not an option, students should find the best place to hide. If near a smaller room (bathroom, classroom, practice room etc.), students should head to that room and close and barricade themselves inside. If students are in the auditorium and can’t get to another room, they should get down on the floor and conceal themselves as much as possible. Fighting should always be the last option, and students should use whatever is available to them to improvise weapons and fight back.
2) What should a student do if a gunman were to come to the library?
Follow the same Run, Hide, Fight model referenced above. If running in not an option, find the best place to hide: study rooms, work rooms, offices, bathrooms etc. If another room is not available, places to hide may be under tables or desks, behind shelves or any other places that may hide them from view.
3) Are there security guards during the day? If not, what is Milligan’s plan for a safety emergency?
Milligan’s contracted security officers are on campus after hours. During office hours the security phone line rings in multiple offices on campus. Calls are most often taken in the physical plant office, and either I or another staff member respond to all calls.
4) Do Milligan security guards carry guns?
No.
5) Are there security guards during the weekends?
There are security officers on campus all weekend.
6) How does Milligan monitor the weapons students may have in cars?
We do not have a policy that calls for searching student vehicles without cause, but if a student were reported to have a weapon in a vehicle, we would conduct a search to determine if the report is accurate. Any student found with a weapon on campus would face disciplinary action in accordance with college policy.
7) Is it better to call security or police if a student feels there is a serious threat (gun, knife, rape)?
Emergency situations and/or criminal activity that constitute an imminent threat or danger to the campus community should be reported to local authorities by dialing 911. Whenever possible, campus security should be notified immediately after dialing 911. All other crimes, persons behaving suspiciously or other security concerns which occur on campus should be reported to Campus Security.
8) If a student is unsafe but also broken a Milligan rule (such as drinking alcohol) will they get in trouble if they report it?
Such situations are addressed on a case by case basis. In some cases, students will not face disciplinary action in relation to reports. In some cases they might. All decisions of this nature are made with the best interest of the affected student in mind.
There are multiple emails sent out during the year with updates and reminders concerning campus security, with many questions answered there. Nipper recommends reading these to keep yourself informed and as safe as possible.