This morning, the Grace College student body received an email stating that a potential safety hazard, specifically a registered sex offender that has had issues with Grace College and the Winona lake area in the past, had returned to the area. The email contained a picture and description of the man in question, and a portion of the email contained the following: "We would like to take this opportunity to remind our entire campus to be proactive in promoting safety and awareness of your surroundings. The following practices are encouraged: Be certain the Campus Safety number is saved in your cell phone (574) 269-5344. Do not prop any building door open. Lock your room door or office door when you leave, regardless of how long you plan to be gone. Do not give unidentified persons access to a residence hall. Never lend your keys or your student ID card to anyone. Park cars, motorcycles, and bicycles in the designated lots and keep them locked at all times. At night, walk: (a) ONLY in lighted areas; (b) quickly and confidently; (c) always with a friend. Do not approach the vehicle of a stranger asking for directions - give assistance from a safe distance or direct the person to a code blue phone or a Grace office. Immediately report any persons looking or acting suspiciously to Campus Safety - note details regarding his/her appearance, behavior, and vehicle. The cooperation of the entire campus community is critical to the safety and protection of our campus. " Firstly, I personally am proud of the administration for alerting the student body in this way, under the current policy. However, while these tips and guidelines are very helpful for preventing oneself from getting into a situation that may become unsafe, these practices are not foolproof. Furthermore, with such a threat to our safety being in the area, students and staff alike need to be confident in their safety, and this email does not promote or suggest any way of getting out of a situation that is already occurring. As a reminder, current policy at grace permits no weapon (pepper spray, EMD device, or firearm) on campus. PLEASE SHARE THIS PETITION AND VOICE YOUR CONCERN FOR OUR CONTINUED SAFETY AND RIGHT TO SELF DEFENSE AT GRACE COLLEGE.