Situation at college --- need advice

[Harry2110]

This stuff is very effective, even the 2% formula.

Or if a big enought bag is carried why not try bear spray. It has the range of a gun plus anything longer than a .5sec blast and unless the guy is on bath salts he will stop as itll almost stop his breathing. The only thing is could the use of bear spray kill the guy and if so would it be considered illegal self defense or is bear spray even legal in the first place?

 

[Viking Queen]

I would suggest, in addition to all the other excellent ideas, that she carry a very small voice activated recorder when she has to be in that area. If he comes and does one of his rants, then she would have audible proof of his instability. Take it to campus police, take it to campus news, take it to local police, take it to local media. Take it to any one you can in order to get some action. She needs to be proactive, some campus officials might want to poo poo her concern, hard to do that when they hear the evidence. If all else fails and things are escalating, get a lawyer to help shame the university in the media into protecting their students.

Just a few things I would do, were I to be in her position. Take care, Viking Queen

 

[1911Shooter]

When I was in high school we had a kid that did that all the time. They later found that he was schizophrenic. Late in high school to early in college is when those traits are most often found but they can also come out during a stressful situation.

 

[fahappy]

A stun gun or even pepper spray within reach at all times when this kid is around would be ideal.

 

[Indy317]

The DIL is not real physically fit, and is kind of high strung herself.

Other than what I mentioned is there any specific, realistic advice that you all can provide. Keep in mind that she is not the type to deal well with being physical herself.

And... as a note... I would prefer you not to criticize her for the burdens she bears in her sheepfulness. She is my family, you know, and we do love her.

There isn't much to do for people who are sheep. The fact she asked for advice is at least one step in the right direction. Is the school big enough to have their own police force? After Virginia Tech, a lot of universities created panels/committees to deal with students and employees who others may report as acting in a questionable or concerning way.

Debating an issue is one thing, full blown arguing is something else. She needs to look at the student code of conduct and see if there is anything she could point to that he has done that could warrant disciplinary action. This also means being a witness and possibly giving statements to the authorities. She can't allow her sheepish self to just "let others deal with it." There are a lot of sheepish people on universities, she should just totally depend on others to do what needs to be done. Sometimes you have to given the people in authority what they need to so they aren't afraid to act (ie: lawsuit).

Also, she might be concerned about carrying a "weapon," as most universities have a very broad "weapons" rule. A high quality box cutter could be just that, a box cutter. If she works in a lab, surely she would have a need to open boxes from time to time. A lot of females do carry pepper spray, and I have yet to hear of a university dismissing someone because of that. While it could be technically defined as a "weapon," I don't think universities want the PR for kicking out women who worry about their safety. If she really wants to get this issue on the front burner, start requesting police/security escorts from the building to her vehicle or campus boarders. When asked by the officers/dispatchers why she constantly calls, just be nice and continually tell them she is fearful of a certain student. Repeat the fact that she has already reported everything she knows and until he changes his behavior or is gone, she will be calling for a safety escort.

On a side note, most colleges/universities offer some sort of female only based self-defense class. It is usually through the university police, or local police if no univ. PD. She should consider joining a class. Do a Google search for videos. The classes aren't directed at just people in shape.