In an introspective move, Tufts' Department of Public and Environmental Safety (DPES) is working to develop a long-term strategic plan for its role on all three University campuses. The project began last semester and is slated to be finished toward the end of the calendar year.
The large undertaking, which has been discussed over the past couple years, was initiated by Director John King to assess "strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges within and outside of the organization," he said.
"We want to learn about the University long-range plan so we can better mirror where the University is going," said King. "We don't want to act retroactively."
Public Safety includes the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD), Tufts Emergency Medical Service (TEMS) and several other safety services.
The process will span many months and will involve a number of planned phases - including time management training for the staff, self-assessment, student feedback, procedural changes, and a formal peer review by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA).
The Tufts Department of Organizational Development & Training finished the first phase last semester. The phase included the creation of a time management program for policy supervisors, commanders, and various administrators in preparation for the greater workload involved with the self-assessment phase.
"How do they - the police officers, sergeants, environmental people - think we're doing?" King listed as some of the questions being asked. "What type of resources do they think we need? How do they think we are perceived as a department?"
The Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate began the student input phase last week, during which approximately six student focus groups will gauge student opinion of the department. Representatives from culture, theme, and Greek houses, international students, Resident Advisors, and Fletcher school students will serve on the student groups.
It is expected that employee and faculty groups will eventually be established as well, Safety Technology Services Specialist Geoff Bartlett said.
An online survey will be created by Bartlett, the Department of Institutional Planning, and senior Jessica Boschee. According to Bartlett, the survey will most likely cater to the undergraduate population and is being designed to "get a breadth of feedback" without having to hold large forums.
Those involved with carrying out the review say its effects will be important in evaluating the department.
"Students often complain that the University doesn't understand or respond to their needs, and this is a way of breaking down that issue," Boschee said. "It shows a real commitment, ...that they are making such an effort to really listen to what the students want."
Bartlett said he is "most excited that the department is actively seeking feedback from one of [Tufts'] largest constituencies."
After student opinion has been gathered and assessed at the end of this semester, the department will work to implement any changes over the summer.
The project's final stage will be the IACLEA review, performed in late fall or early winter to ensure campus law enforcement organizations meet all formal criteria.
While King has some experience with strategic planning for a professional organization, he said he will still be "seeking out advice from people who have done it before," and has high hopes for the project.
TUPD officers are welcoming the internal review. "I think this is something that any law organization should do," Sergeant Doug Mazzola said. "I think that the nature of the business includes self-analysis."
Mazzola said the review of the TUPD was nothing to be scared of, but rather, is important to the maintenance of the department's quality of service. "The overall long-term goal is [to make sure] that we're keeping up with the standards of the industry," he said.
TEMS will not be undergoing as extensive a review as the police department, according to Executive Director Eric Satler. "We're just planning on continuing to serve the community," he said. "We will continue maintaining the 24 hour, 7 day a week service to the community."
