Kent State University Celebrates Safety Awareness Week

  • By Matt Jones
  • March 24, 2021

Kent State University, located in Kent, Ohio, is putting on its first-ever KSU Safety Awareness Week from March 22 through March 26. A daily series of virtual presentations focus on topics like fire safety, general safety and security, first aid, mental health awareness, water safety, and more. Registration for each session is required, but the events are free for all KSU faculty, staff, and students.

“This is the first year that this event has ever been planned,” said environmental health and safety specialist LaKetta Wilson. “This idea was one that I had thought about for a while because there are so many departments on campus that work together to keep the KSU community safe and in compliance.”

Police officer Tricia Knoles, whose Tuesday presentation covered general campus safety, supported the event wholeheartedly. “I think that it is important everyone is aware of their surroundings,” she said. “Keeping safety in their lives and on campus is a priority, and any time that I have an opportunity to educate others on this topic, I jump at it! It takes everyone working together to keep our community safe.”

Likewise, KSU emergency management coordinator Shandra DeVoe presented on the university’s emergency management plan. “I want to let Kent State know we are always planning for their safety by conducting security assessments of all buildings on all campuses, conducting building safety audits to identify safe spaces to include tornado shelters. I want to make them aware there are plans and guides to assist them in making their own safety plan,” she said.

KSU’s Safety Awareness Week runs through Friday, March 26, and is hosted by the Kent State University Department of Environmental Health and Safety.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning and Campus Security and Life Safety. He can be reached at [email protected]

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