Imagine walking back from the Vaughn College of Business Administration building at 8:30 p.m. to your residence hall experiencing Alabama’s muggy heat when suddenly your chest tightens and you are faced with a severe asthma attack. You spot an emergency call box and press the button, but nothing happens and unfortunately, your cellphone battery is dead.
What do you do now?
This scenario highlights serious concerns about the functionality of call boxes on campus. How many of these boxes are currently nonfunctional? Are they on campus for decoration or are they on campus for student use?
On Sept. 20, I spoke with a university police official about the call boxes and student concerns about them. The official confirmed that they have been under construction and nonoperational for years.
I contacted the Office of Technology Services (OTS). A university official from that office clarified that OTS is responsible only for the phone lines connected to the safety boxes. They noted that the call boxes have not been operational for two years and that maintenance of the boxes is not their office’s responsibility.
Given these issues, we must also consider safety measures beyond just school hours. What protections are in place for students during games, events and late-night activities? Because our institution is public and has public access, it raises important questions about our overall safety.
When a freshman or transfer student enters the university and attends New Student Orientation, they are introduced to the LiveSafe app. While the LiveSafe app is an important tool for enhancing safety, it must be complemented by physical measures such as adequate lighting, a visible security presence and clear communication regarding safety protocols.
According to research.com, the university reported seven cases of domestic abuse, three rapes, four burglaries and three weapon-related incidents in 2021. While these numbers are lower than those from 2020 and 2019, they still raise concerns about campus safety. Additionally, Niche.com reports in 2024 that only 56% of students feel safe at the university, which currently holds a safety rating of C. This decline in safety perception is alarming.
This brings me back to the call boxes. Many of the students on campus are not aware that the call boxes are out of service, and since it seems as if these call boxes cannot be used for emergencies and the campus is facing a staffing shortage with university police, it is crucial to remind students about the LiveSafe app. Monthly reminders through emails, flyers and social media blasts are vital for keeping students informed.
Ongoing concerns about campus safety also highlight the importance of the Clery Act, which mandates that colleges disclose information about crimes occurring on and around their campuses. This legislation enhances transparency and underscores the necessity for proactive safety measures. The university does adhere to the Clery Act, so we must commend them on reporting crimes yearly. However, the call boxes should be either taken off campus or repaired so that students do not have a false reality about safety in terms of the call boxes.
I am in favor of repairing each of those boxes because campus safety is a major issue, not only for students who are currently attending the university, but it is of major concern to parents who are thinking about sending their children to the university.
In the meantime, it is essential to ensure that the LiveSafe app is utilized effectively, students are encouraged to use the buddy system when out late, ensuring they stay with friends and remember to keep their cellphones properly charged.
Hornets staying aware of your surroundings and making smart choices can enhance your safety on campus.
