| WCL hosts nuclear nonproliferation conference
Political, legal, military, and policy experts gathered at the Washington College of Law Thursday to discuss the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The daylong conference, sponsored by the school’s International Law Review, featured speakers from the White House, State Department, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and nongovernmental organizations. The keynote address was delivered by Andrew Semmel, deputy assistant secretary for nuclear nonproliferation at the U.S. Department of State. “What is clear to me is that the NPT [now], and undoubtedly in the future, faces great challenges,” Semmel said, listing illicit trafficking of nuclear weapons by terrorists as one of the biggest. Semmel, who expressed concern over what he called Iran’s “obvious” attempts to develop a nuclear weapon, offered his advice on how the U.S. can best confront these problems. “With realism and determination and international partners,” he said. Hypothetical crisis helps university tweak emergency plan
AU’s emergency preparedness plan was put to the test last Wednesday when university leaders were faced with a hypothetical crisis situation. With the help of Community Research Associates, an Alexandria, Va.-based firm that’s trained more than 80,000 first responders, Interim President Neil Kerwin, members of the cabinet, and the Emergency Planning Working Group were given a standoff scenario involving a truck full of explosives at the Glover Gate. The meeting was very informal, with participants throwing out questions and assorted “what-ifs.” Michael McNair, director of Public Safety, explained how his officers would work with the Metropolitan Police Department to set up a perimeter, while Julie Weber, director of Housing and Dining Services, explored questions about how to feed and shelter those students evacuated from main campus. The group also discussed traffic issues, shuttle bus service, how to handle media inquiries, and how best to keep parents informed. According to Pat Kelshian, executive director of Risk Management and Safety Services, the 14-member working group meets monthly. “The next several meetings will be devoted to making improvements to the plan” based on Wednesday’s exercise, she explained. Kelshian said it was helpful to have all of the key players in one room, discussing various scenarios, as new questions were raised. That input will be critical, she said, in tweaking AU’s emergency preparedness plan. |
