Watch for your opportunity to share your thoughts on safety and security at the Kamloops and Williams Lake campuses as well as the regional centres.

In the coming week, members of the TRU community will be asked for their thoughts about safety and security on campus by completing surveys and volunteering to participate in focus groups.

Invitations to complete surveys or join a focus group will be posted in the next few days on listservs and myTRU.

The survey and focus groups are supporting the work of the Task Force on Safety and Security. In the summer of 2012, TRU administration struck this task force and gave it the mandate to review the safety and security of the TRU community (both persons and property), the prudent management of risks, and compliance with laws and TRU policies concerning safety and security. The Task Force includes members from Health & Safety, Facilities, Student Affairs, IT and the General Counsel Office.

The Task Force has engaged the services of a consulting firm to review specific areas of TRU operations, including health & safety, physical plant, threat assessment, information security, social media/communications and emergency preparedness across both TRU campuses and at the regional centres. CKR Global was the successful candidate. CKR Global is Canada’s largest risk mitigation, security and human safety consultancy firm and has extensive experience conducting these types of assessments for Canadian post-secondary and other schools.

CKR Global’s review will include:

• a desk review of the specified areas,
• targeted, structured interviews of key personnel
• focus groups including staff, faculty, students and administration
• an online survey of staff and faculty
•  a self-directed site audit tool for staff and faculty

It is hoped that this inclusive approach to data collection will ensure that all voices are heard, will invite broader and informed input from stakeholders, and help build community and support for safety and security, while also building knowledge of what it takes to ensure a safe and secure learning and work environment for all.

Members of the TRU community that have questions about the Task Force on Safety and Security are invited to direct them to co-chairs Stacey Jyrkkanen and Christine Adam.