College is supposed to be some of the best years of your life. It’s a time to meet new people, make friendships, attend parties and events, support your school, and create memories that will last a lifetime. From homecoming celebrations and Halloween parties, college social events give students a chance to enjoy life outside the classroom. However, something that continues to become a serious concern across the country is the violence happening at these gatherings. Shootings, arguments, and unnecessary fights are turning what should be fun experiences into dangerous situations. Something needs to change because nobody should have to worry about whether they will make it home safely after attending a college event.
Halloween weekend is a recent example of just how serious this problem has become. Across the country, shootings interrupted Halloween celebrations this past weekend, leaving six people dead and dozens injured. One of the incidents happened near the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware. Seven people were shot on East Main Street on Saturday. Police responded, and all seven victims were taken to local hospitals. One of the victims was a 20-year-old University of Delaware student who suffered a gunshot wound to his back. What makes this so upsetting is that people were simply trying to enjoy Halloween. Instead, a night of costumes and celebrations turned into a frightening situation where people were running for safety, leaving campus, and going back into their dorms.
Another example happened near the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. Cincinnati police responded to a shooting at a student housing complex just blocks from the university’s campus Saturday. Officers arrived after receiving reports of gunfire. Police did not find any shooting victims at the scene. However, students received an emergency alert while officers investigated. This situation shows how even when nobody is injured, gunfire near student housing can create fear and concern among college students. Students should be able to feel comfortable in their own neighborhoods without worrying about shootings happening outside their homes.
Temple University in Philadelphia is another example. On Oct. 3 two men were shot about a block away from Temple’s campus near 18th and Norris streets. According to NBC10 Philadelphia, both men were taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds but were expected to survive. Temple police sent an alert to students warning them to avoid the area while officers investigated. Although this shooting did not happen during a Halloween party or an official college event, it shows that gun violence near college campuses is an ongoing concern.
These examples show that this problem is not limited to one school or one state. It is happening in different college communities across the country. What makes it even worse is that people who have nothing to do with an argument or disagreement can become victims. Someone could simply be walking to their car, leaving a party, or spending time with friends and suddenly find themselves in a dangerous situation.
Personally, I think one of the biggest problems is how quickly people turn small disagreements into serious situations. Not every argument needs to become a fight, and no disagreement should end with someone getting injured, shot or losing their life. People need to learn how to walk away instead of making situations worse. Bringing a gun into an argument or even a gathering of thousands of people does not solve anything. It creates pain for families, friends, and entire communities.
I also believe colleges, event organizers, and students all have a responsibility to help make social events safer. Schools should work with local police, improve safety plans, and make sure students know who to contact during emergencies. I get that, especially on open campuses, it’s hard to keep track of violent individuals but something has to be done to ensure safety. Students also need to look out for one another, avoid unnecessary conflicts, and report dangerous behavior before someone gets hurt.
College should be about education, friendships, school spirit, and having experiences that people can look back on with a smile. Homecoming should be about celebrating, Halloween should be about having fun, and parties should be a chance to enjoy time with friends. Students should not have to think twice about going out and attending these events because they they’re afraid they might get hurt or never make it home.