Stay informed, stay safe

For those new to the collegiate atmosphere, you are sure to have a million thoughts, questions, and anxieties as you juggle finding classrooms, adjusting to professors’ demands, and making new friends. Returning and transfer students are reuniting with friends, rearranging schedules, figuring out graduation degree requirements, and also may be adjusting to new living arrangements.

Regardless of your situation, all students should know that safety is a key concern for the Concord University administration and the CU Police Department.

As West Virginia is a relatively small state, most Concord students are familiar with our area. Other students are experiencing their first weeks of college hun- dreds, if not thousands, of miles from home.

So, whether you have traveled far or not, safety is a subject of im- portance to all college students.

Most students agree that Concord is a safe place. A survey of students taken in the spring of last year found that the over- whelming majority of students felt safe on campus during the daytime. That number drops, however, when the sun sets, more so when off campus than on CU property.

One topic that’s been in the news during the past year is campus sexual assault. Too many devastating tragedies have occurred across the nation. Sta- tistically, one in five college-agedwomen will be victims of sexual assault according to research. The university does not want students to be among these statistics. And this is not just a problem for women—all of us are affected when a sexual assault occurs. You may have seen the flyers posted around campus titled Men Can Stop Rape, Consent Is, and information on Bystander Intervention. But what does it all mean? The awareness campaign is meant to draw attention to the fact that sexual assault can happen anywhere and that it’s up to all of us to keep it from hap- pening. That’s what Bystander Intervention is—looking out for each other and intervening when you notice an unsafe situation.

A news article recently pub- lished in the NY Times states that bystander intervention is easy to grasp: if an intoxicated guy is at a party and pawing a drunk young woman, then someone nearby (the bystander) needs to step in (intervene) and get one of them out of there.

Researcher, Jane Stapleton ac- knowledges that this of course, can be difficult. In the NY Times article, Stapleton urges students to be creative about outsmarting aggressors. Among the diver- sions she discusses are: suddenly turning on the lights at a party, turning off the music, acciden- tally spilling a drink on the guy, or forming a conga line and pulling the potential assaulter away from the possible victim onto the dance f loor.

You may not want to form a

conga line, but you could act as if you needed to speak with the potential victim and get her out of the situation, even if at first she seems unwilling to go with you. And guys, remember: if the woman doesn’t or can’t give consent because she’s intoxicat- ed, it’s rape.

As a college student, possibly the most important facts to know are safety related. It is important for all students to have a well-trusted friend with them while walking around campus after dusk.

Students should enroll in campus text alerts; text messages immediately inform you about everything from campus clo- sures to potential dangers. Stu- dents must prepare themselves individually to be as protected as possible.

It is imperative for students to protect themselves by employing the buddy system, carrying cell phones, and even self-defense products such as pepper spray. However, be aware that most college sexual assaults occur between students who know one another.

Students should be able to enjoy their collegiate life, and have fun outside of the never-ending pile of homework, without worrying about safety.

Unfortunately campus crimes do happen. Often alcohol is involved in assaults, and for that reason students aiming to enjoy a night out should fully prepare and protect themselves against potential attacks.

Concord University and the campus police department share the foremost concern of studentsafety and security. Students, no matter what year in school, should know where their campus police is located (1st floor of Rahall Technology Center).

Students should also memorize or have the campus police phone number saved in their phone contacts (304-384-5357). Dial 911 in emergencies.

A common mistake of students and outsiders to make is identifying the campus police as security guards. CU campus police are all licensed law enforcement officers.

The campus police also work in stride with the Town of Athens police, and maintain close connections with the Princeton Police Department and State of WV police officers. Campus officers also welcome all students who have any questions, concerns, or suggestions to call or visit the office, which is open 24/7.

With the above information in mind, The Office of Student Affairs urges students to look out for one another, be smart about partying, and know your resources.

Concord aims to create a campus culture free of sexual violence. As part of the Concord family, it’s important to treat each other as just that—family— and look out for one another’s well being.

The Concord administration and campus police strive to ensure every student’s safety 24/7, and remind students to remain cautious at all times to ensure a vibrant, healthy campus community.