2008 Woodie Awards
Implement practical, not radical measures on campus
April Havens
Editor in Chief
Issue date: 4/23/07 Section: Opinion
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As the recent Virginia Tech massacre sparks debate about campus safety throughout our nation's universities, I refuse to discuss general gun control issues, university police response plans and the handling of mentally deranged students like many in the national media have opted to do.
I do, however, know improvement to our campus' security and safety is essential as our enrollment increases each year. With more students comes the potential for more crime.
The chances of me getting flattened by a semi truck carrying a load of bananas are greater than me being killed by a mentally unstable stranger on this campus, so I am more concerned with a simple, efficient measure that could increase USA students' personal safety.
Assault, rape, harassment and theft are perhaps the most likely crimes to take place on the University of South Alabama campus, and emergency call boxes placed throughout campus could be an excellent tool for thwarting these sorts of criminal efforts.
Many universities utilize these boxes, which typically have a one-button connection directly to a police or safety department and lights that flash once activated. The mere presence of such call boxes would deter some potential wrongdoers, and the attention-grabbing lights atop the call boxes might scare off others.
Because our campus is so spread out, it's highly likely that students will find themselves walking or biking alone during their college careers. For example, if one were to encounter trouble near the intramural fields or on certain areas of the nature trail, they might be far from a car or other people. Call boxes would serve as worry soothers for students wanting to go for an early morning or late afternoon jog to enjoy our green campus.
And let's face it - our university police cannot be everywhere all the time. I have spent hours near the University Commons building without seeing a single cop, which is understandable given its location. But what if an emergency occurs? Call boxes in these locations around campus could help reduce the damage done by sudden fires or emergency health problems, such as heart attack or stroke.
I do, however, know improvement to our campus' security and safety is essential as our enrollment increases each year. With more students comes the potential for more crime.
The chances of me getting flattened by a semi truck carrying a load of bananas are greater than me being killed by a mentally unstable stranger on this campus, so I am more concerned with a simple, efficient measure that could increase USA students' personal safety.
Assault, rape, harassment and theft are perhaps the most likely crimes to take place on the University of South Alabama campus, and emergency call boxes placed throughout campus could be an excellent tool for thwarting these sorts of criminal efforts.
Many universities utilize these boxes, which typically have a one-button connection directly to a police or safety department and lights that flash once activated. The mere presence of such call boxes would deter some potential wrongdoers, and the attention-grabbing lights atop the call boxes might scare off others.
Because our campus is so spread out, it's highly likely that students will find themselves walking or biking alone during their college careers. For example, if one were to encounter trouble near the intramural fields or on certain areas of the nature trail, they might be far from a car or other people. Call boxes would serve as worry soothers for students wanting to go for an early morning or late afternoon jog to enjoy our green campus.
And let's face it - our university police cannot be everywhere all the time. I have spent hours near the University Commons building without seeing a single cop, which is understandable given its location. But what if an emergency occurs? Call boxes in these locations around campus could help reduce the damage done by sudden fires or emergency health problems, such as heart attack or stroke.
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