If University of California, Berkeley is a serious contender for your number one spot, we should talk about safety on campus a facet of college that should definitely inform your final decision. We’ll say it upfront: UC Berkeley isn’t the safest school we’ve encountered, and there are two big reasons for this. Firstly, the city of Oakland, which Forbes ranked in its listing of the ten most dangerous cities, is mere miles away. Because of this, there is crime that spills over and affects resident Golden Bears. Secondly, the undergraduate count is over 27,000. That’s a lot of students to keep contained and safe. Read on to discover the many ways that University of California, Berkeley promotes a secure campus experience, as well as discuss that shortcomings that could sway your looming decision.
UC Berkeley’s bustling urban environment is exciting, ever changing and offers a variety of fun things to do. That means a lot of walking, and it’s during these hours (especially when students are alone) that offenses like assault, rape and robbery typically occur. In addition to safety courses administered by the school that can help mascot Oski and his friendly scholars avoid potentially dangerous situations, there are two services in place when burning the midnight oil.
The first is called Bear Walk, which is when an actual person is summoned to walk you home. Some students say that this is embarrassing, but there’s never any shame in going the extra mile to ensure you’re out of harm’s way. Next is Bear Transit, an extension of that program. Here a shuttle that circles the school’s perimeter is called upon to get you home. Note that this shouldn’t be viewed as a free ride home after a night of drinking, though some do misuse it for that. These options are truly for those who find themselves walking alone through more desolate areas late at night. Should one choose to go that route, despite it not being advised, there are blue light stations strategically placed that call for help with the push of a button.
If you’re interested in University of California, Berkeley, check out our story on Campus Food Quality at the UC Berkeley.
Something that might come as a shock for prospective students who aren’t used to a metropolitan setting is the presence of homeless people. Though they’re not generally considered dangerous, their demeanor when asking for spare money can come across as aggressive or uncomfortable to some. There’s an element of unpredictability here that can be quite worrisome. Should an attack or other injury be sustained under any circumstance, the campus medical center is hard to reach on foot. The system for being seen by a doctor is also perceived to be confusing. Beyond the sporadic robberies that virtually every school we’ve chronicled has (it’s simply a numbers game), Berkeley and surrounding areas like Oakland have played host to an increasing amount of protests over the years. These aren’t always peaceful; students should be on high alert during these times of turmoil if venturing far off campus.
Street smarts are essential for attending UC Berkeley, because it’s not a contained environment like the more rural setting of a place like Kenyon College. Aggressive panhandlers, protests and general crime might not be what you’re bargaining for when it comes to the tried and true college experience. The university does take safety very seriously, evidenced by their Bear programs and other available resources. We can’t give you a hard yes or no. You’re the best judge of how you deal with an unpredictable city atmosphere.
Ryan James is a ’13 alumnus of Ohio University’s College of Arts & Sciences with a bachelor’s degree in writing and media. He currently works as a copywriter for a Fortune 500 e-commerce corporation based in Columbus, OH.