We often hear about crimes in college towns in the news or even on our own campuses, but what about the colleges taking security to the next level? The Daily Beast used information from the U.S. Department of Education and the FBI to determine the safest college campuses in the country, and we’re bringing you the inside information about what it’s like to attend these schools, where safety comes first.
1. Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, WI
With no reported murders, robberies or burglaries, Cardinal Stritch University, whose total enrollment is about 7,000 students, was ranked the safest college in the country.
To make crime reporting easier, the Department of Security offers an online option for reporting crime in addition to the campus security hotline. There’s also an incentive for students to look out for each other—the department accepts anonymous crime tips from those in the campus area with a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to criminal arrests.
Vinnie Maniaci, a senior at Cardinal Stritch University, says the constant security presence on campus makes him feel secure. “I feel safe because we have security guards that walk around all day,” he says. “We always have desk workers working the residence halls. I’ve never had an issue. I like it. I feel safe.”
2. New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury, NY
Located in Old Westbury, New York, this campus includes roughly 9,100 students. In the calendar year reports examined by the Daily Beast, there were no murders, rapes, robberies or assaults on campus—the only crime reported over three years was a single burglary. As long as you keep your door locked, you’ll feel safe on NYIT’s campus.
While NYIT’s Manhattan campus has security guards on duty whenever class buildings are open, the Old Westbury campus has security working 24/7 every day of the year. All security guards at NYIT are also experts in emergency response procedures in case a fire, bomb threat or medical emergency were to arise.
3. Long Island University – Brooklyn in Brooklyn, NY
Long Island University has eight locations, but their Brooklyn campus is just one subway stop away from Manhattan. You might think that living in New York or other urban areas would make a campus less safe, but LIU has proved that with the right security, students can be safe no matter where they study. The Brooklyn campus has roughly 8,300 students and offers programs ranging from business to science to liberal arts.
Steve Burges, a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill, stayed in a dorm at LIU’s Brooklyn Campus this summer while interning at the Brooklyn Museum and says he always felt safe on campus. “There was always a security presence on campus,” Steve says. “The guards were really friendly and I got to know them. Even though some of their security members were pretty basic, like a paper card that we used for identification, it made everything standardized, and no one on campus could be non-affiliated with LIU.” For Steve, having a secure campus created a safe environment within the city.
4. Indiana University – Southeast in New Albany, IN
Only five burglaries were reported at Indiana University – Southeast’s campus, which include roughly 7,000 students, in the years studied. Indiana University – Southeast has its own police department to ensure campus safety.
According to the department website, their “primary jurisdiction is on any real property owned or occupied by the University, or on any roads or streets through or adjacent thereto.” If you’re on campus, you can feel safe knowing that the Indiana University Southeast Police are on duty, patrolling the campus 24 hours a day. There are also emergency phones located throughout campus for reporting crimes.
5. Farmingdale State College in Farmingdale, NY
As one of the 28 state-operated campuses of the State University of New York, Farmingdale State has the advantage of University Police. With roughly 7,000 students and 23 full-time staff members on the University Police team, Farmingdale State is well equipped to both prevent and handle crime.
One of the advantages of a mid-size university is added security. At Orchard Hall, Farmingdale State’s main dorm, security guards are present 24/7. Other dorms are monitored through University Police surveillance. In addition to the standard alert system, the campus also has 60 emergency phones to contact the University Police.
[pagebreak]
6. Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI
With roughly 24,000 students, Grand Valley State is the largest school on this list, but that doesn’t mean the campus is any less safe. There were 18 burglaries and 10 rapes reported during the three years studied, but those numbers are small given the high student body population.
The Grand Valley Police Department works 24/7 to keep the campus safe with a dispatch center and emergency alerts. Pew Campus Security also offers student services including safe-walk escorts, area patrols and a bike lock borrowing program.
7. Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID
Idaho State’s enrollment includes roughly 13,000 students, but their low crime rates would make you think the total number of students was even smaller. Nine rapes, eight burglaries, one assault and two car thefts were reported over the study period, which are low numbers given the size of the student body.
ISU officers are on duty seven days a week to ensure campus safety for all students. In addition to emergency alerts, ISU’s website also offers an anonymous reporting form where students can provide tips on crime.
8. Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, NY
With roughly 10,000 students, FIT is small enough to make the big city feel more like home. And with just 12 crimes reported over the three-year study period, FIT is the safest campus in Manhattan. Like LIU, FIT has a secure campus for added security in New York. Students need an FIT card to enter all campus buildings, and even students need to fill out request forms to be in campus buildings after hours.
FIT also has the added security measure of being a dry campus, which means students can’t consume alcohol on school premises or return to campus while under the influence.
9. Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, IN
With 15,000 students, 26 burglaries over a three year timeframe don’t seem like a lot, especially when there were zero reported rapes accompanying those burglaries. Police work ‘round the clock to ensure campus safety and to keep students notified if safety issues arise.
Like many universities, IWU offers an emergency alert system to keep students updated on campus safety issues. IWU also offers an anonymous online form where students can report crimes.
10. Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX
With roughly 6,000 students, Midwestern State is a small university where students feel at home. And with just 16 reported crimes, that feeling of home extends to campus safety, too. MSU has an emergency alert system and
While these schools may have the lowest crime rates, it’s important to stay safe no matter where you are. Be smart and responsible, and report anything suspicious to your own campus police.
Photo Credits:
http://www.stritch.edu/Admissions-and-Financial-Aid/Undergraduate-Admiss…
http://admissions.mwsu.edu/
http://www.indwes.edu/Safety/
http://www.fitnyc.edu/3145.asp
http://www.isu.edu/student-life.shtml
https://secure.gvsu.edu/admissions/undergraduate/index.cfm?sb_path=trans…
http://nyit.edu/admissions/
http://www.liunet.edu/Brooklyn/Admissions
http://www.ius.edu/admissions/
http://www.farmingdale.edu/