NEWS

Terra State honors Oregon shooting victims

Craig Shoup
Reporter

FREMONT — As campus safety comes into focus after nine were killed at a community college shooting in Oregon, Terra State Community College leaders said Thursday that the college is safe and prepared for any situation.

The school shooting at Umpqua Community College on Oct. 1 hit close to home for Terra president Jerome Webster because both Terra and UCC are similar in size in both student numbers and community population.

Addressing more than 50 people on the campus quad, Webster held a moment of silence for the slain shooting victims on Thursday afternoon as students and faculty united to form the letters "UCC" to honor the small Oregon college.

"We prepare for active shooters each year," Webster said. "A protocol is in place."

Jeffrey Huffman, director of campus safety and event operation, said cameras are placed throughout the campus to monitor activity and guards are stationed on campus for immediate assistance.

"We have two guards on shift including me that are able to move around," Huffman said.

Despite the shooting at Umpqua, Webster said Terra has no plans to limit access to buildings or prevent non-students and faculty from entering the campus.

"This is the community's campus. We are focused on keeping it open," Webster said.

He noted that safety goes beyond reacting to a shooter. He said the best way to prevent campus violence is to stop it before it starts.

"We have Behavior Intervention Treatment to help people in need. Our staff is trained to assess threats and what to look for," Webster said.

Campus safety has not been an issue at Terra lately as most students are able to walk around campus knowing there are guards and cameras for protection.

"I think there's enough security here," student Jesse Muenz said.

Muenz, 18, said school shootings happen, unfortunately, and that "if someone wants to do it, they're going to do it."

In years past, Webster said security was not at the level the school preferred, but seven years ago Terra State began committing to better protecting students and staff through staffing and technology.

"Campus safety has changed in the past seven years. Life is changing," Webster said. "Safety has risen to the forefront."

cshoup@gannett.com

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