REPORT ON CAMPUS SAFETY

by Brian Ash

This report is based upon informal meetings with many members of the University community. While some of the opinions and concerns expressed during these meetings may not represent those of the University as a whole, they are serious enough to merit very careful attention.

Concerns for safety can be categorized under four headings:

yi

Physical safety while moving around the campus and within buildings

Although the campus is generally well lit, there are some pools of darkness, particularly in the summer and fall when the trees are in leaf. It is a long walk from the parking lot and Blanchard Hall and (though much shorter) from the student union building to the centre of

campus. From some buildings it is difficult to contact the Security Force. Some students walk or hitch-hike to the university.

"Pr . n

A number of women (and men) are frustrated by their perception that the University tolerates hostility towards women and women’s issues and fails to promote attitudes that would encourage women members cf tly. community (and particularly students) to see themselves and to be seen as equals.

Sexual harassment and sexuul assault: Residences:

The university must clearly define its reasons for maintaining residences when most students commute and when the campus is located in close proximity to available commercial accommodation. If the university believes that residences have an important educational role to play then that role should be clearly defined and policies, administrative procedures and acceptable behaviours established accordingly.

RE MENDATIONS

i.

oes

Upgrade the level of lighting along the main route from the parking lot and from the Student Union to the centre of campus and recommend that only this route be used at night.

Investigate the possibility of installing “assistance” buttons at one or two strategically placed locations which, when pressed, would activate a loud bell or siren (located near the button so that attention to the emergency could be quickly focused) and/or install emergency telephones connected directly to the Security Department. (Such assistance buttons are frequently located near elevators etc. in public buildings—there is always the possibility of false alarms, but that is a calculated risk.)