US News

NYU OFF GUARD

It’s 11 p.m. – do you know where your school safety officers are?

In a bid to cut costs, New York University – one of the most expensive colleges in the country – is cutting back on the number of safety officers, The Post has learned.

Among the cuts are overnight security shifts at six administrative buildings – even though people can easily gain access to the sites in the wee hours, students say.

Additionally, two of the six buildings that are now closed at night had been identified as “green buildings” – 24-hour safety spots for students who feel threatened on the street.

“I have definitely seen security lapses even before this thing came into effect – I can’t imagine how it’s going to be now,” said Renu Singh, 20, an undergraduate student.

“I’m not looking forward to it.”

Other changes that were part of the roughly $25 million in administrative cost-saving measures include slashing the number of safety officers manning the front desks in student dorms during the day.

The moves come just as NYU has been named the third-most expensive university in the country – at $50,182 for tuition, room and board in 2008 – by the college news site Campus Grotto.

“It’s horrible,” Monika Szegda, 22, said of the cuts. “If you’re paying that much money, it should be secure – especially at night. It scares me.”

School officials said the cuts were made in order to divert the $25 million to academic programs.

Officials added that the security changes at administrative buildings were timed to coincide with low student traffic.

Several students said they agreed with that approach.

“NYU buildings have tight security. I feel safe,” said Hunter Thompson, 21.

“Some people on campus make a big cause out of everything – this sounds like one of those situations.”

But many students countered that the school’s location in the heart of Greenwich Village, instead of on a campus, necessitated more security, not less.

“This area around Washington Square Park has a lot of shady characters,” said an undergraduate history major.

“You just can’t leave your students vulnerable to outsiders like that. It’s irresponsible.”

yoav.gonen@nypost.com