Campus safety is foundational to students’ ability to thrive in college. Parents demand that universities implement safety measures to foster academic success and provide peace of mind when their child is away from home. A safe campus is also a smart financial bet for parents.
If parents are confident that your campus is safe, they are more likely to invest in their student’s education at your institution. Students want to be safe at school, and parents want to send them to safe schools. Implementing a school alert system on your campus bolsters safety protocols and makes your institution an attractive option for prospective students and their parents.
Campus Safety: A Critical Element When Choosing a College
College students’ choice of school has long-lasting implications for their academic and professional lives. Therefore, students and their parents carefully research the attributes of each university or college. Increasingly, students and parents are focusing their attention on campus safety.
Campus safety is on prospective students’ minds:
- In a recent poll of more than 10,000 high school seniors, 62% reported that their safety on campus was one of the things that worried them about college life.
- More than 82% of college students report feeling concerned about their personal safety, with more than half stating they are very concerned or extremely concerned.
- Nearly all college students consider their personal safety daily.
Safety plays an essential role in students’ emotional lives and their habits. It, therefore, plays a substantial role in their college selection process. College safety experts warn that if institutions fail to address safety concerns sufficiently, “…many potential families and students may look elsewhere and not give an institution that might have been a great fit a second thought.”
Campus Safety Drives Recruitment
Colleges and universities must address fears and perceptions of safety to appeal to prospective students. Doing so fosters a sense of trust and security that informs the decision-making process. Colleges that want to appeal to students and parents should:
- Prioritize campus safety initiatives and communicate them effectively to prospective students and their families.
- Address fear of crime by improving lighting, increasing security patrols, and implementing safety measures in parking areas.
- Tailor safety measures to address the specific concerns of different groups. Examples include providing resources for self-defense or implementing programs to address sexual assault.
- Invest in training and professional development for campus safety officers, ensure their visibility on campus, and foster positive relationships between officers and students.
Colleges become known as “safe schools” because they prioritize campus safety and communicate safety measures to prospective students and their parents. By implementing school alert systems and other campus safety measures, institutions create a culture of safety that aids in student recruitment and retention.
Parents are Concerned About Campus Safety
A parent’s understanding of college life should extend beyond academic offerings. Parents must know the facts about campus safety risks to prepare their children for campus life. Parents want to feel reassured about their student’s safety. They can learn what measures prospective colleges are taking by visiting campus, talking to admissions counselors and tour guides, and attending campus security presentations.
Campus safety experts recommend that parents do their research to learn about specific safety measures and protocols on campus. For example, the Campus Safety and Security database tracks campus safety data of schools across the US. Parents can use this data to find and evaluate safe schools.
How Colleges Become Safe Schools
A 2022 survey revealed that 60% of undergraduate and graduate students weighed campus safety heavily when choosing where to go to school. To successfully recruit prospective students, a college or university must create and nurture a culture of safety.
To implement a culture of safety, colleges should:
- Clearly define safety responsibilities. Ensure that everyone is aware of their role in safety protocols and plans. Communicate these across every level of the institution.
- Encourage communication. Provide students and employees with various options for reporting incidents to make them comfortable expressing their safety concerns.
- Adhere to all reporting requirements.
- Conduct effective investigations. Evaluate your incident investigation system to make sure responses are appropriate and sufficient. Work to prevent similar incidents in the future. Utilize drills and training.
- Build morale by celebrating safety wins and recognizing those who make your institution a safe school.
The Role of School Alert Systems in Campus Safety
Students and staff feel safe when the entire campus community participates in safety measures. This culture of safety fosters productive learning environments that attract prospective students and their parents. Strategic investments in safety technology equip members of the campus community with the tools to participate in safety protocols and address unique safety challenges. Institutional investments in reliable, effective safety solutions tailored to address specific student safety concerns are investments in student recruitment and retention.
Innovative school alert systems and automated wearable panic button technology reduce emergency response times on campus. Panic alert technology allows campus community members to initiate safety alerts with the push of a button. Together with digital incident maps, wearable panic technology enables first responders to see where incidents occur in real time.
CENTEGIX Safety Platform: An Investment in Campus Safety
The CENTEGIX Safety Platform™ is the foundation of a layered campus safety plan for colleges and universities. The Safety Platform features a suite of solutions designed to reduce emergency response times and create a culture of safety on college campuses.
CENTEGIX CrisisAlert™
CrisisAlert is a wearable panic button that empowers campus staff to alert responders with the push of a button. When someone initiates an alert from anywhere on campus, administrators, designated campus responders, law enforcement, and first responders are alerted—a map displays who needs help and their precise location. Campus security teams can monitor alerts in real time.
CrisisAlert features:
- Total campus coverage. The CrisisAlert badge functions on every square foot of campus. CENTEGIX technology runs on private, managed networks and does not depend on Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity.
- Discreet, one-button activation. The wearable CrisisAlert badge can signal for help without drawing attention to or escalating emergencies.
- Audio and visual notifications. Campus-wide alerts communicate information to everyone on campus using colored strobe lights, desktop alerts, and intercom and mass communication integrations.
The Incident Activated Video feature of CrisisAlert provides yet more information for first responders and administrators. This feature gives responders eyes on the scene during an emergency. Incident Activated Video:
- Provides the visual data needed to assess the level of response required
- Elevates responders’ situational awareness
- Improves responder coordination and collaboration
CENTEGIX Safety Blueprint™
CENTEGIX Safety Blueprint™ digital incident mapping solution enables responders to see incident locations down to the individual floor and room. These maps also include location information of nearby safety assets, such as AEDs, fire alarms, first aid kits, extinguishers, and evacuation points. This information empowers first responders to respond quickly and deploy the appropriate equipment. Real-time mapping data allows responders to make the most of every second.
The right school alert system plays a fundamental role in the safety of your campus. Investing in this technology is proof of an institution’s commitment to safety. Because campus safety is a critical factor in school choice, this investment is money well spent.
Schedule a demo to learn more about how CENTEGIX can help your college or university create a culture of safety.
