Handling Disruptive and Potentially Violent

Students Where are Colleges and Universities Going?

Ronald K. Chapman, Ph.D.

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

Campus Violence

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 do 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

What we know

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

Prediction of Violence

- 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 DoingStandards of Practice

- Review of campus buildings, practices and curfews

- Establishment and review of campus evacuation plans

- Review of FERPA and release of information standards

What Colleges are Doing

Upgrading campus communication systems

Adding violence scenarios to emergency preparedness plans

What are Colleges Doing

Potential eroding of privacy rights Unfortunate stigmatizing of individuals with

mental health issues Over-reaction to events Profiling

Areas of Concern