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News of the assaults resonated on ±«Óătvâs campus. A sign reading âStop Tailgatersâ is posted prominently in Shirreff Hall, one of the universityâs largest traditional residences. The posters refer to the opportunistic people who slide through a door just before it closes, usually on the heels of a resident who has access.
Itâs part of an education program that aims to make students more vigilant and less accommodating.
âWeâll be reinforcing safety once again with our regular floor meetings in all the residences. Itâs education and awareness â donât be complacent about security,â says Heather Sutherland, Director of Housing, Conferences and Ancillary Services.
In addition to the new âStop Tailgatersâ campaign, a variety of security measures are in place for ±«Óătvâs residences.
âWe really strive to get to know the students who live in the residences,â says Bruce Caddell, Manager of Ancillary Systems. âThatâs absolutely key, having the personal relationships.â
One of the best security measures is also one of the least âhigh techâ â creating a supportive community of familiar faces. âDonât take anything for granted. Look after each other, look after your buddy,â says Ms. Sutherland.
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On busy evenings, two commissionaires are routinely on duty in the buildings. âWe have our major buildings staffed 24 hours a day. Even in the smaller residences, thereâs an overnight shift and RAs regularly do tours,â says Ms. Sutherland.
In addition, there are useful technologies that come into play, including surveillance cameras and a pass card system. When a DalCard is swiped, a commissionaire is able to call up a database that compares a photo of the residence student with the individual using the card. This prevents the misuse of lost cards, or cards that are loaned.
In fact, security challenges are monitored year-round with a view to making improvements. The Residential Security Committee meets on an ongoing basis to identify issues, with the intention of finding technological and operational solutions. âWeâre doing everything we can to be proactive in this way,â says Mr. Caddell.
âIâve just arrived on campus but so far, I feel safe,â says Manal Latif, a first-year student who lives in Shirreff Hall.
Students say...
 | âI live off campus, but I feel safe here. Iâm at the library late at night, sometimes ... of course, you always think about things that could happen in the back of your mind, but I donât feel thereâs anything to be scared of here.â â first-year student Sarah Khalife |
 | âYou figure nothing is going to happen to you, but you always wonder. The other night, I walked from SMU to the Dal campus at one in the morning. I feel safe living in residence for sure. I live in Newcombe. Nothingâs ever going to happen to you in Newcombe.â â first-year student Emilie Labrie |
 | âI came here from Carleton, and what happened there freaked me out. There are several things that are put in place on ±«Óătv campus that are good, like the police presence and the walk-home service. Safety at night can be a worry, so you always take extra precautions, but in general, I feel safe.â â PhD student Julie Crabb |
 | âI know that Gerrard Hall is locked down 24/7, which is good. I know itâs not just in the night that creepy people can come around. Iâve heard good things about security staff on campus being great at keeping any creepy people out. I think the Tiger Patrol is also a great idea, although Iâve never used it personally. Security can be an issue for guys as well as girls â one of my friends just got mugged downtown by a bunch of teenagers. Itâs easy to see how something like that can happen when youâre outnumbered.â â second-year student Mason Connell |