<p>My son is an accepted student, trying to make decisions about where he will eventually attend.</p>
<p>One thing that concerns his father and me about Drexel is safety. I know that Drexel itself is in a very safe part of Philly. We also stayed in a part of downtown that was very safe and nice. But I know that there are parts of Philly not so far from Drexel that are very unsafe as well.</p>
<p>Does Drexel do anything about letting students know where it is and is not safe to go off campus?</p>
<p>Also they sent us parents a letter about safety and it all sounds very nice, but I wonder what the student culture really is. For example, they say they offer on-call walking escorts. But would a guy walking back from the library late at night typically take advantage of such a service, or is that thought of as just for girls walking alone?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I am a current undergraduate at Drexel. Please allow me to make you aware of a few things that help keep our students, our faculty, and our campus safe.</p>
<p>Drexel has its own police force.
Positioned on the corner of 31st and Arch st. Drexel’s police force is constantly patrolling the campus for any shifty business. These are NOT public safety officers, they are honest to god, sworn in, police officers and they work hard to protect our campus.</p>
<p>Bicycle mounted Public Safety officers
The public safety officers which are just as numerous as the police force are bicycle mounted and are stationed at corners of the campus all hours of the day and most of the night. I am on the Drexel rowing team and have very early practices (6:00 AM) and have seen these public safety officers standing there in the sweltering heat and the blistering cold.</p>
<p>“Safety stations”
On nearly every block on Drexel’s campus you can find a large blue pole with a light on top. Each pole has two buttons, a black button and a red button. The black button triggers an intercom which goes directly to public safety, they respond and can provide walking escorts to anyone in need of them no questions asked. The red button is for emergencies only. If anyone is ever in any immediate danger they can press this button and police and public safety officers will arrive at the scene in no more than 2 minutes. </p>
<p>Also, as part of your son’s orientation process they will be asked to put the drexel emergency phone number into his phone and on speed dial so he they can always easily access it. </p>
<p>It is true that there are parts of Philadelphia which are not as safe as Drexel Universities campus. In my entire time as a Drexel Student so far I have never once left the campus alone. It is just a fact of the city that everything is more fun to do with a group of three or more (i.e. Phillies games, Pat’s cheese steaks…) Also, many activities during your son’s freshman year will be organized by his RA (residential advisor) and will be attended with the members of his floor in his building. This is to promote companionship with the rest of his freshman class and also to orient him to the city so that in the future he will be able to navigate the city safely. </p>
<p>Best of luck with your decision,
The DreXpert</p>
<p>“Go Dragons”</p>
<p>DreXpert, thanks for your reply.</p>
<p>No problem, </p>
<p>We dragons look out for each other, even if they’re only prospective.</p>
<p>The DreXpert</p>
<p>“Go Dragons”</p>