Anyone trying to smuggle a gun into a dance at the University of Pittsburgh would face metal detectors upon entering the student union ballroom. Indiana University of Pennsylvania requires them for all late-night campus events.

Colleges that use the devices say they discourage gunplay at or near student gatherings, but other schools aren't convinced that searching party-goers for weapons is necessary or appropriate.

At Duquesne University, where gunmen shot five basketball players early Sunday, the shooters knew going into a dance earlier that evening that they had little to fear. A quick check with a doorman outside the Duquesne Union ballroom confirmed what was common knowledge on the campus of 10,000 students: No one checks for guns.

Security on Campus, a King of Prussia, Montgomery County, group advocating campus safety, says detectors ought to be used, especially for events drawing large off-campus crowds, such as College Bash 06 sponsored by Duquesne's Black Student Union.

The after-dance shooting spree on Academic Walk might not have occurred "if the people had never gained admission to the event in the first place or had to leave their weapon somewhere inaccessible," said Daniel Carter, a vice president with the group.

"I would say we probably see two or three of these a year that are similar to this."

Duquesne spokeswoman Bridget Fare said the school is reviewing the detector policy as part of a university investigation into the shootings, and the school had no further comment yesterday.

At Pitt, magnetometers that are kept in a doorway just outside the William Pitt Union ballroom can be moved as needed. Groups hosting parties elsewhere on campus can request them depending on a perceived threat.

"Kids of this generation are used to them because a lot of urban high schools have them," spokesman John Fedele said.

Pitt police say their value as a deterrent on the sprawling research campus is evidenced by the fact that only one gun has been detected -- that of a city police officer entering the ballroom who was unaware he was carrying it.

But use of the devices is not universal, even in the city. Just up the street from Pitt, Carnegie Mellon University says metal detectors and handheld wands used to scan clothing are not part of the school's security preparations for events.

Nor are they at Point Park University. And they are not routinely used on the suburban campuses of La Roche College and Robert Morris University.

"Most of the time these events are open only to Robert Morris students, and besides, there are always officers on hand," said Robert Morris spokesman Mike Rick.

Other than for visiting dignitaries, "we do not feel the need to use detectors out here," said Ken Service, a La Roche vice president.

At Penn State University, any group holding an event on campus must meet first with public safety officials to agree on a security plan. Depending on the perceived threat, it can range from unarmed security patrols to sworn officers and even detectors and bag searches.

"We've had some metal detectors at fraternity-sponsored events," said Tyrone Parham, assistant director of Penn State police. "Sometimes they actually bring their own."

At IUP, senior Rose Huber was of two minds about the detectors she sees at large-scale campus events.

"The look of them makes me feel a little uncomfortable going in. It makes me wonder what happened in the past," she said. "But I do think they make me feel a little safer."