With no history of an active shooter at Longwood University, Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Tim Pierson said in the case there is an active shooter emergency plan as it "is a requirement by the state".
“We have individuals walking through the campus sometimes guns or things like and that has taken place and they’ve been picked up for that…but not an active shooter one,” Pierson said.
According to Pierson, Longwood University Police Department (LUPD) conducts active shooter drills for different faculty and staff offices.
“In the last ten years, twice a year, we practiced active shooter response not only with our staff but with the staff of all of our colleagues in the region and we’ll continue to do that," said LUPD Chief Col. Robert Beach said in regards to staff training.
Beach said that awareness programs are offered for students as well.
“We have what we call the code red program, that we put on multiple times during the semester, to talk about student response to whenever the alerts go off for any number of issues," said Beach.
In the event of an active shooter, Longwood University will send out an e2Campus Alert, according to Pierson.
“The e2Campus will do an immediate alert and there are simple instructions on what to do,” Pierson said. “In the event there was an active shooter you would also hear the sirens go off on campus. There would be an audible message for people to take cover and stay in place.”
Regarding self-defense for students, Pierson noted that a variety of items are prohibited in accordance with state approved regulations.
“There’s a definition of what a weapon is, weapon including but not limited to firearms, tasers, explosives, fireworks, air guns, paint guns, slingshots, knives except non-spring pocket knives, martial art weapons, military memorabilia and bow and arrows,” said Pierson.
All of those items are banned from student possession, though firearms may be checked with LUPD.
According to Beach, faculty and staff are not permitted to have firearms on campus either.
“If you’re an employee of the university or student of the university you can’t possess a firearm on campus," said Beach.
Visitors passing through the campus may posses weapons outside of events and buildings, according to Beach.
“If you are a Virginia resident, or a citizen of Virginia, because we’re an open carry state, either through open carry or a concealed you could come on campus and carry your firearm," Beach said. "You just could not enter any of our facilities…or attend any of our events while possessing a firearm.”
Pierson said that students are permitted to carry self-defense items outside that definition of weapons and are encouraged to practice basic safety practices like staying in groups and keeping in well-lit areas.
“In terms of things you can carry…Bear spray or pepper spray, things that will alert those around you,” Pierson said.
According to Pierson, students can own firearms, but the weapons must be checked in with the campus police. Students who check in firearms with the LUPD must follow procedure and most are hunters. There are currently two firearms checked by students and more, around 15 to 20 are typically checked in with the LUPD during hunting season.
“There are several students who are into sports shooting and so forth," Beach said. "They bring their firearms in as per the policy and keep them here while they’re on campus and check them out to go do their sport."
“The campus police storage of student firearms and check in procedure,” Pierson said. “Individuals checking in weapons shall not enter the police department unescorted. Individuals checking weapons shall come to the lobby without their firearm or weapon and advise the dispatcher that they have a weapon to check in.”
The students will then be walked from their car with an escort and with the firearm in a locked box, according to Pierson.
According to Pierson, students checking in firearms are not subject to additional background checks. They must present paperwork to accompany their firearm but the school does not conduct additional background checks. Professors and visitors may not carry open firearms on campus.
Pierson urged students to stay vigilant about campus safety.
“There’s a difference when someone looks suspicious or when someone looks frightening,” Pierson said. “If you see something say something.”
LUPD utilizes e2Campus alerts to notify students and staff.
