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Glass Buildings

Campus Safety & Infrastructure

1. Transportation Safety and Infrastructure

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The safety of students is of utmost priority at the university, especially since we are located at the heart of Minneapolis where there is an increased rate of crime in comparison to several of our neighboring cities. While we have certain systems in place such as increased security cameras, increased blue lights, and the launch of the RAVE Guardian app, close to three-quarters of students on campus have expressed concerns about safety, whether that’s on the light rail, interacting with UMPD, or just simply not having access to methods of self-protection. In addition to transportation safety, the university also needs to implement infrastructure that focuses on police accountability on campus. Therefore, the university needs to increase funding towards more campus safety and infrastructure initiatives, and we plan to collaborate with Parking & Transportation Services and administration in order to:

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  • Offer subsidized semester parking rates for students.

  • Continue working with the Transportation Information Research Council to implement expanded lighting near the RecWell center, on West Bank, in Stadium Village, and in Dinkytown

  • Advocate for the expansion of Campus Zone Pass such that it includes U.S. Bank Stadium & Prospect Park Stations

  • Collaborate with Metro Transit & University Offices to develop a Universal U-Pass

  • Collaborate with Parking & Transportation Services to extend the hours of University buses

  • Collaborate with Boynton to increase staffing and extended the hours of operation for Gopher Chauffeur

  • Launch a Light Rail Safety campaign that outlines methods that students can utilize to keep themselves safe while waiting for or on the light rail

  • Draft a proposal to expand the Gopher Tunnel system to connect East Bank Superblock to the Mall to ensure that students are staying warm during Minnesota's winters

  • Work internally with the university bookstore and externally with Walgreens and CVS to stock safety items such as alarms and pepper spray to ensure student safety

  • Place improved signs within the east bank's complicated tunnels to help students better navigate the space.

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2. Police Accountability

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Community safety and public safety are deeply intertwined. For too long, we have been repeatedly exposed to racial trauma due to systemic racism and police brutality. Brutality that resulted in the senseless murder of Philando Castile, Isak Aden, George Floyd, Daunte Wright, Amir Locke, and countless other Black and Brown bodies. We need to be directly involved in the re-imagination and determination of the future of policing on campus to ensure that ALL community stakeholders feel that they are and will be equitably treated and policed. Community engagement needs to be present and our voices need to be heard in order to truly foster an inclusive and safe community with trust and transparency as its foundation. Dr. Cedric Alexander’s Report as well as the MSAFE plan that was passed by the Board of Regents addresses these issues and details the upholding of these “pillars” as we re-evaluate the presence of UMPD and heal from the injustice that have occurred within our community. To accomplish this, we strive to:

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  • Support the implementation of the recommendations found in Dr. Cedric Alexander’s report, which includes strengthening trust and legitimacy, embracing procedural justice, differentiating and realigning policing responsibilities, engaging the UMN campus community in UMPD training, measuring outcomes and impacts that matter to all, and engaging in community accountability and transparency, among others.”

  • Host town halls with Chief Clark to familiarize students with police force

  • Provide a platform for UMN student groups that are working on policing issues independently

  • Involve student perspectives in UMPD HR policies and standards (training modules for onboarding of new hires)

    • ​Provide mental health training for UMPD so that they are equipped to handle mental health crises on campus

  • Collaborate with students, UMN administration, UMPD, and MPD to create and disseminate materials detailing when it is appropriate to call police versus when to call mental health providers

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