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Despite urban area, AU students and staff feel safe

Emergency blue light towers stand throughout American University Northwest Washington, D.C. campus and offer an extra l

An American University staffer walks by an emergency tower on campus.
An American University staffer walks by an emergency tower on campus. Photo credit Jordyn Fields.

ayer of safety and protection, but many interviewed on campus this month said they feel completely safe.

“I think on certain campuses safety is an issue but not here,” said 20-year-old Cristina Tejada, sitting at the campus Starbucks. “I feel safe on AU’s campus.”

Almost a dozen students and staff this week said crime is not one of their major concerns at American University. But nationwide, in 2014, 50,000 criminal offenses took place on college campuses, according to the U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Crimes at American University’s campus have ranged from bike theft and burglary to alcohol violations and aggravated assault, according to the Public Safety website.

Incoming college first-year students at American are given tips and guidelines about staying safe in college. Tips include using the “buddy system,” getting home early, and knowing where those blue emergency towers are.

“It’s better to start with the individual because there’s such a good campus security presence,” said Denise Paolella, who works at American.

Campus police patrol cars circle campus.The school also offers a self defense class.

“I didn’t have a lot of concerns about campus safety,” said 42-year-old Joy Adams, who now works on campus. While she was a college student in Texas she said, “I was mindful of my environment by making sure I didn’t walk in dark place on my own.”

 

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Support for Supreme Court’s landmark abortion ruling

People interviewed at American University the day after a historic Supreme Court ruling that struck down a controversial Texas law regulating abortion clinics overwhelmingly supported the landmark ruling.

“I was raised in a Christian family where abortion was not supported, but my view has changed for it to be the woman’s decision,” said Kefale Bekele, 49. “It’s too hard to say you can’t do this.”

Texas legislators passed a law that would have required abortion clinics to have hospital-grade equipment and have doctors with admitting access to an emergency room. This would have shut down a majority of clinics in the state.

“Anything that makes the full range of healthcare available to all women is a step in the right direction” said Dawn Fairvbanks, 51. “There is still a long way to go before women are on par with men in reproductive health care, however it can begin a more widespread discussion for change.”

Fei Lan, 20, said that people without choice would face long-term negative consequences.

“It’s not fair to kids because they won’t grow up well, they won’t be financially stable, it’s not a life,” Lan said.

Hannah Ross, a 21-year-old American University student, said she hopes the Supreme Court decision will create more liberal laws and policies nationwide.

“Hopefully, it will cause a domino effect where it goes to moral issues and gives more protection to women,” Ross said. “When the decision on women’s reproductive rights does come, no one side will be pleased.”