August 3, 2009
Contact: Lynda Tran
Phone: (804) 225-4806
Cell Phone: (804) 317-1505
Internet: www.governor.virginia.gov
GOVERNOR KAINE HOSTS THIRD ANNUAL CAMPUS PREPAREDNESS CONFERENCE
~ Higher education leaders meet on all hazard preparedness ~
Governor Timothy M. Kaine is today hosting the third annual Governor’s Campus Preparedness Conference at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Student Commons. Since 2007, the day long conference has brought together teams from Virginia’s two and four year degree granting public and private colleges and universities to focus on all hazard preparedness. Participants share information on campus security strategies, participate in panel discussions on preparedness issues, and examine the latest products and services to improve campus security from a wide variety of vendors.
“While we cannot anticipate every possible emergency, our colleges and universities can certainly prepare their students, faculties, and campuses to respond in effective ways,” Governor Kaine said. “I am happy to once again bring our higher education leaders together to learn, network, and provide vital information on this critical issue.”
Colleges and universities from across the Commonwealth annually send representatives—including top administrators, student and faculty leaders, campus security and emergency management officials, health, counseling, and information technology officials— to ensure that their campus is prepared to respond to any emergency or hazard.
Topics of discussion this year include preparations for the H1N1 flu virus, ways for universities to collaborate internally and externally to prepare for emergencies, and effective means to employ social networking and media to communicate in emergencies.
Along with Governor Kaine, attendees will hear from state and federal leaders including The Honorable Robert C. Scott, US Representative for Virginia’s 3rd District, Robert P. Crouch, Jr., Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness and Virginia Secretary of Education Thomas R. Morris.
For more information, visit the Virginia Higher Education Preparedness Consortium website at http://www.ocp.virginia.gov/vhepc/index.htm.
