Emily Dean/ Winonan
Director of Winona State University campus security Don Walski said students report they feel safe on campus 96-98 percent of the time, and these numbers have stayed consistent over many years.
Although there are numbers to prove that students generally feel safe on campus, some students feel campus is not what people have to be concerned about. Junior Elliot Peck is more concerned for his peers when they are off campus.
Before fall semester classes even started, students received an alarming email describing three accounts of assaults near campus. As scary as this may have been for students, Walski said students should not be too worried about their safety on campus. But, in the eyes of students like Peck, campus is not the area of concern.
After hearing about the assaults that took place Aug. 22, Peck was inspired to do something for his fellow students.
Peck acted immediately on his concern and posted the assault information that was sent via email to students on Facebook. Peck posted his personal cell phone number, encouraging students to call him if they felt unsafe.
Shortly after, Peck created the Facebook page S.A.S. (Safe and Sound). It is a space where students can arrange sober rides home after bar time and parties.
“Its more comfortable to ask another student for a ride who cares about having fun but not getting hurt,” Peck said.
The page features various posts from Winona State students offering “sober cabs” each night. Peck originally invited his friends to the Facebook page but is welcoming anyone from the Winona State community who wants to be safe.
Peck encourages students to join the Facebook page so they can stay up to date on who is available to drive sober to ensure safety in the community. He plans on building this organization in the future and adding activities and informative programs for students.
As far as campus safety goes, students’ safety is security’s number one priority, and they are informed right away about any suspicious activity on or around campus, Walski said. Walski and the rest of the security team at Winona State work around the clock to protect students.
Security keeps students safe by doing small tasks such as ensuring there is enough lighting on campus and bigger tasks such as patrolling campus at night and on the weekends. Security also offers escort services. For instance, students who live within four blocks of campus can request a person from security to take them home or to a safe destination within any four block radius from campus.
Although security strives to keep everyone safe, Walski said it is even more important for students take measures into their own hands to keep themselves and peers safe.
“If you walk to a party with a group of people, leave with those same people,” Walski said. “Don’t leave anyone in your group behind.”
