At Umass it is very easy to get permission for pepper spray. I have heard of people getting written permission a few other places but don't remember off the top of my head which schools these were. And since I am not a lawyer, my advice as NOT A LAWYER, would be if you have a daughter at a school that doesn't give her permission to carry pepper spray, get it for her and have her carry it anyway and shut-up about it. Also, make sure she has an idea of how to use it, and an idea about other things she can do to keep herself safe. There's a point where you go from letting the law/rules go from inconveniencing you to actually really hindering your ability to protect yourself.
Mike
Mike