The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on University of Maryland Campus Police to conduct an internal review and implement policy changes regarding security presence at campus events following an incident in October during which several Muslim students were allegedly physically assaulted and sustained serious injuries during a flag football tournament held on campus.
BACKGROUND:
On October 12, 2024, multiple University of Maryland students, who are Muslim, reported being physically assaulted during a flag football tournament hosted by the Helping Hands club on campus. It is noted on file that the Helping Hands club reserved the field to host this event, which was open to outside groups and universities.
Despite ample notice and following procedures to host this tournament, there was reportedly no security presence during the event. The allegedly unprovoked physical assault by a male, who is not a University of Maryland student, led to Muslim students sustaining serious injuries.
In at least one case, the assault reportedly resulted in one Muslim student sustaining a concussion and losing consciousness.
In a statement to CAIR, one UMD student who was assaulted and sustained a concussion said:
“It’s frustrating that we came out with the intention of doing something great but got attacked [in this way.] It’s terrible that the well-being of students was put in danger, all of this [could have been avoided] with better policies in this regard.”
“This troubling incident has raised concerns that University of Maryland is not prioritizing the well-being of its minority students, nor taking sufficient measures to protect them from threats or harm,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry in part, in a statement to Director of Public Safety and Police Chief David Mitchell. “The campus must provide a safe and supportive environment for its diverse student body, free from harassment and discrimination.”
CAIR is seeking a copy of UMD Campus Police’s current policies and protocols for deploying security on campus to activities and events, especially those open to the public, and requesting a meeting to discuss how to improve campus safety for students. In addition, the civil rights group is issuing the following recommendations:
Policy Recommendations for Campus Police
Event-Specific Risk Assessments
- Implement a mandatory pre-event risk assessment process for all campus events, focusing on identifying potential security risks, including hate-based violence or harassment.
- Collaborate with event organizers to ensure appropriate security measures are in place without creating an intimidating environment.
Enhanced Anti-Bias Training
- Require campus police officers and event security staff to undergo regular anti-bias and cultural competency training, including awareness of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim bigotry.
- Partner with student groups, including the Muslim Students Association, to provide insights into community concerns and promote mutual understanding.
Clear Protocols for Hate-Based Incidents
- Establish and publicize a clear protocol for responding to hate-based violence and harassment at campus events.
- Ensure officers are trained to de-escalate tensions and provide immediate support to victims.
Increased Accountability and Reporting
- Mandate that all incidents of physical assault or hate-based violence at campus events be thoroughly documented, investigated, and reported.
- Create a public, anonymized annual report on campus police actions related to hate incidents, ensuring transparency.
Collaborative Security Planning
- Encourage collaboration between campus police, student organizations, and campus diversity offices in planning security for events with high attendance or those deemed sensitive.
- Avoid profiling or targeting specific groups while ensuring safety measures are adequate and inclusive.
Conflict-Free Security Presence
- Reassess the visibility and role of campus police at events to ensure their presence is non-intimidating and supportive.
- Explore alternative security models, such as peer-led safety teams or unarmed security personnel, to reduce the likelihood of conflict escalation.
Victim Support Services
- Provide victims of assault or harassment with prompt access to culturally competent counseling, medical assistance, and legal resources.
- Work with student affairs offices to create a streamlined process for reporting incidents and seeking help in ways that protect the victims’ identity and encourage reporting.
Community Engagement
- Establish a Campus Safety Advisory Board that includes diverse student representation to provide regular input on policing policies and practices on campus.
- Host open forums and listening sessions to allow students, particularly those from marginalized communities, to voice concerns and suggest improvements.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; CAIR Maryland Outreach Coordinator Kim Syuardi, ksyuardi@cair.com, 202-850-9293