About the Committee
The Committee on Campus Security and Safety (CCSS) reviews existing security measures and protocols and identifies and proposes new safety measures and physical systems. Their reviews and suggestions focus on our campus community and also consider local community resources and contacts. Subcommittees have been formed to focus on recommendations related to these specific topic areas:
- Infrastructure improvements
- Alert systems, access controls, video detection systems for UNLV’s Maryland, Medical District, and Harry Reid Research and Technology Park campuses.
- Training and protocols
- Training program development and requirements; responsibilities and protocols for supervisors, chairs, deans, and senior leadership.
- Safety-related communications
- Communication channels for building occupants, integrating UNLV communications with the broader community, emergency alert messaging.
The CCSS meets bi-weekly and regularly shares interim reports with President Whitfield and the UNLV community.
Suggestions and Questions
Submit a suggestion or questions for the committee through the Campus Committee on Security and Safety Inquiries Form. The committee will make every effort to respond in a timely fashion depending on the nature of the inquiry.
To contact the committee directly, email ccss@unlv.edu.
Committee Members
- Maggie Farrell, Dean of Libraries, Committee Chair
- Neil Opfer, Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction, Faculty Senate
- Ashley Stone, Student Recruitment Specialist, College of Fine Arts
- Bryan Hilbert, Director, Disability Resource Center
- Nakia Jackson-Hale, Assistant Dean for Administration, School of Nursing
- Breann Wickson, Administrative Assistant III, Marketing and International Business, Classified Staff Council
- Christopher Forepaugh, Doctoral Student, Department of Criminal Justice, GPSA
- Alexus Loera, CSUN
- Musa Pam, Associate Vice President, Facilities Management
- Mark Sakurada, Assistant Director, Information Technology and Emergency Communications, University Police Services
- Shauna Landis, Director, Student Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
- Alicia Rico, Department Chair, World Languages and Cultures
- Ian Mcdonough, Department Chair, Economics
- Bob Soulliere, Associate Director of Instructional Technology Services, Office of Information Technology
- Heather Ortiz, Director of Communication, Business Affairs
- Jennifer McCarthy, Executive Director, Space Management, Executive Vice President and Provost’s Office
- Kris Davidson, Executive Director, Research Infrastructure
- Eddie Gulbenkian, Assistant General Counsel
- Dominic Arellano, CSUN
Updates
The committee used feedback they’ve received to identify top safety-related themes. See below for information that is currently available for each of these topic areas. As the committee moves forward in their charge, they will update these sections with the most current information.
Building Access
Almost every UNLV building was built differently and so locks and doors serve the purposes that were intended at the time they were built. University Police Services continues to work with Facilities Management, Risk Management & Safety, and Planning and Construction and others to assess specific security concerns that are reported. Various access controls will be tested in Beam Hall over the coming months.
Building Repairs
Repairs to approximately 500 damaged door and window openings are being completed in two phases:
- Phase 1 - Temporary repair - completed spring semester 2024
- Contractors installed temporary solutions that look different than our current university standard (e.g., paint color, metal sheeting).
- Due to the extent of damage and other factors such as variations in style and function, some buildings’ doors may take longer to complete than others.
- Phase 2 - Permanent repair - Spring / Summer 2024
- A public bid process for door replacements and repairs has concluded with the award of a contract.
- Permanent repairs will take place during the spring and summer 2024. By the fall semester, all doors and windows will have a cohesive look and functionality.
- Doors will be replaced in-kind.
Emergency Alert Notifications
The committee will review the current Emergency Notification System and its effectiveness in communicating vital information to our campus community. With a focus on enhancing preparedness and ensuring the safety of our community, we will assess the utilization of the system and explore best practices for timely and efficient communication.
Safety Training
The committee will review the current safety training programs available to the campus community with a focus on enhancing preparedness and ensuring the well-being of our community. Specifically, we will review both general safety training and active assailant training initiatives in equipping our community members with the necessary knowledge and skills to respond effectively to various emergencies. Recognizing the critical role that comprehensive safety training plays in promoting a culture of preparedness, our review will seek to identify areas for improvement and expansion. By bolstering our training programs, we aim to empower our campus community to navigate potential threats confidently and contribute to a safer and more secure environment for all.
Video Surveillance
The committee continues to review the use of video surveillance on campus, with a focus on enhancing campus security and safeguarding user privacy. Recognizing the invaluable role that video surveillance plays in providing critical evidence, the committee will review how the technology can be optimized to better serve the safety needs of our community. Simultaneously, the committee is committed to ensuring that privacy concerns are addressed through robust policies governing data collection, access, and retention. The review will balance the benefits of surveillance technology while upholding the rights and dignity of all individuals on campus.
As a pilot, video surveillance cameras are being installed in Beam Hall.