UWinnipeg President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lloyd Axworthy (right) speaks at today’s announcement by the Provincial Government on post-secondary security funding. Listening to Dr. Axworthy are Red River College President Jeff Zabudsky (left) and Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Diane McGifford. Shawn Coates /uwinnipeg.ca photo.
WINNIPEG, MB – The Manitoba government is investing $2.5 million for security enhancements at universities and colleges to help protect students, staff and visitors from threats of violence and to ease anxiety about the potential for security and safety issues, Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Diane McGifford announced today.
“Students, faculty and administrators have the right to feel safe in our post-secondary education facilities whenever they are on campus,” said McGifford. “Our government is investing additional funds to support security measures put in place by Manitoba’s post-secondary institutions to ensure facilities and campuses are as safe and secure as possible.”
Security features have always been in place on college and university campuses across the province. However, recent threats made to institutions have resulted in enhanced security, more services for students and greater awareness of the need to reduce the possibility of security issues arising, the minister said.
“Universities and colleges have a responsibility to ensure that our students, staff, faculty and visitors are as secure as possible,” said University of Winnipeg president and vice-chancellor Lloyd Axworthy. “This investment by the Province of Manitoba will allow us to continue to invest in both new technology and security staff. Upgrading public address systems, installing video screens in public hallways and exploring mass communications technology such as voice, e-mail and text messaging are among these investments.”
“With 12 campuses spread throughout Manitoba, maintaining and enhancing security is a significant responsibility for Red River College. We appreciate the provincial government’s support in this effort,” said Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, president of Red River College.
“The safety of staff and students is of utmost importance to us,” said Dr. Emőke Szathmáry, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Manitoba. “We have numerous security measures already in place to ensure our campuses are safe places to work and learn. This additional support from the province will help us to continually improve and upgrade those measures to keep our Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses secure.”
“College and university campuses are hubs of activity that serve members of the community through continuing education programs, night classes, sports and recreation activities,” McGifford said. “Faculty, administrators and students are on site at all hours and it is imperative they feel safe and secure in the campus environment.”
Post-secondary institutions have taken steps to enhance safety and are working co-operatively by sharing security expertise. Safety measures such as accompanying students to their vehicles or bus stops and providing rides within specific boundaries have also been implemented at some facilities. Others have increased security presence, added patrol routes and co-ordinated resources with police services and community groups.
The University of Winnipeg, the University of Manitoba, Brandon University, Red River College, Assiniboine Community College, the Collège Universitaire de Saint-Boniface and University College of the North will all receive a portion of the funding.
