Understanding College Students' Perceptions of Campus Safety: A Qualitative Study Based on their Lived Experiences

• In Event: Poster Session 2

Abstract

Abstract
Purpose: Despite the ongoing issue of mass shootings and violence on educational campuses, our understanding of students’ feelings, experiences, and attitudes towards safety remains limited. The current study aims to minimize this gap by qualitatively exploring students’ perceptions of campus safety through their lived or everyday experiences of feeling (un)safe on campus. Methods: In-depth semi structured interviews were conducted with a sample of students (N = 40) to capture the meanings, sensations, and ideas pertaining to safety. Main findings: Findings indicate that students’ feelings of (un)safety depend on several factors such as (a) the presence and visibility of campus police patrol, (b) the availability of blue light phones, and (c) access control. Participants also provided suggestions for making the campus a safer place such as offering safety-related training and education within the classroom setting and distributing emails for more information and increased awareness regarding safety. Conclusion: Overall, this research contributes to improving our understanding of students’ perceptions and aiding university policy makers in helping them cater more towards the needs of college students on campus.

Authors

• Michelle Penagos, California State University, Northridge

• Jimin Pyo, California State University, Northridge