British Columbia

UBC says security improvements in place for students returning in September

The University of British Columbia says along with new professors and new courses, students at the institution's Point Grey campus will see improved safety features as they return to classes on Sept. 2.

Recommendation to install surveillance cameras on Point Grey campus still under consideration

The University of British Columbia has issued a safety alert, after a spate of disturbing sexually-motivated attacks on women on campus. (CBC)

The University of British Columbia says along with new professors and new courses, students at the institution's Point Grey campus will see improved safety features as they return to classes on Sept. 2.

A news release from UBC says it is acting on recommendations of a campus safety working group established following a series of sexual assaults in 2013.

Safety upgrades include improved lighting and landscaping along campus walkways, more extensive bike patrols by campus security and new safety communication features in the Mobile UBC app, which sends UBC-related news, maps and other details to handheld devices.

Long-term security improvements include better collection, tracking and monitoring of safety data related to sexual assaults occurring on the campus of 60,000 students, staff and professors.

Consultations are continuing about the recommendation to place closed-circuit television cameras at main entry points to the Point Grey campus.

RCMP have released a composite drawing of a man suspected in sex assaults on six women between April and October of 2013, but no arrests have been made.