College - Author 1
College of Liberal Arts
Department - Author 1
Communication Studies Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BA in Communication Studies
Date
3-2025
Primary Advisor
Bethany Conway, College of Liberal Arts, Communication Studies Department
Abstract/Summary
Campus safety is a major concern for students and faculty, especially in light of a few recent incidents at Cal Poly. This study explores students’ overall perceptions of safety, thoughts on Cal Poly’s method of communicating with students about crises, and the selection process of Resident Advisors (RA) on campus. Using a mixed methods approach, a survey collected responses from 125 students at Cal Poly, analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data. Analysis showed significant gender differences, with women reporting lower feelings of safety, satisfaction of Cal Poly crisis communication efforts, and overall lower trust in RA’s and Cal Poly’s vetting process. Qualitative data further supported these findings with students emphasizing the need for improved nighttime security, faster crisis notification systems, increased campus security, and a more transparent RA selection process. The results suggest that while generally students feel safe on campus there is room for improvement.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/comssp/273