2008 Woodie Awards
Campus safety should be top priority for all
Jessica Laven
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: Opinions
College is not like high school. The rules and structure we grew accustomed to over the years are now pulled out from under us, largely leaving us to fend for ourselves. Ahh, the first taste of adulthood. It's fun, it's scary, it's different.
But it doesn't have to be dangerous. The safety net of home is replaced by a safety net of a different sort-that of the campus public safety department. Our campus is well-equipped to handle many sorts of emergencies and other situations.
Our campus is not unsafe, by any means, but it is a university, home to over 20,000 students, and nestled in the middle of a growing city.
While students are usually the least threat, a college campus cannot easily control who comes in or out. Unlike primary and secondary schools, a campus cannot go into complete lockdown, so it is up to us to be aware of our surroundings.
MTSU has our own fully-functioning police department and you are encouraged to utilize it anytime. If the police don't know what's going on, they can't help. Don't ever be afraid or embarrassed to call them-it is what they are paid to do.
So what is available to you? First and foremost is the campus escort service. Day or night, there are people available to accompany you anywhere on campus.
Escorts are trained individuals who will meet you at a designated spot and walk with you to your car or dorm, for instance. They are available by calling 898-2424.
Another safety measure on our campus, and on many campuses nationwide, is the emergency call box system.
There are 34 call boxes on campus, each with a button that calls the police department directly. At night the call boxes can be identified by their glowing blue lights, and you are encouraged to use them if you find yourself in danger.
You can stay at one box while the police come to your location, or, if it is not possible, you can keep walking to different boxes, pushing the buttons as you go. The police will track your path and meet up with you quickly.
But it doesn't have to be dangerous. The safety net of home is replaced by a safety net of a different sort-that of the campus public safety department. Our campus is well-equipped to handle many sorts of emergencies and other situations.
Our campus is not unsafe, by any means, but it is a university, home to over 20,000 students, and nestled in the middle of a growing city.
While students are usually the least threat, a college campus cannot easily control who comes in or out. Unlike primary and secondary schools, a campus cannot go into complete lockdown, so it is up to us to be aware of our surroundings.
MTSU has our own fully-functioning police department and you are encouraged to utilize it anytime. If the police don't know what's going on, they can't help. Don't ever be afraid or embarrassed to call them-it is what they are paid to do.
So what is available to you? First and foremost is the campus escort service. Day or night, there are people available to accompany you anywhere on campus.
Escorts are trained individuals who will meet you at a designated spot and walk with you to your car or dorm, for instance. They are available by calling 898-2424.
Another safety measure on our campus, and on many campuses nationwide, is the emergency call box system.
There are 34 call boxes on campus, each with a button that calls the police department directly. At night the call boxes can be identified by their glowing blue lights, and you are encouraged to use them if you find yourself in danger.
You can stay at one box while the police come to your location, or, if it is not possible, you can keep walking to different boxes, pushing the buttons as you go. The police will track your path and meet up with you quickly.
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