Students Encouraged to Complete CATS by April 21

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Video produced by The Hive (Creative & Technical Services) in the University of Kentucky College of Arts & Sciences.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 14, 2015) — More than 85 percent of UK students have completed Campus Attitudes Toward Safety (CATS), providing the university with essential feedback to sustain and strengthen a safe campus environment.

"Campus safety is our top priority at UK," said UK President Eli Capilouto. "But safety means many things. In addition to lights, security cameras, safety officers and technology, we need students, faculty and staff who place safety and inclusion first. All of these things speak to the kind of environment we all want as part of the UK community."

The 25-minute confidential survey is available online through students' myUK portal until April 21. All students (undergraduate, graduate and professional) are required to complete CATS as part of class registration. Graduating students must complete it before accessing their transcripts.

"A safe, welcoming and inclusive campus must be everyone's priority," Capilouto said. "CATS, in an important sense, is part of our students' investment in creating that campus."

The survey consists of several sections that ask questions about students' beliefs, opinions, and knowledge of various topics. The development of these sections occurred through partnerships with the President's Office, UK Police, University Health Services (UHS), Student Affairs, Office of Legal Counsel, and the Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Center.

To encourage students to complete CATS before registration, the CATS team has already given out several prizes for survey completion, including UK Dining meal vouchers, UK parking permits and cash. 

Any student graduating this semester who completes CATS by this Friday, April 17, will be eligible to win a UK diploma frame. Students who complete CATS by Friday, April 21, will be eligible to win a $250 Amazon gift card. For more details please visit www.uky.edu/CATSseesafety.

While many students have won prizes, the greatest reward is that the results will inform students, faculty and other stakeholders on issues of campus safety. The hope is that each student will take the time to complete CATS truthfully, so the results can be used to improve campus safety as well as the overall campus experience for all students.

For questions about CATS, email CATSseesafety@uky.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jenny Wells, 859-257-5343; jenny.wells@uky.edu