February 12, 2020
It is a question that arises many times whenever a student faces a security threat within campus premises. Even as adults, campus students remain the responsibility of the university, which means respective universities are responsible for ensuring security. The court, however, does not hold the campus liable for crimes that happen outside the institution.
It is a pity that students think of campus as one of the safest places which it is not in the real sense. A university contains people of lifestyles and backgrounds, and security threats are common occurrences. The latest data of FBI Uniform Crime Reports indicate an increase in criminal cases with campus crimes being critical issues in the statistics.
These types of crimes include property crimes involving theft of personal belongings such as laptops as well as property accounts and cars. Also, there are violent crimes, including illegal use of firearms and physical assault and rape cases.
While a campus might be liable for providing safety to its students, the students should also practice some safety precautions. As stated by the US News, below are some ways campus students can avoid falling victims of insecurity threats.
- Avoid walking isolated areas
- Keep the rooms locked
- Check the backseat of the car before getting in
- Understand the safety precautions that the campus has in place
The law subjects a duty of care to universities where they need to ensure proper maintenance of their premises and exercise control and supervision. Some courts have extended this duty of care to cover security obligations to their students. Most universities have adopted safety standards and also advise students to ensure safety precautions whenever possible.