When the school year begins it seems like eager kids have invaded the entire campus. Around every corner there’s another flock of students. The underclassman excitement comes with bold behavior and keeps conduct board especially busy for the first few weeks.

Sergeant Pua Utu leads CMU’s campus police and explained how busy the first two weeks have been for them.

“There were kids everywhere,” Utu said. “They were excited to be away from mom and dad.”

Utu said there were a number of fights, marijuana incidents and thefts in addition to alcohol incidents that have been more common in the past. Last weekend, four bicycles were reported stolen.

Most students go off campus, but Utu explained that officers often follow them back onto campus because of their behavior.

Despite the increase of the freshmen class, this semester has been no different than past years, and the craze at CMU doesn’t differ from other campuses. After the first month, incidents are expected to die down.

“It depends on how quickly professors assign homework,” Utu said. “Something that sets this campus apart from others is how tight our school is. Faculty are more aware of what’s happening and actually care about the safety of the students.”

The officers hold safety seminars and CMU staff offers self-defense classes. CMU also has an escort service, blue emergency poles and MavRides, which recently debuted.

Utu stresses to bring a friend when going to a party instead of going solo, and to make sure there is always a designated driver. MavRides aims to prevent drunk driving and can be reached every weekend at (970)248-2222.

Campus has valuable safety resources. Students just have to use them. Utu wants to remind students to “educate yourselves and keep safe this school year.”

lstroman@mavs.coloradomesa.edu