PORTLAND, Ore. — The debate about guns on campus picked up again Tuesday at Portland State University, as an outside consultant began holding what it is calling “listening forums” over the next three days.
The forums will be moderated discussions designed to hear all points of view about safety and security on campus.
The hot-button issue is whether school security officers should carry firearms. This issue boiled over after the shooting death of Jason Washington last summer by two campus officers. Washington was trying to break up a fight and reached for a gun he was legally able to carry after it dropped from its holster.
Although many, including PSU student union leaders and faculty members called for fast action, the PSU administration and Board of Trustees said they will take their time to make decisions based on the best information and most input possible.
The listening forums are at PSU’s Academic and Student Recreation Center in room 515 and are open to anyone connected to the school and the general public as well.
The schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, Oct. 30
- 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
- 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
- 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 31
- 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
- 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
- 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 1
- 8 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
- 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
- 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
The consultant will also be putting out a survey for those who want to participate that way. The independent consultant’s findings and recommendations are expected by the end of the year.