Proactive Campus Safety
Why Independent Assessment and Credentialed Access Matter
Campus safety should not depend on tragedy to drive reform. Across the country, major universities are strengthening building access controls, expanding credential-based entry systems, and commissioning independent safety assessments — often after serious incidents force change.
SafeD Athens has advocated for these measures proactively for years, including before the tragic death of Laken Riley. As peer institutions implement these best practices, it is important to evaluate how UGA can lead — rather than react.
Lessons from Brown University: Reactive Reform After Tragedy
Following a campus shooting, Brown University announced a comprehensive safety initiative published by the Office of the President¹:
Brown’s actions included:
An independent After-Action Review and comprehensive campus safety assessment¹
Expanded credentialed card-access entry for academic buildings¹
Increased patrol presence and visible security staffing¹
Expanded camera coverage and duress systems¹
Ongoing review of building access privileges¹
These reforms represent a serious institutional response, implemented after tragedy forced evaluation. SafeD Athens believes universities should not wait for a crisis to adopt layered safety strategies that reduce risk.
Peer Universities and Collaborative Insights
SafeD Athens collaborates with community and student led safety advocacy groups at peer institutions to learn from their approaches to proactive campus safety. These include:
UT Austin / SafeHorns: UT Austin uses UT ID cards and mobile credentials to secure residence halls, research facilities, and academic spaces². Through SafeHorns, a student- and community-led advocacy group, we have observed how layered strategies — including controlled access, reporting systems, Block by Block outreach and safety ambassadors — strengthen campus safety. Initial implementation was mandated by the Governor through the Board of Regents and later financed by UT.
UC Berkeley / SafeBears: Campus access policies and layered safety measures are part of UC Berkeley’s broader security infrastructure³. Through SafeBears, a student- and community-led advocacy group, we discuss balancing openness with structured access controls and proactive planning.
Ohio State / Buckeyes for a Safe Ohio State: Following a campus murder, a student- and community-led advocacy group applied pressure with public campaigns such as "college should not be a crime scene" billboards. Ohio State reacted by establishing a Task Force on Community Safety and Well-Being⁷. This led to an independent security assessment for on and off campus to which all 17 measures recommended were adopted. This illustrates how advocacy can drive institutional safety measures, even if initially reactive.
Models for UGA: Lessons from Other Universities
In addition to peer collaborations, SafeD Athens has studied other proactive campus safety systems to model potential improvements for UGA:
USC / SafeZone: The University Park Campus requires a valid USCard for students and staff or a registered QR code for visitors via visitor.usc.edu. The campus is fully fenced with 24/7 staffed access points. Many buildings require a USCard tap for entry, and additional security measures include bag checks and, in some cases, metal detectors⁸. Since September 2021, SafeD Athens has used the USC SafeZone model to propose similar layered access and monitoring measures for UGA.
Credentialed Building Access: Standard Practice at Peer Universities
Across the SEC and major public research universities, credential-based building access is already in place. These institutions balance openness with structured entry systems to reduce vulnerability and strengthen response capacity.
| University | Credentialed Access System | Implementation Notes |
|---|---|---|
| University of Texas at Austin | UT ID / Mobile Credentials | Controlled access to residence halls and academic facilities; scalable mobile integration. |
| University of Alabama | Swipe Card Access | Classroom doors unlock by academic schedule; managed entry outside standard hours. |
| Clemson University | TigerOne ID | Secured academic and research buildings using electronic credential systems. |
| University of Florida | Gator1 Card | Integrated electronic access tied to campus safety infrastructure. |
| University of Kentucky | WildCard (Mobile + Physical ID) | Mobile and physical credential-based access to campus facilities. |
| Georgia Southern University | Eagle Card | Electronic building and room access across campus. |
| Kennesaw State University | Mobile Talon Card | Mobile-based credential access for students and staff. |
| Georgia State University | Electronic Access Systems | Coordinated building access integrated with campus police operations. |
Phased credentialed access does not mean closing campus. It means aligning UGA with established best practices already in place at comparable institutions — proactively, not reactively.
A Wake-Up Call: Unauthorized Access to Classrooms
Recently, content creators were able to enter a UGA academic building during instructional hours and walk directly into a classroom to confront a faculty member — without being stopped or credential-checked.
Regardless of the individuals’ intent, the ease of entry into an active classroom environment should concern everyone. When unauthorized individuals can access instructional space without verification, it sends a broader message: campus buildings are vulnerable.
