The University of Wyoming ranks higher in crime rates than both University of Denver and University of Texas at Austin, according to a report released by the Department of Education.
In 2008, there were 41 burglary reports on the University of Wyoming campus, according to the report.
The number decreased in 2009 but then increased to 51 in 2010.
Burglary reports in on-campus student housing also increased. Even with a slight decrease in 2009, the number rose by seven from the 2008 total to 17 in 2010.
The number of violent crimes in student housing facilities also increased within the span of two years, from only one reported forcible sex offense in 2008 to seven in 2010, according to Department of Education.
While UW’s numbers have increased, other school crime statistics have decreased in the past few years.
At the University of Denver, the number of burglaries in student housing facilities dropped from 25 in 2008 to eight in 2010. The number of burglaries on the campus itself also dropped by almost half, from 44 to 23 within a span of two years, according to the Department of Education.
The number of sex crimes reported by the University of Denver was not significantly fewer than the numbers
reported at the University of Wyoming, though the statistics did not increase, but rather stayed the same from 2008 to 2010.
University of Wyoming does have a higher student population than University of Denver. However, a higher student population does not explain the correlation between UW and the University of Texas at Austin, with a student body of over 50,000.
Even with thousands more students, UT had six forcible sex crimes reported in the student living facilities in 2010, compared to seven at UW.
UW also had a higher number of student housing burglary reports in comparison, with UT having only six reports in 2010, according to the Department of Education.
Campus administrators and authorities have the safety of students in mind, according to Vice President of Student Affairs Sara Axelson, who spoke heavily of campus safety at ASUW’s meeting Tuesday night.
Campus administrators cannot be everywhere at once, but there are still precautions students can take to remain safe.
UW has an alert system for students who can sign up to receive text messages during emergencies and the UW Police Department has programs for students to text anonymous tips concerning criminal behavior.
