Columbus State Safety Resource Fairs; connecting students with available resources

COLUMBUS Ga. (WRBL) — Columbus State University held Safety Resource Fairs aimed at connecting students with the people and programs that help keep them safe.

The event comes less than two weeks after the alleged assault of a student downtown and serves as an important reminder of the resources available.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man accused of assaulting CSU student appears in court for rescheduled hearing.

The University put on two fairs, one at the main campus and another at student housing. Representatives from the Counseling Center, Residence Life, Title IX, University Police, and Dean of Students provided information for students.

“The safety resource fair is an opportunity for administrators and officers on campus to come down and interact with students.” Mark A. Whitesel, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students said. “It’s a good time to refresh them and then remind them about how, we’re a community at Columbus State. We can be a resource for them when they need, something related to safety, because that’s kind of the basis of being successful as a college student.”

Representatives say the University holds safety resource fairs periodically. However, the importance of student safety has been further highlighted as CSU police increase visibility following the recent assault of a student. An incident that renewed concern about downtown safety.

“With any community there can be things that happen that we really need to come together as a community. We need to be connected to resources and each other to support one another” Whitesel said, “Encouraging students, maybe they’re leaving class and it’s dark. So, they want to call our university police for an escort, or reach out to each other, so that we’re not trying to do this alone.”

Students who stopped by say the fair helped them see those resources up close, and how approachable campus officers and counselors can be.

“You come down to Columbus, and you know, it’s not the safest place at times. But I know CSU definitely makes an effort to be one of the safer communities.” Holden Thomas a CSU Sophomore said, “I did CSU counseling last year and, it was really, really amazing.”

Organizers say staying informed and connected is key to feeling secure, and being successful, at CSU.