On St. Patrick's Day weekend, four assaults and one attempted assault occurred on campus. And those are just the ones that were reported.

In response, the University extended card access system hours and added foot patrol officers to all South Halls dorms. But if you're a victim, it is too little too late.

Hindsight can no longer be the catalyst causing students and officials to concentrate on improved security. The time has arrived for the University to make real changes to prevent more assaults.

Foot patrols by University police officers should occur on every dorm floor, not just in South Halls. More police presence can add another set of eyes and ears, making dorms less of a security risk. Whether University officials know it or not, any attacker can easily bypass the card access system.

Dorms aren't the only unsafe places on campus. Campus lighting must be increased at several locations. The HUB area, behind Hammond Building, the area between the Forum and Kern buildings, Parking Lot 83N, Pattee and dorm complexes such as East and North halls can seem like an attacker's haven for students walking at night.

But the University must not be left in the dark in fighting on-campus assaults. Students need to make a real effort in protecting themselves. Some possible efforts students can initiate are:

-- Make the card access system effective by never allowing strangers in dorms. Strangers are people you don't know, not people who look "strange."

-- Take the time to participate in one of the many University police-sponsored safety prevention programs.

-- Be aware that warmer weather brings more people outside.

-- Start a dialogue with local police and University officials. Let them know where you feel unsafe, and pressure them to make changes.

-- Don't walk alone at night.

The bottom line remains that the University and students must plan ahead instead of waiting for attackers to strike. Instead of merely reacting to reported attacks, the University must practice prevention rather than good public relations.