Fear: A feeling of anxiety caused by the presence or imminence of danger, and, most recently, an emotion displayed by students of UW Madison's southeast residence halls. In light of the assault of a young woman Jan. 26 in Ogg Hall, as well as the alleged attack made on a female by her boyfriend, a UW football player, many would expect a display of concern from UW officials. However, any security measures taken following the recent events have been subtle, if evident at all.
Security modifications to the halls have been few, primarily consisting of posted fliers and memos encouraging student residents to follow the same safety precautions they had previously taken. Reminders to secure doors and windows, keep keys close at hand and be wary of unfamiliar persons were taken lightly, as these same measures had been enforced at the time of the assaults, and showed no promise for the improvement of students' safety. Suggestions were made to post security guards at the entrances of residence halls after they had been locked for the day, or to have only one entrance/exit accessible after daytime hours. While these suggestions may have proved the basis for positive change, neither has been implemented.
A widely publicized decision to install security cameras in the entrances of the residence halls for monitoring purposes has been set for spring, though the priority has been said to have been in place since as early as last summer. The hesitation to actually execute such an obviously well-needed plan makes one question the priorities of security officials who have the authority to carry out such resolutions. It is also important to note that other UW schools require all overnight guests to sign in as they enter, but such a precaution is only taken in Madison if a holiday or special event takes place on campus.
In accordance with this idea, lockdowns of the entrances, where access could only be gained by a student with a key, have only occurred during sporting events or special occasions taking place on campus. This method seems precarious considering the highest concentration of assaults, according to the 2003 Statistical Report of Sexual Assaults, occur when the victim and assailant are acquaintances. In fact, in 2003, nine assaults took place in residence halls, where the majority of victims knew their assailants. For this same reason, a fear exists which encourages many females to leave their cases unreported, as one-eighth of UW females surveyed admitted to having been assaulted.
A sketch of the possible suspect involved in the Ogg assault was released depicting a white male, age 18-22, of average height and medium build. A suspect such as this could easily fit the description of more than half of the males in the southeast residence halls alone, proving the so-called \intruder"" could be closer to home then expected. Such evidence may place the blame within the student body itself, and security measures focusing on this possibility should indeed be implemented in addition to protection from invaders throughout the city.
Campus officials said they have requested student feedback, though many students admit they have not seen evidence of this claim. As Witte resident Tom Priebe said, ""I think there is easy access to dorms. I don't necessarily feel unsafe [as a male], but I see how females could feel unsafe. It's easy for anyone to get in. Not to mention, our campus police system is terrible.""
Katie DiPiazza, also of the southeast residence halls, said, ""After reading about attacks in Sellery and Ogg, the idea of installing security cameras were brought to the table and it has been what ... two months? Nothing has happened."" Quite honestly, nothing has.
The steadily mounting evidence leaves residents hoping for change and questioning the delay of its arrival. It seems there is little left to be done until decision makers become accepting of positive change and start incorporating the same concern for student safety. In the end, these incidents of violence bring us to the realization that we can no longer depend on a higher administration to bring feelings of protection. Instead, we must resort to our own methods of self-assurance and protection if we wish to remain safe.
