To the College Community:

At this sad time our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of the Northern Illinois University shootings, and we wish our colleagues at NIU the strength to carry on through the difficult days that are ahead. The connections are significant between Joliet Junior College and Northern Illinois University—many of our students choose NIU as a transfer destination and many of our faculty and staff are alumni, so this particular situation hits close to home. If counseling assistance is needed, our counselors are available and can be contacted at ext. 2673.

Yesterday’s events at NIU underscore the extraordinary difficulties that colleges and universities across the country face as they attempt to provide a safe and secure learning environment. I am proud to say that Joliet Junior College has an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) that is continually reviewed and updated. It serves as a manual for college staff to plan for emergencies, including situations with armed individuals on campus. The plan also includes the use of JJC sector leaders who are trained in emergency procedures, including evacuation procedures and first aid. (Learn more about our Emergency Response Plan.)

The college functions under the National Incident Management System (NIMS), which was developed so responders from different jurisdictions and disciplines can work together to respond to natural disasters and emergencies. Recently, college administrators attended a two-day NIMS training workshop and future training sessions and exercises are scheduled. In addition, the Joliet Junior College Police Department is a fully sworn, armed and authorized police department. The JJC PD is a member of the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS) – also providing mutual aid, emergency response, and combining resources for public safety. Our officers have received training on active shooter situations, lockdowns, as well as room evacuations/clearing drills.

Recently, we formed a Threat Assessment Team to provide a cross-functional, multidisciplinary point of contact for members of the college community who have encountered student behavior which they perceive as aberrant, threatening or dangerous. The team will act promptly to follow up with the individual initiating the report, determine if there have been any additional warning signs or reasons for concern (such as code violations or classroom incidents), and meet with the student to develop a plan. Learn more about the college’s Threat Assessment Team.

As members of a college community, we are faced with the complex challenge of providing a learning environment that is both open and safe. It is a challenge I encourage all of you to take seriously. Please take the time to re-familiarize yourself with the college’s Emergency Response Plan and other emergency procedures.

If you should have any questions and/or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Gena

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