<p>Hi my daughter will be going to UT in the fall and staying at the Castilian on San Antonio Street. We visited and I was not impressed by the security standards and safety of the surrounding streets and neighborhoods. Do any of you have experience at the Castilian, know any trouble or crimes involving UT students in that area, or have any advice on how to get around safely at the Castilian and UT, particularly at night? I would greatly appreciate your replies, thank you.</p>
<p>The Castillian has a reputation for not being the most secure dorm. I cannot tell you much other than that seeing as I’ve never stayed there, but that’s what I’ve heard several people say. However, I haven’t heard of any major security breeches there that would alarm you. I live on campus, and I feel quite secure. At Kinsolving, I had to swipe my ID card to access the area where the dorm rooms are, and past a certain time I must swipe my ID card to get past the front desk.</p>
<p>Every once in a while you’ll hear about a student waking up to find a stranger in their dorm room, but that happens only because the student and their roommate neglected to lock their door. I feel quite safe walking around campus late at night – there are those police call lights/poles scattered about everywhere and ample lighting. You can even call the campus police and ask them to escort you somewhere if needed. There is even an buddy system of sorts that does the same thing if I remember correctly, but I never felt the need to utilize such services. Most campus crimes involve theft (from an item being left unsecured/neglected) and not assault, so I advise your daughter to secure all her personal belongings and keep an eye out for them when she is in a public space (library, dining hall, study lounge, etc.).</p>
<p>If she stays smart and alert, your daughter should be fine. I hope she enjoys her time at UT, and I hope I didn’t scare you! I really do feel quite safe on campus.</p>
<p>The Castillian isn’t the safest dorm in the world, but it should be fine if she remembers to lock her door after returning home. FYI the security officer at the front desk likes to take naps and watch TV while on the job -__-</p>
<p>West Campus in general isn’t that bad, but she should be careful at night. After around 10pm, she should walk home with friends or utilize the other options stated by the above poster. Watch out for those hobos on the drag. One of my friends got grabbed by one, but luckily there were other people nearby.</p>
<p>If you are concerned about the safety of the Castillian, may I ask why you choose it? Is housing with UT completly out of the question? Dobie does not seem to have the safety issues that Castillian has, (I am stickly speaking on reputation here, I have no personal experience with either…just the good word of the parents and students on CC) have you considered that as an alternative? With a daughter, Scottish Rite Dormitory (this dorm I do know aobut) and Hardin House are both on wait list status, but may be worth a shot, both are known for great security. Housing needs consistantly change and a space could open up. </p>
<p>As for the surrounding streets along the strip, she simply needs to learn street smart skills just like any other urban university.</p>
<p>On an opposite note, is your daughter considering going through rush?</p>
<p>I lived at the Castilian this summer and I signed again to live there next year. My mom also was concerned with the drag rats prior to me moving in. Im from a small town where these vagrants were definitely not an issue. Turns out the drag rats are harmless. They may ask you for change when walking to class, but thats about it. I politely say sorry and continue on my way to class. Truth of the matter is theyre all up and down the drag and anywhere you live in West Campus you will have to walk past them or through the alleys where they will be. I think the church down the street feeds them which is probably part of the problem. As far as safety at the Castilian goes…it is true your guest dont have to go through a million check in stations and leave their ID with anyone to come visit you like at other places. After midnight the 4 main elevators in the building only service the resident floors. Anyone who enters the building must take a special elevator to the 11th floor to be able to access the main elevators to get up to the resident rooms. There is a police officer or employee all day and night watching the elevators. Its common sense not to take the alley ways at night. I never do. The Castilian faces Guadalupe and San Antonio Street which are both heavily populated street with pedestrians walking to and from class and are well-lit at night. UT also offers the SureWalk program where volunteers are able to walk you home after 9 PM. The Austin PD is very aware of the Drag Rat issue and I always see them patrolling the West Campus area.</p>
<p>Yeah the cops are good about staking out on that bizness. I see the parked in the Mellow Mushroom quite a lot which is near the Castillian. </p>
<p>It’s not something to worry too much over.</p>