Open Forum Meetings February 2009

April 2007 – Gunman kills 32 at Virginia Tech University February 2008 – 5 students killed at Northern Illinois University Campus Security Commission

April 2007 – Governor Carcieri orders review of campus safety/security procedures May 2007 – Security officials from RIs 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

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

Campus Security Commission formed and has been meeting since August Members from URI, RIC, CCRI, State Police, Attorney Generals Office Recommendation to RIBGHE later this Spring Campus Security Commission

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

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

Feb. 4 th - Rhode Island College Feb. 12 th – CCRI/Warwick (interactive teleconference w/other campuses) Feb. 17 th – URI/Providence Feb. 25 th – URI/Kingston Campus Security Commission

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

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

Ten-year study 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

Average of 4 student homicides/year 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

% 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

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

Between , 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

CRIME CATEGORYREPORTED 2005 REPORTED 2006 REPORTED 2007 REPORTED 2008 FORCIBLE SEX OFFENCES4545 ROBBERY0012 AGGRAVATED ASSAULT1220 SIMPLE ASSAULT BURGLARY THEFT FROM BUILDING THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT3878 VANDALISM WEAPONS VIOLATION2631 NARCOTICS VIOLATION LIQUOR LAW VIOLATION16414 TRESPASSING11514 Campus Security Commission

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

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

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 Campus Security Commission