Sexual assaults at UW-Madison increased in 2010 compared to 2009, while burglaries and alcohol violations decreased, according to a recent report.
The 2010 UW-Madison Campus Crime Statistics report details crime statistics over the last three years occurring on campus and in certain university owned off-campus buildings.
Dean of Students Lori Berquam said the findings bring both concern and hope.
According to Berquam, sexual assault is the biggest problem on campus with the 13 sexual offenses reported last year, an increase from 11 reported in 2009.
""Sexual assault is a problem on every college campus across the United States and it's one that I worry about,"" she said.
Berquam said a large concern is crimes that go unreported, such as some sexual assaults, because the victims feel ashamed.
The most significant change from 2009 was the number of liquor law violations, which dropped from 2,738 to 1,107 in 2010.
According to Berquam, the drop did not occur from behavioral changes, but because minor alcohol violations in resident's halls are no longer recorded in the university's database.
Berquam said she believes a new program that places students in intervention sessions following an alcohol violation will further decrease the number of violations next year.
Additionally, the report showed a decrease in burglary from 83 reported in 2009 to 57 reported in 2010.
Recently, campus area alders have cautioned using the Southwest Bike Path, which runs through campus neighborhoods and by the Smith Residence Hall, after local police cited an uptake in crime citywide.
After a number of robberies on the path, Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, cautioned in September against using it.
""Although convenient for folks to get around,"" Verveer said, ""these days people shouldn't be using the bike path alone after dark.""
According to Berquam, the bike path's location makes it easy for muggers to attack their victims and make a quick getaway.
Berquam said she's very proud of the campus's student organizations for encouraging people to make safe choices, such as walking in a well-lit area with a small group.
Still, she said students on campus sometimes underestimate how dangerous the campus is in comparison with their hometowns.
""Living in an urban community means that you might do things differently than you would have done at home,"" she said.
