Campus Safety

     Safety on college campuses is always a looming concern, and here at TLU the campus does its best to keep students safe. That being said, there are things students can do to help keep themselves safe, especially late at night.

     I talked to Dr. Bill Squires, kinesiology professor, about what he thought students should do to prevent any accidents on campus. Dr. Squires is a huge proponent of keeping students safe and always gives students tips on how to keep themselves out of harm’s way.

Dr. Squires

     “First,” he says, “Don’t go anywhere alone at night. The neighborhoods surrounding campus aren’t very safe, so if you insist on going somewhere at night, bring a buddy or two. ALWAYS use the buddy system.”

     Second, he recommends that all students, but especially the women on campus, carry pepper spray on their key chains. “It’s a really cheap and effective way to protect yourself,” he stressed.

     He also reminded students that there are phones placed around campus for our safety. Pressing 0 will call the campus police and they can escort you if you feel that a situation is unsafe.

     Prevention1, a college campus security firm, also has some tips for staying safe when going out at night. They encourage you to not only bring a buddy, but also to let others know when you plan to go someplace, where you are going, as well as when you’ll be expected home. They also remind you to carry yourself confidently and avoid distractions like talking on the phone or texting while you walk.

     Additionally, if you are still concerned about your safety, there are several apps that you can download on your smart phone that encourage safety. Bsafe, circle of 6, guardly (which requires a subscription fee) and red panic button ($0.99 to download) all of which can be downloaded through the itunes app store. 

"The Bubble" located in the ASC

     If you have any questions about campus safety, stop by the bubble which is located in the ASC, for more information on how to stay safe on campus, as well as all the precautions taken by the campus police to keep students safe! Remember to use the buddy system!

Rhaya Johnson, Reporter