October 25, 2024
Campus safety has always been a concern for students and parents when making the big four-year decision, but in the last decade, safety has become one of the biggest deciding factors. With 82% of college students reporting concerns about their personal safety on campus, universities are now under pressure to provide comprehensive safety solutions.
From natural disasters to crime and security threats, institutions are expected to uphold high safety standards. As campus safety becomes an increasingly critical factor in the college selection process, it’s essential for universities to not only prioritize these measures but also effectively communicate them to prospective students and their families.
So, what exactly are students and parents looking for to feel secure, and how can universities address these concerns? In this blog, we’ll explore the key safety strategies that institutions need to implement to meet the expectations of both students and their families.
1. Real-Time Emergency Alerts
What Students Want: Immediate, clear, and accessible communication during emergencies.
Why It Matters: In emergencies, from severe weather to campus lockdowns, students want real-time information. Effective emergency alert systems—such as push notifications, digital signage alerts, and texts—allow students to make informed, life-saving decisions.
What Schools Can Do: Universities must adopt integrated communication systems like digital signage, mass texts, and mobile apps. These systems should offer clear instructions and immediate notifications to students, faculty, and staff safe.
Distributing mass notification across campuses can be challenging. 22Miles’ Technology Alliance partner, Alertus Technologies, offers audible-visual notification solutions to higher education institutions as it reinforces personal communication, like text and email, and alerts a vast community of emergencies or general announcements. Alertus’ unified facility notification system complies with many mass notification codes and mandates applicable to higher education institutions, including the Clery Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
2. Safe Route Navigation
What Students Want: Clear guidance on safe routes, especially after hours.
Why It Matters: Navigating a campus at night or during emergencies can be stressful. Students prioritize ADA-compliant, well-lit walkways, designated safe routes, and access to emergency call stations when making their decision.
What Schools Can Do: Schools should invest in campus-wide mobile wayfinding apps and safe route mapping. This allows students to choose the safest path to their destination. Real-time updates during emergencies also keep students informed of any dangers in the area.
3. 24/7 Campus Security and Accessible Safety Tools
What Students Want: Visible security personnel and easy access to help in case of emergencies.
Why It Matters: Knowing there’s a reliable security presence, both on foot and through surveillance, reassures students. Students look for campuses with 24/7 patrols, controlled building access, and emergency call boxes located strategically across campus.
What Schools Can Do: Universities should promote their on-campus security features. This includes 24-hour patrols, security cameras, and easily accessible emergency call stations or panic buttons.
4. Emergency Drills and Preparedness Plans
What Students Want: Confidence that the school is prepared for any situation.
Why It Matters: Students and parents want to know how prepared the school is for emergencies like fires, severe weather, or safety scenarios. Regular, well-communicated drills ensure students and staff know exactly what to do in a crisis.
What Schools Can Do: Run regular emergency preparedness drills that involve the entire campus community. Ensure that procedures are clearly outlined and that students have easy access to emergency plans, both digitally and physically.
Are you prepared? Use our Emergency Preparedness plan check list to find out.
5. Transparent Crime Reporting and Data
What Students Want: Open access to crime data to evaluate campus safety.
Why It Matters: Transparency about campus crime data is key for many students and parents. By openly reporting incidents and offering resources to address them, schools build trust with prospective students.
What Schools Can Do: Universities should regularly update and publicize their crime statistics, along with the steps they’re taking to improve campus safety. Providing easy access to this data—through the school’s website or safety apps—gives students the reassurance that the school is committed to a secure environment.
Quick Fact: The Clery Act mandates that colleges and universities report campus crime statistics, provide support for victims of violence, and publicly share the policies and procedures they’ve implemented to enhance campus safety. According to the Clery Center’s annual student survey, an overwhelming 97% of college students consider their personal safety when navigating daily campus life.
6. Proactive Campus Safety Programs
What Students Want: Programs that empower them to stay safe.
Why It Matters: Safety doesn’t just rely on infrastructure—students want to be part of the solution. Schools that provide proactive programs like self-defense workshops, campus safety apps, and personal safety education appeal to safety-conscious students.
What Schools Can Do: Offer regular self-defense classes, safety apps that include peer-to-peer safety checks, and educational programs that empower students to take charge of their safety.
How Can Colleges and Universities Meet Campus Safety Expectations?
To truly stand out, universities must go beyond traditional security measures and adopt a multi-layered approach that integrates technology with visible safety features. Schools that focus on both physical well-being and proactive safety strategies create environments where students feel secure and supported.
By embracing transparency, offering proactive safety programs, and utilizing advanced technologies like mobile wayfinding and digital signage, universities can meet the evolving safety demands of students and parents.
22Miles offers a holistic approach to campus safety, seamlessly integrating digital signage, safe routes and emergency notifications into a unified platform. Our solution ensures that, in moments of crisis, clear communication is instantly delivered across multiple channels ensuring everyone on campus is informed and protected. The 22Miles platform is also designed to adapt to your institution’s unique needs, offering real-time updates, customizable alerts, and integration with third-party systems like mass notification services.
To dive deeper into how 22Miles can strengthen your campus security, download our newest eBook, Leveraging Layered Security Solutions for Digital Signage and Wayfinding, and learn how our technology creates a safer, more connected environment.
Choose 22Miles for a trusted, innovative approach to safeguarding your campus with tools that go beyond conventional security measures.
Let’s build a safer future together—contact us today to learn more.
