Editorial - Students: Take action to increase safety

Campus safety is not an issue to be taken lightly in Morgantown. Violence can happen anywhere, and anyone can fall victim to it.

Monday marked the two year anniversary of the vicious attack on former West Virginia University student Ryan Diviney, who has remained in a coma since the incident.

On Nov. 7, 2009, Diviney was beaten in the Willey Street Dairy Mart parking lot by two individuals during an altercation that was allegedly started because of a debate about the World Series.

Diviney's attack could have happened to anyone; he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

WVU students must take precautions for safety. Eliminate any aspect that makes you an easy target.

For one, it is not a good idea to travel alone at night. In the event of an attack, you become an easy target when there is no one around to call for help. If you must walk the streets alone, make sure to stay in well-lit areas and have a cell phone in case of an emergency.

Think before posting anything online.

Don't advertise your whereabouts to the public. Posting on Facebook that you and your roommates are out of the apartment for an extended period of time lets possible intruders know that your residence is vacant.

If you are involved in a confrontation with a stranger on the street, be the better person and walk away.

Fighting will only lead to more problems. Someone may be seriously injured and even arrested.

Be careful consuming alcohol. Your judgment will be impaired, and your decisions may not be the smartest. You may feel invincible, but life-changing experiences can happen in the blink of an eye.

Have a plan for the evening. Before you leave your residence, make sure friends know where you will be and a designated driver is available. If that fails, make sure money is set aside in case you must call a cab.

Have fun while out in Morgantown, but remember that safety should always be a main priority.