Campus Security: Timely or dated?

LEXIE THAYER
GRAPHIC DESIGNER

JAMIE DIEDRICH
LAYOUT EDITOR

11/3/2025

This article was fueled, to a degree, by a recent assault that occurred on campus. I would like to express my opinion that privacy should be afforded to everyone involved in the recent campus incident. My opinions go to campus security and the email issued after the incident, and not the incident itself.   

Having said that, in my opinion, the reaction from Alma College, specifically on the side of Campus Security and the ‘timely warning’ sent out by Student Affairs, was strange and in poor taste.   

Firstly, the usage of the term ‘timely warning.’ When I went to Lansing Community College, they had a system where any suspect situation required a warning sent out via text to the students within the hour. It was usually used for weapons on campus.  

In the case of the recent incident, getting an email several hours later, when our campus security is an ongoing concern. For something that would affect so many people, the lateness of the email is baffling. There were probably students out at that hour since it was still quite early. To look back now and know that people were in more immediate danger for that long scares me.   

The second part of this email, the physical description, also wasn’t handled well. Male, white and a lack of age tells us nothing. His height stands out, so that’s worth noting. The clothing and identifiers include no characteristics that are entirely unique on this campus. I’m not upset at the identifiers given to security; I’m insulted that the students of Alma College got them in an email in the first place.   

The tips brought this email into a harmful territory because of how obvious so many of them are. “Trusting your instincts,” “staying alert and aware,” were the suggestions, but people can be doing those things and still fall victim.  

The email suggests avoiding walking alone after dark when possible, as if we don’t actively do that now. Many students have shifts on campus that range well into ‘after dark’. We all automatically keep our phones with us, which was also a suggestion.   

The blue lights on campus are wireless devices used to gain assistance during moments of crisis. They’re solar powered, wireless and could be used for dangerous circumstances, medical emergencies and other circumstances that require a call to emergency first responders; they work 24/7.  

There’s a blue light between Brazell and Carey halls, one between Dow and Hogan, one behind Carey and Bonbright halls, and one in the corner near the Softball Field. There’s a map on the Alma College website. 

The institution sent out an email that was vague and riddled with common knowledge, and it fueled speculation. I know they may have felt obligated to send something out, but if it isn’t sooner, it isn’t protecting us from enough danger. This fueled speculation amongst students out of concern.   

Many students are unaware of Blackboard Connect as well. We’re supposed to have an immediate alert system, but this isn’t used well. It has a section on the page for Campus Safety on our website, but that is vague as well.   

I get that since the investigation was ongoing, they wanted to gain extra details by sending out an email. However, the title ‘timely’ is a bad start, if the point was to lessen the risk of attack, and it should have been, it wasn’t timely.   

Since the incident, campus security can be seen around campus more often these days. I’ve personally seen them in the library and near Clack. Word of advice, common sense or not, remember that if you see something, say something.