Campus organizations band together to increase safety

Dark areas of campus, blue lights, stop signs, improved crosswalks and adjusted speed limit markers — all this and more were addressed when the Student Government Association and the Office of Security & Public Safety held a Campus Security Walk Nov. 3 to encourage students to participate in campus
safety practices. 

The event allowed students to hear from safety experts at the university and speak directly with campus law and safety personnel while walking around the grounds to address potential areas of concern. 

The event started on the Academic Lawn at 5 p.m. 

Safety officials began by discussing with participants what the event would entail and prayed for God’s continued hand of protection across campus and the local area. 

After the prayer, students and staff were split into two groups and started making their way around campus to take note of certain areas that might be cause for extra safety concern. 

Chief of Police Richard Hinkley led a group to South Campus, and another group went to North Campus before the event concluded in the Alumni Ballroom where final safety suggestions were made. 

Daniel Hostetter, the president of SGA, said the event implemented a space where students could address concerns and communicate directly with the campus safety staff.    

“The goal of this is to get students and public safety administrators to be able to collaborate to identify problems and solutions together,” Hostetter said. “To put it succinctly, students will have a voice in ensuring that their campus is safe.” 

According to Hostetter, the Campus Security Walk was inspired by similar activities at comparable schools
in Virginia. 

Hostetter said this kind of event helps officials by giving them a direct line to students’ opinions on safety concerns as well as helping them take into account additional information when making safety decisions.

“Administration really wants to listen to students and provide solutions,” Hostetter said. “So, feedback is going to be taken very seriously, and students can have confidence that administration is actively listening to them.”

A primary focus of the walk was to have students’ input on increased security for areas lacking safety
precautions.

Students also noted additional infrastructure needs. Some areas of concern included areas in need of repair, additional lights, stop signs and adjusted speed
limit markers. 

The walk also highlighted some of the safety measures already in place on campus, like blue boxes and
security cameras. 

Hostetter said SGA is motivated to follow through on campaign promises made to students to clearly engage them in university policy. 

“We’ve heard from students consistently over the past few years that this is a big priority,” Hostetter said. “We’ve always believed that there’s more work to be done, ensuring students are continuing to be kept safe on campus and that our infrastructure reflects that.”

Campus security remains a top priority among the student body and university administration alike. 

According to Hostetter, SGA and university departments will continue to partner to invest resources and keep Liberty University safe. 

Musser is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion. Follow him on Twitter