Boulder County educational institutions have been subject to multiple gun-related threats or incidents in 2023, the most recent threat happening on Feb. 22 at Boulder Valley High School. The University of Colorado Boulder, or CU Boulder, student government passed legislation encouraging the administration to provide a virtual option for students to attend class in case of a threat, according to Legislative Council president Sally Webster.
“Students should not be required to make the decision between their academic success and personal safety … CU Administration shall work with the Office of the Provost to urge CU Faculty to offer a virtual attendance option, excuse absences, or to provide other accommodations for students during incidents of gun violence,” the legislation read.
CU Boulder’s attendance policies vary among programs and faculty within the university but some students are at risk of losing attendance points and falling behind in class if they don’t attend class during safety concerns, according to the student government’s legislation.
“While this resolution has no formal power to require that faculty or admin makes a change, we sincerely hope that it shows that the student body does not want to continue being treated with apathy during times in which apathy is the furthest thing from a correct response,” Webster said.
Boulder Valley School District sees a similar decline in attendance when a threat is communicated, said Chief Communications Officer Randy Barber. In the recent threat that occurred on Feb. 22, Boulder High School was on lockdown and canceled the school day to ensure student safety. Although a virtual class option during a threat hasn’t yet been considered within the district, parents are granted the freedom to excuse their students from school.
“Our practice in the Boulder Valley School District is to respect the decision of our parents. They are permitted to excuse the absence of their child if they do not feel that it is safe for their child to attend school,” Barber said.
The school district’s priority in case of a threat is to support students and return them to a school environment, ensuring they maintain a normal routine, according to Barber.
It is currently unknown how the student sponsored legislation will be received by the university. The Assistant Director and spokesperson, Andrew Sorensen, was unable to be reached by time of publication.
