Understanding issues around personal safety is the focus of “I Feel Safe When ____,” a campus-wide collaboration kicking off in September.

Coordinated by the Office of the Arts and led by artist/facilitator/educator Jennifer Edwards, the project provides time and space for Georgia Tech students to reflect on what safety means to them. It is a collective story created by all who participate by completing the statement on cards that will be shared anonymously and then displayed.

Starting September 15, student volunteers will be stationed around campus to hand out blank cards to encourage the free expression of ideas and thoughts around the idea and issue of safety. After they are collected, the cards will be exhibited at the Ferst Center for the Arts and the Student Center.

Many partners have joined together on the project: the Division of Student Life and its departments including Counseling Center, LGBTQIA Resource Center, Women’s Resource Center, Assessment, Parent and Family Programs, Student Diversity Programs, Student Engagement, and Greek Affairs; Institute Diversity; Student Center;  Campus Recreation Center; Center for Health and Wellbeing; DramaTech; GT Athletics; GT Police; Serve Learn Sustain Office; and Student Government Association. 

Madison Cario, director of the Office of the Arts, explains, "One of the learning outcomes for the project is how a seemingly simple question, one that addresses a core human need, can open conversations and interactions that tell a collective story.  Data collected in the project will be shared with the campus to better understand attitudes and issues around safety."