Higher Education Students’ Perceptions of Risk and Crisis Management in Universities

Abstract

Universities, as social organizations, are places where hazardous risks and crises are occurring with an ever-increasing pace and intensity. Therefore, their administrations are required to be properly prepared for any eventuality, regardless of how extreme or excessive a case may be considered or the probability of its occurrence. Among other things, such readiness requires the formation of positive perceptions and attitudes among the members of the university community towards risk and crisis management. Based on the lack of relevant research in the literature, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceptions and attitudes of students at the University of Thessaly regarding risk management and crisis management in the institution’s wider environment (educational, research, social and work environments). The main results of the current research show that, although the operation of the university takes place in a reasonably protected environment, risks are ever-present and critical incidents take place frequently. However, the level of preparedness of the university community in terms of risk and crisis management is judged to be low.