By CHELSEA JENKINS
Living EditorWriter
“Once upon a
midweek evening
Tired, plodding,
in need of preening
Coming home from
my night class,
I heard a rustling
in the grass.
Could it be a
campus stalker,
or just a dedicated
campus walker?
Should I quicken
my casual pace,
or turn about
to use my mace?
More lights seem
a better purchase,
than a building meant
to entertain us.
Turning back to
face my attacker…
A cat runs by,
a pitter patter.”
Will Jacks
We are invincible. Nothing can touch us, nothing can slow us down. We are on top of the world. We are college students.
When many college students hear of crimes and tragedies at other schools, their first thought is often, “How terrible. I’m glad that could never happen to me.”
This thought, however, is quite misleading. Crime can and does happen to unsuspecting people every single day.
Even while living on a “safe” college campus, there are still opportunities for crime to emerge; no one is ever truly safe from all harm and danger.
That being said, there are certain things you can do to help increase your safety around campus.
One safety tip is to use the buddy system. “I always walk with friends, or I use routes that are openly visible to any other bystanders in case anything happens,” said junior theater performance major Ben Cisse.
Walking with others helps to decrease the chances of individuals being singled out, as well as the likeliness for crime to occur.
It is also important to stay on lit streets that are easily visible, especially at night. This will decrease the chances of becoming lost, and it will allow more witnesses should anything strange happen.
It is also extremely important to stay alert and listen to instincts.
Technology such as cell phones and iPods or mp3 players can be major distractions. Listening to music while running or walking outside, or texting someone while walking around campus can distract a person from sights or sounds that may indicate a possible issue.
Instead, try using only one headphone, listen to music aloud, or wait to respond to a text message once inside.
This will open your eyes and ears, and it will help you become more in tune to your senses and instincts.
When a person senses danger, it is important to listen to that instinct. Don’t stay in the area; instead, leave and go to an environment that is safer.
If necessary, scream, run or make a commotion to capture others’ attention. This will often stop a possible attacker from following through with his or her plans.
Some students find it useful to create makeshift weapons.
Jason Sheffield, sophomore theater education major said, “I put my keys between my finger [when I walk] and make a fist, so if someone tries to jump me, I can just punch them with the keys.”
Though doing this probably won’t knock someone out, it will give you a little extra time to get away if someone tries to attack you.
Last but not least, make sure to have the campus police’s number, 706-939-1349, programmed into your phone. If you are ever in trouble or sense danger around you, do not hesitate to call them. That’s why they’re here.