Paralyzing fear has gripped many Winston-Salem State University coeds.
Since two students said they were robbed during the 2007 fall semester, campus safety has been on the minds of many campus-bound students – especially women. And female students have had to grasp the reality of how dangerous it could be walking alone around campus at night. After the robberies, some female students recalled incidents that happened to them; others expressed their fear.
Sherry (not her real name) said she was sexually solicited by a man at the intersection near the campus main entrance while on her way to her dormitory. She hurriedly returned to O’Kelly Library where she telephoned friends to accompany her to her room at Rams Commons.
Carla (also not her real name) described a similar incident while she was leaving the F.L. Atkins nursing building. She hurried to the nearest emergency tower to summon campus police for an escort to her car, which was parked several yards away near C.E. Gaines gymnasium. She got no response. Finally, she, too, had to call upon friends for an escort.
Other female students have complained that emergency towers were either malfunctioning or that there was no response when they attempted to summon campus police. According to the Sept. 4, 2007, issue of The News Argus, the Virginia Tech massacre last spring prompted WSSU officials to reassess its “campus safety policies.” However, the revamped policies only emphasized increased safety measures against incidents similar to the shooting at Virginia Tech, and failed to address the concerns students face on a daily basis.
Until campus policies address broader safety concerns, women will have to increase precautionary measures to secure their own safety.
Planning ahead, staying alert, pairing up, keeping a friend on the phone until a destination is reached, and reporting incidents are a few campus safety alternatives, for now.
Temple Jolly is a junior mass communications major.