2008 Woodie Awards
Campus shootings prompt PAC seminar
Prevention of on-campus violence is a necessity, but not a guarantee, presenter says.
By Martin R. Herrera
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: News
Originally published: 4/10/08 at 7:12 PM CSTLast update: 4/10/08 at 8:13 PM CST
Concerned about the increased incidences of violence on U.S. campuses, more than 50 staff and faculty members of Palo Alto College met during spring break to hear a presentation on the subject.
Several staff members present said they were not prepared to handle a violent incident on campus and were anxious to address the topic.
Patty Parmona, professor of counseling and student development, agreed. "I don't feel that the faculty and staff are empowered," she said.
Organized by Luis Mercado, public information officer for the college, the recorded multimedia presentation was conducted by John Nicoletti, Ph.D., of Nicoletti-Flater Associates, a Colorado consulting firm that touts itself as "authorities in violence prevention, interruption and disaster management."
In his presentation, "Violence Goes to College: Detecting and Preventing Avenger Violence," Nicoletti provided insight into these types of incidents and suggested strategies not only to prevent them but to respond and cope as well.
A police psychologist for 25 years in the Denver area, Nicoletti made the point that prevention efforts were necessary but no guarantee that an event would not happen.
The staff and faculty present that day already knew that but were committed to being prepared.
"They want to be able to act right there, in that classroom, in that hallway," Parmona said.
Mercado said another meeting for faculty was scheduled for the following week to accommodate those who were unable to attend the first presentation during spring break.
Several staff members present said they were not prepared to handle a violent incident on campus and were anxious to address the topic.
Patty Parmona, professor of counseling and student development, agreed. "I don't feel that the faculty and staff are empowered," she said.
Organized by Luis Mercado, public information officer for the college, the recorded multimedia presentation was conducted by John Nicoletti, Ph.D., of Nicoletti-Flater Associates, a Colorado consulting firm that touts itself as "authorities in violence prevention, interruption and disaster management."
In his presentation, "Violence Goes to College: Detecting and Preventing Avenger Violence," Nicoletti provided insight into these types of incidents and suggested strategies not only to prevent them but to respond and cope as well.
A police psychologist for 25 years in the Denver area, Nicoletti made the point that prevention efforts were necessary but no guarantee that an event would not happen.
The staff and faculty present that day already knew that but were committed to being prepared.
"They want to be able to act right there, in that classroom, in that hallway," Parmona said.
Mercado said another meeting for faculty was scheduled for the following week to accommodate those who were unable to attend the first presentation during spring break.
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