Creating Safer University Campuses: Balancing Freedom and Security
Ensuring the safety of students on university campuses is a vital responsibility for educational institutions. However, striking the right balance between safety and maintaining a free, open academic environment can be challenging. This article discusses strategies to create safer environments without compromising the inherent values of universities.
Facts Do Not Care About Feelings
It is crucial for students to understand that reality and critical facts are not influenced by their emotions. This maturity is essential for navigating the complexities of real-world challenges. Traditional measures such as “safe zones” and coloring books as therapy are not sufficient.
These measures often provide a temporary escape, but do little to prepare students for the real struggles they will face in their professional lives. Encouraging resilience and encouraging them to handle adversity is more beneficial in the long run. As Dr. Rebecca Griego once said, “Life is hard, and reality will kick you in the rear. Getting up, dusting yourself off, and moving on with your life matters more.”
The 2007 Unpreventable Incident on the University of Washington (UW) Campus
Reflecting on a significant event in 2007, when a murder-suicide took place on the UW campus, highlights the importance of improving emergency response and communication systems. During the event, as an associate dean, I managed the initial crowd-control role at one of the entrances. While the incident was unpreventable, it revealed vulnerabilities in the university's incident reporting system.
These weaknesses included separate numbers for different types of incidents and the confusion between campus and cell phone emergency responses. The UW promptly addressed these issues by standardizing 911 responses and training the entire campus community to provide crucial information to emergency services. These measures significantly reduced response times and improved overall safety.
Addressing the Cost/Benefit Problem of Security
The knee-jerk reaction to security threats is often to implement heavy defenses, such as armed guards and metal detectors. However, these solutions are expensive and can be demoralizing for students. They might also hinder the university’s core values of freedom and openness. “A garrison state is antithetical to the very idea of a university.” As Dr. Griego noted, it is essential to find a balance that protects the interests of the campus community while preserving its ideals.
Instead of a heavy-handed approach, “[Campuses] can take concrete action to help the campus community recognize potential violence to report their concerns without a bureaucratic nightmare and expect that the person in question will be treated with fairness and dignity.”
Real-Life Successes and Lessons Learned
Case studies highlight the effectiveness of such measures. For instance, during the 2017 shooting, while it may have been impossible to prevent it entirely, the university’s response included training and preparedness that helped mitigate the impact.
Other incidents involved: Working with the SafeCampus office to address a harmless yet worrisome individual who posed no genuine threat. Actively observing and intervening in a potential suicide situation, demonstrating how immediate, thoughtful action can save lives. Collaborating with law enforcement to resolve conflicts with fairness and dignity, ensuring that individuals were not unjustly punished for their actions.
These experiences underscore the importance of constant vigilance, professional intervention, and the pursuit of a holistic approach to campus safety.
In conclusion, creating safer university campuses requires a nuanced and responsive approach. By addressing real-world challenges with practical solutions and fostering a culture of resilience, universities can better prepare their students for the complexities of the real world.