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Campus Security Commission. Open Forum Meetings February 2009. Timeline. April 2007 – Gunman kills 32 at Virginia Tech University February 2008 – 5 students killed at Northern Illinois University. Timeline. April 2007 – Governor Carcieri orders review of campus safety/security procedures
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Campus Security Commission Open Forum MeetingsFebruary 2009
Timeline • April 2007 – Gunman kills 32 at Virginia Tech University • February 2008 – 5 students killed at Northern Illinois University Campus Security Commission
Timeline • April 2007 – Governor Carcieri orders review of campus safety/security procedures • May 2007 – Security officials from RI’s 11 public and private institutions begin meeting to share information and ideas • Summer/Fall 2007 – Several RI institutions upgrade existing emergency alert and notification systems Campus Security Commission
February 2008 • RI General Assembly introduces legislation that would mandate the arming of campus police at URI, RIC and CCRI • RIBGHE testifies against legislation, asks for time to study the issue • Legislation does not pass out of committee Campus Security Commission
RIBGHE Campus Security Commission • Campus Security Commission formed and has been meeting since August • Members from URI, RIC, CCRI, State Police, Attorney General’s Office • Recommendation to RIBGHE later this Spring Campus Security Commission
RIBGHE Campus Security Commission’s Charge • What circumstances, if any, have changed since the RIBGHE last studied this issue in 2000? • Are any changes substantive enough to recommend that the RIBGHE consider arming campus police at URI, RIC and/or CCRI? Campus Security Commission
Other Considerations for Commission • Scope and type of training needed – initial and ongoing • Training costs • Cost for purchase & proper storage of equipment • Insurance, legal & human resources issues • Certification or accreditation • Are non-lethal weapons an option? • Faculty, staff & student rights and/or privacy issues Campus Security Commission
Campus Security Commission Open Forums • Feb. 4th - Rhode Island College • Feb. 12th – CCRI/Warwick (interactive teleconference w/other campuses) • Feb. 17th – URI/Providence • Feb. 25th – URI/Kingston Campus Security Commission
Private Colleges & Universities in Rhode Island • Brown University has the only armed security force among RI colleges and universities • Brown armed in January 2006; study began in 2002 Campus Security Commission
Public Colleges & Universities in Rhode Island • 2000 – Last RIBGHE study re: arming campus police • 2002 – URI conducts study re: arming campus police • “Arming University police officers is not prudent at this time; future events may warrant such action.” Campus Security Commission
2004 U.S. Justice Dept. Study • Ten-year study 1994-2004 • 62 violent crimes per 100,000 college students • 462 violent crimes per 100,000 Americans overall • Clery Act data indicates that violent crime on campuses has not increased since 2004 Campus Security Commission
Homicides/Year at U.S. Colleges and Universities • Average of 4 student homicides/year 2000-2005 • Doubled to 8 homicides in 2006 • Rose to 12 in 2007 (not counting 32 killed at VA Tech) • Through 11/08, at least 13 students were killed on their campuses Campus Security Commission
U.S. Justice Dept. Bureau of Justice Statistics - February 2008 2004-2005 • 86% of 4-yr. public institutions had armed campus police officers • 91% of institutions with enrollments of 15,000 or more had armed campus police officers Campus Security Commission
Concealed Weapons • Utah has passed legislation that allows any citizen w/a concealed weapon permit to carry their weapon on campus • Seventeen (17) other states now considering similar legislation (none in New England) American Association of Colleges & Universities Campus Security Commission
Weapons Arrests • Between 2001-2005, the 184 colleges in New England made 278 arrests on campus for illegal possession of weapons • Less than 25% of the schools have armed campus police Office of Postsecondary Education, 2007 Campus Security Commission
University of Rhode Island Crime Statistics Campus Security Commission
Ground Rules for Today • Individuals wishing to speak must sign up and indicate whether they are “pro” or “con” on the question or arming campus police • We intend to alternate between “pro” and “con” speakers to allow both sides to be heard Campus Security Commission
Ground Rules for Today • Speakers limited to 5 minutes in order to give everyone who wishes to speak time to be heard • Members of the Commission are here to receive input. They will not dialogue or engage in Q&A with speakers Campus Security Commission
Ground Rules for Today • The Commission will not make a decision on this matter today. They will make a recommendation to the Board of Governors later this spring • Additional comments can be directed to the Board of Governors website at www.ribghe.org Campus Security Commission