Discusses the importance of maintaining sprinkler systems in school facilities. Provides facts about sprinklers and describes steps to take after accidental discharges. (EV)

Looks at challenges to safe schools and offers eight suggestions for ensuring the safety of students and educators. Notes that school violence includes unacceptable social behavior ranging from aggression that threatens or harms others to bullying, threats, sexual harassment, gang violence, extortion, and other forms of intimidation. (SG)

In this national study on the impact of the Clery Campus Crime Disclosure and Reporting Act, 305 college administrators distributed questionnaires to 9,150 undergraduate students. Student knowledge of the Act and changes in student behavior were minimal and varied by gender, victim status, institution type, and institution size. (Author)

As colleges and universities evolve, so too do the complexities of creating safe environments for students. This article describes safety in its various contexts and provides an overview for this special journal issue. (Contains 17 references.) (GCP)

Initiation traditions and rites of passage are important for group and team membership, but the violent behavior and alcohol abuse involved in hazing constitute serious campus crime. This article helps campus administrators to develop new strategies for attacking the hidden crime of hazing. (Contains 32 references.) (Author)

In response to the Texas Hazardous Communication Act (THCA) of 1986 which raised many new health and liability issues regarding students in science laboratories, a laboratory safety survey was generated for use in evaluating laboratory safety. This article contains the easy-to-use survey. (ZWH)

At an Ohio school that serves 150 multiply handicapped children, maintenance staff spread some old insecticide around a storage shed in a misguided attempt to kill rodents. Cleanup efforts cost over $15,000. Advises schools to examine their policies regarding pesticides. Lists information sources and the availability of a booklet on pest control.…

Radon is a natural, chemically inert, radioactive gas that can seep to the surface from underground rocks. As many as 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. each year may be radon-caused. Screening a school for radon is not difficult and may be done on weekends. It's safer for students and staff to test and be sure. (MLH)

Explores the debate over gun ownership and gun control in the United States, focusing on the historic place of guns in U.S. society. The current national mood is more receptive than ever to restricting and regulating adolescent access to guns in light of recent school shootings. (SLD)

Explains the use of alarms and other early-detection devices to effectively protect students in life-threatening fire situations. Ohio State University's multidiscipline approach to life safety is illustrated. (GR)

Although school tragedies are not totally preventable, they will be far more preventable if schools develop a written school safety plan. Components should include legally mandated safety drills, regularly scheduled school safety audits and evaluations, a student apparel policy, a schoolwide discipline plan, and a closed campus. (MLH)

Presents a junior high school counselor's view on the safety of today's schools. Contends that today's schools are no different than those of the past, but rather that today's schools are unfairly scrutinized and focus is placed only on the negative aspects. (GCP)

Explores the basics in technology convergence in making today's college and university campuses more "intelligent." Two key components required for effective technology convergence are described as are the benefits of convergence on campus safety and security and utility cost management. (GR)

This article on school violence deals with teacher concerns regarding school safety. Discusses the escalation of the problem, proposed legislation, and results of a survey of vocational education teachers. Describes the experience of a teacher who was shot in his classroom. (JOW)

Discusses how traditional high school cafeterias have changed in recent years into food courts and dining areas usually found in shopping malls. Areas examined include food court design, traffic patterns, safety and after-hours usage, and kitchens and serving areas. How one school district turned its food court system into a successful…