In our experience, Ohio based universities tend to score favorably both with students and on the statistics sheet when it comes to maintaining campus safety. Is it a coincidence? Not at all. Typically found in pastoral settings that exemplify the quintessential “college town” town depicted in books and movies, these self contained school grounds are more easily patrolled by college officials and police. Beyond that, there can be a greater emphasis placed on fixing up unlit areas or installing one touch blue light systems throughout. Of course there’s also less spill over crime from outlying urban sectors that seem like a hot magnet for suspicious activity.
You’ll find that Bowling Green State University, a public school with roughly 15,000 undergraduates taking in its small town vibes, is much the same. Read on to discover some of the beneficial safety points that give you and your parents that much-needed peace of mind when it’s time to leave high school in the dust.
Statistics show that the frequency and type of crime happening at BGSU are well below the averages we’ve encountered at other schools. That doesn’t mean the school is immune to it all too common offenses cited amongst students like burglary and sexual assault do happen.
However, more severe crimes like murder or assault with a deadly weapon which isn’t uncommon to note at colleges situated within a metropolis are almost nonexistent. We’ve already told you about ten general things students wish they knew before choosing BGSU, and here are some that you’ll be happy to know about beforehand when it comes to your sense of well being.
- The BGSU police department offers 24-hour protection with 25 full time officers that have total authority to enforce state laws, local ordinances and university policies. Students say that their response time is impressive, with it ranging from 60 to 90 seconds.
- Dorms are kept locked down using a computerized system, and strict guidelines are in place for checking people in after dark. In recent years, the university has cracked down on students for propping open doors which leads to theft.
- Don’t want to walk home alone at night? Well, you shouldn’t and you don’t have to! Shuttle services that patrol the campus and select parts of the community aren’t to be discredited, despite not being perceived as the “coolest” way to get around. They might just save your life, or at the very least, your wallet.
- Additional resources, like Crime Connection (a campus hotline for reporting in progress offenses) and counseling services are available to students.
One word strikes fear in the heart of all Ohioans winter. Unlike West Coast counterparts, resident Falcons succumb to the seasonal slump of allergies, colds, flus and other maladies that can make getting up for class seem like an impossible chore.
The appropriately titled Falcon Health Center, which is a brand new facility to the BGSU campus, is where you should head. Students found many annoyances with the old health center, like its inability to accommodate walk-ins and confusing processes. Thankfully, these have all been remedied. FHC is able to treat all minor ailments and injuries that don’t require a visit to the emergency room.
They also offer general radiology services, the ability to draw and lab test blood plus women’s health services. Prescriptions can be obtained either inside or from a convenient drive thru window. Students continue to complain about the money that must be paid upfront during an appointment.
BGSU offers the kind of safe and secure campus where you don’t have to worry too much beyond making choices rooted in common sense (i.e. not walking alone at night or allowing unknown people into restricted buildings like dorms).
The new state-of-the-art health center is enough of a draw by itself not outdated exam rooms and equipment in sight. We can’t recommend this quiet college town enough. So is there a future Falcon in our presence?
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.