A Case Study: Crisis Response and Violence Prevention Programs at East Texas A&M University

Cassy R. Rice

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Department

Educational Leadership

Date of Award

Spring 2025

Abstract

This dissertation is a qualitative exploratory case study that examines the structure and level of awareness by students, faculty, staff, and administrators regarding crisis response and campus violence prevention programs and policies established and actively implemented at East Texas A&M University (ETAMU); formerly known as Texas A&M–Commerce. The research provides an understanding of the crisis response and violence prevention policies and procedures currently in place for the ETAMU campus community, and includes a baseline understanding of how well publicized the crisis response and violence prevention programs are to the campus community. The literature explores preventative and intervention methods for student aggression and campus violence at the post-secondary level. However, to conduct a comprehensive analysis, an investigation surrounding the historical and current perspectives and policies by primary and secondary level institutions is an important factor to consider. Much of the literature focuses exclusively on one of the two components, rather than how both parts are necessary for complete and effective crisis response procedures and violence prevention programs. The study design was chosen because the intent of the study was to explore the combination of crisis response protocols and violence prevention programs available on campus, and determine how they work together to combat campus violence. Participants, including faculty, staff, and students, were intentionally recruited for the study. Data were collected from several mediums, including interviews, educational materials physically located on campus, as well as materials available digitally on the university the website, myLeo Portal, and the Lion Safe App. Findings indicate that the university has strong established crisis response procedures and a heavy police presence, which promotes feelings of safety and security throughout campus. However, the knowledge of those procedures has not necessarily trickled down to the larger population of faculty, staff, and students. Additionally, student resources that aid in violence prevention are not freely available, or advertised extensively, to the general campus. Findings indicate those potentially valuable resources have been restricted to students who have been directly referred to access them. However, that does not appear to directly correlate to feelings of being less secure on campus.

Advisor

David Tan

Subject Categories

Education | Higher Education

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