2 | NEWS
Thursday, Oct. 21, 2004
www.theloquitur.com
Examining Public Safety caters to students’ apprehension safety concerns on campus LASALLE, page 1
Recent events at LaSalle University have raised the question of safety amongst college students. Although Cabrini College is a fairly safe environment, the security of its students should always be a top priority. Cabrini has not truly felt any real effects from the LaSalle incident involving rape except to learn what to avoid in cases like that. The campus has never really been labeled as a having a fearful atmosphere. The only lingering issue has been the lighting around the campus. For those late nights of walking alone in the dark from the Dixon Center back to the apartments or dorms the feeling outside is understandably intimidating. Of course, there are always two options. The first choice would be to arrange a time to walk back with a friend. If this is not possible, the other alternative is to call Public Safety for a ride back to the dorms or apartments. What Cabrini needs to take from the LaSalle situation is that for every system implemented for safety there will be flaws. The college needs to evaluate how they can increase awareness for safety fears. Unlike the past year where Cabrini had several violence-related incidents, this year the attitude among students has been reasonably toned down. Whereas last year the Radnor police were a common element at Cabrini, this year so far there have been few times when their assistance was needed. Cabrini’s assessment of itself should see how well students could approach professors and coaches with serious information and be properly dealt with. The problem with the LaSalle rape was that the coaches attempted to keep the situation under the radar. Safety concerns are not so much an issue with Cabrini students. To reinsure that the college is a secure place for its students, Cabrini has to check that a student’s concerns are being heard and not pushed aside. Because Cabrini’s student population and size are relatively small, the safety of the campus should be properly handled. Cabrini needs to prepare itself adequately in safety measure for any future problems that may occur. Ultimately, the student themselves must prepare himself/herself for any possible situation that may arise. The best way to be safe is to protect yourself from the elements of danger instead of relying on someone else.
Cicala said, “ Thanks to the very, very great majority of you who continue to make LaSalle University the kind of purposeful, positive, and caring community that makes so many of us proud to be Lasallians.” Elise Keppler, a junior nursing major and tour guide at LaSalle, said, “Most families have been very understanding about the whole situation, merely commenting about the unfortunate fact that LaSalle has received some bad press lately, which brings down the image of the school.” Keppler is also a resident on campus. She said that LaSalle is effectively enforcing the guest policy, which states that a guest of the opposite sex can be signed in only between the hours of 12 p.m. and 2 a.m. “I think enforcing the guest policy is an attempt to send a positive image, but I do not think that it will actually solve anything” Keppler said. Director of Public Safety, Charles Schaffner, believes that Cabrini is a safe campus. Schaffner said Cabrini is looking at how they report sexual assault cases to the authorities more thoroughly. It really depends on if the victim wants to report the incident. “We are trying to make everyone aware of the problem that is an epidemic on campus: propping doors so that anyone one can get in can result in sexually assault, theft, or breaking in
MARY ADAM/GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER
Public Safety drives around campus the entire day making sure everyone is safe.
and entering,” Schaffner said. So far this year, two sexual assaults have been reported, both occurred during parties. Schaffner said that responsible alcohol intake will eliminate problems. As a result, there is an increase of patrols in the residence halls. “We have to have cooperation of the student body, if someone sees something, call. I encourage female students to travel in groups, or call for a public safety officer to come pick you up,”
Schaffner said. Carrie Kirsch, a sophomore social work major and transfer student, said public safety is doing a fairly good job patrolling the campus; however, she thinks that more can be done. “I feel that Cabrini could install more lights, because some of the campus is still very dark. Of course female students are going to be in more LASALLE, page 5
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