Newswise — The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and ASME-Innovative Technologies Institute, LLC (ASME-ITI) have announced the new ASME-ITI Higher Education Risk Standard. “A Risk Analysis Standard for Natural and Man-Made Hazards to Higher Education Institutions” is designed to identify, analyze and address risks on college and university campuses. It is based on the Risk Analysis and Management for Critical Asset Protection (RAMCAP) Plus® process and has been officially approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). RAMCAP Plus® is a seven-step methodology that enables asset owners to perform self-assessments of their risks relative to specific threats. This risk assessment tool quantifies risk by identifying assets, threats, vulnerabilities and consequences. RAMCAP Plus® then enables users to implement strategies to mitigate the overall risk.
Given the prevalent risks on college and university campuses, it is important to standardize risk mitigation strategies for academia. The higher education standard was created in response to recent incidents of campus violence and hurricanes that affected the Gulf Coast. By better understanding the threats, risks and vulnerabilities to higher education institutions, campus decision-makers are better equipped to set priorities and prepare for emergencies.
“The destruction caused by the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes and violent acts on our nation’s campuses showed the engineering community that a standard to assist higher education administrators evaluate the risk on their campuses was needed,” said Reese Meisinger, president of ASME-ITI. “We hope that this standard to address higher education risks will help foster an exchange of ideas and best practices among participating institutions to lessen the impact of future disasters and acts of terrorism.”
The ASME-ITI Higher Education Standard Committee, chaired by Michael Abbiatti of the Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network, is comprised of academics, risk experts, first responders, and emergency managers. “The standard will provide a platform from which two-year and four-year higher education institutions can develop and implement plans that will save lives on our campuses,” said Abbiatti.
For more information on the standard, visit the ASME-ITI Web site at http://www.asme-iti.org/Initiatives/Higher_Education.cfm
About ASME-ITI, LLC ASME-ITI, LLC provides market-relevant engineering and technology-based products and services to the government, industry and academic markets. The Institute is a resource multiplier, enabling government, business and academia to quickly develop superior responses to critical issues and ideas. About ASMEASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world. For more information visit www.asme.org.
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