Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Criminology

Faculty/School

Faculty of Arts

First Advisor

Dr. Carrie B. Sanders

Advisor Role

Co-Supervisor

Second Advisor

Dr. James F. Popham

Advisor Role

Co-Supervisor

Abstract

Societal pressure to increase security after violent incidents on post-secondary campuses such as the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007, combined with the pressure for universities to have high recruitment rates, has led to an emerging climate of security on campuses across North America. The present study uses Valverde’s (2001; 2008; 2009; 2011a; 2011 b; 2014) security projects framework to examine the lived experiences of security measures on a Canadian urban-integrated campus. Through semi-structured interviews with administrators, campus police officers, students, and faculty, and constructivist grounded theorizing, this study provides an in-depth examination of security from multiple perspectives within one institution. Specifically, the study explores how the jurisdiction and logic of security projects have shaped perceptions of safety and security on campus. This research demonstrates how differing definitions of campus space have resulted in negative perceptions of the legitimacy of campus police. Further, by exploring the logic and use of security projects, I uncover how the growing securitization of campus is driven by both the desire to provide physical security and the increasing corporatization of academia. This study fills a gap in the security studies literature by demonstrating a practical application of Valverde’s framework within a Canadian context.

Convocation Year

2018

Convocation Season

Fall

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