<p>Thanks for the link, barrons.</p>
<p>It's been a really sad, messed-up day for all of us at the U of C. It's the first time in decades that somebody from the University has been killed.</p>
<p>For more information:</p>
<p>Chicago</a> Maroon » Graduate student murdered</p>
<p>Discussion on our thread:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-chicago/419807-graduate-student-shot.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-chicago/419807-graduate-student-shot.html</a></p>
<p>University of Chicago Maroon editorial:
Chicago</a> Maroon » A safer campus</p>
<p>I'm aware that many parents and students are considering the University of Chicago as a possible school. If you have concerns about safety/security that you would like me (a current student) to elaborate upon, I'd be happy to talk to you via PM.</p>
<p>Such sad news. My condolences to the UofC family. Did this happen off campus on city streets or somewhere right on campus?</p>
<p>On the edge of campus, one-half block from Burton-Judson, a major undergraduate dorm.</p>
<p>and chicago as like my second choice!!!!!! NO!</p>
<p>Is safety at U of Chicago usually a huge issue? I went there a couple weeks ago and it didn't seem that bad. Wow, I had no idea this happened. My condolences to the UofC family as well.</p>
<p>The news said it was near a university apartment on 61st St., which is 2 blocks south of the Midway Plaissance. Most of the academic buildings are north of 59th street. Thats closer to campus than past crimes have been as far as I remember</p>
<p>
[quote]
Is safety at U of Chicago usually a huge issue?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>No, not usually. It seems to be human nature to look at a single act and project a trend, like the people who decided not to apply to Virginia Tech because a lone gunman went on a rampage.</p>
<p>Oh my Friedman, this gun stuff is getting ridiculous</p>
<p>I want an honest opinion on how the neighborhood around UChicago is. I've heard comments ranging from "nice" to "on the fringes" to "horrible".</p>
<p>Other than the location, the school seems to be an ideal fit for me and I'm excited to visit it in spring.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I want an honest opinion on how the neighborhood around UChicago is. I've heard comments ranging from "nice" to "on the fringes" to "horrible".
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Yes, yes, and yes to the three comments you've heard. Hyde Park itself has some of the most expensive real estate in the Chicago area, and on some perimeters, Hyde Park abuts UChicago. Get a few blocks going the opposite direction of those nicer areas, and it gets riskier. The 'fringe' part might refer to the uniqueness of the Hyde Park area, including its tremendous cultural diversity, including restaurants, shopping, entertainment, etc. So it would be possible to visit UChicago and walk away with a very distorted view if you only stay on campus or in the immediate Hyde Park area. But a visit could also be distorted by only driving through the riskier areas to get to UChicago, and not seeing the residential and commercial areas of Hyde Park. You'll find some people who don't consider the risks to be more than they are willing to take in order to attend UChicago, and you have others who would never step on campus because of hearsay.</p>
<p>I hate to oversimplyfy it, but how many major college campuses can you note that have never had a murder, either on campus or within a block or two of its borders? I'll bet very few.</p>
<p>^^ Absolutely. The reason why many people think U of C is in a bad area is because there are areas nearby that are not as nice as you travel away from the lake, most notably Garfield and the area surrounding the Red Line/Dan Ryan Expressway. Hyde Park, Kenwood and environs are actually very nice areas, and no U of C student should need to WALK into Garfield to take the Red Line, as there is a CTA shuttle that frequently makes that trip. Senator Obama would not have chosen Kenwood as his neighborhood if it were as seedy as people think it is.</p>
<p>
[quote]
In the long term, the UCPD plans to permanently double the police presence between midnight and 8 a.m. with the addition of between 12 and 15 new patrol units. Furthermore, the UCPD will open a temporary substation south of campus until the transition to the new headquarters is completed.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Good. All urban campuses seem to have to take these (extra?) measures at one time or another. I know Yale and Penn did.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I want an honest opinion on how the neighborhood around UChicago is. I've heard comments ranging from "nice" to "on the fringes" to "horrible".
