2008 Woodie Awards
Safety concerns merit closer look
Issue date: 8/28/07 Section: Opinion
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A recent incident on campus has prompted a seemingly well-timed review of Jerabeck's policies regarding the use of its facilities.
The main problem seems to be confusion surrounding whom the building is open to and what standards are required for entry. In the past, students have been asked to either present a student identification card or sign in to a log at one of the two front desks in order to use the equipment and services offered inside. Over the past few years, these requirements have varied and the strictness with which they are enforced has seemed to fluctuate as well.
Although it seems commendable for the University to open its facilities to community members, security problems on and around campus would seem to indicate that perhaps the community the University is located in may not be the safest in which to open doors.
A heightened crime rate in the area has prompted UST to increase security measures in order to protect its students, faculty and staff. Attention has also been given to the expedition of street closures and property acquisition, seemingly in an attempt to close off borders around the University. It is almost a juxtaposition to those efforts to leave campus doors open without strict limitations.
Certainly, there should be proper documentation of thost who come in and out of the building, whether those visitors are members of the University community or not. But perhaps additionally, any non-UST community members who wish to use the facility should at least be required to apply for membership, with or without a fee. By doing so, anyone who uses the facility will have all necessary personal information on file, in case of any incident that should occur on campus.
Overall, there should be a concern for the safety of all community members, but it seems that priority should be given to the students who pay for the facilities and services offered on campus with their student activity fees.
This is not to say that performing community outreach by opening UST property to the surrounding neighborhood and its residents should be discouraged, but simply that doing so should be carefully monitored. As always, the physical and emotional safety of the students should come first.
The main problem seems to be confusion surrounding whom the building is open to and what standards are required for entry. In the past, students have been asked to either present a student identification card or sign in to a log at one of the two front desks in order to use the equipment and services offered inside. Over the past few years, these requirements have varied and the strictness with which they are enforced has seemed to fluctuate as well.
Although it seems commendable for the University to open its facilities to community members, security problems on and around campus would seem to indicate that perhaps the community the University is located in may not be the safest in which to open doors.
A heightened crime rate in the area has prompted UST to increase security measures in order to protect its students, faculty and staff. Attention has also been given to the expedition of street closures and property acquisition, seemingly in an attempt to close off borders around the University. It is almost a juxtaposition to those efforts to leave campus doors open without strict limitations.
Certainly, there should be proper documentation of thost who come in and out of the building, whether those visitors are members of the University community or not. But perhaps additionally, any non-UST community members who wish to use the facility should at least be required to apply for membership, with or without a fee. By doing so, anyone who uses the facility will have all necessary personal information on file, in case of any incident that should occur on campus.
Overall, there should be a concern for the safety of all community members, but it seems that priority should be given to the students who pay for the facilities and services offered on campus with their student activity fees.
This is not to say that performing community outreach by opening UST property to the surrounding neighborhood and its residents should be discouraged, but simply that doing so should be carefully monitored. As always, the physical and emotional safety of the students should come first.