MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University Board of Governors Chairman Rusty Hutson is calling for a report on campus security protocols following the deadly shooting of Charlie Kirk on the campus of Utah Valley University.
Hutson said gone are the days when you could disagree politically and laugh over dinner afterward. Recent events have shown that people are not capable of separating the “person” from their “beliefs” and react violently in some cases.
“The environment we’re in today is so volatile,” Hutson said on MetroNews “Talkline.” “Nobody can disagree anymore because if you do, I’m going to hurt you.”
There was a vigil held Monday night on the WVU campus in connection with Kirk’s death. There were approximately 1,000 people on hand and no security issues reported. Organizers credited WVU with helping with the logistics of the event.
WVU President Michael T. Benson said at last Friday’s Board of Governors meeting a security review would be a good thing. Benson said he’ll be working with leadership and UPD Chief Sherry St. Clair to develop the information to present in the near future. He noted that the review gives them an opportunity to make changes if needed and identify areas that could be improved possibly.
“An event like a few days ago gives every campus a chance to say, ‘Hey, what are we doing? What’s in place? If this were to happen, heaven forbid, someplace else, would we be prepared?” Benson told the WVU BOG last Friday.
Hutson said he wants to make sure all views are heard and no group on campus is left to feel unsafe or unwelcome. It’s important to provide the safe place for those debates to happen and to allow all ideas to be heard and see the light of day.
“That’s the key for us at West Virginia University,” Hutson said. “We want to be able to give people the ability to express their ideas and concerns, but at the same time it has to be peaceful.”
The procedures to be reviewed are also the guidelines that dictated the response to the shooting hoax last month at the downtown Wise Library.
“Part of our security protocol is around making sure every building is secure, the rooftops are clear, and we have the proper and right number of police officers on the ground monitoring what’s going on,” Hutson said.
The increasing number of violent events across the country shows that a similar incident could happen here. The threat of something going terribly wrong is too high to be ignored, and the report will likely instill confidence in existing protocols rather than spark wholesale change.
“It’s really an environment that has become way too volatile, and from the university standpoint, we have to make sure we’re keeping an environment where all that can occur, but in a very peaceful and safe manner for everyone involved.”
Hutson is confident in the existing plans and the professionals who carry them out.
“I feel like West Virginia University has a great plan to manage these things outdoors,” Hutson said. “I’ve looked at our plans, and I feel like we’re covering all of the bases, so we feel like we have a safe environment for any kind of demonstration or vigil like we’ll see this week.”