Student safety gets top priority

Safety for students is a team effort. RIT’s offices of Risk Management, Safety Services and Facilities Management Services have joined forces with design partner, Sear-Brown Associates, to address a number of considerations.

New crosswalks and bright signage make drivers more aware of pedestrians.

One key area is security in the residence halls. To help protect students and their personal property, residence halls are now locked 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Only students living in the specific residence hall and RIT staff assigned to that hall have keys to enter. All visitors must be “buzzed in” and must sign in at the front desk.

RIT also has made campus roadways safer for pedestrians and drivers. Safety Services and Facilities Management have constructed raised crosswalks in the pedestrian paths that cross our major roadways. The crosswalks are marked with vivid green signs and solar-powered flashing lights to warn motorists to use caution.

RIT, in conjunction with the National Safety Council of Central New York, offers the “Knowledge of Safe Defensive Driving Techniques” course to encourage safe driving on and off campus. The university has six certified instructors on campus teaching this six-hour course. It is available to students, faculty and staff.

Facilities Management Services and Campus Safety also are working to upgrade lighting throughout campus over the next several years. The firm of Fisher Marantz Stone, perhaps best known for creating the “Tribute in Light” at the World Trade Center site, has been hired to design the project, but aesthetics aren’t the only concern. Energy efficiency and pedestrian safety are top priorities. RIT is working to illuminate all areas of campus appropriately.

Speaking of lights, students have seen many more blue-lighted call boxes around campus. Safety Services has installed a total of 67 security call boxes around campus and boxes are required in all new facilities.

Last spring, the Student Government Association established a Safety Committee to directly address students’ concerns. Any registered student can bring their safety issues to SGA, who will work directly with the Safety Services, Risk Management and Facilities Management team on behalf of students.

RIT’s goal is to keep all students safe both on and off campus during the school year.