The following piece is an opinion and does not reflect the views of The Eagle and its staff. All opinions are edited for grammar, style and argument structure and fact-checked, but the opinions are the writer’s own.
For more than a year, American University’s administration has been “evaluating” whether or not it will arm campus police, claiming to “engage the entire university community” — but refusing to listen to student feedback. This school year, AU established a Security Review Working Group with the goal of making the decision in February 2025. So far, the working group has come up with yet another series of advertisements for Community Forums. I argue, though, that the administration already knows what the community’s opinion is — they just don’t like it.
The Security Review Working Group is also conducting a university-wide survey to “gauge the sentiment of the AU community regarding the various options.” However, the referenda in the student government’s October election clearly illustrates the student body’s existing feelings.
Of the over 2,000 students who voted 80.17 percent answered “no” to “should the Administration arm AU Police Department officers and supervisors with sidearms during their regular patrol duties on campus?” Furthermore, 70.57 percent answered “no” to “should the Administration station firearms in AUPD squad cars?” The student body clearly is absolutely opposed to arming AUPD, whether those firearms are on them at all times or in their vehicles.
American University’s students, at least in this sizable sample, make their opposition to arming AUPD clear — an opposition which will likely continue into the official survey conducted by the Security Review Working Group. The working group’s chair, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Treasurer Bronté Burleigh-Jones, acknowledges that “it is imperative to engage the entire university community, soliciting and gauging their possible concerns.” One must question why, then, the working group insists on conducting its own survey and holding community forums. Given that the community has already expressed its concerns, why has AU’s administration not already decided against arming AUPD?
Genuinely engaging with American University’s community would mean acknowledging that arming AUPD goes against student perspectives. In moving forward with their decision-making process on arming AUPD, the Security Review Working Group ought to acknowledge that the students are generally opposed to it. In order to meaningfully engage with the community, the working group and the AU administration, need to openly communicate with students and honor their opinions. When Universities fail to include their students, they fall short of their responsibilities of higher education, catering to administrators instead of fostering an engaged community.
Julia Cooper is a junior in the School of International Service and College of Arts and Sciences and a columnist for the Eagle.
This piece was edited by Alana Parker, Rebeca Samano Arellano and Abigail Turner. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks, Nicole Kariuki and Charlie Mennuti. Fact checking done by Luna Jinks and Sasha Dafkova.
