Student Protests:

 

Although the Wayland Baptist University – San Antonio Campus has never experienced a student protest it does not mean that we are immune to such events.  Such an event must be considered.

 

Student Protests may manifest in several ways; including organized or disorganized crowds, violent and non-violent groups, and passive protests or non-passive protests.

 

Action

 

If there is a student protest during the normal work day, the senior member of the Crisis Management Team available on site at the time will determine if it is necessary to call 911, and if it is necessary to attempt to evacuate the building and get everyone not under direct threat at the time to safety.

 

If there is a student protest after normal work hours, the senior member of the Crisis Management Team available on site at the time or the Security Guard will determine if it is necessary to call 911 and if it is necessary to attempt to evacuate the building and get everyone not under direct threat at the time to safety.  In the absence of the Crisis Management Team or Security Guard any instructor on site is responsible for this decision and action.

 

Points to remember in dealing with protest groups -

 

An organized crowd is the easiest to deal with since it will have some form of leadership who can speak for the group and generally has a common goal.  An unorganized crowd is difficult since there is no leader and generally no common goal.  It usually is composed of people following whoever speaks the loudest and acts the most intimidating to the others.  The first step in either case is to single out the leaders of any group in hopes of coming to a resolution by allowing the group to air its views to the established leadership.

 

A violent group protest should be left to the proper police authorities.  Once the police are notified, clear the area and permit them to handle the situation assisting them as requested.  A non-violent group may not require a police action.  Often such a group will respond well to the established university leadership once the group leaders are identified and isolated.

 

A passive group generally behaves like a non-violent group.  A non-passive group generally behaves like a violent group.  They are best handled as described above.