In the aftermath of the tragedy that occurred on Brown University’s campus on Dec. 13, and on Bondi Beach in Australia, it is important that Saint Francis responds in a way that is level-headed, but also in a way that is practical.
We like to say that we are different here, but in terms of firearms safety and emergency response, we are quite similar to Brown. I propose that we end the prohibition of firearms on campus, and encourage those who wish to carry a firearm to aid in the creation of a voluntary response team comprised of students, staff and faculty members educated in emergency management services and other emergency response training.
First, I would like to commend our president, as well as the SFU Campus Police force. One of the criticisms of Brown’s response was that staff members, the president and campus police had little idea what students were doing on campus during irregular hours.
Here at SFU, the police and the president regularly attend sporting events, plays, group meetings and other events that occur on campus during irregular hours. I believe that if we ever face a tragedy similar to the one at Brown, our police force and president would know who is on campus and why. I thank our president and campus police for creating this culture.
Our biggest strength against tragedies like the one that occurred at Brown is also a reason why we are vulnerable. There are often long wait times for emergency services in geographically isolated area like Saint Francis. When emergency situations arise in places like Loretto, people often depend heavily on bystander response.
Policies that require constant enforcement assume a level of staffing that this school cannot provide. In a small, open-campus environment, such monitoring is not realistic or achievable. In such an environment, preparedness, education and voluntary participation are more reliable than blanket prohibitions that cannot be consistently enforced.
In an environment where staffing is limited, response times are often delayed, and enforcement is unrealistic, we must shift to a risk-management mindset. A culture that creates a blanket ban on firearms without realistic enforcement makes us less safe, not more. In contrast, preparedness-based policies emphasize education, clarity and responsibility.
This approach does not require additional enforcement resources, nor does it assign authority. It simply replaces an unrealistic enforcement approach with clear expectations grounded in law and reality. I believe students, faculty and staff – who possess the proper licensing – should be allowed to carry firearms on campus, if they choose.
I also believe we should establish a voluntary emergency support team that would emphasize training and restraint, and provide assistance to local emergency services personnel in some situations.
My proposal does not “deputize” students, staff or faculty members. Following tragedies, we often see support for emotion-based policies intended to make people feel better immediately. Enacting blanket restrictions in the aftermath of an incident may provide the appearance of action, but without the staff and resources to enforce them, such measures create confusion and a false sense of security, and they often fail to adequately address serious problems.
I am calling on the University, as well as the surrounding community, to aid in a more constructive approach that focuses on preparedness, clarity and responsible behavior. We need to ensure that we are prepared to respond effectively when minutes matter most.
It’s time to be different.
