After coming out from an evening class, leaving the library as it is being closed or simply stepping out of the dorms for a walk around campus to take a break from studying at night, students and other members of the University community notice not only the University of La Verne’s beautiful appearance, but also the many poorly lit areas on campus.
This observation can bring concerns about safety hazards. Even though ULV has taken the initiative to conduct random safety checks with the Safety Committee since spring 1995, no improvements have been made about installing additional lights to get rid off dark areas on campus.
Some of these dark areas include the back side of Brandt Hall on Bonita Avenue, the east side of the President’s Dining Room on C Street, the space between the back side of Founders Hall and the Dailey Theatre, the south side of the Landis Academic Center facing the baseball field parking lot and on E Street along the Oaks and the University Health Center.
Besides these areas, parking lots seem to be the areas that should be the most illuminated at night, due to the fact that there are many students and staff members who go home late, and for those who walk alone, more lights might at least make them feel somewhat safer.
This could bring up the issue of requesting a security escort, which ULV’s Campus Safety provides to walk with to the car or the dorm room.
Although this is not a bad idea, it could become a hassle for someone who would have to request an escort every night. Besides, students, staff, faculty and every other member of the ULV community should be able to walk around campus feeling safe, confident and secure, whatever time it may be, without having an escort by his or her side.
One way to resolve this problem is to have more lights installed on campus where dark areas are found.
Aside from installing new lights, there are some that only need to be replaced. This is the case for the ones on the corner of Third and C streets, above the ULV sign, and for those above the sitting bench in front of Davenport.
Unlike ULV, some University of California campuses provide a safety device, such as a whistle, for their students to use in case they ever find themselves in danger or trouble. The sound of the whistle helps others on campus arrive at the scene with professional help.
Although these students have to make sure that they do not use the whistle for any purpose besides an emergency, or they will be fined, it seems like a very wise and positive device for them to possess for their own safety.
A certain number of female students at ULV carry their own safety devices, including pepper spray, mace and even personal alarms. If the campus calls for women to carry these objects, obviously for a good reason, they do not feel safe.
Whether people want to accept it, violent acts and crimes do take place on campuses of many universities.
Not too long ago, a UCLA Central Ticket Office employee was killed when he was assaulted and shot by a trespasser.
This is not to say that the same thing can happen at ULV, it simply means that one can never be too safe, and what can be better than being extra cautious?
For many students, the University of La Verne serves as their home away from home. But whether ULV’s students are residents or commuters, they should all be able to feel that they are in a very safe and secure environment, where everything possible is being done to insure security and well being of every single one of its members.
Enedina Perez, a junior journalism major, is editorial assistant of the Campus Times. She can be reached by e-mail at pereze@ulvacs.ulaverne.edu.
