Senator Robert Singer, a Republican representing New Jersey’s 30th district and a former college board trustee, announced he is considering new legislation aimed at improving safety on college campuses.
Singer pointed to recent incidents such as violent demonstrations with anti-Semitic overtones, a shooting at Brown University, and the assassination of a prominent political commentator as examples of growing threats on campuses. He stated, “From the violent, anti-Semitic demonstrations, to the recent shooting at Brown University and the assassination of one of our nation’s most outspoken political commentators that spread fear throughout student communities, we’ve seen college campuses become a magnet for dangerous disruptions.”
He emphasized that colleges should be places where free expression and open dialogue are possible only if students feel secure. “These institutions of higher education should be places of free expression and open dialogue, but that can only exist when students feel safe. That’s why I’m exploring legislation that would ensure the State, and any college receiving taxpayer funding, conducts meaningful risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities, improve preparedness, and do everything in our power to protect New Jersey’s students,” Singer said.
Singer also referenced his personal connection to campus safety concerns by noting that his daughter was injured in a 2003 bus bombing in Jerusalem.
