President Romo addresses issues of campus safety and security

(Noon, Nov. 2, 2001)--Following a series of hoaxes related to the potential threat of biohazardous contamination at UTSA, President Ricardo Romo met with members of the university's Emergency Preparedness Team to discuss issues related to safety and security at the three campuses. In another meeting at the 1604 Campus, Vice President for Student Affairs Rosalie Ambrosino met with student leaders representing both the Downtown Campus and the 1604 Campus.

"I have asked the Emergency Preparedness Team, led by Police Chief George Powers, to take all threats to the security of our students, faculty and staff very seriously," Romo said. "We will work with the District Attorney’s office to prosecute anyone who is involved in such instances."

As the result of new federal legislation regarding hoaxes involving biohazardous materials, individuals convicted of perpetrating such crimes face penalties including fines and jail sentences up to 15 years.

"Students should feel confident that the university is doing everything in its power to ensure that our campus is safe for everyone," said Shelli Lyons, president of the UTSA Student Government Association. "The Student Government Association is working closely with administrators during this time, and I encourage everyone to work together to foster a campus environment where we can study, participate in arts and athletic events and socialize without undue concern for our safety."

The UTSA police and the FBI are investigating two letters mailed to two members of the university community and an additional incident where the appearance of hazardous material was created in a hallway in the Humanities and Social Sciences Building. Each incident received the "all clear" from the FBI, which is working with UTSA police to apprehend the individual or individuals responsible for the hoaxes.

As part of an effort to augment informational efforts related to campus security, the Emergency Preparedness Team is developing a special e-mail-and paper-based flier communications system to better inform members of the three campuses when potential threats are of a serious nature.

"The local authorities have responded to hundreds of false alarms throughout the city," Powers said. "This is costing the community valuable resources and creating unnecessary fear in our citizens."

Powers also emphasized that this is a time for all of us to use our common sense and good judgment.

"If you spill talcum powder on the desk or in the restroom, let your co-workers know, while you go to get something to clean it up with. If workers are doing construction that creates white sawdust or debris, a sign should be placed alerting passersby that the substance is not harmful. This can help to avoid unnecessary calls to the UTSA and San Antonio Fire Department HazMat teams," he said. "By remaining calm and keeping informed, we can and will pass through these stressful days."

The first distribution of the Emergency Preparedness Alert will occur Monday (e-mail and posting of fliers) to answer a number of questions that concerned members of the community have forwarded to the police department and the Office of Public Affairs. Individuals with information regarding the current investigations or potential threats to campus security are encouraged to call university police at 458-4249.

"I ask everyone at UTSA to do their part to make this university a safe place in which to live, work and learn,” Romo said. "We can be assured that officials at UTSA are doing everything possible to enhance safety and security at UTSA."

Specific questions and concerns raised by members of the Tri-Campus community over the past week will be addressed in a UTSA Update released later today.

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TODAY'S HEADLINES:

History department hosts Nov. 7 lecture on Mexican revolutionary
UTSA and Adopt-A-Hallway program work to motivate students
Health services offers flu vaccine at 1604 and Downtown campuses
President Romo addresses issues of campus safety and security
Classic coming-of-age play to be presented at UTSA

UTSA Today Front Page

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