Despite being endorsed by campus safety officials, weekly Rape Aggression Defense classes have received a low turn out so far this school year.

UNA safety officials are not sure why attendance to the free classes has been so low, said UNA Chief of Police Bob Pastula.

“The average attendance at these classes are usually five or fewer students,” Pastula said. “I’m not sure why attendance is low. It [RAD] is a very effective, national program. The class is free and gives students new skill sets that they can carry with them throughout their lives.”

The Rape Aggression Defense System is a program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques that are offered to students on campus. The RAD System is dedicated to teaching students defensive concepts and techniques against various types of assault, Pastula said.

“We are looking for suggestions for ways to bring in more people,” said Officer Shequanda Bradford, the course’s regular instructor.

The classes are taught by certified RAD instructors and provide students with a workbook/reference manual, Bradford said. The RAD System of defense guarantees it will provide an individual with the knowledge to make an educated decision about resistance.

The RAD System of Physical Defense is not a martial arts program and is currently being taught at many colleges and universities across the United States, Pastula said. The growing, widespread acceptance of this system is primarily due to the ease of the material.

“I was aware of this [RAD] from my different activities on campus and being an advocate for these types of classes available to students,” said SGA President Laura Giles. “Due to class schedules and SGA meetings, I have not been able to attend these classes in the past, but I plan to this semester due to more time in my schedule.”

The course is regularly advertised at UNA events like SOAR, Res-Life meetings and online, Pastula said.

Dalia Gerardo, a freshman, believes that the classes would be valuable to everyone, she said.

“I was not aware these classes were offered on campus,” Gerardo said. “I would attend a class because I think everyone needs to know how to protect themselves in case of an attack.”

The course begins with teaching awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance, Pastula said. The course then progresses on to the basics of hands-on defense training. The manual outlines the entire physical defense program for reference and continuous personal growth.

“I am by myself most of the time so I would be able to better protect myself on and off campus,” said freshman Ali Cohn.

Matt Jones, a senior, believes that campus authorities could utilize social media to advertise the course to students.

“All social media is a good form of publicity, definitely Twitter,” said Matt Jones, “I would stay away from emails, students like myself tend to disregard emails.”

“I think any kind of publicity like sidewalk chalk, window painting, or banner hanging would get student attention,” said Candace Sanders. “This program would make students feel a lot safer to be on their campus that they call home.”

Classes are offered after 5 p.m. during the week and beginning at 8 a.m. on weekends, Pastula said.

“I think different times should be tried to fit more schedules for students,” said Laura Giles, “also posters and small handouts are great ways to publicize to students on campus.”