UPDATE: Below is a statement from Oakland University released from the school’s official Twitter account.

Official statement from Oakland University. pic.twitter.com/UQVfo9RBaL — Oakland University (@oaklandu) November 28, 2018



By @MichaelCaples –

Oakland University just bought a bunch of hockey pucks.

Unfortunately, it’s not because they’ve finalized plans of installing a Division 1 men’s and/or women’s ice hockey program.

Per this ClickOnDetroit article, professors and students alike are being given hockey pucks to use as defense mechanisms in case of a school shooting or other similar threats of violence.

In addition to training from university police on behalf of the American Association of University Professors – OU’s faculty union – 800 pucks have been distributed to serve as something heavy and easy to throw, and the university aims to provide 1,700 more.

From the story:

According to Gordon, to fight effectively, faculty and students need to be prepared to throw objects that are heavy and will cause a distraction. Hockey pucks provide the ability to be carried in brief cases or backpacks, are not considered a weapon, and will meet the goal of distracting the shooter, according to Gordon. The hockey pucks are also being used as a fundraising device as the union seeks to raise the necessary money to equip all campus classroom doors with a lock that can be used without leaving the room in the event of an emergency.

Full article here