New Legislation Aims to Enhance Campus Safety Reporting and Accountability
Introducing the COREY Act: Fostering Transparency and Accountability in Higher Education
In a significant move towards fostering greater transparency and accountability in higher education institutions, lawmakers have introduced a bill that mandates universities and colleges to report serious accidents occurring on their campuses. The bill, known as the College Operational Reporting of Emergencies Involving Teens and Young Adults Safety (COREY) Act, takes its name from Corey Hausman, a college freshman who tragically lost his life in a skateboarding accident on campus.
Corey’s Tragic Story: A Call for Improved Reporting Mechanisms
Corey’s story is a poignant reminder of the need for improved reporting mechanisms regarding serious accidents on college campuses. Corey was merely 15 days into his first year at the University of Colorado at Boulder when he fell off his skateboard on a broken pathway and succumbed to his injuries. Distressingly, his death was not accounted for in the university’s records, shedding light on a gap in existing reporting requirements.
Addressing the Reporting Gap: The Proposed Changes by the COREY Act
While colleges are mandated to collect data on various forms of serious crime through the CLERY Act, accidents are not systematically recorded, despite being a leading cause of death among college students. The proposed COREY Act seeks to rectify this by amending the CLERY Act to necessitate the disclosure of instances leading to “serious harm or death” in the annual safety reports.
Expanding Reporting Scope: Enhancing Campus Safety Protocols
Under the provisions of the COREY Act, colleges would be obligated to report accidents such as transportation incidents involving pedestrians, cyclists, and motor vehicles, slips and falls, alcohol or drug overdoses, and even incidents of choking or drowning. By expanding the scope of reported incidents, this legislation aims to enhance campus safety protocols and facilitate the implementation of preventive measures to mitigate risks and prevent further accidents.
Empowering Students and Enhancing Safety: The Impact of the COREY Act
Nanette Hausman, Corey’s mother and founder of College911, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about safety on college campuses, stressed the significance of evidence-based data in preventing accidents. By compiling accurate and comprehensive information on accidents, public health agencies and researchers can gain valuable insights that can contribute to injury and fatality prevention strategies. This data can also guide universities in allocating resources for medical emergency preparedness and improving campus infrastructure.
Transforming Campus Safety: The Proposed Legislation’s Objectives
The proposed legislation is designed to empower students and families with prompt and accurate information about campus safety. Furthermore, it encourages colleges to evaluate their physical infrastructure to identify potential hazards and adopt measures that prioritize student safety. By requiring colleges to provide information about the nearest trauma center, the bill also equips students with essential resources for handling emergencies.
Emulating Success: The COREY Act and Connecticut’s Model
The COREY Act mirrors a law enacted in Connecticut that imposes similar reporting requirements on all college campuses within the state. This model has already demonstrated its potential to enhance campus safety and provide students with information vital for making informed decisions during emergencies.
Corey’s Legacy: Catalyst for Change in Campus Safety Reporting
As lawmakers advocate for the passage of the COREY Act, Corey’s legacy stands as a catalyst for change in the way campus accidents are reported and addressed. This legislation signifies a commitment to creating safer learning environments, empowering students, and ensuring that universities remain accountable for their student’s well-being. By transforming preventable injuries into metrics for improvement, the COREY Act could mark a significant step towards safeguarding the lives of students across the nation.
Gordon McKernan Support the COREY Act
Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, a prominent personal injury firm known for their involvement in various causes, has expressed support for the COREY Act, a bill aimed at improving campus safety by requiring reporting of incidents resulting in serious physical injuries or death at institutions of higher education.
