UNH President Warns Campus Carry Bill Threatens Safety as Survey Shows 86% of Students Would Be Less Likely to Enroll

University of New Hampshire President Elizabeth Chilton states the Campus Carry Bill would undermine campus safety efforts, a concern echoed by 86% of students who reported they would be less likely to enroll if the bill becomes law.

The New Hampshire House passed the Campus Carry Bill (HB 1793) in February by a vote of 188 to 165. This legislation aims to prohibit public colleges and universities, including the University of New Hampshire, from restricting the possession, carrying, or storage of firearms on campus grounds. This move challenges current institutional policies regarding campus security.

UNH President Elizabeth Chilton states that maintaining campus safety is a top priority for the university. Chilton emphasized that the Campus Carry Bill would undermine efforts to ensure a secure environment for students, faculty, and staff. This position reflects the University System of New Hampshire's testimony against the bill before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Further highlighting campus community sentiment, a UNH Student Senate survey of 2,361 respondents provides quantitative data. The survey found that 85.9% of these students would be less likely to attend UNH if the Campus Carry Bill passes. This statistic indicates significant student concern regarding the proposed legislative change and its potential impact on their educational environment.

The survey results suggest a potential effect on future student enrollment and UNH's standing, given its consistent ranking among the top safest college campuses. University leadership asserts that maintaining existing policies related to safety and campus operations is most effective when shaped by those responsible for implementation. The proposed change impacts the established security framework within a live-learn-work community.

The bill's progression through the legislative process has brought university administrators and students to testify against its implementation. Their concerns center on the perception of well-being and actual safety on residential college campuses.

The New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee now reviews HB 1793. Observers will monitor this committee's proceedings as it considers the bill's implications for higher education institutions across the state.