Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: Opinion

Opinion Columnist: Wardah Khalid

Media Credit: Gracie Arenas [Click to enlarge]

When I was in elementary and middle school and actually had the time to spend every afternoon playing with my neighbors, my mother would always repeat the same sentence to me before I stepped out the back door, "Be home before dark." According to her, my safety was more important than any game I was in the middle of at dusk. Once I began to drive, I was able to stay out later, but she would still tell me to make sure I was never alone and always aware of my surroundings.

Now that I am in college, I am the one responsible for my safety and I ensure it by following her advice. Unfortunately, not everyone does. Some have had to learn the lesson the hard way. Almost every Campus Crime Alert sent out in 2007 by the University Police Department, UPD, details an incident that occurred between the hours of 9 p.m. and 4 a.m., which is well past sunset. Many of the alerts are tragically similar: a female student walks alone on campus late at night and gets attacked or assaulted by an unknown male.

One would think that a female who read these alerts would take personal safety seriously by avoiding similar situations. This means limiting or eliminating the time spent alone outside after dark. She would also be aware of her surroundings at all times.

Why, then, are these incidentsoccurring? Despite the horror stories on our own campus, why do people not understand that going out alone at night is dangerous? Some might blame the campus and say it is not safe enough. This is not a matter of whether our campus is safe or not - it is a personal safety matter. Bad things can happen no matter how safe an environment is. At Texas A&M, there is no excuse for a female to venture out alone late in the evening because of the many options available to protect her.

The Corps of Cadets Guard Room provides a free, 24-hour escort service that will send a Corps member to meet a student and walk them to any on-campus location, according to the UPD website. The location could be a parking lot, residence hall or campus building. The number for the Corps Escorts is on the back of every student's ID card. In addition to the Corps escorts, there is a late evening bus service that runs on weekdays and several blue light phones on campus that students can use if they need assistance.

Using common sense is probably the best option. If you put an end to going out alone after dark, you drastically cut your chances of becoming the next victim on or off campus. Personal safety is the responsibility of each individual and it is crucial that students, especially females, recognize and act upon that. Turns out that mother does know best.

- Wardah Khalid is a senior accounting major.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools