FSU #36 nationally for safest university

Colleges and Universities A-Z Florida State University
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<p>I can't believe that someone actually brought up the "brawl" when talking about FSU's campus safety. That "fight" was between a couple of football players and some fraternity brothers. It was something that's been brewing for a while between the two guilty parties. It was a very random occurrence. During all my years at FSU, I never witnessed a fight anywhere on campus.</p>

<p>Also, I wouldn't use the word "bad" when describing the area around FSU. Tallahassee may not be full of brand new strip malls, but it doesn't make it "bad". It's probably one the safest metro areas in the state. Crime exists everywhere, even in small towns.</p>

<p>Not to change the topic, but if we're talking about feeling unsafe while attending college, look into a little place called Gainesville. UF football players (Ronnie Wilson) have recently been involved in altercations where multiple shots have been fired in public. Also look into the incident where UF football players(D-Web and Co.) were shooting AK-47's into occupied student apartments, just for the fun of it.
And since someone brought up the "brawl' at the FSU union, look into the UF fiasco a few years ago, when Ron Zook gathered the entire UF football team and headed over to the Pi-Kappa-Phi house looking for a good old fashioned melee.</p>

<p>Here are some links for reference:
UF's</a> Wilson Gets Probation In AK-47 Incident </p>

<p>Ex-Gator</a> in middle of a gun inquiry | Gainesville.com | The Gainesville Sun | Gainesville, FL </p>

<p>USATODAY.com</a> - Florida AD pans Zook's frat-house confrontation</p>

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<p>I understand and share your caution Navarre. What I wrote is not biased (which I clearly am towards FSU ;)) but what we have experienced with our girls over a five-year period. </p>

<p>My wife and I are also both Florida State grads and have extensive experience covering decades on and around the main campus in Tallahassee. This is not trivial experience. The secret is to use good sense and for females especially to have cell phones and follow the guidelines given by FSU's accredited police department. (See: fsu.edu</a> | Police Department Website)</p>

<p>From the FSU PD website:

[quote]
The Florida State University Police Department (FSUPD) is committed to providing Florida State University with a safe environment conducive to the goals of education and research. Although reported crime at Florida State is relatively low, it is important for students to remember that we are not immune from criminal activity. Therefore, we share many of the crime and safety issues that exist in any city. In partnership with the community, we work to prevent crime and solve problems that affect students, faculty, and staff. The safety and security of the University is the combined responsibility of the entire Florida State University community.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I would encourage you to visit the university and spend some time walking around to see for yourself. By comparison, I visited Yale recently and we were plainly told not to go west of the hotel. You will not hear this at Florida State.</p>

<p>I have never seen a fight at FSU either. I will plainly say that's a weak reason to use to not feel safe and would urge you to consider other universities if that event is what bothers you.</p>

23

<p>After doing a google search I am finding that Tallahassee does have higher than average violent crime rates. Check cityranking.com and you will see what I mean.</p>

24

<p>We did visit Tallahassee this summer and the campus does have impressive safety features. We also went to see the old capital building which was fine. However, go to Seminole bowling and see if you feel safe. The Dollar General store next door was filled with drunks, bums and thugs.</p>

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<p>Furthermore, the Tallahasse city police department does not impress me either. Do you know of the name Rachel Hoffman? My daughter has never even been in trouble for talking too much in class so she won't ever be in the position Rachel was in, but it does show there is a poorly run police department in Tallahassee.</p>

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<p>Yes that was a terrible situation for Rachel Hoffman who was killed by drug dealers when she was working as a police informant. I am glad your daughter won't be getting herself involved with illegal drugs so that she does not end up desperately trying to get herself out of trouble.</p>

<p>I am just saying that every campus has dangerous situations when students let down their guard or take risks and crime can happen anywhere.</p>

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<p>Sounds as if Rachel Hoffman made several poor choices. Two sides to this unfortunate story.</p>

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<p>navarre1, I suspect you will feel safest sending your daughter to a small LAC. Many are located in smaller towns, or in suburbs of larger cities. Some are practically fenced in with a security gate at the entrance. </p>

