The Brown & White

In recent weeks, there has been an increased level of anxiety regarding safety issues on and around the Lehigh campus. Let me start by affirming that there is nothing more important than the health and safety of our campus community, and that we share your concerns.

During one week in September, there were two incidents and the false report of another that understandably contributed to a sense of unease on campus. Thefts in four fraternities and vehicle break ins in several sorority parking lots in recent weeks further contributed to a sense of vulnerability.

Over the past several weeks, I have spoken with a number of students and parents about these developments. Last week, Lehigh University Police Chief Ed Shupp and I met with the Student Senate, the Council of Student Presidents, and the Panhellenic Council to have an honest and open dialogue about campus safety.

The purpose of those meetings was threefold: to provide complete and accurate information about the incidents affecting students on and off campus since the beginning of the semester; to inform students about the steps that have been taken in response to these incidents; and to listen to student concerns, answer questions and solicit student cooperation in assisting them and other university staff to prevent and adequately respond to incidents that do occur.

We found the conversations extremely beneficial and we were impressed by the thoughtful, serious questions and comments from our students. I'd like to share with the campus community some of the main points that emerged from these discussions.

The issue of safety bulletins was discussed, and we reviewed the university's long-standing commitment to informing the campus community whenever an incident occurs that poses a credible risk.

We also informed these student groups that we have increased the presence and visibility of police coverage on campus, and we doubled the number of officers assigned to patrol the areas around academic buildings, the libraries, and student residences from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. That increases the number of officers on campus patrol during this critical time from four to eight, and students have told us they appreciate seeing more officers in these locations.

Officers have also been asked to approach individuals walking alone late at night or in less than well-lit areas. The purpose is to offer assistance to students and confront those who have no legitimate reason to be on campus and who may pose a threat to students or other members of the Lehigh community. While this may seem an inconvenience to some, we ask for your understanding and cooperation.

We also want to assist with safety in the neighborhoods adjacent to campus where many of our students live or frequent. To that end, we have requested that the Bethlehem Police Department make every effort to increase the patrols in this area. And, although their primary duty is on campus, we have asked university police to drive through these neighborhoods as often as they are able.

Comments from students included concerns about evening transportation, especially the T.R.A.C.S. service, and the adequacy of lighting in certain areas. We do regularly assess the lighting situation and address problem areas. Conversations are underway with our colleagues responsible for the T.R.A.C.S. service to determine how to remedy the problems students have encountered.

I also want to take this opportunity to address a misconception that is fairly widespread, and that is a belief that the campus police focus their time and attention on citing students for alcohol violations rather than combating crime.

While this may be a popular perspective, it simply is not the case. Alcohol citations in the past three years have actually declined, from 161 in 2006, to 145 in 2007 and 107 in 2008. In the first eight weeks of this academic year, 47 students have been cited by the campus police for various alcohol violations. That hardly constitutes what some have termed a "crackdown" on underage drinking.

Moreover, those who have been cited were severely intoxicated, some with blood alcohol levels three, four, and even five times the legal definition of intoxication. Students who create a serious risk of harm to self or others must expect to be held accountable. Irresponsible behavior has consequences. It is unreasonable to assume that we could, or should, ignore such serious, potentially life-threatening circumstances.

Just as we did in the conversations with student leaders, let me close with a word about what we can do together to promote campus safety.

Let's begin by agreeing that campus safety is a critical priority and that it is indeed a shared responsibility. We in the administration and in various university departments must fulfill our obligation to provide adequate and effective services, including crime prevention programs, a reliable transportation system, adequate police coverage and timely and accurate information to the community when incidents do occur.

It is equally important, however, that the campus community - especially students - assume responsibility to be aware of your surroundings, to take reasonable precautions and to report problems that may compromise safety, including reporting to the police anything or anyone that appears suspicious.

The role of students' help in these circumstances cannot be overlooked. In fact, alert students were of enormous assistance in helping to identify perpetrators of the off-campus assault that took place earlier in the semester and the LUPD was very appreciative of the valuable role they played.

Like colleges and universities across the country, Lehigh cannot separate itself from the unfortunate realities of society. Nonetheless, we can all contribute to a safer Lehigh for everyone through a healthy level of awareness, cooperation and reasonable precautions.

I certainly welcome your suggestions to this end.