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OPINION & EDITORIAL

Safety first

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by Badger Herald Editorial Board

Thursday, March 1, 2007

In one of her first acts as the University of Wisconsin's permanent dean of students, Lori Berquam has shown a commitment to improving campus safety.

As reports of assaults on campus continue, Ms. Berquam dutifully brought together university officials, administrators, the UW Police Department and students Tuesday to address the issue and outline a preliminary plan to handle concerns.

We applaud the efforts of Ms. Berquam and Interim Associate Dean of Students Elton Crim to commence what will hopefully be an initiative to help improve campus safety

At the meeting Tuesday, campus officials developed plans to form a task force to address immediate safety issues, and they also discussed a strategy to create a long-term committee and possibly establish a permanent campus safety office.

Students have adamantly voiced their concerns about the recent crimes in the area, and the university is making a conscious effort to meet their needs. While the plans drafted in Tuesday's meeting could mean the university will have to dedicate more student funds, we think the money will be a sound investment.

Furthermore, we are encouraged by the group's approach to addressing gaps in safe transportation services — for example, College Library is open later into the night after such transportation services are no longer available. They also looked at the implications of Madison's growing population and how the increase in the number of city residents may affect the campus.

While administrators seem to be making strides in addressing these concerns, students must also take personal responsibility for campus safety by remaining vigilant in avoiding risking situations.

We look forward to hearing more about the university's plans to address safety, and we hope students will continue to play a significant role in building a scheme that will address all aspects of creating a safe campus atmosphere.

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Anonymous (March 1, 2007 @ 1:58pm):

This editorial must be so perfact that no one wants to comment on it. For tomorrow you should say how freedom is good.
- Germain E. Stemme

Anonymous (March 1, 2007 @ 2:18pm):

So as one of her first acts as permanent dean, she did something she neglected to do as acting dean?

Yeah. Props for finally waking up and doing your damn job, Dean Berquam.

Anonymous (March 1, 2007 @ 3:04pm):

Safety third!

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