Open campuses are valuable community assets. But openness should not mean unrestricted, unmonitored access to active learning spaces. Most major universities balance accessibility with structured credential-based entry during certain hours or in certain buildings.
This incident should serve as a wake-up call — not a reason for panic, but a reason for proactive review. Credentialed access systems, layered security, and coordinated monitoring are not about restricting students. They are about preventing unauthorized disruptions and reducing risk before something more serious occurs.
Proactive vs. Reactive Risk Management
Historically, UGA’s leadership expressed that implementing access measures during class hours was not feasible due to its status as a public university. In a January 2022 conversation with SafeD Athens’ co-founder, Dr. Dan Silk(then UGA Police Chief) explained that much in a Safe Zone wouldn’t work, including access measures, since UGA is NOT LA and the campus is too far-reaching. Technology remains cutting edge and credentialed building access is still practical and smart.
SafeD Athens has proactively advocated for multiple layered security measures, including:
Fully integrating campus cameras with the ACCPD Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) to enhance monitoring and rapid incident response
Expanding credentialed building access for students, faculty, and staff within the SafeZone model and increased security technology
Independent, comprehensive third-party campus safety assessments to include providing UGA President and senior admin with a vendor and service estimate, seeking funding through UGA Parent Leadership Council, and informing Chancellor and Georgia Board of Regents
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategies
Enhanced patrol presence and visibility
Investing in infrastructure upgrades and integrated technology systems
Leadership Dawgs (2022) worked on bringing SafeZone to UGA, modeled after USC, which includes secure entry measures, visitor registration, and monitored access. SafeD Athens has continued advocating for these layered access and security strategies as part of a proactive approach — not in response to tragedy. Dr. Dan Silk, now acts in the UGA Associate VP for Public Safety role, opposed the model with Leadership Dawgs and continues to do so. UGA President Morehead's 2024 financial commitment to security/safety after Laken Riley's death included funding for some partial measures within a Safe Zone such as limited fencing infrastructure and small ambassador safety presence on campus. This did not include further access control/barrier measures as solutions.
A Forward-Looking Approach for UGA
UGA has the opportunity to lead in campus safety by:
Commissioning an independent safety and security assessment
Fully integrating UGA campus cameras with ACCPD’s RTCC for real-time monitoring and faster response to incidents
Evaluating phased credentialed access for select academic buildings
Piloting targeted access controls where appropriate
Continuing to invest in visible patrol and infrastructure improvements
The goal is not to restrict campus life, but to reduce vulnerability. Safety reforms are strongest when implemented thoughtfully and proactively — not only in response to tragedy.
SafeD Athens remains committed to working collaboratively with UGA leadership and community/student-led advocacy groups at peer institutions to strengthen safety for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Take Action: Help SafeD Athens continue advocating for proactive campus safety measures at UGA. Sign our petition here to support independent assessments, and other strategies that protect students and the broader community.
For more information on SafeD Athens programs and advocacy initiatives, visit safedathens.org/programs-ideas
Footnotes / Sources
Brown University, Immediate Actions for Safety and Security, Office of the President. https://president.brown.edu/president/immediate-actions-safety-and-security
University of Texas at Austin, UT ID Cards & Access, UT Campus Security. https://www.utexas.edu/safety/ut-id
UC Berkeley, Campus Access and Security Policies, SafeBears Collaboration. https://safety.berkeley.edu
Georgia Southern University, Eagle Card Access. https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/offices/eagle-card/info/key-and-door-access
Kennesaw State University, Mobile Talon Card Access. https://campus.kennesaw.edu/offices-services/door-access/access-information.php
Georgia State University, Electronic Access and Safety. https://safety.gsu.edu/police/our-services
Ohio State University, Task Force on Community Safety and Well-Being. https://ap.osu.edu/community-safety-and-well-being
University of South Carolina, SafeZone & USC University Park Access, SafeD Athens modeling. https://www.safedathens.org/programs-ideas
Clemson University, TigerOne ID Access. https://www.clemson.edu/campus-life/tigerone/about/access-control.html
University of Florida, Electronic Access Control. https://security.businessaffairs.ufl.edu/services/access-control/
University of Kentucky, WildCard Mobile ID. https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/wildcard-mobile-id-continues-ease-access-here-s-what-you-need-know