Take a look at the headlines in the past few days: “Wisconsin
releases the most sex offenders in the nation,” “Sexual Assault on
Gorham” and “Armed robbery on West Gilman.”
These headlines demonstrate that campus safety is a reoccurring
problem. Sexual assault and crime are real threats on this campus
and every effort should be made to create programs and policies to
prevent such occurrences.
Students need to be given ample choices and options for
protection to create an environment of utmost security.
To this end, the University of Wisconsin must make adjustments
for students when physical changes are being made to campus;
changes such as major road construction affect a significant
portion of the campus.
When road construction began on West Johnson Street, for
instance, streetlights were no longer a useful aide for students
walking home late at night. In addition to that hindrance, the
roads are full of dangerous, unmarked holes along with many dark
areas behind machinery in which potential attackers could take
refuge.
The city and the UW need to take the lead in situations like
these and make the necessary adjustments to ensure students feel
and are safe on their way home at night.
A completely dark street in an area in which many students must
travel alone should never exist on this campus. It will only be a
matter of time until this comes back to haunt the city in the form
of a serious attack.
Not only should considerations be made to alter the physical
nature of this campus in favor of safety, there should also be more
provisions made for students in the event they do not feel
comfortable on campus; provisions such as the SAFEride program.
Sadly, however, UW Transportation Services Director Lance
Lunsway does not recognize the value of this program. Instead of
increasing funding for this useful program, he decided to cut back
its funding in favor of programs with little respect from students,
like SAFEwalk.
It is time for the UW and the city to realize that without
providing the highest level of safety possible for its students,
they are endangering both the students and one of the finest
institutions in this country.
Until everyone realizes that safety needs to top the list of
priorities here at UW, we will continue to read headlines about
crime and assault and will constantly fear a tragic death or
assault on campus.
