Safety on college campuses has been a primary interest of ours lately. With more and more media reports chronicling the burglaries, assaults and downright strange crimes that plague school grounds throughout the country, we want to empower our readers to think about just how big of a priority that sense of security is to them when selecting a school. Our recent review of Syracuse, an institution located in the heart of a bustling metropolis, turned up less than favorable results. Temple University calls Philadelphia home. We thought there would be some merit it comparing the two to see if location is to blame, or if a sheer lack of investment in safety is the culprit. The verdict? Both factors contribute highly. Read on to discover why there’s not much to worry about on Temple’s campus, but plenty to fret over off of it.
Roughly 28,000 undergraduates can be found on the urban school’s 115 acres. Many current students say that they do in fact feel safe when going about their daily routines. Former students, however, say this shift came about only recently as administrators started to take note of the crime spilling in from surrounding areas. The first major change was illuminating the campus with ultra bright lights during evening hours. Past reports say the campus used to have a dark, shadow laden feel that lent itself to trouble. Additionally, there are glowing stations placed strategically around campus a norm for many universities now where students can call for help with the push of a button.
One of the drawbacks of being located in a city is having a lack of control over the outlying regions. The school has started to buy up property to help contain some of the crime, and they’ve upped their police presence (many of whom are seen patrolling the grounds via bicycle). In fact, three different police forces are actually patrolling in unison. Generally, students say some street smarts are needed when getting around. This includes not being out alone after dark, avoiding specific areas in the Northern part of the city where crime rates are elevated, and knowing where to find help should you need it.
If you’re interested in Temple University, check out our story on Five Things I Wish I Knew About TU.
Students are alerted to crimes that have been committed with a text messaging service that they sign up for. We examined the most recent log to see what the common transgressions were. Keep in mind that this only accounts for on campus activity, and it is on the outskirts where more serious activity is occurring. Theft appears to be a very large problem, ranging from disappearing bicycles to home break-ins and everything in between (we did see several mentions of stolen cars). Criminal mischief trails not far behind. If you’re the type of person who might feel a sense of general paranoia about this kind of misconduct, then the school might not be your best option.
Despite the updated safety precautions, crime has long been associated with Temple simply because of its location. There are many factors at play that can’t be predicted or controlled. What might an alternative be for you then? Consider a school with a campus more like Gambier, Ohio’s Kenyon. It boasts all the amenities of college life, but less dramatic crime rates thanks to its rural setting.
It’s important to note that no college is without its safety shortcomings. Whether it’s a crime filled location, unruly student body or just lack of investment on the school’s behalf, well being and security starts with the good habits you form as a vigilant student. Temple will suit the city-loving scholar who knows a thing or two about commuting around a sprawling downtown. Sure, you could stay on campus where crime rates are lower. Only you know if that restriction is worth it or not.
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.