Yes read that too. 3 people handcuffed from apartment complex near the woods. I hope one of them is the person. I imagine they wouldn’t post on social media (or any media) if it wasn’t a strong lead.
1 Like
My husband, DD and I just visited campus this past weekend. We drove by the IM fields and lake. I remember telling my daughter that the IM fields seemed pretty isolated and to be careful if she decided to join IM sports. This is all so surreal. UGA apparently also had an armed robbery of a student last Friday evening on Lumpkin Ave near the dorms. Suspect was arrested - a 17 year old with no prior history. This was our first time visiting UGA. While we absolutely loved the school, campus and Athens, my husband and I were really surprised that several not very well-maintained public housing communities were essentially on campus very close to dorms and student life. We also never saw a single police vehicle on campus or in Athens the entire weekend. I guess we expected a bit of a more visible police presence - at least patrolling the campus on occasion. UGA has dismantled their blue light alert system in favor of a mobile phone-based ap. Not sure how I feel about this - seems wrong to take away any measures that increase campus security - even if rarely used. DD has not yet decided where she will attend in the fall. Georgia is still towards the top. We will not discourage her from attending, but these events definitely hit close to home and are a reminder that anything can happen anywhere.
1 Like
UGA is also in my daughter’s top options. I’m so very, very sad about the young woman, Laken Riley, who had her life so ruthlessly stolen. It feels especially poignant that it appears to have been (although it’s early days) one of the classic crimes committed by a stranger with opportunity, when we parents spend so much time worrying about potential student-on-student crime. I just have nothing more to say right now. It is literally very close to home for us.
That will be changing now! I expect a swift response to the outrage. Although frankly if I saw a ton of police cars and cops around, I would question why? I don’t recall seeing policemen on our tours of other schools. But I do think this entire tragedy will result in serious changes. There are sketchy areas of College Park, Columbus, Gainesville, Tallahassee, etc.
UGA cares about its students. It will do what it needs to do to make them safe and to make them feel safe.
And Athens loves its college. Its leaders will do the same.
1 Like
also I asked my daughter who is a freshman there from OOS (Northeast) and she said she and her friends have never felt unsafe on or around campus.
1 Like
We were also there with our daughter this past weekend. And now that you mention it, we never really saw any police presence anywhere either. We loved Athens and the campus and it is definitely in the top 3 for my daughter. I agree it does seem like not well maintained areas right along campus and isolated at the intramural fields and the gym for that matter. Not to mention there was a lot of trash along the river and many homeless in the area. We aren’t discouraging our daughter either because it is definitely a great school. Tough decisions.
Where is the river? the IM fields are usually team sports so most people would be there with their team (I am guessing). Definitely a lot of homeless, but I think that’s at most city campuses, especially warm weather ones.
It is just on the east side of campus. North Oconee River. When you look at a google map it is brown, not blue…lol. I agree, definitely most warmer city campuses have a bigger homeless population. I guess we just didn’t notice it as much at some other colleges.
it seems they have the suspect in custody with good evidence.
the UGA administration sent an email to the students outlining some security and lighting and camera improvements that will be implemented. it sucks that it takes a tragedy to bring about change but it seems like things will be safer in town and on campus moving forward- not that it wasn’t already as safe as anywhere else these days.
by the way, the blue light system at UGA was removed because it had not been used even once in 8 years. but maybe they will bring it back for psychological benefits to the students.
Good to hear. I am so glad they caught this person. I think there will be an uproar since it was an illegal immigrant. that being said, I do agree, this will bring the community together and they will make the campus the safest place they can (not saying it isn’t now) but perhaps a wake up call of sorts.
In case anyone is waiting on an Honors College decision, my daughter had emailed HC to know when they might release decisions as we are planning to attend the March 18th New Dawgs day. They confirmed they will release decisions on March 15th (in conjunction with RD).
2 Likes
Seems like some real concerns with safety in Athens.
2 Likes
I asked my freshman daughter at UGA and she clearly stated she and her friends have never felt unsafe.
the trails in the woods by the intramural fields are pretty far removed from the main part of campus, and probably pretty empty until later in the day when intramural start and people get out of class and go play out there.
UGA and Athens have responded quickly and are investing a lot of money and manpower into quickly ramping up lighting and security to make sure everyone feels safe. this includes bringing back the blue light system everyone seems to want- which was removed because it had not been activated even one time in 8 years.
Athens is a city. It has some grit to it, like most places your kids will go to school. it’s not Beverley Hills or Greenwich, CT. there really wasn’t any college I visited with my daughter (that she would consider going to) where I wasn’t going to be worried about her and where I would want her out and about alone at night. UGA was nowhere near the top of my worry-list.
1 Like
While the recent tragedy should be considered, I do not agree with your broad statement. Perhaps you should read some of the responses to that poster before dropping a one sentence judgement. Have you even visited or truly researched UGA/Athens?
As with any large university, there are unfortunate incidents that are typically non-violent. The last on campus homicide (it pains me to type that) was in 1983. I wish there were not another one since then. I know many parents with current UGA students who while concerned about the loss of life, are overall pleased with the steps the university is taking to protect its students. None regret the decision to send their child there.
2 Likes
Is New Dawgs day for undecided admits? Anyone know how long an admitted student day is at UGA? Presumably more than a simple tour.
Yes I believe new dawgs day is to help admitted students decide. It’s a pretty good day and made my daughter feel really comfortable at IGA.
Full day schedule or close to it?
I think so
Sounds great, but according to someone on this board, there was also an armed robbery. If you think that there aren’t safety concerns, then you may want to reconsider what you define as “safe.”