<p>To be honest, if you drive around FSU, UF. UMiami, USF and UCF you will find undesirable areas rather close. But to be fair, you will find even scarier areas on the edges of very fine ivy league schools such as UPenn and Yale. I have been there to visit. </p>

<p>If you are not comfortable, than FSU may not be for your daughter. How does your D feel about the campus? Are these your fears or hers?</p>

<p>Not sure where else you are looking. Rollins College and Stetson may make you feel more comfortable. Their size, atmosphere and locations are totally different than a big state U.. Lynn Univeristy sits in the middle of a very affluent neighborhood area of Boca Raton, and would feel very safe. FAU might have a safer feel, altho they have had their share of on-campus incidents. I am mentioning these because I have been to all of them. They may be too far away from your current location. I don't know what LAC's are close to the panhandle.</p>

<p>I sense your fears. But if you look at the sheer size of the big state U's, and the number of "indicents" on their campuses, FSU is a very safe school. </p>

<p>HOWEVER, it is not the football player or other student fights that ought to concern you. It is premeditated crime against a student from a student/nonstudent on or near campus that is what you ought to be worried about. And unfortunately, it has not been a particularly stellar last few weeks on campus. I can not, in good conscience, stay silent. I am not sure if parents posting here know or do not know, but there was an incident on the 4th floor of the Strozier library on the afternoon of Oct 31st involving an woman employee and an assailant that is very disturbing. A week later there were two other incidents, a student walking alone (I believe at night) hit on the head from behind near an on campus parking garage, with the assailant stealing her purse; and two male students threatened near the Union by an aggressive panhandler who frightened them into giving him money before they ran. Student alerts did go out, and I do think that as a result of the incidents, students are making much better decisions about traveling in groups, and not taking chances. And students are not hesitating to report any suspicious persons. And the campus police seems to be on alert. Sorry to be a party pooper. But I was a bit unnerved by the reports. And while I was uneasy about letting D go with a friend to UF for the Halloween weekend, it was a fortuitious weekend to be away. These are the only on campus incidents from all of summer and fall term that I am aware of (except for fighting GF?BF or drunk calls, etc). They just happened to cluster during the same 10 day period. </p>

<p>So navarre1, I may be criticized for posting, but any big state U has its perils. Would I pull my daughter out--no way. Large high schools in south Florida have had worse happen right on campus. This week alone, a 15yo girl brought a gun to school and killed another 14-15 yo girl on campus while school was in session in Ft. Lauderdale. It is sad but true.</p>

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<p>Sunny, For me I have no difficulty with the realities of life on large campuses being discussed as information to help prevent future problems. I have long cautioned my daughters not to walk alone at night, even on campus with a large number of residents living nearby. Tallahassee certainly has its low income areas and one must be prudent.</p>

<p>That said, they walked and still walk around campus at night as we do when visiting.</p>

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<p>I have heard about both incidents. The University Police put up crime bulletins in all halls to alert us of any incidents and to keep us informed. They also sent out e-mails. It's scary to think about, but it could happen anywhere.</p>

31

<p>This might be of some relief to some:</p>

<p>Beginning Monday, November 24, FSU students, faculty and staff will be required to show their FSU cards to enter Strozier Library. Those not carrying IDs will have their status confirmed through Blackboard.</p>

<p>Students from other local and Florida universities will be admitted with ID cards from their institutions. Non-affiliated visitors must sign in and show a government-issued ID.</p>

<p>These changes have been made in response to concerns about personal safety in Strozier Library and the surrounding area. The FSU Libraries are committed to providing a secure learning environment, as well as ensuring that the FSU community has priority access to Strozier Library resources.</p>

<p>In addition to checking IDs, staff now patrol the building continually during all open hours, augmented by increased presence of Public Safety Officers and FSU Police Department patrols.</p>

<p>The decision to require IDs was made in consultation with the FSU administration, FSU Police Department, and the Faculty Senate Library Committee.</p>