While most students understand that crime is inevitable on an urban campus, few realize that safety is one of the foremost concerns of UT administrators. That’s why the SGA holds a Campus Safety Walk every year to identify safety problems on campus.
The event involves a night stroll through predetermined routes to look for shady and unsafe areas on campus. Students will join administrators and the UTPD as they are organized into groups designated to a particular route.
Tom Whitworth, secretary and treasurer of SGA, said that one of the main hazards is insufficient lighting.
“Potential problem areas include places that seem unreasonably dark or unsafe,” Whitworth said. “We look for places where potential predators could hide and work to add more lighting to those areas.”
SGA historian Courtney Hubbard added that not only is lighting useful for good visibility but also let people know where and how to get help if they should need it.
Besides good lighting, walkers will look for any rough terrain that could pose as a safety hazard for the mass of students going to and from classes. Michael Chirico, student body vice president, said last year there was a gaping hole in the sidewalk and a lot of trash and litter in the parking garages, which posed hazards for students late at night.
This year, the safety walk committee will add several new routes for inspection.
Sarah Pilcher, assistant director of Student Services, said, “There are two new routes we’ve added this year: the Ag Campus and Terrace Avenue. These will be given special concern since we haven’t included them in the walk in the past.”
Along with the Agricultural Campus and Terrace Avenue, Director of Student Services Jennifer Buntin said 20th Street and Lake Avenue will be added to the routes.
“Another area we’re interested in this year is right around Fraternity Park and that little strip,” Chirico said. “And also the Hill, since there’s so much construction up there.”
Hubbard assures students that administrators take their concerns very seriously when there are complaints of a troublesome area.
“Some people who aren’t involved may be hesitant to believe that the administration is going to try to do something, but in fact they are really very eager to try to make this campus safe,” she said.
Chirico said ultimately the administration gets everything done, and most of the time it’s immediate.
“I remember there was a crack in one of the sidewalks and one of the administrators tripped on it,” Chirico said. “Literally the next week, they worked to fix up the whole sidewalk — so they are very concerned.”
Pilcher said along with sidewalk cracks, anything from tree limb obstructions to other overgrown vegetation will be addressed. Buntin also said other results from the walk happen within the administration itself.
“A Personal Safety Committee has been set up by the Dean of Students office to evaluate the results of the walk and recommend changes,” Buntin said.
The Campus Safety Walk should last about an hour, according to Buntin, after which the groups will meet back at the Hermitage room to discuss the major concerns and issues to be addressed.