[/quote]
</p>
<p>It's really pretty simple. East of the campus and towards the lake, the neighborhood is very upscale. North to at least 50th, and a bit beyond, is also upscale but moves more towards middle class as you move north. I know there's at least one Frank Lloyd Wright house up that way because there's a plaque in the sidewalk pointing it out (and this isn't the one across from the GSB).</p>
<p>West is a park that's doesn't look or feel very safe. You shouldn't go very far south of 60th for the same reason, but that boudary will probably get pushed southwards as the new dormitory becomes occupied. The campus itself is also upscale.</p>
<p>My take on this whole thing is more or less the following:</p>
<p>Violent crimes are exceedingly rare, and it's been decades since a University-related person has been killed. When people do get killed, it's usually outside of the range where students live, and it's mostly gang-related. (It tends to be worse in the summer than during the school year). Those of my friends(not all that many, but some) who have been in an iffy situation have neglected an important oversight... they were usually alone, at night, in a deserted area, and drunk or otherwise distracted. The most common form of crime here is somebody getting mugged, and while that might sound disastrous, those who have been mugged are usually pretty nonchalant about it. The perpetrator comes up to you, wants your money, and flees before you have a chance to identify him (or her). Those of you who already live in cities have probably heard similar things happen, as they do happen everywhere in cities.</p>
<p>It's worth pointing out that the victim also took a safety oversight in walking back by himself very late at night. He is of course not the first person to do this, as people wander around campus at night all the time and are unharmed, but it certainly underscores the need to be vigilant about safety precautions. Had I been walking home that late, I would have called a campus escort or have taken the shuttle. I already do it on a regular basis.</p>
<p>**</p>
<p>You shouldn't let hearsay prevent you from applying or considering Chicago. It should be a part of your final decision, but I would hate for somebody to single out Chicago (or Penn, or Yale, or USC, or another great school) because of hearsay. Students can take preventative measures to stay safe. What students can't do, though, is turn a school that isn't right for them into a school that is.</p>
<p>To me, being aware of my surroundings and not walking by myself in deserted areas in exchange for being at a great school for me in a city that is nothing short of amazing is more than a good trade. It might not be the same for you, but it might be.</p>
<p>**</p>
<p>How safe is Hyde Park? I think looks are deceiving. The street that looks pretty in the daytime could be deserted at night; the shopping center on 55th street that may seem a little bit seedy is crowded with people of all income levels. No need to have a heart attack about being safe, but be aware.</p>
<p>I live in Chi. area--I would not go to school there.
The area is high crime.
You are taking your chances.
I know U of C is a great school, but...</p>
<p>
[quote]
I live in Chi. area--I would not go to school there.
The area is high crime.
You are taking your chances.
I know U of C is a great school, but...
[/quote]
</p>
<p>That's probably because you live in some Wonderbread community on the Northshore or in the Northwestern or Western suburbs. The drive to the UofC off the Dan Ryan takes you through what used to be a war zone and is still pretty seedy, at best. A lot of kids from the burbs blanch with fear if there's a rust spot on the neighbor's BMW.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Wonderbread community
[/quote]
</p>
<p>lol</p>
<p>I agree, though, many Chicago areas have overblown reps for crime. Hyde Park isn't nearly as bad as some make it out to be.</p>
<p>I live in the Chicago area, and I would have been pleased had my daughters chosen to go there.</p>
<p>This past week has been an extraordinary and tragic one for U Chicago that included not only the murder of this graduate student but also the attempted shooting of a university staff member, the robbing of two women outside the University hospital by a man claiming to be armed, and several lesser crimes. Ive read innumerable discussions on these boards about safety at schools like Chicago, Penn, Columbia, Yale and Hopkins. Fundamentally, I believe these schools to not be particularly unsafe - crime statistics generally support this. What must be understood (and is often not discussed) is the compromise people make to keep these crime statistics in check. That compromise involves constant vigilance, especially at night, especially off central campus locations. That compromise involves the need to travel in large groups and make liberal use of safe ride/campus security escort options. That compromise involves, obviously, some loss of spontaneity. These trade-offs ameliorate much of the risk posed by deeply urban college locales. For many, the advantages inherent in an urban schools location more than justify these compromises. All should understsand that these compromises are an essential element of the college experience at these schools.</p>