It Could Happen Anywhere

There is an unexpected hazard to working in the main Administration Building on campus. We're right downstairs from the President's office, the Provost's office, and down the hall from Registrar. Our department administers banking, billing, student loans and scholarships, and student ID cards. Which means, when someone is angry at the University, it's this building that is a target.

Twenty years ago, a disgruntled graduate student killed five people on camput, two of those murders happened upstairs, before committing suicide. It's not unprecedented, so when there's a threat, it's taken seriously. We, like many other Universities, have put together a threat assessment team to investigate reports of behavior that might pose a threat to the community, composed of public safety, HR, student services, mental health professionals, legal, and others.

For the last few days, and the foreseeable future, we are on semi-lockdown due to the actions of a student who was not allowed to register for fall classes due to unpaid bills. I guess her actions have been aggressive and we were told threats have been made against an individual in the legal office. I probably shouldn't say much more, due to privacy issues, but this isn't the first time something like this has happened. Usually, though, whatever issue is cleared up pretty quickly. But this time, we don't know how long we will be needing to keep the doors locked, as the people who have already dealt with her say they wouldn't be comfortable meeting with her again unless a public safety officer is present.

It's a little strange to have this possiblity higher up in your awareness. You know it's possible anywhere, but you don't really think it's going to happen to you. It would be exhausting to do so. It's been exhausting the few days we've been doing so. Even then, I only remember when I have to remember to take my keys with me when I leave the office and sometimes when the keys are in my hand, I forget and pull on the door, surprised it's locked. It's a great freedom, taking safety for granted.