As the search for Elizabeth Smart continues only a few minutes away from the U, students are rapidly?and commendably?getting involved.

Often, U students forget they are a part of the larger Salt Lake community, and this is an important time to prove otherwise. Fortunately, many groups are doing just that. The U football team, Greek Row leaders and other students are making laudable efforts searching, donating food and hanging up flyers.

Other student groups and individual students need to help with this search.

This tragedy has helped incorporate U students into the city as a whole, not only through service, but also through the sense of fear that is pervading the state.

Elizabeth’s kidnapping has deeply affected the entire nation’s sense of safety. She was taken from an extremely affluent area that the typical Utahn would believe to be safe. When society’s perceptions are challenged by such horrifying events, as in this case, people begin to realize that no one is completely safe.

The fact the Federal Heights area also happens to be in the U’s backyard is also cause for the U community to worry. In Tuesday’s police announcements, Salt Lake Police Chief Rick Dinse cautioned that some of the interviewed suspects may have spent time on campus. Dinse also said that even if the perpetrator hadn’t actually been at the U, it’s still likely he passed close by.

While students shouldn’t start exessively worrying about their safety, it is important to avoid dangerous areas. Every student should make sure he or she stays on well-lit paths and walks in groups.

It is also important that students immediately report any suspicious people or activities they see on campus.

The Smarts, local police and the FBI need all of the help they can get, and the U is a huge resource that needs to come forward and continue to do all it can.

Students can print flyers and find more information about volunteering at www.elizabethsmart.com.