Down to the Wire - Worried about Memphis

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rhodes College
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<p>My son has eliminated 6 of the 8 schools to which he was accepted -- and is down to two: Rhodes and Trinity University in San Antonio. He has 5 days to decide. </p>

<p>If you had asked his choice 2 days ago, I believe it would have clearly been Rhodes. However, he returned today from Trinity (after an overnight stay) and really felt at ease there. </p>

<p>Nonetheless, Rhodes has consistently ranked higher in its academic rigor, maintains a strong reputation of excellent professor/student relationships and offers a uniquely beautiful setting. Further, its urban location offers excellent internship opportunities (he wants to major in business/economics) that he hasn't seen at other colleges.</p>

<p>But then there's Memphis. After reading some of the other posts on this site, I did a little of my own research today (hoped to make myself feel better). FBI statistics by metropolitan area for 2005 (the most recent available) show violent crimes in Memphis, per 100,000 population was 1,196.8 . . . for Dallas (our hometown), the same figure is 550. In Memphis, that's more than twice as many opportunities to be the victim of violent crime - and we thought Dallas was bad! Yes, I know that the "most dangerous city" statistics are flawed for various reasons - nonetheless, depending on the list, Memphis is either the #2, #6 or #8 most dangerous city in the US -- and you don't end up there absent some rather high numbers!</p>

<p>I've also gotten data from Office of Postsecondary Education regarding Campus Security Statistics -- and here, there is some good news! Rhodes has done an excellent job with campus security! 2006 figures (most recent available) showed one sex offense and one aggravated assault. 2005 wasn't as good (2 sex offenses and 15 burglaries - but no assaults). Conversely, in 2006, Trinity had 2 sex offenses and 50 burglaries (2005 was better with one sex offense and 38 burglaries).</p>

<p>He's almost out of time and this debate has to end. But if he chooses Rhodes, how do I keep a Freshman male on campus at all times (obviously, its not happening!) For those with students already at Rhodes, how have you reconciled the city risk?</p>

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<p>Which areas should we avoid when walking off-campus…?</p>

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<p>My D is about to finish her freshman year at Rhodes. She has had a wonderful year. We think that the urban environment is one of the factors that make Rhodes so special. She has had some great volunteer experiences with a faith-based low income clinic and the organization SOS that is working to transform one of the worst neighborhoods in Memphis (Binghampton). Yes, Memphis has all the problems of a big urban area, but there are great opportunities, too. I think it can be helpful for any student attending school in an urban environment to take a self-defense class, especially one that teaches them how to avoid looking like an easy target and how to be aware of their surroundings. They’ll listen better to someone who isn’t their parent! Good luck with the final decision!</p>

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<p>I can’t imagine a student less city savvy than mine was in 06. She did fine. She volunteers in some of the worst neighborhoods. She buddies up and is not there after dark.</p>

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<p>Is there a Wall-mart or a Wallgreens nearby…I mean walking distance…</p>

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<p>My son, who is just finishing his 1st year, also came down to a choice between Trinity and Rhodes. They were roughly equivalent, financially. He did an overnight at each, liked both of them very much, but said the opposite of the OP’s son in that he felt more comfortable at Rhodes.</p>

<p>I liked Trinity a bit more, because it’s in a larger/more vibrant city (San Antonio), but on the other hand it was quite a bit further from our home (10 hrs vs 4 for Rhodes). And Trinity has an excellent Chinese program. (S is International Studies).</p>

<p>In the end, it was his call, and he just liked Rhodes more. </p>

<p>As I’ve posted before, we were concerned about the neighborhoods, etc. But now that he’s been there a year, and we’ve been there 5-6 times, here is what I conclude:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>campus security is a non-issue. There is no question that on campus, there is nothing to worry about from either other students or from non-students (although as we all know, there will always be exceptions)</p></li>
<li><p>immediately around campus (say within 3-4 blocks), the neighborhoods are nice and heavily populated with students and others connected with Rhodes. In addition, there is the Memphis Zoo and Overton Park, which is green, attractive, and arty (the art museum is there) but it’s going to attract all sorts. No different from, say, University of Cincinnati or about 50 other schools.</p></li>
<li><p>out beyond that, yep, there are some rough areas. But I’ve driven through those areas, attended church in some really shady neighborhoods, gotten gas, stopped to eat, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how gracious everyone is. Southern hospitality seems to pervade most of the culture there – everyone seems to take making visitors feel at ease quite seriously. I’m not saying that there aren’t dangerous young punks running around; they’re there, no question. But neither I nor my son have been in a situation where we have had any interaction with anyone hostile or aggressive.</p></li>
<li><p>We’ve also hung out and stayed downtown several times. Beale Street is awesome, and we’ve been panhandled (once) but that’s as bad as it’s gotten.</p></li>
<li><p>Rhodes facilitates a large amount of interaction between the student body and the broader community. My son, for example, got involved in a program to tutor disadvantaged kids at a local elementary school. It’s considered volunteer work, but he got paid $10/hour. How cool is that? (I assume Trinity is equally committed to serving the community, so this probably doesn’t help.)</p></li>
</ul>

