Top 10 Questions On College Campus Safety

Going to college/university signals the start of a new journey toward attaining more independence and learning to make decisions. However, parents sending their children to diverse campuses across the globe will naturally have safety concerns. Wondering why? A School Survey on Crime and Safety published its report in June 2022, highlighting a whopping 27,300 crimes in 2019-20 across postsecondary education campuses. To put it into perspective, this equates to 19 reported crimes for every 10,000 full-time students. 

As per federal law, the university or college needs to set up standard security protocols for the safety of students. The information should be put out on their website and annual security report so parents can refer to it and take appropriate action in case of emergencies. In this article, we will address some of the major questions about the safety of students on campus.             

Here are a few questions about campus safety that must be addressed before making any decision. 

How does the college/university communicate with its students in case of an emergency? 

Knowing about the emergency communication protocols of the institution is important, including displaying signs and announcements on campus through texts and emails to students. Sirens may also be used to alert students in case of emergencies. Every institution should have a plan of action for informing students about emergencies, even when they cannot be reached on their phones or the Internet. One way of going about this is keeping the option open for students to choose notification programs and checking whether parents can sign up for updates in this regard. 

Does the university have a security team, and what about its interface with law enforcement? 

Parents and students should ask whether the university has a private security or police force to ensure campus safety. They should also ask about the interface with which the security team gets in touch with the off-campus law enforcement authorities and police stations in case of any crime. Campus security (private or public) should respond adequately to emergencies and mishaps, offering first aid and initial guidance and support. Students should also be informed if the misconduct is handled on campus or through the legal system. 

What about the investigation of allegations of sexual harassment or assault? Who is in charge? 

Another aspect that students and parents should not neglect is the committee, people, and teams who handle complaints of alleged sexual assault or harassment. They should ask about the coordinators and people to complain to in case of any concerns. Students should also know the handling of reports and hotlines for campus abuse. Parents should gather more information on the processes available on campus to ensure confidentiality for the accuser and ensure the safety of the victim and others in student organizations. Policies and plans of action from colleges/universities should be examined in this case. 

What is the method of disclosure opted by the institution for campus security and crime figures/statistics? 

Institutions that get public funding/aid are mostly required to publish these statistics every year in their safety report. Some institutions are often accused of underreporting several on-campus crimes, including sexual harassment/assault. Hence, parents and students should ask questions about the disclosure method for crime and security on campus. 

What are the prevention programs on campus to educate students about safety measures? 

Parents should ask questions about the programs at the institution to prevent any crime and mishaps on campus. They should encourage their children to expose themselves to the bystander intervention program or any such plan of action or measures to educate students about helping others in trouble, handling mishaps, and so on. The program will have tips for lowering risks and preventing any untoward incidents. This should be a priority for the university/college, and that is what parents should ask about. 

What are the measures taken by the institution to ensure a safer campus? 

You should ask about the measures college or university has in place to ensure a safer campus for pupils, right from security and student education programs to CCTV surveillance, whistleblower measures, student vigilance, tie-ups with law enforcement and medical firms, and so on. 

How will the institution protect those students who stay off-campus? 

Many students do not find on-campus housing and stay in off-campus accommodation. Parents should always ask whether the institution has any safeguards in place for these students, including assistance in finding reliable and secure off-campus housing options, tie-ups with housing and meal providers, legal services for agreements, and more. 

Are the modes of transport available on demand for students? 

Finding proper transportation is often an issue that plagues students and may often lead to undesirable incidents. Parents should ask about on-demand transportation services, including agreements with local taxis and other providers and the time till which it is provided. 

What are the measures to be taken to safeguard students in case of any natural disasters? 

The growing incidence of natural disasters worldwide has led to pressing concerns about the safety of students in case of any such scenario. Parents should ask about the institution’s policy for handling these situations, along with its coordination mechanisms with the local authorities, including the fire department, emergency rescue authorities, and the police. At the same time, the institution should have proper plans for evacuation and test its safety systems periodically through drills. 

Who should students contact if they feel unsafe or vulnerable? 

Many students who feel unsafe on campus often avoid reporting the same due to the lack of reliable contact. You should ask about the point of contact for reporting these incidents, such as on-campus security, police, a dedicated institutional team or division, and so on. There could be a committee or body for non-emergency issues. 

Conclusion

These are some of the biggest questions that parents and students should not neglect while choosing an institution. If you are a student, do not forget that you will spend a few years of your life here and should know all about these aspects. Your parents will also want to be at peace regarding your safety on campus. Hence, before finalizing any institution, ask these questions and then decide accordingly. Prevention is always better than cure, as they say, and nowhere is this more relevant than on-campus safety inquiries.