LSU Administration and Student Government leaders developed new initiatives at the Oct. 7 President’s Breakfast — one of which would involve the President’s office, LSUPD and the School of Theatre.
SG State Capitol adviser and political science junior Myles Sonnier formed a committee to oversee the production and distribution of an updated campus safety video.
Inspired by his conversation with LSU President F. King Alexander about recent shootings on college campuses across the country, Sonnier said he wanted to localize the issue so LSU students could prepare in the event of a campus emergency.
SG President Andrew Mahtook said a campus safety video would serve two purposes: show students what to do in case of an emergency and provide students with peace of mind.
“These two effects will be vital if something were to ever happen on campus such as an active shooter or emergency weather,” Mahtook said.
Sonnier said campus shootings are happening like clockwork — about once a week on average.
As of Oct. 3, there have been at least 150 school shootings in America since 2013, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. The data includes fatal and non-fatal assaults, suicides and unintentional shootings.
“These threats are real, and they’re very close to home,” Sonnier said.
The new video would replace the one currently featured on LSUPD’s website entitled “Shots Fired on Campus: When Lightning Strikes,” referencing the similar odds of being involved in a school shooting to being struck by lightning.
Sonnier said he hopes to revamp the current video by enlisting the help of LSUPD and the School of Theatre.
He said he plans to speak with LSUPD Chief of Police Lawrence Rabalais about safety protocols regarding assailants on campus to include in the video.
Sonnier also reached out to the School of Theatre about producing a more modern video.
“It has a lot of work that needs to happen before there’s any real progress with it,” Sonnier said.
Funding for the project would be obtained through Student Senate’s Budget and Appropriations Committee, if necessary, he said.
Sonnier said brainstorming allowed his committee to see potential safety hazards lurking around campus. Allen Hall, for example, has doors that do not lock and small, flimsy desks that would be difficult to pile up in a threatening situation.
He brought these issues to Alexander’s attention. Sonnier said Alexander told him he would look into efficient solutions and make plans to broadcast the video in a mass email, along with links to LSUPD’s website.
Sonnier said he hopes the video broadcast will spark other campus safety videos as part of SG’s “We’re Committed” campaign to end sexual violence.
“If this is successful, I can’t imagine why we wouldn’t create a video on sexual assault policy,” Sonnier said.
Sonnier said he would like to have the project completed before winter break.