An Interview with Tom Muccia:  New HEOA Provisions

Michael F. Shaughnessy - 12.7.09
Senior Columnist EducationNews.org
Eastern New Mexico University
Portales, New Mexico

1)      Tom, first of all, what is your exact title and what do you do?

I am the Director of Product Management and Product Marketing for Inova Solutions. Our free e-book “Understanding the New Emergency Notification Provisions of the HEOA” is designed to be a resource for higher education institutions all over the country. Our goal was to provide a simple way for everyone involved with campus safety to better understand the new provisions and the impact the rules have on emergency notification.

2)      Now, when did these new HEOA provisions come down from Washington?

The new rules, which amend the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, were finalized October 29, 2009.

3)      Sadly, the nation is still recovering from Fort Hood, and of course Virginia Tech. What kinds of emergency measures must be in place?

There are a number of requirements in the new rules regarding emergency notification.  One of the primary changes is that HEIs are required to have a policy for emergency notification.  Once a dangerous situation has been confirmed, an institution’s emergency notification policy should be followed. 

Another important new measure is that the emergency notification system must have the ability to send follow-up information to the community about the status of the emergency.  

There are no requirements regarding what method of communication must be used (SMS/text messaging, visual notification, audio messaging, etc.), but some form of emergency messaging is required.  However, the new rule recommends a multi-modal approach for pervasive messaging. 

Another primary change concerns the statement of policy regarding emergency response and evacuation procedures.  This statement describes how the institution will immediately notify the campus community when a significant emergency is confirmed.

4)      What do you mean by structure campus safety and mass notification policies?

Many of the new requirements deal directly with statements of policy about emergency notification.  Emergency response and evacuation procedures are one of the primary elements of the Annual Security Report.  This statement must include a detailed description of how the institution will test its emergency response and evacuation procedures.  The statement must also include the procedures the institution will use to notify the campus community of a confirmed emergency.  The third component of this statement is a description of how the institution will confirm an emergency situation, determine which segments of the campus to notify, determine content of the message and how the notification will be initiated.  There are several other requirements which are also detailed in our HEOA eBook, but all of these rules influence how campus safety and mass notification policies should be structured so that the campus is in compliance with all regulations.

5)      What kinds of informational resources are available in this e-book?

“Understanding the New Emergency Notification Provisions of the HEOA” covers the emergency notification provisions of the new HEOA rules.  Everything from timely warning and mass notification to the Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports are described in detail.  The eBook also includes important considerations and best practices suggested by the Department of Education and information Inova Solutions has discovered while working with emergency managers at universities across the country.

6)      Most campuses have campus police- but are there ratios as to how many officers are needed for small, medium and large universities?

At this time it does not appear that there are campus police ratios that should be followed.

7)      What kinds of measures should campuses take when there is a person with a mental disorder or psychological or psychiatric problem?

In the final rule, the Department of Education suggests HEIs consider the needs of both students and employees with disabilities when planning and implementing emergency notification policies and procedures.  At this time, there are no HEOA requirements for institutions to follow regarding emergency notification and disabled students and employees.

8)      Where is this e-book available and what does it cost?

The eBook, “Understanding the New Emergency Notification Provisions of the HEOA”, is available at www.inovasolutions.com/mass-notification.  The eBook is free and is available in PDF format and mobile formats for electronic reader devices and smartphones.

9)      What have I neglected to ask?

Inova Solutions is a leading provider of communication solutions that help schools and universities communicate vital, real-time information.  Inova OnAlert is a real-time notification system that instantly displays emergency messages on bright and visible LED signs throughout a facility. Inova OnAlert integrates seamlessly with virtually every mainstream mass notification platform and is in use by many colleges and universities across the country.