Since a lawsuit has opened up concerning the Cornell Seven rape case from 2024 at Cornell University, campus security is a common topic even at Asbury.
The Cornell 7 case draws attention to an issue that is seen on college campuses. According to RAINN, the world’s largest anti-sexual violence organization and operator of the National Sexual Assault Hotline, 26% of undergraduate women and 7% of undergraduate men “experienced nonconsensual sexual contact by physical force or inability to consent.”
This topic has been popularized across college campuses because of the Cornell Seven trail and has brought many to wonder about their own safety on campus. With the semester starting and everyone being in a new setting, safety is at the forefront of many minds.
Asbury University has security systems set in place to protect the students who walk the campus each day. The shuttle service is used to take students back to their dorms when it is dark outside. This service ensures students get around safely.
“One of the reasons we offer the shuttle is to alleviate some of those fears of walking across campus after dark,” Walsh said.
This service is a student-led operation and available each night. Student Safety Officers who run the shuttle service have a radio to stay in contact with Campus Safety while they are on duty. Every Student Safety Officer is CPR-certified and AED-certified through the Red Cross.
The AU campus has three full-time campus safety workers and seven part-time campus safety workers who together provide 24-hour coverage, even on Christmas and Easter.
“Asbury does a really good job of patrolling and encouraging safe practices. I feel safe being able to wander and go for walks, especially at night, knowing they aren’t far and that there are resources for me,” said junior Sydney Liskey.
Campus Security has a working relationship with the Wilmore police department along with the Jessamine County Sheriff’s Office. Most nights there are two officers on campus to maintain a safe environment.
“When it comes down to confidence of your safety, a lot of that is you being familiar with the environment, knowing what it’s supposed to look like, and actually paying attention to what’s going on around you,” Walsh said.
