You've said the "Yes, mom, I'll be safe," phrase a million times to your parents, but once you're on your own at college, how will you know for sure?

We all have a mental image of a psychopath holding a big knife, chasing scantily-clad sorority sisters. But that's just in the movies, right? Even if Freddy or Jason -- or some unnamed terror -- isn't your classmate, how safe are you?

According to the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education, there has been a small but steady increase in serious crimes on campus from 1998 to 2000, the years for which the latest statistics are available. For example, while forcible sex offenses actually decreased from 1,868 reported instances in 1999 to 1,858 in 2000, the number of murders on campus nearly doubled, albeit from a low 11 campus killings in 1999 to 20 in 2000. It's enough to get you thinking about real-life safety...

Are you Up on Your College Campus Safety?
"I've never felt unsafe on campus," says Charlianne Wyatt, a senior communications major at University of South Carolina (USC), Spartanburg. "But there have been times when incidents have occurred. Small things, like break-ins, but never anything serious." Even a quiet campus can creep you out. Just ask Julia Burrer, a sophomore at Purchase College, State University of New York (Purchase, NY).

"Because people go home on weekends, campus can be pretty empty," says the dance major. "I've been lucky not to get caught in any compromising situations."Doug Cox, director of public safety at DePauw University (Greencastle, IN), explains that shortly after September 11, 2001, there was a blip in security-consciousness that eventually died out.
"Students may have a greater awareness and understanding of heightened security measures," he says, "but in our community of 10,000, almost an hour away from larger cities, most students seem less concerned about the ills of society."

Which is the way it should be, right? After all, how can you expect to get the full college experience (hanging out, hooking up... and what's that other thing? Oh, right, classes!) when you've got to watch your back? By being smart and aware of your surroundings, say security experts.

"Students should be empowered to hold each other accountable and know that services are available via student affairs and public safety to help ensure a peaceful and safe environment," says Cox. "A collaborative and comprehensive security program where people are informed, aware, and active in their community is key."

Add Campus Safety to Your Campus Tour Question List
Cicely Woobson, a sophomore majoring in computer information also at USC-Spartanburg, suggests finding out about a school's security policies before applying.

"I tried to look at how much crime there was on campus," she says. "I looked on the Web site and checked it out with university police." Charlianne agrees, saying campus safety was especially important to her mom. "I have a very over-protective mother," she admits. "She makes me carry Mace. She had a big issue with me taking night classes, but she feels very safe about me coming here [to USC-Spartanburg]."

Common Sense
Julia says it's really just a question of common sense. "If you see a sketchy person or situation, you just don't walk that way," she warns.

As director of campus safety of Harcum College (Bryn Mawr, PA), Joe McBride has a list of safety measures that's a little more extensive: "Things [students] shouldn't do are walk down dark streets or put themselves in situations that would place them in harm's way. Look inside your car before you get into it then lock your doors," he advises. "Campus security can do things to augment that security, but if you're going to walk down an unlighted dark alley by yourself, you're asking for a problem."

In other words, to get back to Jason or Freddy, don't invite masked madmen to your dorm for a nightcap. But if you're in a jam, campus security can help. "We have call boxes all over campus," explains Charlianne. "They have a blue light located on them so you can find them easily. All you have to do is pick up and it dials directly to the police." And, she explains, they're not just for major emergencies. "I've locked my keys in my car and my batteries have been dead. I've also locked myself out of my building and I've used call boxes whenever I needed to get in."

Leaving doors open is another major security concern, according to McBride. "Here at Harcum, our doors are on a swipe-system and student residents are given a card with a bar code. A lot of times at night, they'll prop the doors open even though they have a swipe-card. That's one of my big pet peeves because it can let anyone into the building," he says.

Alcohol Is the Root of All Evil
Though a recent study by the Justice Department reports that college-bound students are victimized less by crime than non-students, one recent study shows sexual violence against women is still a problem on campus.So what can you do about it?

For one, advises John Pack, director of safety and security for Augsburg College (Minneapolis, MN), avoid alcohol. "Drinking to excess can eliminate your ability to have any control over your safety," he cautions. In fact, according to FactsonTap.org, a Web site devoted to substance abuse prevention, 90 percent of all campus rapes occur when alcohol has been used by either the assailant or the victim.

Drinking Can Equal Danger
"I know there are underage drinking issues on campus," says Charlianne, "and I do know of a couple personal issues with that. We are allowed to have alcohol on campus but you have to be of age. And [local police] always monitor that. I don't think there have been any issues where people have gotten out of control; it's been more that people have been caught drinking underage."

McBride cites some actions his school takes against the offending students. Resident students lose visitor rights, and must perform community services. And, he points out a new law enacted in Pennsylvania: "Notification of parents is mandatory if an underage student has been found drinking alcohol."

The reason is that alcohol abuse can have serious effects. According to the Core Institute, an organization that surveys college-drinking practices, 300,000 of today's students will eventually die of alcohol-related causes such as drunk driving accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, various cancers, and heart disease.

FactsonTap.org asserts that not drinking is actually becoming chic; in fact, one out of five college students don't drink at all.

If you want your parents to be calm and happy, tell them about the research you did on campus security call boxes, safety offerings, and other facts. Then remind them of your outstanding sense of self-responsibility.

After all, says McBride, "The first person responsible for your safety is yourself."

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