Your Turn Letters to the Editor

In lieu of recent criminal activity on campus, I would like to announce a new, student-led initiative for promoting and implementing campus safety procedures and policies. The Virginia Senate and House of Delegates are both pushing bills that require the commonwealth’s institutions of higher education to implement certain specified measures to begin bolstering campus safety.

The SGA executive branch is proud to announce the organization and formation of the Campus Watch Steering Committee. Members that have been recruited include Chief Fuller from the VCU police department; Jim Vigeant from the Fan District Association; Dr. Daphne Rankin, the service learning coordinator and member of the VCU Safety Committee that was implemented by Dr. Trani; a representative from Sexual Assault and Violence Education Society; and Ali M. Faruk from the Student Government Association. Councilman Pantele from the City Council is also expected to be involved, as is a representative from Richmond City Police. Having a diverse array of members representing different areas applicable to student life is necessary when considering the implications of safety. Ali Faruk and I will co-chair this committee.

The Campus Watch Steering Committee, having been in the initial research and planning stages since November, will seek to forward and implement strategies to improve campus safety. The existence of such an apposite committee is crucial in the steps toward protecting VCU students to a better degree. It will operate concurrently with the VCU Safety Committee and will allow for greater student involvement.

It is the hope of the SGA that students will be in safe harbor on the Monroe Park Campus of VCU. An institution of higher education is responsible to its students to ensure safety, whether inside or outside of its buildings, on the streets and sidewalks or in the surrounding areas that its constituents inhabit. It is in our best interest as a student body to perpetuate our safety.

Sincerely,
Robert J. Smith, III
Special Assistant for Communications
Student Government Association