CSUN On Point

Many public institutions such as CSUN continue to be open campus environments, which has raised the question of whether the students and staff are protected enough against threats to their security. California is home to 23 CSU campuses, all of which are open to the public, making these schools potentially more vulnerable to campus safety issues.

New CSUN Chief of Police Gregory Murphy said he is considering the idea of implementing cameras around campus to make it easier to prevent crime.

“I’m looking at bolstering the number of cameras on our campus and in public places, so that we have better eyes on the campus,” Murphy said. “I’m looking at video analytics, to be able to identify anomalies…so that we can be alerted to things…[and can] intervene if something takes place….[Video] also lends itself to the investigative phase, because it provides us with evidence.”

In December 2018, hate-filled messages and threats were found in bathroom stalls on campus; they concerned students, faculty and administration enough that the campus was closed.  In September of this year, more hate-filled messages were discovered, again in a classroom building bathroom. University President Dianne F. Harrison sent a letter reassuring the community that it was safe, and that an investigation was ongoing.

The instances of hate-filled messages on college campuses has greatly increased over the past few months. “This morning, I was in conversation with a forensic psychologist who focuses on campuses around California and the nation, and he further supported the assertion that there is a rise [of these incidents] on college campuses,” Murphy said.

But Murphy said the possibility of being able to arrest the individuals who are writing these messages is very rare. “These investigations are often long lasting,” he said, “because the ability and potential to get suspected individuals, who decide to go into a restroom understanding they are operating in secrecy [is low]….Absent of someone confessing to doing the activity, [the chances of catching them are] very remote.”

Murphy said the intent of these messages is uncertain, however, they should be taken as seriously as possible, in order to prevent further consequences.

Some CSUN students said they fear students are not being notified about many crimes, such as sexual assaults, that take place on campus. But all colleges and universities are required under the Clery Act to keep records of campus crime, and notify the community.

“The heart of the issue is, quite frankly, what is the right thing to do? We want to inform the community with the information that best allows them or provides them the ability to care for their safety,” Murphy said. “Understanding that there is an environment in which, if these actions are ongoing, certainly there is an obligation to let people know that.”

Other members of the CSUN community said they don’t necessarily feel fully prepared to deal with incidents in their educational environment, and are concerned about not knowing what to do if there is an active shooter.

“We have implemented a training program,” Murphy said. “It’s referred to as ASSERT, and it’s Active Shooter Survival Escape and Reaction Training. It’s consistent with run, hide, and fight, but what I really put emphasis on is the fight portion. Quite frankly, [it’s designed] to empower folk to have the will to survive.”

As authorities make their best efforts to implement higher security around campuses, the fact that many universities are open to the public may remain a disadvantage.

“A public state university is a part of the community,” Murphy said. “It is an extension of the community; it’s integrated into the community; and in that sense, there isn’t necessarily an outside to the campus. So that does create a greater challenge to safety and security, because your measures to establish a boundary around the campus are just not there.”

Anchor: Carol Santamaria

Moderator: Yarazeth Tapia

Producer: Zach Ferber

Social Media Editor: Ryder Mcconville

Reporters: Ali Bash, Zach Ferber, Ryder Mcconville, Karen Ruiz, Carol Santamaria and Yarazeth Tapia

Almost one in ten California State University – Northridge students live in student housing.  

Most would agree that a positive experience living on campus is made possible with the support from residential advisors. R.A’s take on many different roles, and spend a significant amount of time getting to know the residents. The list of their responsibilities is long.

“Crisis management; conflict resolution; budgeting for events; financial managing; making sure that you’re building community; putting on programs on your floor; making sure you’re documenting incidents; and information and making sure things are communicated effectively,” said Alwayne Spencer, a former residential advisor at CSUN.

R.A’s at CSUN used to be compensated for their work through a stipend, and with free room and a meal plan, but, as of August 2017, the stipend was taken away. Now, many R.A’s and dorm residents are wondering why R.A’s are not getting paid for what they do.

“Our R.A, Taylor, does so much for us,” said a current CSUN housing resident who asked to remain anonymous. “He’s always there for us when we need him. Sometimes he gets phone calls at 6 a.m, telling him to unlock a door or something from the outside, and [now] he doesn’t even get payment for it.”

