By Kimiko L. Martinez
Assistant News Editor
Stuff happens. It’s unavoidable.
Crime is a part of everyday life.
While national surveys have shown that violent crimes and property crimes have been steadily declining over the years, a growing sense of security may be opening opportunities for crimes here and abroad.
Just last month, students at Pepperdine’s villa in Florence, Italy, had personal property stolen while absent over break. Some of Pepperdine’s ground-floor apartments have a history of being broken into.
And every so often someone will have a laptop computer stolen from the library or an undergraduate will come back to an unlocked dorm room or apartment to find items missing.
Pepperdine isn’t exempt from its share of crime.
Although the university attempts to provide security for its students, there’s no way to crime-proof a school or villa or apartment building, so students need to make sure their property is protected.
In Dean of International Programs Dr. William Phillips’ response to the Florence thefts in last week’s Graphic, he asserted that Pepperdine “cannot accept the responsibility of absolutely safeguarding the belongings students bring to campus,” both here and abroad.
“It is (the students’) responsibility,” he continued, “not to bring valuables that might be stolen, to safeguard them and to carry insurance for their own possessions.”
And that policy is echoed by Pepperdine administration.
As a general rule, all undergraduate students are required to carry health insurance or enroll in the university’s health plan, which provides coverage overseas as well. And while such a strict policy is not required for personal property, it is highly encouraged.
According to John E. Watson, director of insurance and risk management, it’s ultimately up to students and their parents to be aware of their insurance coverage and what is and is not included in those policies.
Most students, he said, are covered for property losses under their parents’ homeowners or renters insurance.
“If they are a dependent of their parents,” Watson said, “then the student’s property is covered for the same kind of losses that they’d have at home.”
For students who are no longer dependents of their parents, he suggests looking into purchasing renters insurance to safeguard belongings.
While students in Florence expressed frustration over being stuck with the bill when they had personal property stolen, Watson says there are several documents students are exposed to through the catalog, residential life and at New Student Orientation that outline the risks of bringing valuables to campus. The documents also describe the university’s policy regarding liability for student property.
But he admits that most students probably skip over the information or disregard it completely.
“It’s not a high priority to them,” he said.
And it usually isn’t until it’s too late.
“The biggest issues (students face in terms of risk management) are complacency,” Watson said.
And possibly rightfully so.
“My overall impression is that we have very little in the way of problems,” he said, noting that he averages only one student inquiry every three months.
But he doesn’t underplay the seriousness of adequate preparation. Especially when coming to campus or going overseas.
“Students should be in contact with parents,” Watson said, “asking about financial obligations — whether it be medical or loss of property or liability — to find out if (those things are) being addressed.”
Aside from insurance issues, Watson and Phillips have several tips for reducing the risks of theft, and crime in general, while traveling abroad.
While both assure students that the university and the International Programs office itself “constantly monitors information from a number of trusted sources to ensure that we don’t place our students in harm’s way,” Phillips advises students to “go abroad with an open mind, receptive to seeing and doing things differently than at home.”
Both emphasize the need to maintain low profiles as tourists.
“Do not flaunt the fact that you’re are an American, or even a tourist,” Phillips said.
Watson adds that clothing or jewelry that students might take for granted may clash with local customs or when placed in different social or ethnic contexts.
Also, inform yourself before you go. According to Phillips, each student accepted into an International Program is required to attend orientation classes and events in preparation for their overseas experience.
“Our orientation programs are designed to introduce students to the places they are going,” Phillips said. “We focus on the history politics, geography, economy, social structure, etc. of those locations. We also give the students information about safety, travel, getting money while abroad, packing and other practical matters.”
Phillips also emphasizes the need to “remain intelligently alert.”
Like so many have heard from law enforcement and public safety officials over the years, being aware of your surrounding is of paramount importance.
And finally, use common sense.
“If common sense were common…” Watson joked.
But the number of crimes that can be prevented by common sense is no laughing matter. Things like locking doors and not leaving property unattended seem logical enough, but that complacency in Pepperdine’s security sometimes gets the best of people.
Regardless, risk is a part of everyday life.
Whether getting into a car, boarding an airplane or even just getting out of bed, there’s always some kind of risk involved. It’s learning to minimize and manage those risks that’s the hard part.
February 07, 2002