Security questions remain one week after UW attack
The state of security is being questioned one week after horror hit Hagey Hall at the University of Waterloo, when a man allegedly stabbed three people in a gender issues class including one professor and two students.
President of the University of Waterloo, Vivek Goel, says the physical security response was one he's happy with.
“The first officers were on scene in three minutes, and the assailant was arrested a few minutes later,” crediting Waterloo Regional Police and Campus Security for great work.
Goel added that all three victims have been released from hospital and are “doing well.”
However, he admits communications regarding the incident and security were lacking that day.
“We know that WatSAFE and how we use it, has to be better,” he says.
WatSAFE is an app students can download to their phone or computer. It offers direct lines to campus security and 911 as well as other security features and tips.
But on the day in question, despite an apparent test only hours before the incident, some on campus say they didn't get a notification from the app until an hour after the stabbing. Others say they didn't get one at all.
PETITION STARTED
A petition posted online calls it the "Wat un-SAFE" app demanding the university fix it. The petition is asking for more urgent notifications on campus Like text and robocalls, "providing recorded warning messages and further instructions, banners on University computers/televisions, as well as a siren/loudspeaker system on campus grounds.”
When asked about his response to the petition Goel said, “at present there is a review under way in terms of security communications and in particular the WatSAFE app.” Adding that feed back like this is welcome.
When it comes to other potential security changes, Goel says frank discussions are necessary.
For example, would increased security actually make people more comfortable? Or could it do the opposite?
“Are we going to have more closed circuit TV cameras in our campus, in our buildings in our classrooms? What kind of impact would that have on people and how free they feel in teaching if they feel they are also being videoed constantly.”
Goel says further events will be held on campus to encourage mental health resources and spark discussions about what kinds of changes people would like to see on campus. He saysthey will consider all student and staff feedback before making security changes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Federal dental insurance program to be phased in over 2024, benefits to start in May
The new federal dental insurance plan will be phased in gradually over 2024, with the first claims likely to be processed in May, government officials said ahead of a formal announcement scheduled for Monday morning.
'We're trying not to break down': Sask. family desperate to find their loved one last seen in Toronto
The family of 39-year-old Lesley Sparvier has been trying to find and locate her after she left home on foot in Kahkewistahaw First Nation, Sask. on Nov. 28.
Buckingham Palace releases this year’s Christmas card
Buckingham Palace released an image of the Christmas card that King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be sending out this year.
Iowa man arrested in the death of a Nebraska Catholic priest
A man has been arrested in the stabbing death of a Catholic priest who was attacked over the weekend in a church rectory in a small Nebraska community, authorities said.
The Université de Moncton will not be getting a new name
The board of New Brunswick's Universite de Moncton has decided not to change the school's name despite concerns about its connection to a problematic historical figure.
Trump says he won't testify Monday at his New York fraud trial and sees no need to appear again
Donald Trump said Sunday he has decided against testifying for a second time at his New York civil fraud trial, posting on social media that he "VERY SUCCESSFULLY & CONCLUSIVELY" testified last month and saw no need to appear again.
Saskatchewan is a safe space to buy 'sustainable oil,' Scott Moe says
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is working hard to use a global climate change conference as an opportunity to market the province’s non-renewable resources.
LCBO reveals what Ontarians drank the most this year
When it came to what Ontarians brought home during their liquor runs at the LCBO, the company said customers went for options that gave them more bang for their buck.
Al Gore calls UAE hosting COP28 'ridiculous,' slams oil CEO appointed to lead climate talks
Climate advocate and former Vice President Al Gore on Sunday called into question the decision to hold the COP28 climate talks in the United Arab Emirates, a leading producer of the world’s oil.