Even with budget cuts looming, students’ peace of mind should not be put on the chopping block. 
It is vital that the University starts to budget in favor of the students’ safety. Implementing better safety measures will also attract more students to the University and make parents feel more comfortable. Campus safety is not something that can be looked over. 
 The University currently has campus transit, a late night free service to transport students to dorms and nearby off campus venues. There is also campus police, who are available to students if they call. Also, LSU emergency text messages notify students when there is suspicious activity or crimes that happen on or near campus.
These programs are a start, but there’s much room for improvement.
Lighting around campus needs a serious upgrade. There are many dark areas, making walking home from a night class is scarier than it should be. More lighting could deter predators and give students less anxiety. 
Blue Light Emergency phones and call boxes can help the late class issue. These emergency phones are seen around other college campuses, and I am shocked the University doesn’t already have them. Parents would love this, knowing that their student has an emergency contact if their phone is dead.  
These phones should especially be placed on the outer areas of the University because many students walk to off-campus apartment complexes. I am sure the city wouldn’t mind to have these near its sidewalks.
 A text messaging service to campus police could do wonders. If we were able to text police that we are in danger and send our location, an officer could get to us right away. Being able to notify a police officer quickly and accurately could more efficiently stop a predator and give a higher likelihood of him/her being detained.  
Classes can go as late at 10:30 in the evening. Walking alone is scary, especially for the women on campus. While we can’t do away with night classes, the University could construct better ways for students to contact help if they feel like they are in danger. And as students, we should be proactive in keeping ourselves safe. Arranging with a peer to park in the same lot creates a buddy system, and makes the late night walk safer.  
Something as simple as creating time during orientation to make sure students save campus police and transit phone numbers would be beneficial. A lot of times we have the “It will never happen to me” state of mind and not feel the need to save these numbers. Reiterating how important it is could save a life.
We are a public walking campus and anyone can come in, but students should always have the opportunity to come and go in a safe way. We must be proactive in letting the University know the campus safety measures we have now aren’t the best we can do. Students are and should be the number one priority on this campus, and the University needs to utilize funds to keep them safe.
Ari’yana Gibson is a 21-year-old English secondary education senior from Slidell, Louisiana. She can be reached at @gibstionary.