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Technology brings new wave of campus violence

The impact of technology on student behavior is changing the face of campus violence and campus leaders are looking for a way to deal with these problems, a UA official said yesterday

"Harassment over e-mails has an impact on the behavior of students," said Veda Hunn, University of Arizona assistant dean of students.

Hunn spoke to about 50 UA faculty members who attended "Campus Violence: Issues, Responses, and Resources" - a panel discussion yesterday at the "Swede" Johnson Building. Panelists and audience members discussed the prevalence of violence on college campuses and how to deal with acts of violence.

Computers and Internet access have created a new trend of violence, said University Police Chief Harry Hueston, manifesting in hate e-mails at UA and other campuses nationwide.

"It's our job to do two things, educate and look at the future," he said.

The UA needs to focus on the effects of outside influences, he said.

"We have a history and history has a way of repeating itself," Hueston said. "We need to look at future trends."

Hunn said the technological age has brought changes in the ways students react to problems.

"It has changed from 'I will get a lawyer' to 'I will get you,'" she said.

Recent trends have included more aggressive behavior and more threats, she added.

Other panelists included James Van Arsdel, director of Residence Life and university attorney Mike Proctor, as well as representatives from psychological services and human resources.

Each of the panelists spoke about violence issues on the UA campus and other college campuses in the nation.

Hueston said he has seen very disturbing violent trends, including a "rash of armed robberies," last semester.

He added that UA campus crimes can sometimes be a direct reflection of Tucson drug trafficking.

Proctor said students and faculty need better communication.

Staff members should be sensitive when dealing with student problems, he said.

Faculty members are not psychiatrists, he said, but should listen to students without making judgments.

"Don't be diagnostic, be objective," he said.

Van Arsdel agreed it is important for the university faculty to talk with the students.

"Try to make sure that when you encounter students it is not the first time talking to them," he said. " Go out and meet them."

Proctor said legal issues can be alleviated by writing down everything that is said and done in a violent situation.

"Be factual. Write down what you have to write down," he said. "I want to see what happens. Put down those four-letter words."

But he added that safety is most important when dealing with violence.

Hueston agreed, and said faculty should feel comfortable calling 911.

"We become the calming agent and there we work through things," he said. "It's important that you call 911."

The forum was the first in an "ongoing dialogue" about campus violence issues, Hunn said.

The Dean of Students office decided to hold a panel discussion after discussing trends with Residence Life, said Sherry Mallory, campus life research and assessment coordinator.

Audience members had ideas for future panels, suggesting that students be involved. They also said they would like to hear more discussion about the relationship between alcohol and violence and the media's impact on students.

Hunn said the forum was a good start.

"It was our first one and there was a lot of information shared and feedback given," she said. "The best suggestion we had was that we need to include students."