Panhellenic Association works to keep women safe

With the issue of safety on many people's minds at the University, the Alabama Panhellenic Association is working with the University of Alabama Police Department and the SGA to keep UA women safe, said Panhellenic President Julia James.

On Sept. 25, members of the SGA joined the UA department of transportation and Alabama Power Company officials on a lighting tour for the campus area.

Prior to the tour, greek women were asked to write down places on campus they felt were too dark or were unsafe and to turn the information in to their sorority presidents.

The cited problem areas, among others, were looked at on the tour and resulted in multiple changes in lighting around campus.

Lights have been added or upgraded at 21 locations, and 11 locations either had repairs made or tree limbs cut back for better visibility.

In addition to fixing lighting around campus, James said the Panhellenic Association suggested to greek women at the beginning of the semester to not display signs on their houses or cars that showed their greek affiliation.

"We have heard of various incidents around campus at houses with letters on them," James said. "We feel the letters may be a target to predators."

James said it is obvious to a predator that girls are the ones most likely to be living in a house with a sign on it that says "We love the Tide."

"Only girls would write on their windows," she said. "It's just a precaution we're suggesting."

James said she realizes that taking letters off houses is not a foolproof method to discouraging predators.

"Of course, if [predators] are watching houses, they'll be able to figure out if girls live there," she said.

To promote safety among greek women, James said many sororities have had UAPD officers come to houses to give general safety precautions.

In September, a UA student was raped near 13th Street. TPD officials are still investigating the case, but Capt. Loyd Baker with the Tuscaloosa Metro Homicide Unit said in September that they thought the case was related to a series of break-ins in the area.

One sorority held an event to promote sexual assault awareness and to raise money for a national organization.

The UA chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma held a party at the bar 4th and 23rd on Sept. 27 to raise money for the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.

"[RAINN] helps promote awareness for sexual assault on college campuses," said Amelie Inge, a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma who helped with the fundraiser.

Inge said all the sororities on campus chipped in to help with the party, which raised around $7,000 for RAINN.

Inge said she ordered cards with information on how to prevent sexual assault and what to do if you or someone you know is assaulted. The cards were passed out at the party.

Sororities are also increasing security on game days to keep UA women safe.

"We asked all the sororities on game days to have a sign-in sheet and name tags because the houses are open," James said.

James said the Panhellenic Association and the SGA have talked about suggesting to the administration a one-hour self-defense course as part of the UA curriculum.

Also James said the SGA Crimson Watch program is looking to create a neighborhood watch-style initiative, with stickers available to place on doors signaling the area is being watched by neighbors and local police.

James said Panhellenic encourages women to go to the Crimson Watch meetings to get to know the officers in their particular area.

James said the most important thing women can do to keep themselves and others safe is to just be aware.

"Sometimes we feel so safe in our 'college bubble,' but we need to just watch out for each other," she said.