Spring Arbor University Takes Extra Precautions
Justin Denig
Issue date: 9/25/08 Section: Features
In September of 2008, the school board approved the University’s Campus Safety carrying of a firearm. The firearm is not meant to be a first choice for defusing any conflicts that may occur, but only used as a last resort. Having a firearm on campus is more of a “safety blanket to know that if we ever have to call our director [Tom Fiero] about a really serious situation, he’ll come with force,” said Sergeant Adam Hoskins, a campus safety officer at SAU.
The safety of the use of the firearm has been well thought out. The typed proposal to the board for the carrying of a firearm is no light reading. The proposal itself is several inches thick.
“The board made it very clear that I was the only person to have access to and use the firearm,” said Campus Safety Director Tom Fiero. Fiero, who is a 20-year veteran of the police force and a veteran of the Marine Corps, has had extensive firearm and combat training over the years. Fiero also very clearly states that the access to the firearm and its use are only for a last resort scenario.
Fiero reiterated that there have been “no known threats” of any kind that have caused the board to allow Fiero to carry the firearm. In fact, the “process was started a few years ago when I was hiring in,” said Fiero.
The changing times, the amount of community members on campus, and media glorified shootings like Columbine and Virginia Tech are all reasons why the campus needed to update their protective measures.
SAU is not the only campus in Michigan to allow their Campus Safety officers to carry firearms. Baker College, J.C.C. and Calvin College of Michigan have all recently voted to allow the carrying of a firearm on campus.
The purpose of the firearm is not to strike fear into the hearts of the community but it is meant to be an updated way of protecting students in a 21st century time of violence.
The firearm may never be used at SAU but the officers of SAU’s Campus Safety are constantly taking steps to keep our campus a safe and worry free environment to grow in knowledge, faith and love.
The safety of the use of the firearm has been well thought out. The typed proposal to the board for the carrying of a firearm is no light reading. The proposal itself is several inches thick.
“The board made it very clear that I was the only person to have access to and use the firearm,” said Campus Safety Director Tom Fiero. Fiero, who is a 20-year veteran of the police force and a veteran of the Marine Corps, has had extensive firearm and combat training over the years. Fiero also very clearly states that the access to the firearm and its use are only for a last resort scenario.
Fiero reiterated that there have been “no known threats” of any kind that have caused the board to allow Fiero to carry the firearm. In fact, the “process was started a few years ago when I was hiring in,” said Fiero.
The changing times, the amount of community members on campus, and media glorified shootings like Columbine and Virginia Tech are all reasons why the campus needed to update their protective measures.
SAU is not the only campus in Michigan to allow their Campus Safety officers to carry firearms. Baker College, J.C.C. and Calvin College of Michigan have all recently voted to allow the carrying of a firearm on campus.
The purpose of the firearm is not to strike fear into the hearts of the community but it is meant to be an updated way of protecting students in a 21st century time of violence.
The firearm may never be used at SAU but the officers of SAU’s Campus Safety are constantly taking steps to keep our campus a safe and worry free environment to grow in knowledge, faith and love.
Be the first to comment on this story