For CCSU student John Wahlberg, a class presentation on campus violence turned into a confrontation with the campus police due to a complaint by the professor.
On October 3, 2008, Wahlberg and two other classmates prepared to give an oral presentation for a Communication 140 class that was required to discuss a “relevant issue in the media”. Wahlberg and his group chose to discuss school violence due to recent events such as the Virginia Tech shootings that occurred in 2007.
Shortly after his professor, Paula Anderson, filed a complaint with the CCSU Police against her student. During the presentation Wahlberg made the point that if students were permitted to conceal carry guns on campus, the violence could have been stopped earlier in many of these cases. He also touched on the controversial idea of free gun zones on college campuses.
That night at work, Wahlberg received a message stating that the campus police “requested his presence”. Upon entering the police station, the officers began to list off firearms that were registered under his name, and questioned him about where he kept them.
They told Wahlberg that they had received a complaint from his professor that his presentation was making students feel “scared and uncomfortable”.
“I was a bit nervous when I walked into the police station,” Wahlberg said, “but I felt a general sense of disbelief once the officer actually began to list the firearms registered in my name. I was never worried however, because as a law-abiding gun owner, I have a thorough understanding of state gun laws as well as unwavering safety practices.”
Professor Anderson refused to comment directly on the situation and deferred further comment.
“It is also my responsibility as a teacher to protect the well being of our students, and the campus community at all times,” she wrote in a statement submitted to The Recorder. “As such, when deemed necessary because of any perceived risks, I seek guidance and consultation from the Chair of my Department, the Dean and any relevant University officials.”
Wahlberg believes that her complaint was filed without good reason.
“I don’t think that Professor Anderson was justified in calling the CCSU police over a clearly nonthreatening matter. Although the topic of discussion may have made a few individuals uncomfortable, there was no need to label me as a threat,” Wahlberg said in response. “The actions of Professor Anderson made me so uncomfortable, that I didn’t attend several classes. The only appropriate action taken by the Professor was to excuse my absences.”
The university police were unavailable for comment.
“If you can’t talk about the Second Amendment, what happened to the First Amendment?” asked Sara Adler, president of the Riflery and Marksmanship club on campus. “After all, a university campus is a place for the free and open exchange of ideas.”
-Shauna Simeone, Asst. Opinion Editor
NOTE: With the exception of commenters who can provide a valid CCSU email address, we are no longer accepting comments on this story.
Paula Anderson should be fired. To interfere with our students free thinking process is a crime in itself. These are the same tactics Stalin and Hitler used to brainwash the youth. How dare an educator call the police on a student expressing his right of free speech and the right to bear arms. This is sick and another example of how the powers that be are leading us into complete socialism.
If the Virginia Tech killer knew that state law allowed concealed weapons, would he have padlocked himself inside that campus building?
His plan had as its premise, nobody will be able to fight back. He locked himself inside to keep anyone outside from stopping him.
The logic of this “professor” is, abolish guns and no one will be afraid. That is not logic. That is fantasy.
Every time I run across an incontinent invertebrate, low intelligence ‘professor’ like Paula Anderson, I am appalled and afraid for the Profession. Which ever University granted her college degrees should revoke them. She has demonstrated her own incompetence and negligence for her craft and students. In addition she has shown an amazing lack of judgment and a propensity for political socialist ideology totalitarianism.
With this abuse of official responsibility, I would not recommend Forest Gump to apply to CCSU.
I do hope that the student does seek legal counsel for this assault against his First and Second Amendment individual rights.
Sieg Heil!! Oberststurmfuhrer Paula Anderson!!
Professor Sam Waite
As a former police officer I agree with the comments of SanAntonioSpectator. I also believe that the schools should be held civilly liable for the ostracization and mistreatment of students and professors whose rights are violated by the professors and/or schools themselves simply for their political beliefs.
In the officer’s place, I probably (in the interest of professionalism) would have spoken to the kid to see if I felt there was some threat or rampantly insane look about the kid.. You know, the Renfield sort of thing. But other than that, I would have told the professor she was being “overly cautious”(one must be polite to the idiots when one is a cop). This is, as I have heard so much, a conspiracy of the liberal side to corrupt the minds of our children from a very young age. It is sad and conservatives need to take back the schools and begin to teach what is important. I am the father of a 16-year old son and I had to explain to him and his friends what the Cold War was… they had no idea, though they have all had at least two high school history classes.
Roger R – I hope you are not serious and do not actually believe that your daughter is unsafe because some students on campus have gone through LEGAL training to have a CCW permit. I think the statistical fact is that she is much more likely to be raped and murdered by some criminal idiot with a knife. Where did your brain go when you came to your illogical conclusion?