Witt speaks on campus safety

Campus safety, the University's policy against discrimination and tuition increases were only a few of the issues addressed Wednesday night when the Eta Chi chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity hosted the "Straight to the Top" forum as an opportunity for students to ask campus-related questions to top UA faculty members.

Students asked questions to President Robert Witt, who was a member of a panel of seven others.

The University's discrimination policy was addressed multiple times during the forum. Witt was asked if the University is comfortable not listing specific protection of sexual orientation in its policy.

Witt said he thinks the policy is all-inclusive as is.

"I believe that the policies and procedures of this university fully protect all rights of members of [the UA] community," Witt said. He said any incidents of discrimination in the past have been dealt with swiftly and aggressively and will continue to be handled the same way.

Arinze Ifekauche, a member of Eta Chi and a senior majoring in public relations, asked if the University plans to curb the trend of increasing tuition.

Witt said the University is doing everything it can to control the costs that it can control. He said it is important to view paying tuition as a lifetime investment rather than a cost.

"[A college education] is one the most important investments [students] will make in their lifetime," Witt said.

Witt said part of the reason tuition has seen an increase is renovations being made around campus, in particularly Graves Hall, where the forum was held.

The safety of female students on campus, particularly after five reported incidents of an intruder, one involving sexual assault, was also discussed.

Witt said some of the steps taken to ensure student safety include having police officers going door to door to remind students to lock their doors and windows. He said campus police have been involved as well, and through Provost Judy Bonner, information has been published as to how to stay safer on campus.

The future of the Strip was another topic brought up. Witt said as a part of student safety, he feels bars did not need to be open past a certain hour. Witt also said the University values the Strip, and it is an integral part of the Capstone's history and environment.

SGA President R.B. Walker, who served on the panel, said the University should continue to hope for a better Strip.

Other issues addressed were financial aid, scholarships, renovations of ten Hoor Hall and demographics.

After the forum, Ifekauche said he felt campus safety is still an issue that needs to be addressed further, but was pleased with many of the responses he heard from Witt and faculty members.

Phillips Thomas, the moderator of the forum and a junior majoring in international studies, said she felt the forum was successful and students took full advantage of asking questions to top faculty.

"I was truly impressed with how candid and polite and respectful the questions and answers were," she said. "I was honored to be apart of it."

Other panel members were Pam Parker, associate vice president of development; Lynda Gilbert, vice president for Financial Affairs; Mark Nelson, interim vice president for Student Affairs; Wendell Hudson, assistant athletic director; Samory Pruitt, vice president for Community Affairs; and Joe Benson, interim vice president of research.

For those who were not able to attend and ask questions, Walker said he encouraged students to speak to any of the administrators present by contacting them directly. Those interested can find the administrators' contacts in the campus telephone directory as well as in the faculty and staff directory online at www.ua.edu.