<p>My conclusion? The crime is something to be aware of, and one should exercise the normal care and vigilance when traversing the questionable areas, just like one would in any major city or around airports/bus stops/stadiums/etc where crime is known to proliferate.</p>

<p>But would I allow the crime to affect our decision, if we did it over again? I’d do exactly what the OP is doing, ie. ask a bunch of questions. And then choose the best college based upon faculty quality, curriculum, overall rigor, student body, specific programs (whatever your S is interested in) and of course, how it feels to visit.</p>

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<p>"He’s almost out of time and this debate has to end. But if he chooses Rhodes, how do I keep a Freshman male on campus at all times (obviously, its not happening!) For those with students already at Rhodes, how have you reconciled the city risk? "</p>

<p>Forgot to address this: don’t worry, the curriculum will do that for you. My son has been so busy that he has had very little time to hang out in Memphis. He’s gone out to eat with fraternity brothers, been shopping a few times, and has been to Beale Street (without us) exactly once!</p>

<p>And he does what all the other students do: travels in groups. (Well, this was forced because he didn’t have a car. :wink: )</p>

<p>Rhodes is very attentive to security, not only campus security, but the well-being of students while off campus. Off-campus parties have to be registered with the college, and the college arranges buses to take students back and forth (note that this addresses both crime and DUI issues). There are regular security bulletins that report crime incidents in the surrounding areas (I don’t know the prevalance – I’ve only heard of 1 incident since he’s been there). </p>

<p>There is what I would call a “safety culture” or awareness within the student body – they’ve been educated to take reasonable precautions from day one, and they obviously talk to the newer kids about what to do, where to go (or not to go) etc. </p>

<p>There are 1600+ kids there already, and somehow they’ve learned to get by…</p>

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<p>Krakenjack - the closest Walgreen is at 2471 Jackson Ave, which is about .5 mile from the NE corner of campus. If that. Certainly walkable.</p>

<p>However, the students are quite good about sharing cars. I expect you will have no trouble getting a ride from your dorm-mates that have cars, when they go shopping.</p>

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<p>Thanks CanyonCreek…I’m sure I’ll be able to get a ride… Any idea about Wall-mart or Target etc…???</p>

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<p>This is slightly hijacking the thread, but does anyone know about the area around the University of Memphis? I’ll be there next year working on a graduate degree in Egyptology, and I’m wondering how safety-savvy I need to be. :eek:</p>

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<p>It’s substantially better than Rhodes as it’s in the eastern suburbs vs. Midtown. Not alot of problem beyond those normally associated with large U’s. And the neighborhoods are not nearly so “checkerboarded” i.e. good-bad-good, etc. as they are toward the downtown areas.</p>

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<p>It seems to me that anyone who is seriously very concerned about safety at a school like Rhodes should probably also refrain from international study abroad. I mean, we have heard many stories from friends about their children getting wallets, purses (containing passports) etc. stolen from them on trains and just on the streets in places like Spain, Russia, Italy, etc. Outright muggings and even an assault outside of a bar in one instance (supposedly unprovoked). My research indicates that this school is doing just about the best possible job of trying to ensure the safety of its students - successfully at that. Memphis is certainly not a bubble but its issues should at least be taken in the context of the national and global experiences that one deems germane to the best college experience for herself/himself. In short, I’d argue that those who have strong safety concerns even at a place like Rhodes will need to limit their experiences in all sorts of other ways as well.</p>

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<p>I very much disagree with WhistlePig’s comparison of the Rhodes and Memphis areas. I get campus safety alerts from both institutions, and there is much more crime around University of Memphis. Compare the campus safety reports of the two institutions.</p>

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<p>Hey Whistle Pig,
Don’t you also comment on USNA’s? Just curious, since my son is a youngster there and my daughter will be first year at Rhodes this fall.</p>

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<p>How’s the weather at Memphis.??? especially in August…??</p>

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<p>Memphis weather is usually ten degrees cooler than where I live in Texas…which combined with the humidity means it’s hotter than Hell in August. Spring, Fall, and Winter months are not bad at all.</p>

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<p>2H’s …guaranteed… HOT! HUMID!! :eek: :smiley: It’s dog days in deep South!</p>

<p>Last August/September was there … 34 of 61 days were 105+ and near 100% humidity, which is the real killer. Still, long, nice falls and early, nicer springs make up. Winter’s usually only 30-40 days or so. Crepe myrtles in spring are stunning! But Memphis summers make one wonder how people survived pre-AC. :confused:</p>

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<p>since it rains a lot during the winter, so that means we can’t do any thing except study indoors.??? :frowning: :(</p>

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<p>In August…typically 90+ deg F, 75% humidity.</p>

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<p>Nope. Memphis temps in August can melt you. The rest of their seasons are quite mild. Great for outdoor activities. Rhodes is quite beautiful any time of the year.</p>