NCJ Number
219053
Journal
Campus Law Enforcement Journal Volume: 37 Issue: 3 Dated: May/June 2007 Pages: 17-20
Date Published
May 2007
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Using a fictitious university (Northville University) to depict the events and circumstances of an actual campus arson, this article shows the connection between campus arson and student deviant behavior, so as to suggest effective ways to prevent and reduce the consequences of campus arson.
Abstract
University campuses provide an ideal setting for deviant behaviors such as arson: a residential setting, lack of supervision, and drug and alcohol abuse. Campus security measures must take into account both the inevitability of student deviant behavior and the ability of colleges to mold campus culture in ways that reduce student deviant behaviors. Campus security measures must be based in two principles. First, deviant student behavior will inevitably occur because of factors in the campus environment, so measures must be in place to protect students from the potentially serious consequences of such behavior. This involves conducting risk assessments that take into account students' deviant behaviors in terms of their frequency, potential loss, campus vulnerabilities, and protection measures. Second, universities must take reasonable steps to prevent and change deviant student behavior through the establishment and enforcement of behavioral rules on campus, as well as the promotion of campus activities designed to develop students who are professionally and socially responsible. The arson involved a dormitory fire that killed 3 students and injured 62 persons. When students were awakened by the fire alarm, many initially disregarded it as yet another relatively common false alarm that occurred on campus. In only a few minutes, smoke engulfed the third-floor hall of the dorm. It was later determined that the fire started in the third floor lounge. Following an extensive investigation by the county prosecutor's office, the fire was determined to be arson. Two student residents of the dorm were later convicted. 1 figure