The past week at Staffordshire University has been all about making sure that you feel safe and secure while you’re on campus.
Here at Staffordshire University Students’ Union, we worked all of last week to keep you aware on how you can develop how safe you are, and also letting you know how much your safety matters to us.
There was a different theme each day last week to make sure that as students you have been thoroughly overloaded with enough information to help you in the future.
On Monday, we concentrated on home security and were handing out UV Markers that you can use to mark your valuables as well as offering advice and business cards with important numbers that you may need in the future.
Wednesday was a little more fun for both the Officers and students, but the meaning behind what we were doing was still incredibly clear.
We provided disorientation goggles and asked you to perform in the childhood staple, a game of Operation.
This was to show how being overly intoxicated, regardless of the substance, can seriously affect your performance in everyday menial tasks, even walking.
Unfortunately, nobody was successful in this game of Operation, and even Vice-President Darren Clarke failed to remove anything that was ailing Cavity Sam.
During Gobble, Darren and Ben Malbon were wandering around with clothes pegs and pegging drinks that were left unattended to raise awareness on how easy someone could potentially spike a drink.
Union Officer Ben Malbon feels that students engaged well throughout the week, telling us he believes it has been a success: “The methods we use change but the message always remains the same.”
“We decided to move the timing of Be Safe Week to make sure we really engaged with students, especially those who are new to the campus.”
“I would have benefitted from this if I were at university between the ages of 18 – 21. Life experience has taught me personally, but in many students’ positions, I would relish learning more about how to be safer.”
During the week, the Union and Officers liaised closely with campus police officer PC Simon Stone, who believes that the right message was put across.
Through Simon, the Union also works closely with Staffordshire Police throughout the year to ensure that the campus is as safe as it can possibly be.
Throughout the rest of the year there will be little reminders to keep students aware and engaged with their own safety as well as their peers.
If you have any questions or concerns about last week, or your safety on campus in general come and see us at the Union Space on College Road.