What's New:

Procedures implemented to ensure the safety of the Union Community:

In the event of an emergency, an effective College-wide communications process is critical in order to provide the greatest safety possible for our students, faculty and staff.

Text messaging
Since last spring, the College has collected more than 2,300 cell-phone numbers from students, faculty and staff to allow text-message alerts to be sent in the event of an emergency. A system is already in place to allow people to update or voluntarily provide their cell-phone number if they wish to receive the alerts. Although we will continue to use e-mail alerts in an emergency, we encourage the entire campus community to participate in the text-alert system.
 
Emergency siren
A new emergency siren was recently installed on the roof of the Reamer Campus Center. In the event of a serious incident on campus, that is an incident which would require us to alert the entire campus, the siren will alert members of the campus community to seek additional information through the College’s Web site (www.union.edu), WRUC (89.7 FM) and UC-TV (Channel 21).

Web site
The main Union College home page (www.union.edu) and on-campus home page (www.union.edu/oncampus) will be modified in an emergency to post critical information as quickly as possible.

Public address system
A new public address system has been purchased, and 20 loudspeakers are in place on campus buildings. In addition, seven campus safety vehicles have been equipped with loudspeakers.

As part of the review of the Emergency Response Plan, the committee participated in a tabletop exercise. More exercises will be conducted over the year involving local emergency responders.

The College will be testing the emergency communications and notification system on a quarterly basis or more frequently if necessary.

Other steps to enhance security:

Surveillance cameras
Seven additional cameras have been installed around campus, with plans to add three more. That would bring to 32 the number of surveillance cameras on and around the perimeter of the campus.

Landscaping and lighting
The Facilities Service Department has removed low hanging branches, bushes and trees, and it has installed higher wattage lamps in lights around campus.

In addition, the City of Schenectady recently installed two stop signs on Seward Place to provide safer access to campus for students from College Park Hall.