In the past few weeks, students everywhere have learned that college isn't always the safe and sound bubble it's cracked up to be. The April 16 massacre at Virginia Tech, in which 32 unarmed students were shot and killed, brought increased awareness of safety issues on campuses nationwide.
At Tufts, a recent string of sexual assaults has further brought the issue to the forefront. Earlier this week, the TUPD sent out a safety alert telling students that three sexual assaults had been reported recently near campus, one of which was against a Tufts student.
After the alert was sent, another student reported a prior sexual assault on Wednesday, further increasing safety concerns in the area. But are Jumbos worried about their safety in light of recent events? Students gave a variety of answers, but most said they were anxious and felt at least somewhat less secure than usual.
"I do get nervous, and especially over the past few weeks, I've been getting a bit more nervous," junior Yuna Park said. "I've been carrying around my cell phone in my hand when I walk around in the evening, so I can make a quick call if I need to. I haven't been changing my route - I'm just being more wary."
Sophomore Amanda Casale said that she normally feels safe on campus, but that the recent sexual assaults have shaken her up.
"I was a little uneasy when I heard about [the incidents]," she said. "When I first found out about it, we hadn't been e-mailed yet ... I think we should've been notified faster. When something happens, I want to hear about it right away."
The issue of warning students when crises occur on campus came up in the Virginia Tech shootings as well. Nationwide, many questioned why the school waited several hours before alerting students about the first shooting.
But Casale said she was glad Tufts alerted students when it did.
"It took a little while, but it was nice that we heard from the university about it," she said. "I think the school, overall, just does a really good job. I definitely don't feel threatened here at all."
Freshman Sarah Taub said that while she has been slightly more careful lately, she is not overly concerned about her safety.
"I used to be out late at night a lot, coming back from rehearsals or from the library," she said. "I've been trying to make a point lately not to be out that late alone. I try to walk with a friend or something instead of just taking off by myself. But I still feel rather safe."
Taub said she was particularly nervous that some of the assaults occurred near Boston Ave., not far from the TUPD station.
"It's a little scary that it happened under their noses," she said.
TUPD Captain Mark Keith told the Daily on Monday that the police would be increasing the number of officers on patrol between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. in the immediate future and most likely for the rest of the semester.
Park, who will be living off campus in the same area next year, agreed that the police at Tufts should make themselves more visible to deter crime.
"I don't think that there's enough police presence, especially in the evening," Taub said. "With finals coming up, people are walking across campus late coming from the library ... I'd like to see more police presence, just so we know they're around."
Freshman Gabbi Levy agreed.
"I feel like I never see the campus police unless they're shutting a party down," she said. "I feel like if their presence was more physical, people would feel safer."
But while they had suggestions for how to improve safety on campus, most students interviewed said they generally feel safe here.
"I do feel safe, and maybe I shouldn't, but I've never felt like I'm in any sort of danger here," Levy said. "I walk around Aidekman late at night all the time ... I've never felt like I had a problem."
Freshman Jeffrey Finkelstein agreed. He said he sees campus as a very safe, secure environment.
"We see police out all the time," he said. "Personally, I haven't seen anything horrible going on. I've heard stories about people getting mugged or assaulted ... but that seems very rare."
Taub said that, while she does think there should be more police around, she thinks the TUPD does a good job of protecting students.
"They come to parties pretty quickly to break them up, so I guess they're pretty alert," she said.
Finkelstein said that safety concerns are inherent anywhere there are people. According to him, the security at Tufts is as thorough as it can be without becoming overprotective.
"I don't know what you could do to improve safety - it's obviously not going to be a school with a gate on it," he said. "Tufts is an open campus. There's only so much you can do and I think Tufts is doing a good job so far."
And though the past few weeks have cast light on safety issues at Tufts and on college campuses in general, Taub pointed out that safety is always important regardless of recent events.
"People don't start worrying about security until something ridiculous and horrible happens, like [at] Virginia Tech," she said. "I guess it just reminds you that you always have to be aware and on your feet."
As for the sexual assaults, freshman Alex Berrian had one suggestion to sum up students' sentiments.
"I'd just like someone to catch whoever did these things," he said.
