A year ago, the Department of Public Safety and Security Services received a new leader, a new name and a new reputation on campus.

Since the car break-ins and instances of sexual assault from last year, DPSSS has increased communication with students and committed to posting safety tips around the campus. By constantly reminding students to be careful about their safety, DPSSS has been teaching students to take their safety into their own hands.

Most students will also admit that DPSSS is more visible around campus. It is almost impossible to traverse the campus without noticing an officer in bright yellow, patrolling the area. By increasing visibility during the past year, DPSSS has proven that it is taking a more proactive approach to campus safety, not reactive.

The officers have become a part of the University community, and students have come to embrace and appreciate the services they contribute to the University.

DPSSS is also taking advantage of technology and new resources to expand its role and services to the University community. Its relocation to the Wool Center will allow for more professional facilities to be added. As a result, the presence of DPSSS on campus will be taken more seriously.

In addition, by purchasing and using new T3 Motion Personal Mobility Vehicles (PMVs), DPSSS has shown that it takes students’ safety seriously and is prepared to take steps to ensure it.

These new steps are expected this year, as DPSSS should improve on their shortcomings and commit to higher expectations from students.

Students will want to be informed of incidents around campus. For example, there was no communication after the DPSSS officer shot at a vehicle on Monday, April 4.

This year, students will expect more transparency and communication from their campus security forces. They will expect to know about occasional mistakes or weaknesses, and how the department is attempting to mitigate them. This type of honesty and communication with the students will increase their faith and trust in campus safety.

Safety and security take precedence to any other commodity for students, and DPSSS has made an outstanding effort in ensuring a relaxed and comfortable environment, where students know that they can and should have a role in their own safety.