In a recent campus safety survey, The Spectator asked 20 students where they felt most and least safe on campus and why. Of the people who answered, most felt safest in the main areas of campus around the library or in their dorm rooms. Most felt unsafe around the parking lots and on the outskirts of campus, where lighting is often dim. Jenny Sorto, a freshman nursing major, said that Sustella and Oak Street decks were the least safe places on campus. “There’s always less people, it’s isolated,” Sorto said.

Some people, like Obediah Hall, a second year Master’s of public education student, said they don’t feel unsafe anywhere on campus. Ally Cahal, a sophomore undecided major, credited that feeling to university police. “I trust UPD and VSU to keep us safe,” Cahal said.

Most students seemed to agree that VSU feels safe during the day. Nighttime, though, is another story. Lighting on the outskirts of campus has been a recurring theme in students safety concerns. VSU’s new Blazer Safe Ride may provide some security, but dark walkways continue to pop up in student complaints.

Here are a few more student takes:

 

Calista Flores, freshman nursing major

Where she feels most safe: the library

Why: “There are scanners, and there are more spots like bookshelves to hide.”

Where she feels least safe: the parking lot

Why: “Everyone is in a hurry. Everyone drives too quickly.”

Princeton Rondall, freshman computer science major

 

Where he feels most safe: Centennial

Why: “Not much activity happens there, but I always get a good atmosphere.”

Where he feels least safe: Nowhere in particular

Why: “I feel fairly safe on campus. (There are) no problems.”

Destiny Singleton, sophomore biology major

Where she feels most safe: her dorm room

Why: “Because no one can enter unless I let them in.”

Where she feels least safe: the parking lot at night

Why: “Because anything could happen, it’s dark and there aren’t many people out depending on what time you’re in the parking lot.”

Sanghoon Jo, junior health science major

Where he feels most safe: north campus

Why: “Because the buildings are new and north campus areas have South Georgia Medical Center.”

Where he feels least safe: Gym

Why: “because all that’s in the place is the gym and dorms.”

Cole Smith, freshman early childhood education major

Where he feels most safe: his dorm

Why: “I have a lock on my door.”

Where he feels least safe: Sustella parking deck

Why: “It’s poorly lit.”

Quotes and photos by Kelsey Dickerson, Editor-in-Chief.

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