Update on Debrief Meeting with Admin and Next Steps

9/16/2025

Dear Colleagues,

Earlier today we met with members of the administration to express a range of concerns related to the emergency response last Thursday (see list below that we shared with them). It was a productive meeting, one in which both the FSU and the administration agreed that the events of last week provide an opportunity to improve communication and preparedness.

Marie Bowen suggested, and we agreed, to convene a group of campus stakeholders to work together on this issue. Please stay tuned for more information about the formation and work of this committee and possible opportunities to be involved.

Lack of clarity in UMB alerts; what exactly, was happening? What exactly should people be doing (i.e., shelter in place, exit buildings, etc.?)

Classroom Signage what to do in case of emergency: Not consistent. There are no clear evacuation maps (large print). Some rooms provide a QR code.  In an emergency, stopping to scan a code does not seem most efficient.

Classroom Computer messages: The alert system worked as classroom computers (used by instructors) did flash and the emergency alert appeared.  What did not appear was what steps to take – stay and lock the door or evacuate.  Faculty were not sure what to do – some evacuated and some remained, locked the doors and waited for assistance.

Evacuation: Those who evacuated had no guidance about what to do when they and their students got outside. One long-time faculty member encouraged those leaving McCormack to walk to Fox Point and get on the Harbor Walk as this was below campus grade and hidden.  The faculty member then led students (theirs and others) across Morrissey Blvd to walk as a group to the T station along the old Boston Globe Building sidewalk.  Another faculty member left Uhall and was on the front lawn area. Again, faculty were unsure where to go with their students.  In each case, the faculty member was looked to by students to know what to do.

EMKI acronym: Not known to all specifically students.

Campus Shuttle buses: Passengers were still being dropped off in front of the residence halls after the alert to avoid the area being issued.  Same for the Campus Center.  Are bus drivers receiving UMB alerts?  What training have the shuttle bus drivers received related to emergency response?

Outdoor Siren/Alert Speakers: This was the first time many heard speakers outside. This was positive yet some said they did not fully understand what was being said.  

Multiple public safety communications sources were being followed: Faculty, staff and students were receiving UMB alerts. Some were also receiving information via text from fellow students and off campus family/friends. Others were receiving information from Boston police/fire scanners plus State Police scanners/alerts, as well as from Discord.  For example: Boston police scanner indicated a hazmat incident, state police shots fired, and Discord said a poisoned doll was found.

Overall: As one member said, the cops came quickly and there was a massive presence.  But University communications were so vague that rumors flourished.  They had an unsubstantiated report of an active shooter and said avoid an area rather than immediate lockdown or at least sharing the info they had. I would have acted more quickly with the active shooter info over "avoid an area" info. 

Sincerely,

Caroline Coscia                              Jason Rodriquez

Senior Lecturer II                           Professor

Political Science Department          Sociology Department

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