By Chiara Bondi – Junior Copy Editor

Students at Bishop’s understand the importance of having fun and receiving an excellent education, but most of all, they deserve to feel safe while doing so. The student safety team pursues this mission by ensuring that students are safe both on and off campus. This extremely important program seeks to bring Bishop’s students the best experience possible while they participate in events or nightlife, because they have a team of dedicated students they can turn to during times of need. I sat down with Jaclyn Dykstra, the Student Safety manager, to discuss how she and her staff work diligently to foster an environment of safety for all students. 

As the manager, Dykstra acts as the representative for Student Safety while actively collaborating with management, security and the university to advocate on behalf of students. Dykstra describes student safety as “a three-pronged program”. 

The first prong of this program is first aid. If you are hurt, Student Safety is there to help patch you up. If you, or someone you know, is dealing with an over-consumption of alcohol or drugs, Dykstra and her team are trained to ensure you are safe and cared for. Each member of Student Safety carries a naloxone kit with them in the case of an opioid overdose. Furthermore, if a student is dealing with a mental health crisis, student safety can provide students with a safe place and the care that they require. 

The second prong of this program is patrol, which takes place on and off campus. The team’s work is essential on weekends, when students go out to various parties, the Gait or the Lion. They look out for students who require care or need someone to talk to. They also work to de-escalate situations that may be potentially dangerous for students. 

The third prong of the program, which Dykstra believes is the most important, is Safe-Haven. Although not used often, Safe-Haven, located under the Gait, provides a secure place for students to rest if they need a break from the commotion of the Gait or require medical attention. Safe-Haven even provides snacks and a place for students to sleep should they require that. This is an excellent resource for students to be aware of, as they can even take a friend here if they are unable to care for the friend. To enter Safe-Haven, there is a doorbell outside of the locked door, and either Dykstra or one of her employees will be there to ensure you are safe and taken care of. 

Student Safety works from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Student Safety also provides a safe way for students to get home from class, a party or the bar. Students can call (819)-822-9711 to reach campus security, who will send student safety employees to the caller’s location, happy to walk them home or to their next location. Dykstra and her employees are also students – who provide confidential services – so students can feel comfortable talking to them or asking them for help. 

The diligent work that Student Safety does can go unnoticed, but they are essential to promoting a safe environment on the Bishop’s campus and in the “purple bubble”. They deal with difficult situations and sometimes may risk their safety to ensure that students are safe and cared for at any given time. Dykstra is very proud of her team and how the team has grown and evolved to meet the changing needs of the student body. 

The Safe Gaiter app is an excellent tool for students to have on their phones. This app provides a direct line to campus security, first-aid resources, maps, a “friend walk” program and other valuable resources for students.