University of Georgia Takes Steps to Enhance Campus Safety
In a continuous effort to prioritize the safety of its students, faculty, and staff, the University of Georgia (UGA) has announced several additional measures to strengthen campus security. These new measures, costing over $7.3 million, demonstrate UGA’s commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for its community.
President Jere W. Morehead emphasized the university’s dedication to safety, stating, “The protection of our students, faculty, and staff at the University of Georgia is always top of mind for me and our senior administration.” Morehead further expressed that they are constantly evaluating their safety programs and are open to recommendations from campus law enforcement officials.
One of the key measures includes a permanent 20% increase in the UGA Police Department budget. This increase aims to recruit and retain the best officers through competitive pay and the addition of more campus safety personnel. By investing in their police department, UGA ensures a strong security presence on campus.
Additionally, UGA plans to enhance its security infrastructure by installing more security cameras and upgrading lighting across campus. The university will also implement license plate readers and combine security camera-blue light call box systems in strategic locations. These measures will further bolster UGA’s ability to monitor and respond to potential security threats.
To improve transportation safety for students, UGA is extending its RideSmart program. This initiative provides a 50% discount on Lyft rides for UGA students and will now operate from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., extending its coverage by four hours each day.
This recent announcement adds to the $16 million already invested in campus security measures during the past eight years. In total, UGA has now dedicated over $23 million to safety and security enhancements. These investments reflect UGA’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the well-being of its community.
UGA Chief of Police Jeff Clark expressed his appreciation for the additional funds, stating, “Every day, the officers and supporting staff of the UGA Police Department devote themselves to protecting the campus community.” Clark believes that these resources will have a measurable impact on the department’s safety efforts, supporting their dedicated team.
The additional security personnel will focus on areas where students typically gather and study at night. Locations such as the Miller Learning Center, UGA Libraries, Tate Student Center, and Ramsey Student Center will receive enhanced security presence. Moreover, UGA Libraries will have augmented security personnel to ensure round-the-clock safety in all library facilities.
To improve visibility and safety, UGA plans to upgrade lighting, particularly near residence halls with high foot traffic. The university will also convert nearly 400 lights to LED technology, providing brighter lighting at night. Furthermore, UGA’s comprehensive network of security cameras will expand, and license plate readers will be strategically installed throughout the campus.
UGA will also introduce blue light call box systems combined with cameras in select areas across campus. These multi-functional call box systems incorporate security cameras and additional lighting. By strategically placing them in areas identified as ideal for camera coverage and enhanced lighting, UGA aims to create a safer environment.
To further emphasize the university’s commitment to safety, new perimeter fencing will be erected in several areas. In addition, signage will be mounted across campus to inform everyone that robust security camera coverage protects the entire campus.
Funding for these security investments will come from state resources and private contributions from various internal and external partners. The UGA Parents Leadership Council, UGA Foundation, President’s Venture Fund, and Georgia Athletic Association are among the contributors.
Over the past eight years, UGA has significantly increased its focus on public safety. The university has hired more police personnel, established an extensive security camera network, enhanced lighting, introduced a nightly rideshare program, and developed the widely used UGA Safe app.
The UGA Safe app offers several features to ensure the safety of its users. It includes a Mobile Bluelight feature that immediately contacts the UGA Police and shares the user’s real-time location. The Friend Walk feature allows students to share their location with selected friends, providing an added layer of security. Additionally, the Chat with Police feature enables students to report concerns directly to the UGA Police Department. Parents of UGA students can also sign up for the UGA Safe app, allowing them to stay connected and informed.
UGA’s ongoing commitment to campus safety reflects its dedication to providing a secure learning environment for its students. With these additional measures in place, UGA continues to prioritize the well-being of its community and ensure a safe campus for all.
