Creating Safer, Stronger Campuses: Putting Student Well-Being at the Heart of Safety Awareness Month

By: Wimer Alberto

Every September, National Campus Safety Awareness Month provides higher education leaders with an opportunity to reflect and recommit to one of the most fundamental responsibilities: creating an environment where students feel safe, supported, and prepared to thrive. 

According to the Clery Center, National Campus Safety Awareness Month (NCSAM) was unanimously approved by Congress in 2008 to promote public discussion on critical issues in violence prevention on college campuses. 

While physical safety is important, this month we’re highlighting the importance of a multidimensional approach to ensuring the well-being of students, which encompasses mental health, financial protection, and overall student success. 

At GradGuard, we work closely with nearly 700 colleges and universities to help educate and protect students from the financial risks of college life. This fall, institutions have an opportunity to reinforce their commitment to overall student well-being.

Evolving Campus Safety Landscape

Today’s students navigate a unique set of risks. Administrators are addressing: 

Campus Safety: Clery Act Reports reveal that students are vulnerable to more than 22,000 reported robberies and burglaries annually on college campuses.

Mental Health Conditions: The number of students experiencing anxiety and depression is on the rise. In fact, nearly 1 in 3 students considered stopping out of their degree program within the last six months, according to a 2025 Gallup/Lumina study. Almost half mentioned emotional stress as the reason why they considered stopping out.    

Financial Vulnerability - Higher education is one of the largest investments a family will ever make, second to buying a home. Tuition, housing, and fees are often left unprotected, along with a student’s personal property. Unforeseen setbacks, such as a stolen laptop or a serious illness, can derail academic progress, especially if they lead to an unexpected withdrawal.  

Cybersecurity Risks - A growing reliance on technology comes with an increased risk of cyberattacks, phishing scams, and ransomware. 

Community preparedness - Extreme weather, public health concerns, outbreaks, and campus-wide emergencies require coordinated planning and clear communication. 

These evolving challenges require a proactive approach to safety and security, one that involves multiple departments on campus, from risk management, residence life, and student financial services. 

Prevention is Protection

One of the most powerful ways institutions can champion safety is by equipping students and families with tools to anticipate and mitigate risks. This means looking beyond traditional emergency measures and considering resources that help students remain resilient when life’s unexpected challenges arise.

For example, many institutions now integrate programs like the GradGuard Tuition Insurance Program and the GradGuard Renters Insurance Program into their safety strategies, ensuring students can recover quickly from setbacks such as illness, injuries, or if a student’s property is stolen or damaged. These protections not only support student success but also reinforce the institution’s role as a partner in each student’s educational journey. Plus, institutions can save time and money when students have insurance and are protected from what could be a financial setback. The Real Cost of Deferred Maintenance 

Deferred maintenance isn’t just about campus buildings; it’s also about technology. Leaders often focus on immediate budget pressures rather than the long-term cost of waiting. A 50-year-old building with an aging HVAC system presents a clear, quantifiable expense when it fails. But delayed technology upgrades are harder to measure until a security breach, compliance issue, or system failure occurs, and by then the cost is much higher. 

Delaying maintenance costs more in the long run. Institutions that put off digital transformation not only face higher expenses later, but also risk falling behind in security and student expectations. 

Insurance can play a role here as well. Offering renters insurance with liability coverage not only can help students protect their belongings, but also help institutions protect capital investments in buildings. Yolonda Blackshire, Assistant Director for Housing Business Operations at Sacramento State University, shares how the school implemented GradGuard Renters Insurance after a student who did not have renters insurance accidentally set off the sprinkler system that caused water to run down four floors.

Final Thoughts

Safety is foundational to student success. GradGuard aims to complement broader institutional campus safety and student success initiatives by offering institutions robust student protection programs that minimize financial and academic disruptions. Although not every risk or safety threat can be anticipated and prepared for, there are simple steps schools can take to protect their communities during National Campus Safety Awareness Month.