UW-Madison's Offices of the Dean of Students recently implemented a Safety 24/7"" campaign and website containing personal safety tips for residents on campus, in an effort to prevent the violence that struck the campus community last year.
The site focuses on promoting 24/7 awareness, in addition to providing emergency phone numbers.
""We love to be a trusting community, but at the same time I want [the students] to graduate and make a difference in the world,"" Dean of Students Lori Berquam said.
UWPD Chief Susan Riseling, who participated in Safety 24/7 promotion events, said safety has always been a main focus of the university.
""From a student perspective, our campus blends with the city and the city blends with the campus,"" Riseling said in a statement. ""Security concerns exist in both environments, and it is important to work in partnership to emphasize awareness.""
Berquam stressed safety is not just an issue for women. According to Berquam, the main goal of the site is to remind people to take care of themselves. She said she wants people to help each other by walking in groups to a parties at night and locking doors to apartments.
""It's not going to be the website that increases safety awareness but the students saying that they want to take care of themselves by using their voice and balancing that with personal safety,"" she said.
Berquam said the transition from living with family to living alone is a big responsibility.
""The information provided helps make the difference between living at home and living on your own smaller,"" she said. ""That transition is huge in that, at college, you have to take on more responsibility regarding taking care of oneself.""
Volunteers walked around campus Aug. 15 to promote the safety program. They handed out magnetic door handles and water bottles to incoming freshmen. House fellows will also share the initiative with residents during upcoming floor meetings.
