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Show uvu uvu Monday • June 22, 2009 The Independent Student Voice of Utah Valley University VOLXLIX a NO 2 Simulated campus attack practice • JESSICA BURNHAM] News editor Trent BatesAJVU Review Officers hide out near the smoke-filled food court in the Student Center during the training session June 14. Utah County police officers learn methods of protection in crises [ SHAYLENE NISTLER News writer Local SWAT teams, fire and police departments, and medical evacuation teams by land and air rushed UVU campus on June 14; dodging the explosives and smoke to disarm twelve gunmen holding hostages during a mass-scale training exercise. "The officers that responded into the campus buildings reacted better than anticipated," said Detective Kelly Liddiard of the UVU Police Department, "[They] took control and neutralized any threats that they came across faster and betfer than we as the planning teajn expected." This was the first fullscale simulation with all agencies and medical response teams together. A total of 180 participants and 100 volunteers made this the largest shooter Shooting simulation •TRENT BATES & JACK WATERS News writers Usually Sundays in Orem are consistently calm. But June 14 proved differently on campus and the surrounding community as the sound of gunfire filled the air. What ensued was the largest active shooter simulation ever conducted in Utah County, a strategic battle of sorts, between , hypothetical terrorists and law enforcement officials looking to deter the pseudo-criminal undertaking. The events unfurled all over campus, from the McKay Center to the library, as the supposed terrorists attempted capturing victims from among the 100 actors situated all across UVU. Some actors went to the lengths of wearing theatrical makeup to appear as wounded victims in the massive scale exercise. The standoff in the library was supposed to last two hours, but the teams completed the mission much earlier than expected. Capt. Conner, of Orem Police Department said of the event, "No longer do [police officers] wait for SWAT team backup. Once an officer gets on-site, [police officers] go right in." The drill, planned since January and described to the community for awareness, "Helps apply coordinated procedures to prevent the loss of life should something like this occur on a college campus, mall or anywhere else," UVU police detective Kelly Liddiard said. "Virginia Tech never thought [a campus shooting] would happen to them. We fight as we are trained. We also thought we would have more time gathering hostages," said one the terrorist actors during a review of the scenario to the audience of law officers. A small bit of confusion occurred when churchgoers exited the institute building - which was not a part of the simulation - and left a few people curious as to the goings-on. Warnings simulation in Utah County. Although the UVU Police receives few verbal or written threats, they continuously train for emergencies such as active gunmen. The shooter simulation training identified very few errors in the process, which will be remedied. Special Thanks: AirMed, Utah County Metro SWAT, Lehi SWAT, Provb/Orem Metro SWAT, Orem City Fire Department, Utah Valley Communication • Center, Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, Timpanogos Hospital, Lifeftight and Wal-Mart. In an effort to facilitate international understanding, the Open World Program has invited five government leaders from Kyrgyzstan to explore various aspects of Utah June 12 through the 20. The Open World Program is dedicated to establishing a system of leaders in specific regions who have had .significant exposure to American democracy, government and our free-market system. Utah Valley University's Office of International Affairs & Diplomacy is acting as host for the delegation for Open World. "As the local host, UVU is thrilled to facilitate the creation of meaningful partnerships among local organizations and Open World delegations," said Maryna V. Storrs, the Program Coordinator of the Office of International Affairs and Diplomacy. "Our goal is to provide educational as well as networking opportunities that the delegates will surely utilize upon return to their home countries." Five well-qualified delegates were chosen after a competitive application process. Their country of Kyrgystan has been involved in Open World since June 2007. Open World intends to assist Kyrgystan in improving their judicial system and making it more accessible. The program brings a group of four to five participants accompanied by a facilitator for theme-based visits to the U.S. The visits usually begin with an orientation in Washington DC, followed by a program in a local community. The delegates will have the opportunity to tour UVU's newly built library, examine the activities of social services organizations, discuss copyright laws with professionals, learn how to prevent juvenile crime, visit the legislature and participate in many other activities relevant to their occupational interests. See OPEN • A2 UVU key passed to Pres. Holland • . WATERS Exec. Campus editor Pres. Matthew Holland was given the ceremonial key to the university last Wednesday as another finishing touch in his transition to his role as president. The key was passed to Holland by Elizabeth Hitch, who served as interim president in place of Pres. Bill Sederburg, who made the decision to move onto his new role as Utah's Commissioner of Higher Education last summer. Hitch served in this capacity for nearly a year. "The transition has been great, extremely warm. I have been to lunch with students a few times to hear about their needs. I've visited with members of the faculty in their offices. All of that and more leaves me excited with this place," said Pres. Holland before the ceremony. The program began with a brief introduction from Hitch, followed by a short video. The video quickly shuffled through the key moments from the transition of the university over the past two years. "Do we move a warp speed, or what?" said Hitch after the video showed the many steps in the university transition. Hitch described Holland as open and collaborative, with a great intellectual capacity. "He can see the future - and wants to shape that with us," she affirmed. After Hitch passed the key to Pres. Holland, he took a few minutes for an acceptance speech. "This may not open anything, but I'm sure my kids will try to open stuff with it anyway," said Holland to a laughing crowd. Holland then presented Hitch with a flower bouquet as a gesture of gratitude for her service to the school. Holland's tenure as president began June 1, one month earlier than originally planned. The extra time has afforded Pres. Holland an opportunity to get around campus, witnessing faculty, staff and students in their local environments. "I want to be a president for the students. They are the reason any of us are here. I want to provide high quality education for them, and a . proper kind of environment where they can succeed and prepare themselves for life. That's right at the top of my agenda; so I look forward getting right into that," Holland said. With the extra month of his early Trent Bates/UVU Review A completed pass from Hitch to Holland. tenure, he has already begun his efforts to acclimate the campus by sitting in on a few classes being taught this summer. "I can't imagine there would have been a better choice to lead UVU over the next few years than Pres. Holland," said Hitch. See SHOOTING • A2 Inside this issue Culture Catch up on the Rock Canyon debacle in a nutshell. A2 UVU Artist in Residence David Tinney makes his directorial debut at the Hale in West Valley. Angel or Demon? Views on the appointment of President Matt Holland. A3 Rodeo team competes in national competition. Read their successes and disappointments on A8 |