Bard College - Safety & Security

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Few students can claim that Bard’s campus is, by any measure, unsafe. Because of the College’s rural location, there exists little outside threat from roaming street gangs or inner-city thugs. Aside from small amounts of theft and some graffiti created by the art students, few crimes occur on campus. The notorious "Bard Borrow," a tradition of spontaneous bike thefts, in which unlocked bikes are taken for joy rides or to avoid tardiness and then dashed in another location, is irritating more than anything else. What threats that do exist—hormonally-charged Red Hook teenagers and the occasional town drunk—are reprimanded accordingly by Bard’s competent and dependable safety and security team. Hence, most school years pass without major incident. Students walk the campus at night feeling safe and well-protected, house parties rage without violence or disorderliness, and students live with one another in general harmony.

As most students will tell you, the members of Bard’s campus security are friendly, polite professionals who have the students’ best interests in mind. They are willing to escort students home at any hour of the night, and security provides a noticeable, but unobtrusive, presence on campus. The team also tends to be lenient when it comes to drinking and partying in dorms, which is something that most Bardians come to particularly appreciate. 

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

What could possibly happen here?... What could possibly happen here? We’re basically in the middle-of-nowhere. The crime rate is zero. Everybody feels safe walking around at night, pretty much. I don’t know anyone who’s had a problem. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Anonymous says:

Bard security is cheerful and... Bard security is cheerful and approachable. They are strict enough when it concerns drugs and booze, but they generally let the students make their own decisions. Compared to my friends at other colleges, we’re pretty lucky because security could be a lot more strict about breaking up parties. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Anonymous says:

Bard security is hilarious. I... Bard security is hilarious. I don’t even know what they do, but they’re always late whenever called. I see them driving around all the time. Maybe they’re bored. I think EMS is more reliable, frankly. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Anonymous says:

I never have a problem with... I never have a problem with security. They do make me feel like there’s someone to help me if I need help. And they drive me around when I ask. I think most people just get rides with them. They’re not a taxi service, but some people might take advantage and just use them to get driven around. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Anonymous says:

Security is cool and quick to... Security is cool and quick to respond to an emergency. They criticize students for propping open doors of dorms because then anyone could get in. Not that it ever happens. They give a lot of parking tickets. But they’re around 24 hours just in case—pretty standard. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Did You Know?

Even though most students consider Bard College to be extremely safe, emergency call-boxes are still stationed throughout campus to ensure that help is always available.

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