Aramark, the company responsible for hiring Boston University’s Dining Services employees, has informed its staff on campus about their most recent policy and guidelines to respond to potential active shooter threats.
BU Dining Services employees regularly receive safety and security information as part of employee training and safety briefing, said BU spokesman Colin Riley. But the level of national attention put on shooting safety as a result of recent school shootings influenced Aramark management to address the topic.
“Aramark management included, in their discussion, expert guidance on how employees should react and respond to ensure their safety in such an incident,” Riley said. “We sincerely hope there is never a need to deal with such a situation.”
Boston University Police Department Chief Kelly Nee said everyone on BU’s campus is responsible for the school’s safety.
“Everyone on campus has a stake in the environment being safe, and everyone is a partner in that,” Nee said.
Nee said she wants parents to be aware that the BUPD is committed to safety.“BUPD are the primary responders and investigators of crime that occurs on our campus,” Nee said “We also do a lot to protect and defend, not just respond.”
Nee said BUPD is currently engaged in “active shooter” outreach, providing information to students and teachers on how to handle violent intruders.
“Although unnerving a topic to have to talk about, it’s important to stay current with latest events and make sure our students, faculty and staff are as prepared as we can possibly make them,” Nee said.
Taylor Rahman, a sophomore in the College of Engineering, said she thinks these trainings shouldn’t have to exist in the first place, but that she is glad to see that the university is taking steps to address student and staff safety.
“I’m happy to see our school taking an initiative at least, because it shows that they care about their students,” Rahman said. “I definitely feel better knowing that we have a proactive staff.”
Catherine Lukoshina, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences, said she feels safe at BU and that her parents appreciate the effort the school is taking.
“I am very glad to say I feel safe here at BU, even though I’ve never had to worry about something like this happening back home [in Kazakhstan],” Lukoshina said. “When I hear about the school taking a stance like this, I feel more safe and secure walking on campus.”
Ziyi Wang, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences, said she is concerned about the possibility of an active shooter on campus.
“I hope we never have to deal with something so dangerous,” Wang said. “But having a staff that knows what they’re doing and knows how to handle a situation like that is really important to making sure people can stay safe.”
BUPD is hosting general active shooter training sessions on April 10 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and April 11 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Tsai Performance Center.
