This article discusses Monroe Community College's CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), a program designed to help neighborhoods and work sites prepare for effective disaster response through training and planning. The program requires 24 hours of theoretical and hands-on practice in self-help and mutual-aid emergency functions. CERT personnel…

Describes the Student and Visitor Exchange Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS legislation requires institutions to report electronically foreign students' identities and addresses, as well as visa and other information. Reports on updates to the legislation that are being enacted as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Includes…

Explains the technology of biometrics, the science of identifying a person by unique physical characteristics, and its application in the fight against terrorism. Argues that biometrics, such as hand readers, fingerprint readers, and eye scans, are reliable and efficient. Also describes proximity cards, digital tracking systems, and smart cards.…

Argues that the post-September 11, 2001 economy has created a market with contradictory forces--the economy is decelerating at the same time consumer demands are accelerating. States that higher education is heavily impacted by these forces, and that community colleges must organize around contradiction, broaden the conception of resources, and…

With its global vision, community partners and cutting edge curriculum, Kirkwood Community College has become a leader in emergency preparedness and response training. The college is integrally involved with a variety of training consortia and entities including HMTRI (Hazardous Materials Training Research Institute), PETE (Partnership for…

Describes the 2002 summer institute of the Advanced Technology Environmental Education Center (ATEEC), a National Science Foundation ATE Center located at the Iowa Community College District. Discusses the institute's focus on Bioterrorism and Emerging Infectious Diseases, stressing that community colleges must update their curricula to ensure…

Describes recent federal legislation (H.R. 3394) that charges the National Science Foundation with offering more grants to colleges and universities for degree programs in computer and network security, and to establish trainee programs for graduate students who pursue doctoral degrees in computer and network security. Discusses aspects of…

Suggests that, due to escalating violence in contemporary society, community colleges should offer certificate or degree programs in conflict resolution. Describes a conflict resolution communication program, which teaches communication skills, mediation processes, and coping strategies to prospective mediators. (NB)

Describes a study conducted in Florida after five students were murdered by a serial killer. The study examined emotional and physical consequences of living with anxiety and fear for an entire term. Students who were 24 and younger and lived in the zone where the murders were committed were more seriously impacted, and had lower GPAs. (Contains…

Describes Bio-Link, the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Center for Biotechnology established with funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Reports that Bio-Link, headquartered at City College of San Francisco, has created a national network and resource base for community colleges, industry, and others interested in biotechnology…

Outlines the U.S. Critical Infrastructure Protection Board's purpose, budget, principles, and priorities. Describes the board's role in coordinating all federal activities related to protection of information systems and networks supporting critical infrastructures. Also discusses its responsibility in creating a policy and road map for government…

Identifies the elements of a comprehensive community college terrorism preparedness program and outlines the rationale for a national network of community college programs devoted to homeland security. Argues that community colleges are an ideal venue for reaching the general public, providing information about disasters, and developing service…

Discusses ways in which community colleges are lending their expertise and experience to help make the nation safer after the September 11th attacks. Reports that community colleges are instituting public safety and cybersecurity measures on their campuses and teaching others to do the same. Adds that community colleges are also training public…

Suggests that it is necessary to protect the privacy of government procedures that could compromise security, yet there is also a need to revise and fine-tune legislation that expands government authority. Asserts that all major corrections in the delicate balance between public safety and civil rights typically require corrections themselves. (NB)

This article takes a closer look at emerging fields in the allied health arena. The relatively new field of Health Information Technology is one of the exciting prospects, surging with growth opportunities. These individuals are medical language experts who interpret, process, store and retrieve health information for research and data collection.…