This semester, as students returned to campus residence halls, they were met with a significant change to the security measures. Unlike previous years with security officers present twenty-four hours a day, officers are now only on site at residence halls beginning at four o’clock in the afternoon.
Students are confident that Neumann remains a safe campus, while recognizing the possible concerns.
Vice president for administration Bruce Cairnduff explained the change in security measures in campus residence halls, saying, “Every year during the summer we examine all of our large vendor contracts based on what services we expect to need for the following academic year. Part of this process involves moving resources from some activities or services to others based on anticipated needs.”
He added: “We will continue to monitor all of the services we provide and amend them as needed – as part of this ongoing assessment. We value any input from student government or individual students directly.”
Students can also find reassurance in fact that Neumann is one of the safest campuses in the Greater Philadelphia area.
For the past several years, the university has remained in the lowest percentile regarding crime on campus.
According to the 2022-2023 Annual Security and Fire Safety report in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act, there was little crime to report. In 2022, there were only four recorded offenses that occurred on campus or in the residence halls. The in-depth report can be read in full on Neumann’s webpage under campus safety.
As a student who has experienced both constant and the now decreased security measures in the residence halls, sophomore Tyler Hipsher shared, “I feel fine with the current security measures, Neumann is a very safe campus.”
Glen Riddle resident Catie Sands agreed that Neumann is overall safe campus but also noted her concerns about the decreased security hours, “We should have officers here twenty-four seven, and as someone who’s had to deal with trauma related to a person threatening to come to my school, I don’t like the idea of someone being able to just walk in the building.”
Sands also mentioned that she would like to see additional emergency blue light boxes installed around campus.
Despite this change in residence hall security, most resident students continue to feel safe on campus.
Campus Safety encourages students to come forward with any input or safety concerns around campus.
