FROM AWARENESS TO ACTION: STUDENTS' ROLES IN CAMPUS SAFETY

The previous week was a turbulent one for every Queenite; from the excitement in the wee hours of the morning to the reports of the explosion in the evening. We have been reminded of our frailty. The university has created a safe and serene environment. Campus security has made it so theft, murder, sexual abuse, kidnappings and so on, horrible things that have now been made mundane as we see them on the headlines daily, are brought to an absolute minimum on campus grounds. We have come to take for granted the safety and security that being on campus brings. But the truth remains that students also have a responsibility to ensure that their areas are kept safe.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CAMPUS SECURITY AND SECURITY ON CAMPUS 

This University is a closed system that operates self-sufficiently, like the Greek city-states of old. The University has a population to cater for; its workers (the staff), and its dependents (the students). This means it has everything it needs to function on its own; electricity, water, shops and stores, restaurants, road network, intra-campus transportation and most importantly, security. After all, what is a city without its soldiers?

Campus security ensures that the campus is safe and secure for the students and the staff. They also enforce the rules of the school. Students can report security issues like theft or assault. Before securing admission, it is impossible not to have heard of universities where the students and the staff lived in fear of certain gangs and cults. It is impossible to have a conducive learning environment when everyone is saturated with fear. It prevents students from being properly immersed in the academic environment that the school is expected to provide. Halls of residence also situated on campus are also in danger of being attacked. This may lead to injuries and even loss of life. Certain security measures have been put in place by the school management to ensure that students are safe at all times. There are security lights all across campus at night as well as patrols that drive around at night to make sure the school grounds are safe. However, the university is not the only one that is obligated to improve security in the school. 

 THE ROLE STUDENTS PLAY IN SECURITY AND SAFETY

 The responsibility for the safety of the students does not just lie in the hands of the management. In Queen Elizabeth II Hall, several rules have been put in place by the hall that are taken for granted. Like the use of certain electronic appliances, cooking in the room and so on. The rules are not designed to be an inconvenience to anyone but rather to ensure that the residents are safe and they do not engage in acts that put them at risk. 

 Although, there are indeed some protocols that make it difficult for the residents to develop security-conscious habits. At the beginning of the semester, there was a slight deviation that was noticed during registration. Usually, a maximum of four keys and a minimum of two keys are given to each room. In this session, however, a single key was given to each room. To avoid locking a roommate out, Queenites have resorted to keeping their keys in conspicuous places, after all, there are only so many places to hide a key. There was a key box set up by the gate so all residents could keep their keys there. However, more and more Queenites are opting to keep their keys elsewhere, which is unsafe. It is harder for an outsider to tell which key belongs to your room when there are hundreds of keys alongside yours. Most of these laws were instated to keep the residents safe from harm. This does not just apply to college campuses alone. Just last week, an explosion rocked the whole of Ibadan. Investigation conducted after the explosion showed that a miner had illegally stashed explosives in a residential area. This violates all kinds of safety regulations. Lives were lost, many were injured and millions of naira were lost in property damage. The Oyo state government is responsible for the safety of its residents, this is true.

 However, we have our part to play as citizens of Nigeria and residents of Queen Elizabeth II Hall. Follow the rules, they are there to protect us from harm. And it is this protection that allows us to go to sleep at night without fear in our halls of residence. And it is also this protection that allows us to attend classes without apprehension and paranoia. However, although this has been provided by the University, we still have a responsibility to play our part in having a safe and secure environment.