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Volume 38 Issue 11
March 27, 2001

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California shootings cause concern for MCC campus safety

BY TAMMY JARVIS
MESA LEGEND
Submitted March 27, 2001

The recent high school shootings in Southern California have caused concern that similar events may occur at MCC.

"We are as prepared as we can possibly be," said Vince Moran, chief of college safety.

"MCC is a microcosm of society. Problems that exist in society exist here." Heidi-Christa Adams Counselor

"On April 12, 1999, Dean (of Administrative Services, Ron) Etter and I developed a crisis response team," said Moran, "Each member of the team is given specific and direct assignments to carry out."

Eight days later, two students killed 15 people and injured 24 others at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo.

Between Feb. 2, 1996 and March 22, 2001, 37 people were killed and 105 were wounded by gunfire on high school campuses around the country.

This epidemic of violence is a concern for Heidi-Christa Adams, an MCC counselor, who said, "Mesa Community College is a microcosm of society; problems that exist in society exist here."

She does, however, believe people have a different perspective in college than they do in high school. "People aren’t as cruel to each other, and as students, they are working towards a goal," she said.

Moran has been looking closely at the high school shootings in an effort to deter any violent encounters at MCC.

"You’re five times safer on a college campus than out on the streets." Vince Moran Chief of College Safety

"The one thing all those high school shooters have in common is that they all told someone what they were going to do before they did it," he said. "Unfortunately, no one took them seriously."

Moran believes if those students had informed teachers or administrators of the threats they had heard, the incidents could have been prevented.

Adams agrees. "Violence is not a joking matter. For a long time, airlines have used a zero-tolerance policy with threats and now schools do as well," she said.

She adds, "We have a responsibility to communicate effectively when we’re frustrated. We all have challenges in life. That is no reason to commit murder."

Adams encourages students who may feel overwhelmed with frustrations to take advantage of all that MCC has to offer.

"We have been very fortunate that we have an abundance of resources. Any student with emotional problems can find many alternatives to violence," she said. "There are many people in the counseling department who are here to listen and help in a trusting and confidential environment."

Although MCC is prepared for any possible attacks, Moran believes students are quite safe here.

"You’re five times safer on a college campus than out on the streets."

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