The safety of students should always come before academics. After the recent shooting at Brown University and with the suspect still not in custody, many students at Bryant are feeling overwhelmed. Fear and anxiety are spreading across campus. Continuing to hold finals in person during this time suggests that academic performance is being prioritized over student well-being. That is a message no school should send. Students are coming together to express a shared concern: our safety needs to come first. Finals should be moved online or postponed until the situation is resolved.

It has become difficult for many of us to focus. Brown is close to Bryant, and knowing someone dangerous is still at large creates constant tension. Students are checking news updates, receiving alerts, and feeling uneasy in public spaces. Classrooms and exam rooms no longer feel secure. It is not reasonable to expect anyone to perform well under these conditions. Finals are already stressful, and this additional layer of fear only makes things worse.

There is also a collective worry spreading through the student body. Conversations among friends, group chats, and even quiet exchanges in the hallway show that we are all thinking the same thing. Why are we still expected to show up in person when safety is uncertain? Many students are far from home and rely on the university for protection. When that protection feels shaky, it is the school’s responsibility to make cautious and compassionate choices. Choosing to move finals online or delay them would show that Bryant values students as individuals, not just academic records.

This is not about avoiding responsibility. Students are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for understanding. We are asking for a response that considers both our mental and physical health. When the world outside feels unsafe, we should not be forced to pretend everything is normal. Taking action now would show that Bryant stands with its students and is willing to prioritize people over policies.

Other colleges have made similar decisions during times of crisis. There is no reason Bryant cannot do the same. Until the suspect is caught and the threat is fully resolved, in-person finals should not continue. Moving them online or postponing them would be a responsible step in an uncertain moment.

We are not trying to be dramatic. We are trying to be heard. As a community, we are asking for safety, compassion, and clarity. We are standing together, hoping the university will listen and act in a way that protects its students.