Constant circulation of warnings from the campus police and stories from students about crime on campus paint an image that has prompted mixed reactions. Many students who do not fear potential violence walk the same paths as those who question their personal safety every day.
Although rumors suggest that North Campus is safer than South Campus, some students who have classes on North Campus do not feel so secure.
The sense of uneasiness that some students are experiencing is due not only to a diminished presence of authorities on campus, but also because the campus becomes a ghost town void of students as the day turns to night. Alex Lima, a freshman architecture major, said that the campus atmosphere at night easily generates doubts.
"The most common threat and biggest complaint I hear students talking about is walking alone at night near South Campus or the Ellicott Complex on North Campus," said Jane Fischer, director of SBI Health Education. "Being alone and walking around campus at night presents the biggest concerns."
Some students like Allison Gelfand, a sophomore communication major, acknowledge that safety measures the campus offers, such as walks from the library and the blue emergency phones, are simply not enough.
"There are some aspects of safety on North Campus, but there could be more," Gelfand said. "I don't feel safe; there should be more blue emergency poles."
Safety improvements are in the works for North Campus, according to University Police Department Chief Gerald Schoenle. South Campus has been the focus of the most recent safety upgrades including more lighting, security cameras and more blue emergency poles.
"We will be working with an outside security consultant to improve North Campus safety," Schoenle said. "They will come in and take a look at the campus and make recommendations as to what we need."
Some of Schoenle's biggest concerns are the more rare cases that occur off campus, such as robberies. They have been constantly working with the Buffalo Police to improve conditions and hold a safety fair on campus twice a year to inform and teach students what to be aware of when living off campus.
South Campus is more vulnerable to crime and safety threats due to its urban setting, according to Fischer. North Campus is more isolated, which reduces some threats, but also has many dark spots and wooded areas.
"When I visited a different SUNY college, it appeared to be much safer," Gelfand said. "Our campus should have more cops in the dorm parking lots at night because I feel much safer when I see them."
Lynlee Barbour, a junior psychology major, moves her car closer to the Academic Spine before dusk hits, as a way to ensure safety while walking out at night.
"I don't have to walk so far after a late class," Barbour said. "That's when the parking lots become free."
Some students report not experiencing any safety issues while on North Campus. Nick Musso, a freshman art major, said that safety shouldn't be too much of an issue to those who don't reside on campus.
"I commute, so I don't have much of an issue with safety," Musso said. "I'm only on campus for my classes, then I go home; I don't stick around."
Musso said that even the vehicle break-ins that students are constantly being warned about don't measure up to the hype. Students can do their part in protecting their vehicles.
"I get to school early so I can get a good spot and park close," Musso said. "I never leave anything in my car, so even if someone were to break in it would be pointless."
Sarah Kent, a senior communication major, said that she believes South Campus poses more danger to students than North Campus does.
"I don't really know of any problems on North," Kent said. "I'd be very scared to be parked on South Campus with any possessions in my car."
Some students feel safe on both South and North Campus. Certain students make themselves more vulnerable to dangerous situations than others.
"Those who wear high heels and have their iPods on and don't pay attention to their surroundings are the ones who need to worry," said a Melissa Gustin, a senior art history major. "At night, I do the garbage runs at Starbucks because I am not a delicate flower and know I can take care of myself."
Although efforts never cease, it may be impossible for everyone to feel safe, even in a learning environment.
"I think there is always opportunities to improve safety measures," Fischer said. "Some of us who work here even have concerns just walking to the parking lot after work, we understand the student concerns and are working to improve conditions for everyone."
