Dickinson State University students say they are working on more than their study habits this semester.
The recent murder of a Valley City State University student and the conviction of Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. for the murder of a University of North Dakota student have led DSU students to work on improving their safety habits as well.
"I don't know if makes me feel less safe; it just makes feel more observant and watching out for other people," student Tyler Kuhn said. "I'm not freaked out, but I'm not overlooking the fact that it could happen."
Kuhn has a little more concern for his fellow female students, as his sisters were UND students at the time Dru Sjodin was murdered.
"I keep in better communication with them, and make sure they feel safe, and know they can call someone," Kuhn said.
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DSU's female population tended to agree that communication was the best way to keep safe.
"It definitely makes me more aware," Becky Bronson said. "I make sure to call my roommate and tell her what's going on."
Bronson also carries protection.
"I have a whistle," Bronson said. "I do carry the whistle and my cell phone, and if I feel something is amiss I try to call my roommate and talk to her."
While few other students mentioned carrying whistles or mace or other items for protection, most females said they traveled in pairs.
"We stay together in groups," said student Crystal Eneas, who walks with other friends who, like her, are from the Bahamas.
If that isn't an option, most female students said they would tell a friend where they are headed.
"I try not to go to places that are not well lit, and tell people where I'm going," student Ashley O'Connor said. "I think that you have to be more aware and take more precautions."
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Sophomore students Laura Frank and Jessica Bercier said no matter the time of day, they travel with friends.
"I walk with someone, and when it's dark, I listen to my mom's rule of putting my keys through my fingers," Bercier said.
Although Bercier and Frank were not familiar with all that the campus does to ensure their safety, they said they felt safe on campus.
Other students said they felt safe because of the security guards who patrol campus in the evening hours.
Prepared not scared
On a campus that is almost 60 percent female, DSU students expressed raised concern, but not outright fear.
"I consider Dickinson to be a safe place," Eneas said. "It's a change from where I'm used to, but it's good to be aware of things around you, just not underestimate any situation."
Bronson agreed, saying that North Dakota is not becoming New York City.
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On the other hand, Frank said she does not feel less safe in Dickinson but she might if she were at a larger school in the state.
Student Bradley Auch agreed he didn't think DSU was less safe but said he has concerns for his girlfriend at UND.
"It's one of those things where I tell her 'Don't walk at night alone,'" Auch said.
He also said since this type of violence is less common in North Dakota, people here take note of it faster.
Most students said overall they didn't feel North Dakota was getting less safe. However, student Holly Gullickson, Halliday, said it is a sign of a growing population.
"When there are more people you have those problems coming," Gullickson said.
She said as someone from a small town she is not used to thinking of all the precautions that may be necessary.
"It's a little scary hearing more and more," Gullickson said.
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Although Gullickson said she tries to stay out of situations that would put her in a predicament, she acknowledged the different circumstances regarding the murder of Mindy Morgenstern at Valley City.
"It was (allegedly) a person in her apartment building, and the (alleged murderer) is a jailer," Gullickson said. "It's hard; you can't trust everyone."
