My office window overlooks the campus lawn and through it I can see students hurrying to classes, returning to dorm rooms, and heading to Chapel for morning worship. I like the view from my window. It helps me feel connected to students and the daily hum of the campus. I imagine that Calvin parents would also enjoy my view, perhaps wishing for the opportunity to see their sons and daughters walking by.
Part of my job in parent relations is to share this fine view from my window
with Calvin parents. So here continues a column for this newsletter where I
will attempt to do just that.
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Jim Van Wingerden ’76
Parent Relations Director
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It’s been about four months since the
tragedy at Virginia Tech last April, a series
of horrific events which struck terror in the
heart of every college student, professor,
and parent. Virginia Tech focused our
national attention on the important issue of
safety at colleges and universities. The
tragedy prompted colleges and universities
everywhere to closely examine their policies
and procedures and review their emergency
responses and communication plans.
 As I think about Calvin College and safety
on this campus, my initial thought is “Something like that could never happen
here at Calvin College!” Calvin is located on
the edge of a fairly quiet and safe suburban
neighborhood. Although urban crime does
exist in Grand Rapids, it’s certainly not proportional
to crime in a larger city. Virginia
Tech reminded us, however, that every college
campus is vulnerable to crime and
tragedy and that even the best emergency
response plan cannot fully protect a college
community from a senseless act of violence.
In the days and weeks that followed the
Virginia Tech tragedy, Calvin College did
receive some concerned calls and e-mails
from parents and other stakeholders. “What is Calvin’s plan” if such an incident
were to occur? Fortunately Calvin had
already put a considerable amount of time
and effort into developing an emergency
response plan that considers a multitude of
possible scenarios—building fires, severe
weather, hostage situations, bomb threats,
political demonstrations, suspicious mail or
packages, release of hazardous materials—
the list of potential events is fairly exhaustive.
I’ve been impressed with the safety practices
on this campus and with my colleagues here
who safeguard this community each and
every day. Our Campus Safety Department is staffed with experienced law enforcement
professionals. Our director, Bill Corner, and
all of the full-time supervisors have served
as police officers at some point in their
careers. Campus Safety has a strong presence
on campus. I cannot walk or drive anywhere
on this campus without seeing at
least one campus safety vehicle or staff
member on patrol. It is virtually impossible
to walk anywhere on campus without one of
the blue campus safety phones in sight.
And Calvin students make good use of
our campus safety “Escort service,” a free
service which any student can use by simply
calling campus safety for an escort to their
car or their dormor apartment in the evening.
I know that, by nature, parents tend to
worry, whether those worries are verbally
expressed or not. In so many ways, worrying
becomes part of a parent’s job. As our
sons and daughters grow and mature we
learn to worry a bit less, perhaps, but there
is a certain feeling of helplessness that
takes over after an incident like Virginia
Tech. Or that occurs during the drive back
home after dropping an 18-year-old-son or
daughter at Calvin College for QUEST.
Let me share this comforting and familiar
Bible passage.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it
again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident
to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious
about anything, but in everything, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers
(and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is
noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—
think about such things. Whatever you
have learned or received or heard from me,
or seen in me—put it into practice. And the
God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:4-9
I like to think of this passage as my personal “emergency response plan.” This passage is
also a wonderful plan for days in my life
when all is well. In fact, it’s a wonderful plan
for every day! It’s a plan for ALWAYS—for
each and every situation. Rejoice in the
Lord, ALWAYS. There’s nothing ambiguous
about the word “always.” The passage outlines
my response to every situation. It
helps me gain composure when I am angry.
It resonates in my soul when I am happy. It
brings me peace when I am anxious or sorrowful.
It provides direction and insight
when I am confused.
And the promise of following this simple
plan is something the world cannot offer us.“The peace of God will be with you.” “The
God of peace will be with you.” My thoughts
about campus and personal safety are once
again adjusted by the enormity of God’s
faithfulness and his promises.
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