UMD, GMU Launch Gun Violence Prevention Effort

Deliberative Classroom

This oval-shaped forum is suitable for courses, public events and debates. It’s equipped with a state-of-the-art conferencing system, including microphones at all 50 seats and cameras that automatically track anyone speaking, allowing classes to easily engage with students and experts around the world. “It literally gives students a voice” in discussions, Orr says.

Reading Room and Terrace

This flexible top-floor space connecting indoors and outdoors offers sweeping views and will host experts, speakers, and public and private leaders.

Do Good Plaza

The outside area fronting the Rossborough Inn will celebrate UMD’s role as the nation’s first Do Good Campus. Public art will include a set of giant illuminated rings that will activate as people pass through with audio on how Terps are doing good in the community and around the world. These rings will lead people into the atrium, where they can interact with displays that tell the university’s greatest “do good” stories.

Collaboration With D.C.- Area Universities to Pursue EvidenceBased Solutions

IN THE WAKE of horrifying mass shootings in Buffalo, N.Y., Highland Park, Ill., and Uvalde, Texas, the University of Maryland and George Mason University are joining with other institutions around the Washington, D.C., region to advance solutions to American gun violence.

Called “The 120 Initiative” for the more than 120 people who are killed by firearms on average every day, the group will be coordinated by the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Experts in areas such as public and mental health, business, education and technology will develop evidence-based recommendations to drive down gun violence.

The idea of UMD President Darryll J. Pines and GMU President Gregory Washington, the initiative also includes Georgetown University and Howard University, and Johns Hopkins University and Virginia Tech as affiliate members.

“Guns are now the leading cause of death for young people, and we are charged with shaping young minds to tackle the grand challenges of our time,” Pines says. “We lead communities that are deeply affected by the mass slaughter of citizens, and some weeks it feels like the flags at our public institutions fly ceaselessly at half-staff.”—LF