This morning University of New Hampshire (UNH) President Elizabeth Chilton sent an update titled “Campus Safety and HB 1793,” regarding the university’s opposition to the Campus Carry Bill. The message comes after Chilton, along with Plymouth University President Don Birx and UNH Police Chief Mark Collopy, testified against the bill at the April 14 hearing in front of the New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee.
Chilton, Birx and Collopy delivered written and spoken testimonies to the Senate on behalf of the University System of New Hampshire. However, Chilton’s message in today’s Wildcat Weekly is the first written communication she has made directly to students regarding her opinion on the Campus Carry legislation.
“Ensuring that USNH campuses remain among the safest universities in the nation is a top priority, and we were clear in our testimony that this legislation would undermine that effort,” wrote Chilton.
UNH highlights that the university is ranked consistently among the top 10 safest college campuses in the country in its guide to incoming parents and students.
“Our campuses are environments where students, faculty, and staff live, learn, and work in close community. Maintaining that environment is most effective when policies related to safety and campus operations are shaped by those responsible for implementing them,” Chilton continued.
In February, the Campus Carry Bill passed in the House on a vote of 188-165. If enacted, the bill would prohibit colleges such as UNH from restricting the possession, carry or storage of firearms on campus.
After the bill passed in the House, UNH posted that “Community members who wish to share their opinion in support or opposition to the [Campus Carry] legislation may do so only in their personal capacity” and “Faculty and staff should consult the university system's guidelines on political activity and public advocacy before engaging in such activity.”
Chilton expressed she was “encouraged to see dozens of UNH students attend the hearing and participate in the process. Students testified on both sides of the issue and made their voices heard. Their engagement reflected something fundamental about this university: our students care deeply about their community and understand the importance of civic engagement.”
The UNH Student Senate conducted a Campus Carry Bill opinion survey receiving 2361 responses, 85.9% of which said students would be less likely to attend UNH if the Campus Carry Bill were to pass. The results of the survey influenced the Student Senate to pass Resolution R.47.40 on April 12, opposing the bill.
The official testimony delivered by Chilton, Birx and Collopy states that “research from states that have adopted campus carry has found increased fear of crime, lower perceptions of campus safety, and reduced confidence in campus police,” and “Perceptions of well-being and safety matter greatly on a residential college campus and the towns where they are located.”
The official testimony is available to read down below.
The Campus Carry Bill, HB 1793, continues to be under review by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
