2008 Woodie Awards
Simple security upgrades, vigilance will reduce crime
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: Editorials
A Reader's Digest Campus Safety Survey published February 2008 ranked Miami University 104th out of 135 top colleges and universities, based on 19 variables of data from 2006. Out of an A, B and C ranking system, Miami received a C, calling into question its security measures including cameras in residence halls, self-locking doors and full-time security. Two years later, Miami has taken measures to increase campus safety awareness by creating an emergency text system utilized through cell phones and campus-wide e-mails updating students of recent campus crimes. While Miami is still in the process of improving campus-wide safety measures, The Miami Student editorial board feels that it's also the student's responsibility to take proactive steps in ensuring one's safety by becoming actively aware of dangerous surroundings.
It is frustrating to receive campus crime alerts that report of stolen iPods and computers because someone was either too lazy or forgetful to lock their door. Students need to make a conscious effort to lock their doors and windows during the day and at night, despite the perceived safe atmosphere in Oxford. It is also the student's responsibility not to walk from uptown down the alleys intoxicated at 3 a.m. It is Miami's responsibility to ensure safety on campus by providing well-lit walkways, emergency phone booths and police stationed at different quads. However, it is out of Miami's jurisdiction to babysit drunken college students stumbling home at night to their residences. We must differentiate between the university's authority and safety measures students are responsible for off campus.
While emphasizing preventative measures that students can take to ensure their own safety, Miami has the opportunity to place safety at the top of its agenda in the 32-year residence hall renovation plan that aims to be finished in 2040. One possible way the university could capitalize on the renovation efforts and improve on-campus security is to install card readers outside of students' rooms that function like those in Heritage Commons, requiring students to have an I.D. to get into their room. As technology increases, we are moving away from the old lock and key doors. Additionally, lighting has always been a suggestion made by students living in different squads.
It is the mutual responsibility of Miami and its students to guarantee campus safety. Hopefully with the new renovations projected for the next couple of decades, safety will become a high priority. However, the students cannot neglect their own responsibility to take proactive steps to prevent campus crime. Locking doors and remaining aware of the dangers from stumbling home at 3 a.m. could alleviate some of these campus crimes. We may feel safe because Oxford is a college community, but we need to remember that taking preventative action is the best step to ensure campus safety.
It is frustrating to receive campus crime alerts that report of stolen iPods and computers because someone was either too lazy or forgetful to lock their door. Students need to make a conscious effort to lock their doors and windows during the day and at night, despite the perceived safe atmosphere in Oxford. It is also the student's responsibility not to walk from uptown down the alleys intoxicated at 3 a.m. It is Miami's responsibility to ensure safety on campus by providing well-lit walkways, emergency phone booths and police stationed at different quads. However, it is out of Miami's jurisdiction to babysit drunken college students stumbling home at night to their residences. We must differentiate between the university's authority and safety measures students are responsible for off campus.
While emphasizing preventative measures that students can take to ensure their own safety, Miami has the opportunity to place safety at the top of its agenda in the 32-year residence hall renovation plan that aims to be finished in 2040. One possible way the university could capitalize on the renovation efforts and improve on-campus security is to install card readers outside of students' rooms that function like those in Heritage Commons, requiring students to have an I.D. to get into their room. As technology increases, we are moving away from the old lock and key doors. Additionally, lighting has always been a suggestion made by students living in different squads.
It is the mutual responsibility of Miami and its students to guarantee campus safety. Hopefully with the new renovations projected for the next couple of decades, safety will become a high priority. However, the students cannot neglect their own responsibility to take proactive steps to prevent campus crime. Locking doors and remaining aware of the dangers from stumbling home at 3 a.m. could alleviate some of these campus crimes. We may feel safe because Oxford is a college community, but we need to remember that taking preventative action is the best step to ensure campus safety.
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