TAMPA, Fla. \u2014 The University of South Florida is taking steps to address off-campus housing safety after two students were killed in April. Some of these new steps include a new resource website, safety standards for housing providers, and a direct email contact to improve communication.<\/p>\n
In a statement, USF President Moez Limayem said the outreach is an important first step.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have contacted nearly 50 off-campus housing providers to invite them to adopt best practices to support the safety and security of USF students,\u201d Limayem said in the statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis outreach is a critical first step because while the university cannot control conditions in properties that are not owned or operated by USF, we can encourage property owners to work with us,\u201d the statement added.<\/p>\n
This all came about after Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy were killed<\/a>. Officials accused Limon\u2019s roommate, Hisham Abugharbieh, of allegedly killing the two.<\/p>\n Some students said the deaths changed how they think about living off campus.<\/p>\n Ivy Hinkle said the tragedy led her and her boyfriend to reconsider moving into an off-campus apartment together.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing on campus more, and especially with what happened, I feel like there\u2019s more of a thought in the head of, maybe it\u2019s not quite as safe as I thought,\u201d Hinkle said.<\/p>\n USF student Abraham Albadawi said he is glad the university is taking action. Albadawi started a petition<\/a> earlier this year in response to the killing of the two students.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very happy that USF now seems to be taking safety more seriously,\u201d Albadawi said.<\/p>\n But Albadawi said he still has questions about how the standards will be enforced.<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s going to enforce the set rules? Is it going to be self-reported by the landlords, or is it going to be reported by USF, USF PD? So it\u2019s not entirely clear,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n USF declined a request for an interview about the changes and provided a statement.<\/p>\n