Wow, good read at 3:00 to 4:10 am when I can't sleep. There is one huge problem for most students, even for us profs...money. But, if money is no issue, I suggest considering one of the many bullet/knife resistant shirts...it buys you time:
http://www.geek.com/articles/news/these-polo-shirts-are-fashonable-and-stop-bullets-20081010/
Regarding pepperspray, on the campus where I teach graduate courses, it is as banned as a firearm, because "...the nuns disapprove of violence..." Well Hades on high, I disapprove of being killed or beaten. Yeah, I know ironic, ain't it?! For my part, if I know that a graduate student can't afford a can of OC, I'll buy it for them, and have done so on many occasions. I personally have two rather large cans of OC with me when I can't take my pistol (i.e. into the buildings). I actually have had dozens of students ask that I walk them to their car at night, because at least I have OC….again, campus insecurity has nothing. We always use a buddy system.
Our campus insecurity has nothing defensive whatsoever. Well, that's not accurate. They have Play School radios. At least they can broadcast the gruesome squeals of us being brutalized. Our campus security also has a long and undistinguished history of standing by (literally) while students have been beaten with a tire iron (twice) by a local gang, or with other weapons. But the nuns disapprove of violence. Oh yeah, and try to locate the statistics re: campus crime. They are no longer published. For what it is worth, only one of our insecurity guards has ever had any form of training. All others are retired auto industry workers who are family or friends to the powers that be. Ain't nepotism grand?!
I encourage all LEOs enrolled in my courses to carry in class and on-campus...always. I usually utter something to the effect of: "You do realize that as an LEO you are clear to carry here, right?! Unfortunately I can't carry in-class, but want you to know that I feel much more secure when my eligible students do carry."
Regarding in-class status, here is where open communication becomes important. I don't talk my being a former professional martial artist for bragging…I discuss it to bring to the surface who else in the class is/was trained-up.
Knowledge is power. With that knowledge, we can be sure someone skilled enough to help near the door(s). I prefer to know who are my fellow martial artists, former or current LEOs, or just some mean BA-looking person. Let the frail and easily intimidated sit near the windows. They can be breaking glass while the rest of us break bones near the door(s). Besides, the weak or timid would simply be stumbling blocks to those of us who would activity and violently resist.
During class break, I hold some pretty frank discussions with my fellows defenders. We aren't paranoid, but we're pretty darned prepared, considering the legal restrictions.