The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, September 15, 1983, Page Page 4, Image 4
Daily Ntbrctksn 1 O ri o w4. f ety de?; G3H els A. . . a noon scucieiaii avyareafcss People 'like to feel secure In their cwn homes. They Lka to know that they sre free from Intrusions, that their privacy b prelected end thai they ere safe from theft cr physical attack. For nine months cf the year, the University of Nebraska campuses are home for thousands of students. Those students bring with them the same need for security and safety they have while they live away from school. But, as isolated and protected as Lincoln is from the mainstream of vio lent crime that pervades larger cities, students must realize that the poten tial for crime on campus and in the city does exist Thi3 semester, a number of mea sures aimed at improving campus security seem to indicate that prob lems do exist at the university and that students should make themselves aware that the possibilities of becom ing a crime victim are real Women are especially vulnerable. Last year, eight caees cf sexual assault five cf them flrst-de.Tce assaults were reported to Ulih Police. His compared to the number cf sexual Swwh3 tli occur in tlis "1 CX-3 But if only one person is Involved and harmed in such an incident, the total is too high. The university is trying to ccps with the problem, . ' . New security measures in Love Library, including surveillance came ras, better lighting in the "stacks," and increased security patrcl3 should make a difference in an area that has been infamous for assaults, indecent expo sure and an overall risk cf dangerous encounters for women using the librar ies, especially late hours. A student watch group, scheduled to begin patrols in October, also will help discourage criminal activity and give campus police an extra set of "eyes" for campus surveillance. The Center for Healthy Lifestyles is presenting self-defense classes to teach women the basis techniques cf thwart ing a physical attack. And the UNL Police Department has added another shift to its campus Eatrcls to boost police presence dur tg hours cf greatest campus activity, from 0 psx to midnight . These measures are to be commend ed. The increased awareness cf cam- . pus groups, Eke Women Against Vio lence Ac ainst Women, that helped push for the Love Library improvements, is a step in the right direction. But more can be done. These plans have begun as a reaction to crimes that already have been committed. A prevention network is needed that will involve a consolidated effort from stu dents, campus police and the univer sity administration. The UNL administration should initi ate an overall assessment cf the cam pus, to discover problem areas and security shortcomings. Prevention steps, such as more frequent patrols or improved lighting, could then be direct ed to those areas to discourage crimi nal activity. ness should become a part cf every suspicious activity shsuld be reported and simple press durcs such as bekir.g residence hall room cr house doors, and locking cars and bikes- chould fceccme automatic. Ar.d women stu dents should be twars thai the pcten- matter how much protection h offered on campus and should take steps to ensure their own se-ety. It is unfortunate tk't we live in a society where we must glance over our shoulder every once in awhile to check on the person walking behind us cr go out cf cur way to avoid a dxk alley. But since not everyone we meet is as friendly and as well-meaning as we would like, we must adopt to the situa tion using awareness and common sense to protect ourselves and ethers. Terry L.Ejktzd n,. -, . ,JS USA : "si?6 Letters Cut hours, not staff Regarding the editorial written by Larry Sparks about library hours (Daily Nebraskan, Sept 12): He cannot be seriously suggesting that a reduc tion of library staff is preferable to closing the library on football Saturdays. Sure, people will be , inconvenienced by closing the library on these days. It is unfortunate but unavoidable. Let's got serious. We are, after all, only talking about six Saturdays cf the semester, of which only five remain. To put peo ple in the unemployment line for this is ludicrous. . Also, would you rather have a library open foot ball Saturdays with poor service, due to staff reduc tions, or better service (not great, due to other budget problems, but better than the previous alternative) at a library which is closed for six Saturdays in one year? We remind you the poor service would extend to all days the library is open, not just Saturdays. We have an idea! The Daily Nebraskan could reduce their staff by eliminating the editor and donating his salary to the library to stay open on football Saturdays. How do you like that, Mr. Sparks? ' Larry Mozer, Scott Stickney' : - library employees Column lacJcs facts Mike Frost's column (Daily Nebraskan, Sept 13) which appeared as a response to Monday's Paul Harvey column showed an incredible lack of knowl . edge of the facts.:,.; :.. ''.- First, he criticized Paul Harvey for his labeling cf the Soviets "different" International Relations, a course in poiicital science offered at this university, spends considerable time showing how, due to past experience of being overrun in wars, the Soviets have developed a near-obsession with having defen sible borders. This is indeed different than the Uni ted States' experience of having relatively friendly neightbors in Canada and Mexico. . ..Second, he labels the United States, different for ' not shoctirg' dr.vn airplanes cf ether countries. I. ' Vil M. W- frill ,UaU i.ArW. islwki lW vA off the coaet cfLllva in i: waters, sr.crt- J r" Vk4- -- . , f my, I believe VZ:h lYcetilces forget too much. ... . ' - .Tldrd, labollr g Paul Harvey cn the same love! with ' ( amyf 'n W 1 r Oi l : mm - " "" ' fan ii l " ' "i i iil 17 V 1 ) J v y i . t.. m . .