Students should be allowed to carry nonlethal defense weapons on campus, according to a recommendation that was introduced in the student senate on Wednesday.
The shooting on Senate Street and other recent high-profile incidents of crime near campus prompted this recommendation, according its author, student senator Dylan Peddemors.
The recommendation asks that university policy is altered to allow students to carry nonlethal weapons on campus for self-defense, “including but not limited to safety keychain tools and pepper spray."
“We've seen a recent string of crime, recently, on campus,” Peddemors said. “I think it's important that we, as students, have the ability to defend ourselves.”
The recommendation also said USC should more clearly outline concealed weapons policies on the university website. While it is illegal to carry concealed weapons on college campuses in South Carolina, Peddemors said the current university information is "fragmented and kind of difficult to find."
“It's important that the university provide no room for any student to misinterpret whether or not it's okay — not just to bring firearms — but any weapon, for that matter, onto university property,” Peddemors said.
The student senate officially announced the Carolina versus Clemson flu shot drive. Although it was not officially announced until Wednesday, the total will include all of the flu shots the Student Health Center has administered this fall.
“I feel, especially in times like this, it's important to have some way that we can lift our spirits and a little bit of competition with one of our big rivals,” student senator Edward Morris said.
Student Body President Issy Rushton said students should participate in the final forum with the University History Commission scheduled for Thursday.
“There are still spots open for tomorrow to come and address the commission on anything from education around the Ward One District to renaming buildings to anything that you have on your mind that pertains to the commission,” Rushton said.