[muawiyah]

The real story here is the University forced the students to attend this very dangerous event ~ even entertain the possibility of being beaten, raped, robbed or otherwise abused.

The assignment was simply required.

Most students would consider training involving those risks to be a bit more than they'd bargained for.

Where were the professors all that time ~ were they perhaps SAFE IN THEIR OFFICES in their armed guard protected buildings?

[jaz.357]

Where were the professors all that time ~ were they perhaps SAFE IN THEIR OFFICES in their armed guard protected buildings?

Nahhh, Most likely on vacation in a warm climate.