In a letter in Friday's Collegian, Frank Cianfrani wrote, "The ultimate point here is that dorm residents need to use more common sense."

I disagree with that statement vehemently. Mr. Cianfrani's "point" is not ultimate, it is proximate.

While it is indeed the case that safety precautions ought to be followed by all students to ensure that they are safe from the criminally-minded, there needs to be more done by our universities, primary and secondary schools, communities and families to educate young men and women to respect other individuals with the hope of preventing, among many other things, sexual assault and rape.

It is certainly true that, as a previous letter stated, if I leave my new car unlocked in a bad neighborhood where theft is likely, I did not commit a crime. We would definitely say that I had made a foolish decision. However, we also hope that there is prevention of that crime by educating people not to steal cars.

The same ought to be true in the case of rape and sexual assault.

Yes, we ought to lock our doors etc. But we also need preventative measures so that the rape mindset is reduced in all people, 99 percent of whom are male.

There shouldn't have to be victims.

The "ultimate point" in all of this should be to promote healthy interactions between human beings so that no one has to fear for his or her safety.