The Drury Mirror

Issue date: 10/17/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Sarah Partridge Many students as well as some faculty feel as though class sizes are larger this semester even though enrollment has increased by only 25 students; the smallest increase in the last four years.

Drury nestles itself in what many call a "bubble", an area protected from outside sources of discomfort and harm.

But is the campus truly safe?

Several Drury students I spoke to feel relatively safe on our campus, citing factors such as the small number of students and staff and the subsequent recognition of many Drury community members.

In the past year, from Oct. 1, 2004 to Oct. 10, 2005, 112 major crimes have taken place in the block surrounding Drury's campus, formed by Division, Summit, Central, and Jefferson.

These major crimes include assault, burglary, child abuse, disturbances, drugs, motor vehicle accidents, robbery, stealing, and vandalism.

Sophomore Mary Ahrens, a native of Mountain Home, Ark. and frequent Springfield visitor, lives in Summit Park and walks only to places on campus, like academic buildings and College Park, but does not frequently take neighboring city streets. Ahrens said, "I feel pretty safe on campus, but when you veer away from campus a few blocks, that's a little unnerving."

Drury security also has a lot to do with the level of security many students feel. Security services such as the escort service that allows students to call security at extension 7400 and request that a security officer walk him or her back to their respective residence or parking lot. Ahrens said, "The security escort service is nice to have if I'm working late on a project in the Pool Art Center or somewhere far away from my apartment. It's nice to have that option."

Drury security's latest service may also prove to increase safety levels in students. Drury security has teamed up with Yellow Cab to offer the Cab Connection service.

This service allows Drury students to call Yellow Cab from downtown and request a cab back to Drury's campus. Yellow Cab will not make the student pay at that moment, but rather will take the student's name and ID number, send the bill to Drury security, who will then place the fee on your personal student account.

Continued...

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