CWRU's Protective Services department offers a wealth of safety information and assistance online and in person.

Karen Gregor, crime prevention officer, told CWRU's Staff Advisory Council that a myriad of security resources are and always have been available, but it's up to employees to take advantage of them. They are all just a phone call (368-3333) or mouse click away (http://www.cwru.edu/finadmin/security/protserv/protserv.htm).

Gregor, joined by Brian Hurd, assistant director of Protective Services, gave an overview of security services to SAC at their June meeting. This month Protective Services in partnership with Human Resources also sponsored a series of staff development seminars on maintaining a safe working environment.

"There are a lot of things we can do to make our environment safer and more secure," Gregor said. "Don't ever hesitate to call us."

Protective Services offers an escort service 24 hours a day, seven days a week; free self defense courses for women; VIN etching for vehicles; bike locks and registration; discounted clubs for cars and locks for laptops; and a security awareness video.

New to the crime prevention services this year are electric engravers employees can borrow to etch personal identification on valuable items.

Gregor also offers security awareness and personal safety presentations and conducts security surveys of offices or buildings upon request. In a security survey, Gregor will evaluate a work area and offer suggestions on cost-effective ways to improve safety.

Also upon request, Protective Services also conducts welfare checks, during which security officers periodically inspect work areas or buildings in which people are working late or on weekends. Welfare checks also help to keep Protective Services informed of where people are on campus after hours in case of emergencies, Gregor said.

On the Web site, employees will find daily crime logs, monthly awareness reports and emergency procedures, among other security resources.

Also during the SAC meeting, Lorraine Watson, director of employee relations, said that, at the council's request, Human Resources has been reviewing the procedure according to which employees accrue discretionary days and expects to announce a new policy effective July 1. The policy will allow employees to use discretionary days as they earn them rather than having to wait until the end of the fiscal year. Watson said this change will prevent new hires from having to wait, in some cases an entire year, before they can use discretionary days. Details are forthcoming.

In other business, the council announced:

• With an 81 percent return on ballots, Jeanne Madison, assistant director of corporation and foundation relations, has been elected vice chair of the council for 2003-2004 and will serve as chair in 2004-2005.
• A voting booth for staff to use in upcoming SAC representative elections will debut at the Party on the Quad. This year new representatives are being selected in academic administration, University administration, dentistry, nursing and the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences.
• This year's Party on the Quad, the theme for which is backyard barbecue, will be from 4-6:30 p.m. July 25 on the Case Quad.
• SAC representatives who are members of the new Employee Resource Partnering Program have started giving presentations about the council and staff resources to new employees during orientation.
• The theme of the Video on Wheels series for the next academic year will be "Best of the Collection," featuring the most popular films from previous years.
• The new campus-wide Community Service Day has been approved by University administration and is likely to take place this fall. Details have yet to be announced.

 

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