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We, the undersigned students and members of the UMass Amherst community, demand immediate action from President Martin Meehan to amend the university’s policies prohibiting the possession of non-lethal self-defense tools. These restrictions fail to prioritize student safety, leaving individuals defenseless against harassment, assault, and other crimes. Allowing students access to legally permitted tools is critical to ensuring personal safety on campus.
Amherst and the surrounding areas have seen an increase in incidents of theft, harassment, and assault, making the need for self-defense tools more urgent. Many students feel unsafe navigating campus after dark, walking to parking lots, or returning to dorms after studying. Non-lethal tools provide a proven means of deterring attackers and allowing victims to escape harm. The policies outlined in the UMass Amherst Code of Student Conduct, however, severely restrict these tools. According to the university:
“Possession, storage, or use of weapons/dangerous materials including, but not limited to, facsimiles of weapons, firearms, compressed-air guns, pellet guns, nunchaku, brass knuckles, paintball guns, pepper spray/mace, swords, fireworks, explosives, or chemicals which are corrosive or explosive on University-owned or affiliated property except as expressly permitted by the University.” – 07.01.2019 Code of Student Conduct
While these policies may aim to ensure safety, they ultimately leave students defenseless in moments of danger. A blanket ban on common non-lethal self-defense tools disarms victims while doing nothing to prevent crime. Peer institutions such as SUNY Binghamton and SUNY Cobleskill have successfully revised their policies to permit non-lethal self-defense tools. These updates have empowered students to take control of their personal safety without compromising campus security.
President Meehan, your administration is responsible for addressing this issue and protecting the safety of UMass Amherst students. By modernizing these policies, UMass Amherst can empower students to protect themselves while fostering a safer campus environment. The time to act is now.