President Scott Ransom responds to Virginia Tech tragedy

Students, Faculty and Staff,

We all watched the tragic events unfold at Virginia Polytechnic University this week with a sense of disbelief at the senseless violence and loss of lives. I want to assure you that the UNT Health Science Center sent its condolences to both Virginia Tech and to the nearby Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine. We mourn with the students, faculty, staff and families who are enduring the pain and struggling to understand this unimaginable tragedy.

While no one wants to consider that such an act could be inflicted on our campus, we are a state institution with a campus that is open to the public. It is possible that a disturbed individual could threaten our health or safety at any time.

Rest assured that our highly trained Campus Police patrol regularly and will respond to emergency situations quickly and professionally. The Campus Police are in close contact with other law enforcement agencies that can offer additional support, if needed.

Our Emergency Preparedness Plan is currently being updated. It is important that you familiarize yourself with this plan, and remember these key actions in case of an emergency or terrorist act:

  • Evacuate the area if you can safely do so.
  • Call Campus Police at ext. 2600, or 817-735-2600 from a cell phone, to report suspicious activity or violence. DO NOT CALL 9-1-1.
  • Move to an area where you can close and lock the door, if necessary.
  • There are more than 20 emergency telephones located across the campus. Emergency phones are located in all elevators, as well as most parking lots and garages. Once the talk button has been pushed, or the handset has been picked up, the caller can speak directly with a police dispatcher.
  • State law prohibits the possession of firearms in any building on the campus. This prohibition includes those persons normally licensed to carry a concealed weapon. Violations of state law or university policy will result in immediate action; including arrest and prosecution, referral to Student Affairs, and or disciplinary action for faculty and staff. Possession of explosives is prohibited anywhere on campus.
  • Rapid and reliable communication is critical to managing crises. In case of emergency, a campus-wide e-mail message may be sent to all users; the fire alarm intercom system may be used; and patrol officers may use the public address system on their vehicles. We also will establish a command center to handle campus communications, as well as the flow of information to the public.

Additional emergency guidelines and information are available at the UNTHSC Police Department.

Dr. Scott Ransom
President
University of North Texas Health Science Center

Recent News

Kari Northeim
  • Our People
|Sep 28, 2023

HSC’s Dr. Kari Northeim and Parker County collaborators awarded SAMHSA grant for rural EMS training and education

  Dr. Kari Northeim, School of Public Health assistant professor of population and community health at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, has been awarded the SAMHSA Rural EMS Training and Education grant in conjunction with HSC community partners, Parke...
Graci Finco
  • Research
|Sep 28, 2023

SBS researchers publish innovative study in Nature Scientific Reports 

People with leg amputations, including those with diabetes, run the risk of overuse injuries like osteoarthritis, muscle atrophy or bone breaks in their intact limbs.   Now, new research is quantifying the impacts of amputations and diabetes, a leading cause of amputation, on those overuse ...
Frank Filipetto Cropped For Social
  • On Campus
|Sep 28, 2023

HSC’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine to host symposium on ‘Creating Change in Health Care Delivery’

Americans have soured on the U.S. health care system, according to a Gallup poll taken earlier this year. Most of those surveyed rate health care quality as subpar, including 31% saying it is “only fair” and 21% — a new high — calling it “poor.” The U.S. ranked nearly last compared w...
Tarri Wyre
  • On Campus
|Sep 26, 2023

SaferCare Texas empowers Community Health Workers to complete HSC Mental Wellness microcredential

Tarri Wyre saw the growing need to expand her mental health education. The community health worker and ambulatory care manager for Memorial Hermann Health in Houston turned to the Mental Wellness microcredential, offered by The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s SaferC...