CAMPUS BRIEFS: Thursday, January 30, 1997

Security survey shows most students feel safe The University Council Committee on Safety and Security sent the survey over e-mail January 17 in order to learn more about student perceptions of campus safety. The questionnaire was sent to 2,000 randomly picked undergraduate and graduate students, according to Assistant Vice Provost of University Life Barbara Cassel. But less than 20 percent of the students -- 320 out of 2,000 -- responded to the survey, possibly invalidating its statistical significance. The survey asked students whether they felt safe on campus and whether they were aware of the currently-available safety programs and resources. Students were also asked for suggestions for improving campus safety. The results of the survey were to be presented to the Safety and Security Committee, University Council and the Division of Public Safety. But Cassel explained that because of the poor response to the survey, she's "not sure the survey meets the criteria within the guidelines of presenting statistics." She maintained, however, that the survey was still helpful to the Committee because of the suggestions students offered for improving campus safety -- which "ranged from very reasonable to ludicrous." Cassel noted that the majority of respondents said they felt safe on campus and were aware of the University's safety education programs. And she was pleased that most students were aware of the University's Safety Education Programs and Workshops -- which include events like the Safety Orientation for new students, various seminars and workshops. -- Erin Malec