Association News

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, institutions of higher education are facing potentially unprecedented financial difficulties due to decreases in tuition and other revenues. This budget pressure may necessitate the reduction or elimination of services and resources on campuses, including for campus police and public safety agencies.

Additionally, in the wake of the death of George Floyd in police custody, there have been calls to examine the work of or even “defund” police departments.

The purpose of this document is to help campus police and public safety agencies prepare and proactively address anticipated budget cuts and reduced funding, without diminishing their ability to serve the institutional mission and protect the campus community. The document is intended to encourage thinking and discussion among public safety administrators on how to best demonstrate the strategic value of their agencies to key stakeholders and offices throughout the college or university. Faced with possible requirements to cut budgets, the document can also assist in prioritizing operations in the search for potential cost savings while still fulfilling your agency’s responsibilities to the campus.

READ THE DOCUMENT.

This document was developed in collaboration with IACLEA members. In particular, IACLEA Is grateful to the following members who reviewed drafts and provided insightful guidance on this project: 

• Regina G. Lawson, Chief of Police, Wake Forest University
• Yvonne Meyer, Associate Director of Public Safety, Operations, Swarthmore College
• J. Michael Ragan, Director and Chief of Police, Texas A&M University
• Angela Webb, Police Services/Public Safety Director, Southwest Tennessee Community College

IACLEA Director of Professional Service Jerry Murphy served as the primary author.

IACLEA thanks all who contributed and hopes this document supports your efforts to improve campus public safety.