PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — As events unfolded during Saturday’s deadly shooting, the Brown University community received frequent updates through the school’s campus alert system, but students at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) say they were left in the dark.

RISD students — whose campus sits just a short walk from Brown — have voiced frustration with the school’s response, pointing to internal communication they describe as minimal, vague and, at times, inaccurate.

Although RISD classes and final exams wrapped up Friday, many students were still on campus Saturday clearing studios and preparing to head home for the holidays. RISD and Brown share a longstanding relationship, including a five-year dual-degree undergraduate program, as well as classrooms, facilities and student spaces across College Hill.

However, RISD students were not notified of an active shooter in the area until about 5:30 p.m. — roughly an hour and a half after the first shots were fired at Brown. In total, students received five “RISDAlert” messages, while only one safety update was posted to RISD’s Emergency Information page during the initial response. Two additional updates were later uploaded — one on Sunday and another on Tuesday.

A RISD senior told NewsNation affiliate WPRI that the only reason he knew about the shooting was because his partner, a Brown student, was receiving real-time alerts.

Brown issued 11 alerts to its community in the immediate aftermath of the shooting and in the hours that followed. The first “BrownUAlert” was sent at 4:22 p.m., warning of an active shooter and instructing recipients to lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice.

It also reminded students to “RUN, if you are in the affected location, evacuate safely if you can; HIDE, if evacuation is not possible, take cover; FIGHT, as a last resort, take action to protect yourself.”

But several students said the most helpful and timely resource was Sidechat — Brown’s anonymous social media platform for students. One widely shared post warned people to stay away from Thayer Street near MacMillan Hall, stating that two people had been shot.

Petition to unify campus alert systems

An online petition, created shortly after the shooting Saturday, has already garnered more than 2,700 signatures, urging RISD administrators and the Brown Corporation to unify their emergency notification systems.

It argues that RISD failed to identify the incident as a shooting for roughly 90 minutes and did not provide students with “proper protocol or actionable steps.”

“Given the geographical overlap between both campuses, coordinated communication is essential so that students receive timely and consistent safety information,” the petition states.

Supporter and RISD student Cindy believes cross-institution collaboration is imperative in a shared community, especially regarding emergency response. She noted that although most RISD students have been dismissed for winter break, that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve accurate and timely information about an emergency happening on or near campus.

“I was on the RISD campus when everything transpired at Brown,” Cindy wrote. “The vague language used in RISD alerts and overall lack of seriousness in addressing the situation made clear to me RISD does not care about my safety.”

As a student and resident advisor at RISD, petition signer Zoe described the school’s communication as “absurd,” saying RISD never told them to shelter in place.

“We had our team members on Brown campus studying for finals as we finished closing the residence halls. We only knew what was happening because of people who took Brown classes,” Zoe wrote.

Kyle — another supporter and Brown alum who often returns to campus for work — said the two schools “function like two halves of the same campus” and a unified emergency messaging system “seems like an obvious proactive measure.”

Berenice, the parent of a RISD student, signed the petition, saying she is “deeply disappointed” back the lack of transparency and urgency in the alerts. Her daughter reportedly received the first notification, warning of “police activity,” when she was just an eight-minute walk away from the shooter.

“RISD students frequently use Brown University facilities and attend classes through dual enrollment programs, so clear and accurate communication during emergencies is critical! Failing to clearly identify an active shooter situation is irresponsible and puts students at risk, as it prevents them from taking proper shelter and safety precautions,” Bernice wrote, urging RISD administrators to review their emergency communication protocols and encouraging other parents to sign the petition.

Response from RISD

In a statement to WPRI, a RISD spokesperson said the school will assess its emergency response plans and “evolve as appropriate” in the days ahead.

“Our focus is keeping our community informed as this situation continues to unfold. As much as this event was unthinkable for all of us, it is something we must learn from,” the spokesperson said. “Our top priority is, and will always be, the safety and well being of our community.”

RISD President Crystal Williams released a letter on Monday, emphasizing the close connection between RISD and Brown and describing the two campuses as deeply intertwined.

“College Hill is now forever changed by the scourge of gun violence. And we mourn that change. And we endeavor to learn and grow from it,” Williams wrote. “While our schools are very different—with unique origin stories, missions, and outcomes, our mutuality is undeniable. And we cherish it. And so, we especially mourn what transpired at Brown on Saturday.”

A group of senior leaders reportedly met to debrief the shooting and RISD’s response.

“We acknowledge that there are lessons to learn and act upon–among them enhanced internal and external communication and coordination, especially given the mutual nature of our campuses,” Williams wrote.

With Providence’s shelter-in-place order lifted, RISD remains open. Williams said the school continues to coordinate with city officials, Brown leadership and local police, and that Student Life staff are actively contacting students in the area to offer support. She added that RISD is also working to secure additional crisis-response resources for staff.