Campus Insecurity

When we think of college campuses, the idyllic world of quads, halls and libraries come to mind. But sometimes the reality belies the romanticized imagery. Incidents of violence and sexual assault on college campuses are increasing, but many colleges try to hide the incidents that occur on their campuses. Are America's college campuses safe? What dangers do students face on campus? What are colleges doing about this situation? Investigative Reports examines violence and crime on America's campuses.

Campus Insecurity would be useful for classes on American Society and Culture, Criminal Justice, Ethics and Teacher Education. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

OBJECTIVES: Students will examine violence and crime on America's college campuses. They will debate the responsibility of the schools in providing a safe environment and informing the public and prospective students of the crime statistics for their schools.

• advocacy
• allege
• arraignment
• concede
• deposition
• helm
• invalidate
• pertinent
• prestigious
• reputation
• revenue
• rogue

1. According to statistics, crime occurs on almost every college campus. But why does campus crime remain hidden?

2. Why would colleges and universities prefer to keep crime statistics hidden? What do they have to gain or lose by the statistics?

3. Antoin Simpson had a history of sexual assault before coming to the University of Minnesota. Why did he get away with his behavior for so long? Why did the University of Minnesota recruit him for their football team despite his past?

4. College athletics are a source of pride and revenue for many schools. Do athletes get special treatment? Are they held to a different standard than their non-athletic peers? If so, what should be done to remedy this situation?

5. In recent years there has been a more public focus on date rape. What is date rape? How prevalent is it? How can it be prevented?

6. How can women protect themselves against attackers and the refusal of some schools to deal with these assaults? How can schools make their campuses safe for their students, especially women students.

7. The public relations department of the University of Minnesota exercised damage control in the wake of on-campus attacks. What is damage control? What was the aim of the public relations department?

8. Many schools practice a "don't ask, don't tell" policy. What does this mean?

9. Many campus incidents occur during hazing. What is hazing? Why is hazing performed?

10. How did Scott Krueger die? How might his death have been avoided?

11. Jeanne Clery was murdered as she slept in her dorm at Lehigh University. Why was she murdered? How could her death have been avoided?

12. Was Lehigh University responsible for Jeanne Clery's death?

13. What is the Campus Security Act? How did it come about?

1. Research the Internet for statistics on campus crime and compare the college in your state. How do they rank?

2. Create a plan of action for reducing the instances of campus crime.

3. Research the history of "Take Back the Night" rallies. How do these rallies raise awareness about campus crime?

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Air Dates

• August 08, 2003
• October 24, 2003