Has the recent assault of a student behind Keep made you rethink Oberlin and your safety?
Tiffanie Luckett is a college junior:
Well, I'm not more afraid of the campus any more than before, but probably a little more cautious because I realize I don't listen to my mom about being safe enough, and neither did that woman and look what happened to her. But I'm a little more suspicious about some things at Oberlin because I have heard that the communications department at Oberlin didn't give all the details about the assault and that the woman is in much worse shape than the bulletin would lead people to believe. It makes the assault seem less severe and certainly not too terribly intimidating until you know the details. If safety and security won't give you the whole story, how much can you trust them to take care of you? Why are they hiding something so important? Maybe I'm a little more worried cause they haven't announced anything that would lead the community to think they are close to finding the man or even saying that they have a lead as to who it is. At this point, we don't know if it is possibly a student at OC or a townie or someone altogether different and unexpected. That's frightening. For all we know, this person could have access to the campus living facilities. That's certainly disheartening.
Ijeoma Anusionwu is a college junior:
It makes me wary, especially late at night, by myself, because the assault happened close to my dorm.
Jeff Powers is a college senior:
I've always felt safe here. It's safer here than most other places.
Lynette Palmer is an Oberlin resident:
To tell you the truth, I usually have a dog with me. Makes me think twice about going out myself. People should be more careful.
Jill Medina is an Area Coordinator:
Well, I've felt that people should be more careful in general. I think people should be more aware, always.
Alexander Elisa is a conservatory junior:
Oberlin is not as safe as people think it is. People let their guard down, and they get into situations they normally wouldn't.
Aaron Brown is a college first-year:
I wasn't really worried, until the assault. It serves as a wake-up call.
Jane Glynn is a college sophomore:
Of course the assault has made me rethink my safety. Because being whacked over the head with a pipe not 30 seconds from one's own door doesn't sound too great to me and it simply scares the hell out of me. I don't think, though, that the assault NECESSARILY has anything to do with Oberlin's safety/security program. Security offers us really great services, and it's unfortunate that so few of us use them. The girl who was attacked was unlucky - she did what a thousand other Oberlin students do, and she found out that it wasn't the wisest choice. Nevertheless, it's a choice that most of us have made and continue to make. Our safety is up to us - Security can't force us to accept escorts or rides if we think we're invincible and want to walk alone at 3 in the morning. Hopefully the shithead freak who attacked that girl will never do it to anyone again. That would be great. But I'm being a lot more careful anyway - I ask friends to walk me home if I know I will be leaving somewhere after dark myself, I do the same for my friends, and I'm calling Security if I need to go a good distance anywhere past dusk. Maybe I'll feel silly if I have to call Security for an escort from Mudd or Wilder to Noah, but damn, I'd rather feel silly than unconscious or dead. I'd rather have a Security escort walking me to my door than someone I don't know, you know?
Betty Witt is an Oberlin resident:
I was surprised and pretty upset. I wouldn't walk around after dark after this assault.
Serjio Acevedo is an '97 OC graduate:
I can point my fingers at the OC administration for not providing enough security patrols, at the OPD for not responding quick enough, and at the youth for committing this senseless act of violence. Or, I can point my finger at myself for failing to contribute to positive social change through community service, political activism, and living responsibly. Ultimately, we must all be held accountable for our direct and indirect contribution to this and countless other assaults that occur throughout the world.
Kerry Lazarus is a college senior:
Oberlin has fewer assaults per year than my high school would in a month. I am not that worried.
Tico Wolf is a college first-year:
It surprised me, because I'm from a small town. I would still walk around late at night, but I'd be more careful.
Bagin Doura is a college sophomore:
Security's garbage. I don't need an assault to tell me this. Students walking around as security is ineffective.
Angie Burkeen is a college junior:
It makes you realize that Oberlin is not the bubble you think it is. It is important to be cautious.
