Prevention on Campus: A Walk Down Memory Lane
A walk across my former college campus became a reminder that prevention starts long before harm occurs. Read how returning to UTSA inspired a reflection on the role we all play in creating safer, healthier, and more inclusive campus communities.
By Stefany Vargas, Primary Prevention Coordinator II
I recently had the opportunity to visit my old campus, UTSA, and it brought back a lot of memories of being a student. Today, I’m a Primary Prevention Coordinator with the Rape Crisis Center in San Antonio, Texas and part of my work is building partnerships with youth-serving organizations, so reconnecting with UTSA was a meaningful opportunity for me. But, as I walked across campus, I realized I wasn’t just revisiting a place; I was revisiting an entire chapter of my life.
College is so much more than hallways, classrooms and walking across a stage with a degree. It’s where we discover who we are, build lifelong friendships, and begin shaping the values that guide us into adulthood. Looking back through the lens of violence prevention, I realized that college is also where we learn to communicate, respect boundaries, intervene when something does not feel right, and create communities where everyone feels they belong. Those everyday interactions help shape the culture of a campus.
When I was a student, my focus was on student organizations, work-study, coffee shops, friendships, and making sure I finished my homework on time. Returning years later, I noticed things I hadn’t paid much attention to before: welcoming gathering spaces like the Sombrilla, campus resources, inclusive messaging, and bystander intervention posters hanging on bulletin boards. At one point, they blended into the background. Now, I recognize them as important pieces of creating a campus where students feel supported, connected, and safe. That visit reminded me that prevention isn’t just a program or training. It’s woven into the everyday choices we make with one another.
As we prepare for another school year, the better question to ask ourselves isn’t, how do we prevent violence? But asking, what kind of campus community do we want to create together?
The answer belongs to everyone! All students, faculty, administrators, coaches, campus police, and student organizations play a role in shaping campus culture. Harmful social norms are not always obvious. They often appear as jokes that normalize disrespect, assumptions about gender roles, or comments dismissed as “that’s just college.” When left unchallenged, these attitudes can create environments where disrespect is accepted, and violence is easier to excuse. Primary Prevention asks us to challenge the “it’s just college” mindset and build stronger communities. It starts with practicing empathy, respecting boundaries, taking accountability for our actions, modeling healthy relationships, and understanding that consent is an ongoing conversation. Students can support each other by being active bystanders. Faculty and staff can foster inclusive classrooms, model respectful behavior, and connect students with resources. Together, these everyday actions help create a campus culture where all students have the opportunity to thrive.
As I left campus that afternoon, I carried more than memories with me. I left encouraged that every new semester is another opportunity to build a campus culture rooted in respect, belonging, and violence prevention.
Every conversation.
Every classroom.
Every friendship.
Every moment someone chooses kindness over silence.
This is how prevention begins.