By Braden Weinel\/\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An off-campus visitor with a handgun was spotted inside one of Hood College\u2019s residence halls the weekend of Feb. 6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Campus Safety was notified of the non-resident visitor and the weapon, but upon campus safety\u2019s arrival, the visitor was no longer on site. Once identified, the visitor was issued a ban from ever returning onto the Hood College campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The residential student whom the visitor was with was referred to the Office of Residence Life and must go through the student conduct system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cImmediate actions were taken to ensure that our community was not in any danger,\u201d Dean of Students Ron Wiafe said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both the off-campus visitor and the possession of a weapon go against Hood College\u2019s safety policy. The possession of a weapon has always been in violation of the Hood safety policy. The allowance of off-campus visitors, however, has been blocked this school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thurmond Maynard, director and chief of Campus Safety, said that he is not permitted to reveal any further information regarding the incident due to privacy reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maynard sent an email to residential students on Tuesday, Feb. 9 explaining the situation, but most residents didn\u2019t receive the email until it was resent on Wednesday, Feb. 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the email, Maynard included the 2020-2021 Hood visitor policy, as well as the section of the student handbook regarding firearms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 2020-2021 visitor policy states that Hood will re-evaluate the terms of visitation following the second round of on-campus testing on Feb. 8. As of Feb. 11, however, the college has not yet released any new information or updates concerning the visitation policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also included in the email was a list of resources for students needing assistance in mental or physical well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPlease ensure you follow all policies and procedures to ensure your safety along with your fellow classmates,\u201d Maynard said in the conclusion of the alert.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"