In the wake of the recent shooting at UNC-Chapel Hill, I am deeply troubled by the lack of a clear, university-wide procedure for responding to an active shooter on campus. The recent incident on our campus has highlighted the urgent need for immediate action in order to ensure the safety and well-being of all students, faculty, and staff.

On August 28th, during an active shooter situation on campus, I personally witnessed professors continuing course instruction despite receiving alerts about the ongoing threat. Shockingly, some were even teaching after class had ended. This disregard for our safety is unacceptable and puts lives at risk.

Furthermore, when students were evacuated from buildings during this terrifying ordeal, we were directed to walk towards Franklin Street without any police escort or guidance. Rumors of multiple shooters circulated among us while we remained vulnerable and uninformed about the current situation. The lack of effort made by both the University and law enforcement to reassure us or provide updates was distressing.

It is imperative that UNC-Chapel Hill takes immediate action to establish a comprehensive protocol that outlines clear steps for responding to an active shooter situation on campus. This protocol should prioritize student safety above all else and ensure effective communication between faculty, staff, students, and law enforcement agencies.

To support this petition's call for change in response procedures at UNC Chapel Hill regarding active shooters on campus:

1. We demand that all faculty members receive mandatory training on how to respond appropriately during an active shooter situation.

2. We demand that every classroom, including lecture halls, be equipped with secure locking mechanisms. The current infrastructure inadequacy compelled students to take extreme measures, forcing some students to hold pepper spray towards the door as they barricaded themselves in the class. The fact that this happened is both alarming and unacceptable in an educational institution.

3. We demand substantial enhancements to the Alert Carolina communication system. Its alerts are prompt, but the information's precision and clarity require enhancement. Specific, accurate details about active threats, especially shooters—including their number, location, and movement directions—are crucial. Providing this clarity not only combats the spread of student-to-student misinformation but also reduces the reliance on external sources like police radios, which many students resorted to. An enhanced communication system will ensure that students, whether sheltered or evacuating, are equipped with the precise information needed to feel safer and be safer in real-time crisis situations.

By signing this petition, we are demanding immediate action from UNC Chapel Hill to prioritize the safety of its students, faculty, and staff. We cannot afford to wait for another tragedy before implementing a comprehensive response protocol.

Together, let us make our voices heard and create a safer environment at UNC Chapel Hill. Sign this petition today and stand with us in advocating for a clear university-wide procedure for responding to an active shooter on campus.

Addendum:
4. We demand Alert Carolina provides its alerts in multiple languages, starting with Spanish. It has come to light that the Lenoir dining hall staff, many of whom are Spanish speakers, were uninformed during the recent incident due to the language barrier of the alerts. To promote an inclusive safety culture, emergency messages about an active shooter need to be available for all.