Liberty University students had the opportunity to share their safety concerns with campus leadership when the Office of Security and Public Safety (OSPS) and the Student Government Association (SGA) held the third annual Campus Safety Walk Oct. 29.
This year, the Campus Safety Walk focused on specific areas around South Campus that could be made safer, but students were able to bring up concerns about other areas of campus as well.
The walk kicked off at 5:30 p.m. on the South Campus band field where Liberty President Dondi Costin and Vice President of Security and Public Safety Marcus Tinsley gave opening remarks to attendees.
“It is vitally important that you use that voice that God has blessed you with, and we will always stop to listen,” Tinsley said. “We want you to understand that when you see someone from the Office of Security and Public Safety, it’s not the time to run the other direction. That’s exactly who we want you to run to.”
All four OSPS departments — Liberty University Police Department, Emergency Management & Community Engagement (EMCE), Environmental Health & Safety and Access Control — were present at the event.
The first stopping point during the walk was the Circle dorms, where the need for more lighting across the entirety of campus was addressed. Next, attendees walked to South Tower, where campus safety leadership pointed out proper lockout procedures for students.
Photo by Kristina Smith
At the Gwin parking lot located by South Tower, students gave feedback about better lighting and more blue light call boxes.
Kate Edwards, training coordinator for OSPS, also offered students personal safety advice. Edwards urged students to lock their vehicles every time they leave as well as to walk a lap around their vehicle before they enter, especially at night.
The last stopping point for the walk was at The Quads where students asked questions regarding fire extinguishers on East Campus as well as whether Liberty has jurisdiction over the East Campus bridges. Tinsley and Edwards also emphasized the importance of preparedness in safety.
The event also highlighted the Champion Safe app, Liberty’s official safety app. The app offers features including Mobile BlueLight, Friend Walk & Safe Ride, Virtual Walkhome and Safety Toolbox, among others.
Throughout the entire night, students interacted directly with campus safety leaders to bring up concerns, ask questions or offer feedback. Tinsley said that this was his favorite part of the entire event.
“I really do appreciate the interaction with the students,” Tinsley said. “We have the capability for students to contact us anytime they want to, but this kind of flagship event for safety … gives everybody access to the Office of Security and Public Safety. You can get to know the people who are tasked with keeping you safe every day.”
After the walk finished, Nomad Coffee was available, offering a more relaxed environment for attendees to interact directly with administration.
Dustin DuBose, executive director of Student Life, said that events like the Campus Safety Walk give campus leadership a different perspective on safety.
“I appreciate the students coming out and talking about things that they see,” DuBose said. “Like Marcus Tinsley said, they live the life every day while we’re here 8 to 5. We see things, but that’s different than living here every day.”
Richard Hinkley, chief of police, emphasized the importance of the relationships between Liberty students and campus safety leadership.
“We need to build relationships where when students see something, they’re willing to pass that information on,” Hinkley said. “Safety is everybody’s responsibility. We can’t do it alone.”
For more information on SGA, visit www.liberty.edu/students/sga. To learn more about OSPS, visit www.liberty.edu/security-public-safety.
Smith is the web and social media manager for the Liberty Champion.
