The Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD) strongly supports the “Threat Assessment, Prevention, and Safety Act of 2018” (H.R. Bill 6664). As a leading voice for college student mental health, and the largest organization of campus mental health leaders in the country, AUCCCD is actively involved in efforts to reduce the risk of violence to self and others.
The Clery Act requires all institutions of higher education to collect crime reports from a variety of individuals and organizations that Clery considers to be Campus Security Authorities (CSAs). In its 2016 Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting, the U.S. Department of Education identified two types of individuals working in specific roles who are not CSAs under the Clery Act: Pastoral counselors and Professional Counselors (this includes counselors-intraining working under the license of a professional counselor). Furthermore, directors of campus counseling centers were classified as people who generally meet the criteria for being campus security authorities (CSAs).
The Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD), a professional association for the higher education leaders for college student mental health representing over 800 institutions in the United States and internationally, seeks to advance the cause of collegiate mental health through innovation, education, and advocacy. As an organization committed to inclusive excellence and the promotion of social justice, AUCCCD strongly speaks out against racism, discrimination, oppression, and violence in its many forms. On Friday, August 11, 2017, and Saturday, August 12, 2017, several White supremacist hate groups gathered on the campus of the University of Virginia and elsewhere in Charlottesville, purportedly to protest the removal of a Confederate general’s statue. The weekend was marked with violent clashes between various hate groups and anti-racism groups, leading to property destruction and the needless death of a young woman who was there to protest against racism and bear witness. Several other people were injured, some seriously. Two law enforcement officers who were there to keep the peace also lost their lives when their helicopter crashed.
The Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD) joins with the world in expressing our grief and sorrow to those family members, friends and loved ones who were impacted by the tragic violence that occurred in Orlando, Florida. We extend our support to those who continue to be healing from this senseless violence. Of particular note, are the members of the LGBTQ community and the impact this tragedy is having on them. As a professional association AUCCCD is committed to inclusive excellence and the affirmation of all individual’s sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. We recognize how this tragedy can effect a person’s sense of safety in the world and know that counseling centers are ready to support students impacted by this violence everywhere. We are also aware that individuals with a similar background to the perpetrator’s identity can be unfairly victimized in the aftermath of such a tragedy. These individuals will certainly be supported by counseling centers as needed.
Much of the empirical research on the topic of violent video games indicates that such activities increase aggressive thoughts and behaviors and increase angry feelings. Anecdotal data about many of the school shooters indicate preoccupation with violence. The tragedies at Columbine, Virginia Tech, and Northern Illinois University are among the most horrible violent acts on campus in American history. As an organization of professionals based in campus mental health settings we feel compelled to decry the development and marketing of video games that present such video activities as "fun". We urge the businesses and individuals involved with these types of video games to stop their development and/or production. It is disconcerting that the development of such video games would even be considered. It is disrespectful to survivors, and inconsiderate to the families, friends and loved ones of those who have been killed or injured in school shootings. It would be ill advised and regrettable to market such games given the potential harm they could cause.
