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The tragic events of Virginia Tech and other incidents have highlighted the vulnerabilities of college campuses to violence. While college students experience violence at lower rates than the general population, predictions of potential violence remain difficult. This article explores what colleges are doing to enhance safety, including establishing Student of Concern committees, early warning strategies, and upgrading emergency response plans. However, these measures raise concerns about privacy rights, stigmatization of mental health issues, and potential overreactions that could impact campus life.
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Handling Disruptive and Potentially Violent Students Where are Colleges and Universities Going? Ronald K. Chapman, Ph.D.
Campus Violence • The events of April 16, 2007: a tragic reminder of the vulnerability of college campuses • Virginia Tech • Northern Illinois • Louisiana State University • University of North Carolina • University of Louisville • Where Next?
Campus Violence • Shattered the image of the university “campus” • Created fear and suspicion among students and faculty • Created significant concern over mental health issues and disabilities
Campus Violence • Has been tremendously costly to the institutions involved • Has set in motion an avalanche of new procedures on campuses and legislation in the government
What do we know • 1995-2002 college students ( age 18-24) experienced violence at a lower rate than general population - males twice as likely to be involved - 58% committed by strangers - 93% of incidents occurred off campus - 72% occurred at night - weapons used in less than 1/3 of incidents
What we know • Only 250 murders committed on campuses in the last 80 years • Suicide is less likely to occur on campus than with age peers of early adults (35-50% less likely depending on study) • Still the second leading cause of death among college students
Prediction of Violence • Among the most difficult predictions to make • No clear indices • Best predictors • History of violence • History of substance abuse • More than 50% of crimes are committed “under the influence” • Alcohol abuse predicts equally well for men and women
Prediction of Violence • Evidence of severe mental illness and an unwillingness to take medication may be a third predictor • Depression and poor future outlook seen as factors • However, those who are mentally ill are responsible for no more than 5% of the violent episodes in the US
What Colleges are DoingStandards of Practice • Establishment of “Student of Concern” committees • Implementation of faculty, staff and student early warning strategies • Increased police presence on campus • Increased training and arming of university police forces
What Colleges are Doing • Review of campus buildings, practices and curfews • Establishment and review of campus evacuation plans • Review of FERPA and release of information standards
What are Colleges Doing • Upgrading campus communication systems • Adding violence scenarios to emergency preparedness plans
Areas of Concern • Potential eroding of privacy rights • Unfortunate stigmatizing of individuals with mental health issues • Over-reaction to events • Profiling
