Page 12 - Campus Security & Life Safety, November/December 2020

CoverStory
"With a mixture of campuses choosing an in-person class setting for its re-opening, while other universities selecting an online learning option only; schools must be able to adapt to the ever-changing world of COVID-19."
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, schools throughout our nation had their hands filled trying to keep stu- dents and faculty safe from unau- thorized people on campus. Since the onset of the pandemic and the re-start of the fall semester, colleges and universities have spent millions of dollars on additional safety measures including protective gear, cleaning supplies and additional staff.
Not only do schools still need to worry about physical security; but now need to put new safety and operating procedures in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. With these safety measures changing con- stantly, based on the spread of the virus on a particular campus; keeping students, staff, guests and vendors healthy is now an addi- tional responsibility of school administrators.
Practicing Social Distancing
This is not an easy task when you have hun- dreds or thousands of students possibly returning to your campus and stringent social distancing guidelines that must be followed. With a mixture of campuses choosing an in- person class setting for its re-opening, while other universities selecting an online learning option only; schools must be able to adapt to the ever-changing world of COVID-19.
Schools are weathering the storm by relying on their trusted security partners that can help introduce new safety technology and deploy it quickly. In response to COVID-19, there has been a myriad of new technology solutions introduced to the marketplace that includes
By Monique Merhige
Keeping Up with the Storm
How the pandemic is affecting higher education; keeping students safe in the COVID world
12 campuslifesecurity.com | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
real-time occupancy monitoring, ID scanning/ contact tracing, mask detection and automated fever detection. Colleges are faced with a huge challenge when it comes to bringing students safely back to campus. Most college students are used to congregating together in dorms either studying or partying together, and have a difficult time adapting to the new normal
brought about by the global pandemic. It is even more challenging for schools that are located in the hardest hit areas, such as New York City or California, to bring students back safely. One high-profile New York campus is leading the way and raising the bar when it comes to having a solid plan in place when it opened its doors in the fall of 2020.
photos courtesy of School of Visual Arts (SVA)