Consultant evaluates College Security at forum

Students discuss escort policy and other issues

At a recent student forum, Interim Director of Security Joe DiChristina, Sergeant Gary Kriesen and Bill Bess, a security consultant who is visiting Oberlin to assess its security and safety status, discussed the new escort policy and other security issues with students. Many of the few students at the forum were concerned about Security's new off- campus escort policy.

One such student, college junior Noga La'or, who lives off-campus, was particularly concerned about Security's refusal to continue escorting students between two off-campus locations. "I deserve as much protection from Security as someone who lives in a dorm," she said. "It's kind of like saying that people who live off-campus don't go to this school."

DiChristina said that Security will not stop providing escorts off-campus and that a new system will include a way of dealing with students who live off-campus.

One audience member suggested giving the student cadets bicycles. "That's a cool idea," DiChristina said.

Bess already had a few ideas for the restructuring of the escort service. He mentioned a student-run system with expanded hours and vehicles that each team of cadets could drive off-campus, within a certain perimeter, to pick up students. Bess said that these were just some of the options.

The primary consideration brought up was safety for the students. "[DiChristina and I] both agree people come first, property comes second," Bess said.

For the present, DiChristina stressed the need to focus on walking rather than vehicle escorts. He said that on a cold night maybe 50 or so people will call for an escort, but when it is 45 or 50 degrees out, only about five or six will call. Kriesen said that people shouldn't expect a vehicle every time they call. DiChristina added that it is important for people not to turn down a walking escort.

Both Bess and DiChristina mentioned addressing the community's needs more fully and the importance of students taking charge of their own safety. Bess asked if students feel Security should educate them about safety or not. The audience thought education during orientation was a good idea for first-years and other new students, especially because some students come from large cities and assume Oberlin is safe because it is a small town. "People can be victimized anywhere, even Oberlin," Bess agreed.

Bess also asked about the lighting on campus. "What lighting?" one student responded. Parking, all-campus mailings about crimes and the relationship between the Oberlin city police and students were discussed.

"If you don't know anything about [Oberlin City Police], that tells me something too," Bess said.

Aside from the forum, Bess met with President Nancy Dye, members of the Security department, Assistant to the Dean of Student Life Ken Holmes, Baldwin and Afrikan Heritage House residents, Vice President of Finance Andy Evans, the Student Senate and Chief Jones of the Oberlin City Police Department. He also went on a tour of the campus and spoke to Dean of the Conservatory Karen Wolff about risk management.

Bess estimated a month to revise and print his recommendations. After that, they will be submitted to Cole and the Director of Security for approval. Then the College will decide which recommendations to take, if any. "My whole intention is really to get this conversation started," DiChristina said. He wants the College to be ready to "rock 'n' roll" by next fall.