News Release
UWINNIPEG SECURITY UPDATE
September 21, 2007 5:00 p.m
WINNIPEG, MB  The safety and security of students, faculty and staff is our number one priority.The University of Winnipeg is doing everything possible to ensure the provision of a safe and secure learning and work environment on our campus today, on September 26, and into the future. The University is open and continues to operate on a normal basis but with enhanced security measures. We are undertaking additional measures to ensure and assure the community that this obligation is being met. Having said this, there may be some individuals who still may make a personal decision not to be on campus on Wednesday due to the exceptional circumstances; the University respects those who make that decision and places no judgment on those who make that decision.
Students  The University has consulted with The University of Winnipeg Students Association and the Executive of The University of Winnipeg Senate. As is the case in normal circumstances of any missed class, assignment or exam, students who make a personal choice not to attend class must make arrangements with professors to make up the assignment and/or the exam at a later date. All necessary accommodations will be made to help students in this regard. For example, marks will not be deducted for lack of attendance or participation on that day. Please notify your professor by the end of day Monday, September 24 (if possible) if you do not intend to attend classes on Wednesday.
Faculty The University has consulted with The University of Winnipeg Faculty Association and the Academic Vice-President. Faculty members who make a personal decision not to come to campus on Wednesday should inform their Chairs by the end of the day Monday, September 24 so that alternate arrangements can be made, particularly for those who are scheduled to teach classes. Instructors who normally teach on Wednesday and who do not plan to be on campus that day are asked to inform their students in advance.
Staff  The University has consulted with the Association of Employees Supporting Education Services, the International Union of Operating Engineers and the Vice-President of Human Resources. Staff who make a personal choice not to come to campus should speak with their department director by the end of the day Monday, September 24. Department directors will exercise flexibility and determine how staff can make up any missed time; management will exercise flexibility in this regard. This also applies to excluded staff. Human Resources will provide a range of options and guidelines to department directors on Monday.
Enhanced University Security Measures
Enhanced video monitoring capacity;
Electronic billboards to improve dissemination of information;
Security will be making random checks of backpacks and bags (Your cooperation is requested in this regard);
The Winnipeg Police Service has increased its presence an campus and increased security measures are being taken;
The University is working closely with the Winnipeg Police service and the provincial government on an ongoing basis to assess risk and ensure appropriate security measures are in place;
University faculty, staff and students are asked to be vigilant and report any specific knowledge of this incident or any suspicious behaviour to our Security Office immediately;
A Security Office hotline (786-9235) is being staffed on a 24 hour basis;
A phone TIP line is operational (258-2930);
An e-mail TIP line has been established: tips@uwinnipeg.ca ;
; The Universitys Personal Safety Guide, which was distributed widely at the commencement of the school year, provides a thorough overview of safety tips and security services and what to do in an emergency situation; and
The Universitys Director of Security Services and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator are working with relevant authorities to implement an operational plan.
On July 23, the University announced a series of new initiatives that reflect the institutions pro-active approach to campus safety including the phasing in of a SALTO Access Control system, a state-of-the art electronic locking system, and the development of an in-house security team. These new initiatives complement existing initiatives such as:
Safe Ride and Safe Walk Programs;
Community Ambassador Services Program;
Safety presentations at Campus Orientation sessions; and
Safety talks on Parents nights.
The University is disseminating regular information updates to our community and has taken the following steps to establish ongoing communication with those on our campus:
Senior managers have been phoning their staff;
E-mail messages have gone to a wide distribution of faculty, staff and students;
The University has engaged its union leadership;
The University has engaged The University of Winnipeg Students Association which has been disseminating the information through its networks; and
Information was e-mailed to 7,655 personal student e-mail accounts.
Existing Counseling Services available on campus:
Student counseling can be accessed by calling 786-9231;
Staff and Faculty counseling is available through the Employee Assistance Program at 1-800-387-4765; and
Faculty counseling is available at 786-9022.
Students are asked to activate their University iam email accounts. To access your UWinnipeg email account please go to https://uportal.uwinnipeg.ca
For Current Students, Staff and Faculty (Main Campus): You will login to using your current User ID and password. If you do not already have a University of Winnipeg ID and password you can (re)claim your account in 4C32B or anywhere you have access to the Internet at: https://claimid.uwinnipeg.ca/claimid/.
For Collegiate Students: You should have received a new User ID and password. Use these the first time you login to myUWinnipeg. When you click the login button you will be prompted to change your password. You will only have to do this once.
While this may be graffiti the University is treating this message seriously, is taking the responsible approach by disclosing it to the community, and has increased its security measures. The University will share further information with the community as soon as it becomes available. Updates will be provided via email and will be available on the University web sites homepage www.uwinnipeg.ca
Classes and University business are continuing as scheduled. Much like airports have had to change their security measures due to changing times, so do universities. And universities, like airports and other public institutions, must still continue to function.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Dan Hurley, Executive Director, External Affairs, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.786.9027, C: 204.290.4525, E: d.hurley@uwinnipeg.ca
A message warning of a shooting was found on a men's washroom wall, across from the library, on the first floor of the University of Winnipeg's Centennial Hall, in Manitoba, Canada.

The message said: I'm going to "shoot up this place on Sept. 26." According to the ''Globe and Mail'', the exact wording of the message is disputed.

It was reported to campus security by a student just two days ago on Wednesday morning. Police examined the scene and checked other washrooms in the facility for related threats, but found none. The washroom is closed and police are guarding it. Several school entrances were guarded off on Thursday.

As a precaution, the University has tightened up security, and an investigation with the Major Crimes Unit is already in the works. They are still trying to determine if this is a prank by one of the students, or if this is an actual threat.

"The university has taken the responsible and appropriate approach by disclosing to our community a warning message found written on a wall of one of our washroom facilities," said President of the school and Vice-Chancellor Lloyd Axworthy, who was on a trip to Chicago when he heard of the news.

"In these circumstances you're never sure," he said. "The graffiti was on the wall. There have been similar kinds of pranks in the past at the University of Winnipeg. There have been bomb threats, and we have taken appropriate action over the years, but you can never rely on that," Axworthy added. "In today's heightened and somewhat dangerous circumstances, and the society we're in, we can't take any chances."

The University's press release (see sources section) says frightened students and instructors can stay home on Wednesday. "The University respects those who make that decision and places no judgment on those who make that decision." Students can arrange to finish their missed exams on a separate date. The press release asks students to "notify your professor by the end of day Monday, September 24 (if possible) if you do not intend to attend classes on Wednesday." Faculty members, instructors, and staff are asked to notify the school on Monday if they do not wish to come on Wednesday.

Security are making random checks in students' backpacks, bags, and other items.



Police are preparing plans to take instant action on the day of the threatened shooting.

The last major shooting at a Canadian school was at Dawson College in Montreal, Quebec last year.

Less than 10,000 people are enrolled at the University of Winnipeg.