In fall 2017 a meeting was held to see how R.A’s can be better taken care of, and some R.A’s asked then if it would be possible to be paid more.

“…[CSUN] housing makes … around 3 to 8 million dollars a month on residents who are paying for housing,” said Spencer. “If we all get a raise, and get paid such and such an amount, it wouldn’t put a dent in housing’s budget.”

But instead of getting a raise, Spencer said residential advisors were informed, via email, that their stipends will be ending altogether.

“The Chancellor’s office sent a memo to HR in June,” said Melissa Giles, CSUN’s Associate Director of Residential Life. “It did ask all CSU housing departments to compensate student residential student leaders, R.A’s, mentors, with only in-kind compensation, [meaning] they removed the R.A classification from the classification standards, rending us unable to use it anymore.”

After the classification was taken away, R.A’s started receiving 200 dining dollars and 14 meals per week. But many R.A’s said that form of compensation was not enough, especially when their R.A stipend had been their only source of income, and they had been given no warning of the change.

“I think we did deserve a stipend, and it wasn’t clear why it was taken away,”  said a current residential advisor, who asked to remain anonymous.

“To me, [taking it away] was quite disrespectful,” Spencer said. “But also [the change] caught everyone by surprise, only because [the stipend system was] what R.A’s initially signed up for.” Spencer said he resigned from his position in protest.

Giles said CSUN had no alternative but to stop paying the R.A.s with a stipend. “By taking away the R.A classification, there was just no way to pay the R.A’s anymore,” she said.

Representatives from other CSU’s, such as San Diego State University and Humboldt State University, said they still paid their residential advisors.

“That is an option: to pay [them as] a student assistant,”Giles said. “[But] we were told in the memo very specifically that we couldn’t pay for R.A responsibilities. I can’t speak for other campuses and what their HR departments have advised, but we go with what our HR tells us.”

Still, many R.A.s and dorm residents said R.A.s are an important part of dorm life.

“We juggle a lot of residents, about 54 students on a floor, the average is probably 33,” Spencer said. “So I feel like we do a lot of work, so I believe that’s worth enough to get paid.”

Moderator: Daniel Martindale

Producer: Jade Davis

Anchor: Sammy Shaktah

Social Media Editor: Kaylee Fagan

Reporters: Jade Davis, Kaylee Fagan, Daniel Martindale, Jiani Navarro, Sammy Shaktah

“I don’t think [private or public] ownership is the factor here,” CSUN Sociology Professor Victor Shaw said. “I think what matters is location and the way the university operates. The location of the University of Southern California happens to sit in the part of the city which is highly problematic.”

CSUN has certain safety programs and measures available throughout campus. Besides the campus police, students may use the Matador Patrol, student escorts available every evening. More than ninety blue emergency lights have been installed all over campus, and the dorms are accessible only to residents with electronic key cards.

“I think our department of police services is particularly concerned with student safety and communicating with students,” Melissa Giles, Associate Director of Residential Life said. “I think the command staff really listens when students have concerns. For such a large campus, CSUN is safe.”

“In the Campus Safety Ad Hoc Committee, that was an issue that was brought up,” Nick Jackson, Associated Students senator said. “We did have talks with Captain Scott VanScoy, and there are spots on campus that are more populated than others. You’ll see more students going around the USU than you would see near Nordhoff Hall. There’s going to be more lighted areas where there’s more traffic. We’re still trying to get more funding for lights.”

While administrators at Cal State Northridge have made efforts to ensure the safety of students and staff, there are still improvements, being sought by the university, among them more and better communication about what already exists.

“We have so many safety measures built around students that will work, if the students choose to let them work or to work with them,” said Tim Trevan, Director of Student Housing and Conference Services.

Moderator: Dana Lites

Producers: Dana Lites and Cynthia Marin

Anchor: Trevor Edwards

Social Media Editor: Marissa Reyes

Reporters: Trevor Edwards, Dana Lites, Cynthia Marin, Noemi Salcedo, Char’Tre Steward and Flor Tolentino