BOSTON − The halls of the George Sherman Union, the student union on the Boston University campus, are traditionally quiet and uneventful on Saturday evenings.
But three weeks ago around 10 p.m., Doaa ElTemtamy, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences, was listening to her friend play the piano at the entrance of the GSU when a young man approached the two girls and made them feel uncomfortable.
The man followed ElTemtamy and her friend after they figured out he was not a BU student and tried to walk away from him. This was the first time ElTemtamy felt her safety was threatened on campus.
ElTemtamy is one of many students who want the option to carry pepper spray for protection in these kinds of situations, but who are prohibited by the BU weapons and dangerous substances policy, which emphasizes the strict prohibition of pepper spray and mace on campus.
“If I had pepper spray with me, I would definitely have felt safer,” said ElTemtamy, in a recent interview. “We were lucky that the guy stopped following us. We were still afraid to leave the GSU, we didn’t know if he was waiting for us out there.”
The policy has raised opposition from several students among the female population at BU who said they would feel safer if they could carry pepper spray or mace on and around campus.
“I genuinely believe that students would be safer if they were permitted to carry pepper spray around campus,” said Julia Thee, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. “I would, at the least, carry pepper spray or mace when walking alone at night.”
According to the firearms and weapons policy as stated on the university’s webpage, chemical substances like pepper spray and mace are strictly prohibited on BU property. All students, even those who are licensed to carry pepper spray through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, are not allowed to be in possession of mace or pepper spray on campus.
As stated in last month’s updated Boston Police Department crime report, crime has increased by 7 percent in the downtown area and by 1 percent in the Back Bay, South End and Fenway areas.
Reported cases of rape and attempted rape crimes have almost doubled in the Allston and Brighton areas from 2013 to 2014.
Many BU students said they would carry pepper spray or mace if they had the option, due to crime risks and concern for their general protection.
“Pepper spray is easily accessible for me and, given the situation, I would be able to use it quickly in any given moment,” said ElTemtamy. “I am not physically strong enough to protect myself, nor am I quick enough to run away. This is the easiest option.”
Despite the disagreement with this policy that has been presented over the years by BU students, the administration said there is no need to make any changes to the strict prohibition of pepper spray and mace on campus.
Jack Weldon, assistant dean of students, references the police rationale that pepper spray or mace could be used by the perpetrator against the victim if the victim does not know how to use it quickly and effectively. Although students may feel safer carrying these items, it will not necessarily make them more safe, and it may put them in more danger.
“I think it is a sound policy,” said Weldon, in a recent interview. “I think it makes good sense because ultimately, it’s for the safety of students.”
A number of female students, including Thee and ElTemtamy, believe that the pros of allowing pepper spray on campus outweigh the cons, and the policy should be changed.
“I disagree with this policy because I feel like self-defense is very important,” said Jessica Bryant, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. “I would also like to believe that if given the opportunity, the students of BU could prove themselves mature enough to handle such items.”
Police told the administration there is not a real advantage to carrying pepper spray or mace, therefore Weldon would not support a change to this policy.
“I think that most people would contend that the campus is relatively safe,” said Weldon, noting the blue light phones, escort security service, BU bus transportation system, residence hall security assistants, trained RAs, and BU’s omnipresent police department.
According to the administration, safety comes first, and the university provides ways for students to avoid dangerous situations and get help if necessary. For these reasons, Weldon does not believe the university needs to allow students the option to carry pepper spray or mace, despite complaints from those who would like to do so.
“There really isn’t a way to avoid these kinds of situations,” said freshman ElTemtamy. “I mean, this guy came up to my friend and I while we were together in a large school building, there were witnesses passing by and everything. I was in a group in a public and safe place, what else could I have changed?”
Sarah E. McCullough 