College campuses may be safer than most cities in the United States.
That's the finding of the U.S. Department of Education, which issued its first report on campus crime Tuesday.
During 1994, the overall rate of violent crime on college campuses was 65 incidents per 100,000 students as opposed to 716 per 100,000 students for the nation, the report states. The University reported 56 violent crimes in 1994.
Department of Public Safety Captain James Smiley, who heads the detective bureau, said the report's findings are not surprising because increased crime reporting on college campuses means students are more aware.
"I would think people who are in the age range 18-25 are more in tune with societal problems," Smiley said. "If they see things going on that are suspicious, they aren't afraid to report them. They also may be more careful because they are away from home."
The report found that during 1994, out of 100,000 students, one was murdered, nine were sexually assaulted and 257 were victims of burglary or vehicle theft. Also, 21 robberies and 35 aggravated assaults per 100,000 students were reported that year.
The figures are lower than Justice Department statistics for the nation as a whole.
The findings for the Department of Education report were originally due in 1995. Terry Hartle of the American Council on Education, a trade association for 1,700 colleges and universities, said it is not unusual for reports to be delivered after their expected dates.
"The Department of Education often misses deadlines in issuing reports. Sometimes deadlines are set unrealistically by Congress," Hartle said.
LSA senior Jessica Denbow said she doesn't believe the University has done enough in the fight against crime.
"I think the University should take time to warn students about the dangers of campus (from) strangers but their friends too," Denbow said.
"When students come to this school I think they have a false sense of safety. Fifty six violent crimes is still a lot in my opinion," Denbow added. "I don't think I should feel safe because my chances are slim that I'll be assaulted. It could still happen to me. It doesn't make me feel safer or those 56 victims."
LSA sophomore Frank Thompson said he was concerned about the amount of time it takes for reports to be made public.
"I think the students should be able to know of any type of crime that happens on campus immediately to prevent them from happening again," Thompson said. "It seems to me that student government should make this a top priority to ensure the safety of the students."
Smiley said larceny is the most frequent crime on the University's campus.
"A big problem on campus especially for freshmen is larceny," Smiley said. "A lot of students consider campus like their house and aren't on guard for thefts.
"The first week of school many students have things stolen because they leave their doors unlocked, but the students adjust and are much more prepared for the following year," he said. "It's the biggest problem on campus because it's the easiest crime to commit."
The recent federal survey was required under the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act, passed in 1990 after years of lobbying by the parents of Jeanne Cleary, a student at Lehigh University who was both raped and murdered in 1986.
Stan Dinnius, director of Public Safety at Ferris State University, said the act makes crime information more accessible at public universities.
"It requires all campuses receiving federal money to report crime in the same way, making it easier for the public to understand and compare," Dinius said.