Student-led task force educates college town about safety

On a campus where friendliness is a staple and smiles are part of the scenery, safety is too often taken for granted. Living in a safe community like Clemson makes it hard to imagine that anything bad could happen. Not here – not in my neighborhood.

That ease of lifestyle was tested last year by the death of Tiffany Souers, a junior civil engineering major who was killed in her off-campus apartment.

In the wake of that May 2006 tragedy, Clemson set about reviewing safety awareness efforts, including the creation of a Safety Task Force under the direction of Junior Tracey Ard.

One year after her tragic death, Souers’ legacy is still working to keep the Task Force focused on keeping safety top-of-mind for the community.

This incident was a reminder that Clemson isn’t in a bubble. “We're not detached from the outside world,” Ard said. “Things can happen making it absolutely necessary that we all take responsibility for our own safety and well-being.”

The Safety Task Force, made up of students, faculty and staff, meets regularly to discuss current issues and ways to educate the campus.

“We've hosted Safety Sessions to inform attendees of ways to identify a bad situation and how to get out of it.  We've discussed incidents on campus and how to correct problems such as poor lighting,” Ard added. “Our goal is to make the Clemson Family aware of what they need to do to take responsibility for their own safety.”

The number one lesson the Task Force teaches is to use common sense in daily routines: lock home and car doors, don’t walk alone at night and stay aware of the surroundings. The group also reminds the community about emergency phones located across campus, an escort service provided by Clemson University Police and the public CAT buses, operated by Clemson Area Transit.
 
Ard recommends calling the police right away if something seems wrong. “They'd rather you call and have it be a false alarm than have something happen and find out that you didn’t want to bother them,” she said.

While safety awareness is constantly on the minds of Clemson leaders, Ard said the anniversary of Souers’ death serves as a reminder to be a little more aware and to take notice of resources around you.  “ There are so many people who care deeply about the Clemson Family and are doing everything they can to keep Clemson the amazing place we all love.”

Ard will graduate in May 2008 with a major in political science and a minor in sociology. She can be reached with safety suggestions at tard@clemson.edu