Manhunt Underway for Lauren Burk's Killer

According a report in TransWorldNews, authorities have launched a manhunt for the murderer behind the killing of 18-year-old Auburn University freshman Lauren Burk.

Burk was found dead on a dead from a bullet wound on Tuesday night. She was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead.

A vehicle fire was reported just minutes later. Police reported that the vehicle belonged to Burk.

Though it is uncertain that Burk was abducted while on campus, Auburn University officials have increased police presence to ensure the safety of its students. The university has also reminded students to exercise extreme caution while on campus.

I was a student as a university that was notorious for its high number of on-campus rape incidents. And at that university, I took night and weekend courses on more than one occasion, so I've learned a few things about campus safety.

One of the best things people can do to stay safe on campus is to always walk with someone. When I attended evening classes, I was asked multiple times by female classmates to accompany them to their cars or the light rail station. Evening classes that sometimes let out as late as 9:30 p.m. leave students vulnerable to attackers, as most students on campus end their day in the afternoon, leaving campus desolate at night. Having more than one person deters most predators from a potential attack, and increases your chances of fighting someone off if you have the numbers on your side. Even in the fall it can get dark around 5:00 p.m., but as the campus is more heavily populated at that time, it's not so dangerous.

If you can't get someone to walk with you, walk in a group of other students so you have others around you. Many times I would walk with a group of students to the parking garage, and we always felt much safer that way. You're much more likely to be attacked walking alone than with a group of a dozen people, and professors who teach evening courses usually coordinate these groups on the first day of class. If your professor doesn't, ask them if they would mind doing it-they'll most likely be more than happy to oblige.

Parking closer to your class can shorten your walk. Even if your first class is all the way across campus, get there early and park closer to your last class so you won't have such a long walk on the way out. Would you rather walk 500 yards in sunlight with hundreds of other students around at 2 p.m. or in complete darkness all by yourself at 9 p.m.? Make the safe choice.

If you can't find a group who is going your way, ask one of them to drive you to your car. If that doesn't work, try to walk in well-lighted areas of campus that are clearly visible even if it's out of your way. Walking in small, dark alleys might get you to your car faster, but walking on a sidewalk through the middle of campus makes you much safer should.

And last but not least, know where campus security officers stand. If you fear that someone is waiting for you near your vehicle, ask one of them to walk with you. By parking in areas where there is a high concentration of security officers, you're less likely to be attacked and more likely to get the help you need in the event of an emergency.