For many, graduation ceremonies and other large-scale events tend to be a repetitive process. Procedures are typically established in the pre-event planning phase and reused time and again. But, it is important to re-evaluate these procedures after each event to identify gaps or inefficiencies, and also add new procedures or policies that reflect new technologies or best practices in security and event management. Ideally, planning should be conducted by a multi-disciplinary team that brings together campus public safety, student affairs, faculty, buildings and grounds, general counsel, residential life, student government, risk management, and local police, fire, and EMS officials to develop policies, procedures and systems designed to ensure the safety of the campus community and its visitors.

The success, or failure, of an event can impact the safety and security of students, faculty, staff and guests, and significantly alter an institution's image. While no institution is immune from a catastrophic critical incident occurring at a campus event, there are prudent planning steps that can be taken to ensure that attendees are able to enjoy campus events reasonably free from harm. Through collaborative efforts, institutions can mitigate risks and build upon strengths to ensure resources align for a successful event.

• Pre-event Planning
• Core Operational Areas, including crowd management, intelligence, arrest processing, screening and physical security, transportation, and many others
• Post-event Considerations
• Planning Toolkit
• Key Planning Checklists

The Community Oriented Policing Services Office (COPS) also published Planning and Managing Security for Major Special Events (PDF) in March 2007. This often-referenced report "provides a framework to assist local law enforcement in planning and managing security for events that attract large numbers of people. It includes examples of best practices employed by federal agencies with security responsibilities, as well as strategies that have been effective for local law enforcement and private security."

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS), developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and applied in the educational environment, are designed to provide a functional management system to handle critical and special events. Institutions can adopt NIMS/ICS for pre-event planning, event management, and post-event follow up. For more information please visit, FEMA's NIMS and ICS webpages.