Students Feel Safe at USC Aiken
Students feel safe at USC Aiken but have a few concerns about the University Police, their capabilities and the Emergency Buttons around campus.
When asked about feeling comfortable calling the University Police in the event of an emergency Natalie Gibson a senior psychology major answered,
“Kind of, it depends on what the emergency was because I don’t know if you remember that situation with the lady in the parking lot that was like smashing on cars, they were there, they didn’t do anything. I saw it like they didn’t really do anything they had to wait for the actual police to come so like it would be nice to have like someone with a weapon around, but I also know they have limits, so I guess it just depends on the situation.”
Regarding the same question, Markayla Peterson a senior psychology major responded,
“Sometimes, I called them one time, they told me to call my RM [Resident Mentor].”
She further explained the situation was about someone knocking on dorm doors and not seeing anyone there when inspecting.
Though University Police have limitations around the situations they can assist, it is best to reach out to them in times of emergencies. If they cannot aid in the situation, they can redirect to elsewhere best suited to assist in times of need.
Nya Washington, a senior business administration major shared an experience where University Police were able to be of service to her and her roommate who was having an asthma attack. The University Police assisted her roommate down to their car before driving them to and from the hospital as they didn’t have a vehicle.
Students reported feeling safe walking around campus especially after dark due to the presence of the Emergency Buttons. Students are unsure if these buttons work but they hope they do.
“I hope they work but I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t because I doubt, they get used much,”
commented Gibson.
Students’ faith in the Emergency Buttons would benefit from University Police doing something to reassure the population that they work. The uncertainty surrounding the functionality of the Emergency Buttons could be squashed by University Police hosting a demonstration of how they operate for students to come and watch. Or if the University Police are seen going around testing the functionality of the Emergency Buttons.
Despite these concerns, students disclosed feeling comfortable with the security on campus.
Washington announced,
“For the most part all the security guards [University Police] I’ve met on campus, with the expectation of a few, have made me feel really really comfortable on campus.”
“I think they’re very proactive and exceptionally cautious about everything,”
stated Bea Waddell a junior professional writing major.
Peterson explained how University Police make her feel safe by hanging around the entrance gates where students have to swipe their school IDs to be allowed in.
Peterson informed,
“I guess now they just are like standing by the gates to make sure like people have cards to get in, so I guess that makes me feel a little safe. They make sure you have like your parking pass like you’re supposed to be—like you go here so I guess that makes me feel safe.”
The on-going construction on campus hasn’t affected student’s feelings of safety. The issue students find with construction lies in the inconvenience it brings maneuvering around campus.
“It’s making it harder to get to class,”
Peterson expressed.
Regarding any concerns of safety, Waddell brings up an issue with the lights on campus.
She reported,
“Particularly outside of the Etheridge Center there is a lot of lights that don’t work, and I would feel a little bit safer if they were on at dusk and dark.”
This lighting problem can be resolved to improve students' sense of safety when walking around when the sun is down.
Overall, students at USC Aiken feel safe on campus with the University Police, the Emergency Buttons and ongoing construction.
