Allison Roberts, Matthew Robinson, & Donikea Sanders
“It is 4am and we receive a call from university police that shots have been fired outside of a residence hall. A residence hall window has been shattered and a bullet found in the molding of a doorway” Salient Issues Latent Issues
A. Communication with Law A. Trauma
Enforcement B. Alert System Concerns B. Campus Alert System C. Media Response Student Development Issues ● Trauma/PTSD ● Mistrust ● Attrition Legal Implications Ethical Implications
A. Liability A. For Faculty & Staff
a. School/Personnel B. For Law Enforcement i. Safety & Security ii. Clarification on FERPA b. Government Best Practices/Plans of Action ● Prevention ○ Identifying Threats ● Emergency Action Plan ○ Input from a multidisciplinary committee to create policies, procedures, etc. ● Training Exercises ○ Recognizing a threat ○ Run, hide, fight ○ Interacting with law enforcement ● Communication Plan ○ Key personnel roles and responsibilities ○ Internal & External ● Short & Long Term Psychological Support Services The Law ● The Clery Act ○ Annual Security Reports/Crime Statistics ○ Timely Warning ● States that allow guns on campus ● Ohio Gun Laws ○ CCW ○ Laws about discharging firearms ● WSU’s Policy ● WSU Residence Life and Housing Policy Research ● In 2015, 22,018 people committed suicide by firearm. 12,979 were murdered by firearm. In 2016, 38,551 people died by firearm. ○ CDC ● Suicide is the #2 cause of death in those aged 15-34 ○ CDC ● A USA Today report in 2016 indicated that 1 in 12 college students make a plan. ○ The same report indicated that 49.5% of students who reported felt helpless at some point. ○ 60.5% of students who reported felt lonely at some point. ● In 2013, 95% of college presidents who responded to a survey about concealed handguns on campus were not supportive of the idea. ○ James H. Price, Amy Thompson, Jagdish Khubchandani, Joseph Dake, Erica Payton & Karen Teeple (2014) University Presidents’ Perceptions and Practice Regarding the Carrying of Concealed Handguns on College Campuses, Journal of American College Health, 62:7, 461-469, DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2014.920336 Politics Interpersonal Relationships A. Media B. Pro/Anti Gun Groups A. Students C. Lawmakers B. Residence Hall Staff D. Alumni C. Administrators E. Local Community D. Campus Police F. Prospective Students Immediate Game Plan ● Ensure that the scene is clear and no one was hurt ● Check with police if any information about the shooter is known or if they have suspect in custody ● Make sure all RA’s and Res Life staff are aware of the situation and protocols in place ● Notify campus community through emergency alert system including instructions such as lock your doors, etc. ● Keep students updated with constant communication Next Steps / Follow Up ● Take initiative with response (Set the tone) ● Offer training (ALICE) ● Counseling for those impacted ● Install more surveillance systems ● Follow up with police on investigation ● Constant communication with students and staff Questions? Thank you!