Ten years.
I can’t believe ten years have passed since September 11, 2011.
I was Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at the time. My secretary, Clee Murray, and I listened on the radio as the day’s events unraveled. We prayed for the safety of Professor Armand Natili’s wife. Mrs. Natili, a US Air stewardess, was somewhere on the east coast as Armand frantically tried to reach her. Fortunately, Roseanne was safe and sound. Sadly, others weren’t.
A lot has changed in ten years – particularly as it relates to safety at Butler County Community College.
Prominently mentioned in our strategic plan and College goals, BC3 has proactively addressed “providing a safe and secure” environment at all BC3 locations. Here are some of the steps we have taken since 2007:
- Arming main campus police
- Police presence at all BC3 locations
- Video surveillance at all BC3 locations
- Text messaging
- Social Media
- Public address capabilities on main campus
- Proactive crisis training
While I certainly pray we never have to use such measures, the post 9-11 world requires that we be prepared for such worst-case scenarios.
