The University of Miami prides itself in providing a “safe, tranquil and suitable learning environment” for its students, but I’m tired of seeing random men in Meta glasses harass me and my friends with questions for their latest TikTok video.
UM sits in the center of the bustling city of Coral Gables, leaving students wondering if current security measures are enough to keep them safe.
Several students have reported dangerous encounters with strangers who are able to freely walk around campus whenever they please, because campus gates are often left open or not strictly guarded. The campus’ main gate on Stanford Drive is often left open even during late hours, meaning anyone is able to enter or leave campus without any verification of their identity.
Enforcing stricter rules at each of the gates would prevent students from being put in dangerous situations. It would also put both parents and students at ease, especially those who may be out-of-state and unfamiliar with the Coral Gables area.
One of these encounters happened last spring when a man was reported exposing himself to a female student on campus. According to a CBS News article, an unidentified male approached a young woman in Shalala Student Center while undressed and began to touch himself inappropriately.
Another instance occurred this semester when a strange, unidentified man walked onto campus and began making taunting jokes about UM’s football team. A verbal altercation then followed when a student approached the man, leading the man to claim he was being attacked and assaulted.
Security assistants monitor the lobbies of Residential Colleges from 10 p.m. until 8 a.m. But, there isn’t exactly anything stopping an intruder from entering campus outside of these hours.
“We maintain a safe and welcoming environment through a strong 24/7 police and security presence, rapid emergency response times averaging three minutes or less, and continuous review of our security protocols,” the University of Miami said in a statement to The Hurricane.
Despite these security protocols, freshman Riley Kai Richards was approached by an unknown person after leaving the Centennial Dining Hall.
“I was walking out from the dining hall and this much older guy came up to me and was clearly intoxicated,” she said. “He kept trying to get me to go in his car and it wasn’t until another student came up to me that he left me alone.”
She reported the incident to UMPD.
Richards told The Hurricane that the UMPD remained in contact with her for about three weeks after, but said that she never received a final update on the man. She stated she has not seen the man, or his vehicle, on campus since.
Cane Cards and guest policies are listed on the University’s Housing and Residential Life website, but it is unclear whether these policies are truly keeping students as safe as possible.
Florida Statute 810.097 states that “any person who does not have legitimate business on the campus” is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree and may be asked to leave the premises.
Many college campuses require students to have a form of identification, such as UM’s Cane Card. But, regulations differ when it comes to allowing the public access to walk around and enter campus.
A complete lockdown would be difficult, considering students have mentioned enjoying the community aspect of UM, and it would take more time, money and energy to have constant guards and gates up at all entry points on campus.
However, stricter guidelines could keep future altercations from occurring, or at least lessen how often they occur.