Plans for the Future

Fact Sheet on New CU-Boulder Safety Initiatives - Fall 2009

  • In the fall of 2008, members of the University of Colorado Student Union (UCSU) formed the Safety Initiatives Coalition, a monthly meeting of representatives from safety-oriented organizations and departments on campus and in the city of Boulder. The goal is to increase efficiency and communication between groups and to better coordinate projects and responses.
  • With input from the Safety Initiatives Coalition, UCSU developed and administered a safety survey in order to gather the necessary information to facilitate the design and implementation of strategies for increasing campus and communitywide safety. UCSU analyzed and took action on the results, and has subsequently revised, tested and prepared the survey for annual distribution.
  • The CU-Boulder Police Department has begun the hiring of six additional police officers. The expansion of personnel will allow for the department to implement a platoon strategy, which will serve to enhance community policing roles, increase training of officers and expand officers’ abilities to interact with the community. TIMELINE: Present - 2011
  • Facilities Management instituted a new Preventative Maintenance program that ensures exterior lighting is properly maintained by issuing the electrician automatic work requests for rotating zones throughout campus. TIMELINE: Present-Fall 2009
  • CUPD and UCSU are looking at possible campus safe-transportation pilot programs that will provide on-campus transportation throughout the night to students, faculty and staff. Direct communication and coordination between drivers and police will increase security presence and patrol capabilities throughout campus. The availability of on-campus transportation also will decrease demands on CU Night Ride, allowing the program to focus its efforts off-campus. TIMELINE: Spring 2010.
  • In order to address concerns about late-night parking options, Parking and Transportation Services is reviewing options for parking near Norlin Library to accommodate the library’s new hours. Possibilities include a late-night parking permit for nearby lots, extending the hours of the Euclid Avenue Autopark and providing short-term after-hours parking along Colorado Avenue.
  • The Bystander Intervention program was kicked off during New Student Orientation 2009. The new presentation encourages students to take responsibility for the safety of their peer group and teaches them the skills necessary to intervene in certain situations before they escalate.  TIMELINE: Summer 2009-Ongoing
  • University Communications redeveloped the CU Safety Web site (www.colorado.edu/safety) to make safety information, resources, and services more available and accessible to members of the campus community. Environmental Health and Safety also has created a brand new Web site (www.colorado.edu/ehs). It is a comprehensive resource for safety relating to hazardous and emergency situations, campus closures and other events that impact the environmental health and safety of the CU community.
  • Off-Campus Student Services, in conjunction with UCSU, funded the creation of campus and off-campus lighting and late-night transportation maps as a safety aid for members of the CU community. TIMELINE: Fall 2009
  • UCSU recently approved the funding for a sixth vehicle to be added to the CU NightRide program. This additional vehicle allows for an increase in rider capacity for the student-run safe transportation program.
  • Facilities Management has reinstituted the Eyes and Ears Program, in all Facilities Management employees are available as an emergency communication resource by radioing for help and will stay close by until help arrives. Some employees have volunteered to undergo optional First Aid and CPR training to be able to provide additional assistance at their own discretion. TIMELINE: Fall 2009-Ongoing
  • Facilities Management has elected to revegetate the 22nd Street trail due to the expense and difficulty of properly maintaining it. Funding also has been set aside to renovate the 19th Street trail to make it safer and more accommodating pathway from the CU-Boulder campus to the Boulder Creek Path. TIMELINE: Summer 2010
  • Facilities Management and Parking and Transportation Services are collaborating on a plan to address safety concerns related to dense tree growth and poor visibility by lot 396. Possible actions include a wrought-iron fence or removing about 10 linear feet of trees and brush from the edge of the lot. TIMELINE: Fall 2009

 

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