It's because of messages like the one I got today from the SCAD message service. Here goes:

"With the recent change from Daylight Saving Time, it is getting dark much earlier in the evening. Students are reminded to use darkness cues, rather than time of day, as their measure for taking greater steps to ensure their safety. Students are encouraged to take simple safety measures such as:
* Being aware of surroundings (e.g., avoiding talking on a cell phone while walking)
* Always traveling in groups of three or more when walking
* Reporting any suspicious activity immediately
* Using the SCAD transportation system whenever possible
Additionally, if you are approached by an unknown person in a vehicle, immediately move away and do not respond, even if the individual is asking for directions or assistance."

Think about that for a minute. Now, hear my brief dissection of the information given.

Point 1: It's not getting dark earlier. The time value assigned by the government is temporarily shifted. Daylight Savings Time is a terrible idea in the modern world, and should be abolished. That aside, "taking darkness cues" should be a given. "Don't walk down a dark alley at night" shouldn't be advice, it should be common sense.

Point 2: Be aware of your surroundings? Do I even have to cover this one? If you're not aware of your surroundings, you're probably in a coma, or soon to be in a coma because you got hit by a truck due to the fact that you were crossing the street in traffic with your iPod on. I can't fucking stand it when people walk around with their cell phone in one ear and an earbud in the other, totally ignoring the world around them. Sure, music is good, but every second that you're plugged in, you're potentially endangering yourself, and worse, missing out on this wonderful new thing called "outside." You may have heard of it.

Point 3: Always travel in Groups of three. Why? Because three helpless fashion students are more of a challenge to rob, rape, and kill than one? Hell, if I was a mugger, I'd relish the thought of a three-fer.

Point 4: As far as reporting suspicious activity goes, what weight does that carry at an art school? I see people doing illegal drugs DAILY. Hell, I carry a six-inch knife on my person at all times. You might as well arrest everyone, because at some point, everyone looks suspicious.

Point 5: Use the SCAD transit system as much as possible? Are they kidding, or are they just that delusional? For those who do not know, the SCAD bus system comprises a series of rickety, converted gypsy wagons that trundle their way around the greater Savannah area on a schedule known only to the Almighty himself. When questioned about the fact that the posted schedule isn't followed at all, the head of transportation is suddenly replaced with a Rodney Dangerfield impersonator that answers all questions with "wha?" "the hell?" and "nobody told me!" A recent mandatory student survey showed that EIGHTY PERCENT of the student population is dissatisfied with the bus system. Understandably so, because the buses are packed beyond capacity (students standing in the stairwells, sitting five to a seat, sitting in the luggage racks), and are somehow the only feasible method of transit.

Point 6: Last but certainly not least, what exactly is an "unknown person?" Surely everybody is known to someone? And furthermore, the entire closing statement of the above passage is basically the same "stranger danger" bullshit I got in kindergarten re-packaged for use by the institution of higher education.

Honestly, if you want your students to act like adults, treat them as such. Cut the hand-holding, and I'm sure the majority will respond accordingly. And grow the fuck up.