Scad

[tangledtempest]

Ok, these people obviously are fools. SCAD is the best art school in America, possibly the world and Savannah is the perfect place for that. Most of the campus is located in the historic district - where you would presumably live or be tempted to live. Does Savannah have crime? Absolutely. Does Savannah have *random* violent crime? No. Yes, your car might get broken into, no you probably won't get robbed. There are less than FIVE instances of violent, random crime in the city of Savannah (there IS more than just the historic district, btw) per year. I have lived here for 10 years, and I can only think of 3 instances where a regular person (SCAD student, tourist, resident) was a victim of a violent crime. Go down there, get a SAFE place to live either in the historic district, midtown, the islands, or even the south side. Make sure you have good sturdy locks on the doors, never walk thru the squares at night alone, and take all of the precautions you would normally take while living in a city. Atlanta, Macon, Athens, and even Augusta have higher crime rates than the city of Savannah do. My husband is a cop - I wouldn't lie to you, friend. I have worked in low-income housing (yes, the ghetto) on the West side of Savannah (Cuyler-Brownsville) and in luxury real estate sales here so I've seen all sides of the city. Enjoy your time here - it will live in your heart forever! P.S. In all my years of living downtown, renting to SCAD students, selling properties, etc I have NEVER EVER EVER heard of a student falling off of a building and/or dying. Please...

[ellie]

Just last year a student fell from a dormitory window. Faulty railing. One jumped from the tower of the old jail - dead. At least a couple others have fallen off of balconies and been seriously injured. Seems there was another suicide somewhere else that included trying to fly that involved hallucinogenics. History probably goes back to before you started paying attention.

[homebody57]

What about the guy who jumped from Drayton Towers about 15 or 20 years ago? Was he a SCAD guy? He almost landed on my dad who was on the sidewalk below. (Really.)

[Summer Storm Pictures]

Originally Posted by homebody57

What about the guy who jumped from Drayton Towers about 15 or 20 years ago? Was he a SCAD guy? He almost landed on my dad who was on the sidewalk below. (Really.)

I am the brother of Stuart Holliday who ran and jumped to his death off the roof of the Drayton Towers on December 5th, 1984. I would love to hear from any and all people that knew Stu, were witnesses to the incident and so on. It has taken quite a while to come to terms with this. Our family really went through a lot and I was the last to speak to him by phone the night before.

Much appreciated.

[s.car]

Originally Posted by ellie

Just last year a student fell from a dormitory window. Faulty railing.

Yeah..I was working that day and actually watched the girl fall..and then heard her scream...we were one of the ones who called the paramedics/police.



Now, to the thread starter.

Hopefully my post will help you.

Originally Posted by gapowermike

Wow. Not a lot of love for SCAD on the boards. Savannah owes a lot to SCAD. The school has really pulled the downtown area back from the brink. The students, while strange, bring a lot of life to the city. They have a flair about them that attracts a lot of double takes, but they are the heart of the city as far as I'm concerned.

As far as the education, I'm in the Engineering field and can't stomach that kind of dough for a degree that qualifies you for next to nothing in the way of a traditional position. That being said, there isn't much about SCAD that points toward traditional so maybe they're perfect for what they're doing. You sure can't beat downtown Savannah for a college campus.

If you've got the money and the attitude, SCAD will be perfect for you. You can worry about the crime issues when you get here. Just don't be an idiot.......you know being out walking alone at 3 am, stuff like that. The other students will help you.

Good Luck,

Michael

I agree with almost everything Michael has said...except for them being the heart of the city...I truly believe the locals bring the charm to the city. A lot of SCAD kids stick to theirselves, aren't the most friendly bunch. Some, since they go to scad think they're hot **** around here. However, there are also the SCAD kids who are friendly people, just excited kids to be in college in Savannah.

To be honest, from a locals view, I almost like it better when they are off for summer break...or around Christmas. Less traffic...a less populated district. Also...during those breaks those idiots on their bikes are not weaving through downtown traffic like ****ing fools. Two of those kids this year have met the front end of my truck because of THEIR wreckless biking, not looking before they just fly out into the middle of a street. Thank god I was going slow, or there could of been some serious injuries to both of them.

I work downtown for Old Savannah Tours, a tour company (obviously, haha). SCAD is a great college. Top notch.

With working where I do, I spend a LOT of time downtown. During the day I sell tickets throughout the historic district from about 8-4 depending on where I am. At night I run a building across the street from the visitor center from the hours of 4:30pm to about 9:00pm on only a select few nights. I am there by myself, locking the building up by myself, this that and the other. I for one, see people out and about the entire night. Mon-fri there are a lot of people wandering about. There is a scad building...a very large one right next to the visitor center actually. Maybe that's why I see so many. Back to the people. I see people always. Especially on the weekends, tons of people. Keep in mind I'm talking about at the corner of Liberty St. and MLK blvd.. I have never felt unsafe, or uncomfortable down there while at work. Also keep in mind, at one location we're right across from a government housing (Section A housing), ghetto. Yamacraw village...nobody has ever broken in to the building we have there, and nobody has ever tried to come rob any of us while on the job.

I have not had my first hand experience with Savannah's crime yet...but, that's being said with being born and raised here, 19 years, working downtown for over a year, basically being in the thick of all the supposed "crime". It's not bad. Housing is decent. Tons of SCAD kids. Every city has it's bad spots, you're just reading a lot of posts that focus on Savannah's. If it were really that bad, Savannah wouldn't be nearly as popular as it is. Just don't bike like an idiot, and all will be well! Hah.

[SCADkidgrad08]

Hey there...um I was reading through your comments and I think you might need a little help.
My husband and I are both graduates of SCAD. We lived and drove and walked around the city everyday for three years.
While there are certainly parts of the city there that you don't want to be alone in, the historic district is pretty safe. The area is populated mainly by students and SCAD has saved the city of Savannah.
SCAD began renovating the area in the 70's I believe and most of the preservation of the city is thanks to their efforts there.
Yes the school is one of the best in America for design and traditional arts. They are tied with the Rhode Island School of Design, but last time I checked a little cheaper and let's face it, winter in GA is a lot easier than winter in RI!

I can tell you this, my years at SCAD were the most enjoyable I've had and you become quite attached to the city and its charm. You will learn the bad and the good areas as you go, and SCAD will provide you with everything that you need as far as transportation and security...they have a 24hr bus line and security line, as well as emergency post phones in many of the campus areas. Everything is guarded by gates and officers and no one can go in w/o an ID.

My suggestions and warnings to you would be this: if you are able to live off of campus and have a car it is beneficial (living in the city is more expensive than living a little ways out). Be aware that if you are interested or have been given a scholarship that when you live off campus, part of it will be taken, it's just their policy (when I was there it was 30%, but they'd been talking about getting rid of the rule, so it may be gone by now, b/c so many students were living off campus). If you're looking for apartments, there are some nice ones behind the HOME DEPOT of exit 104 on I-95...and you will also learn that everything is based and located off of the interstate there, to get most places you will have to use I-95.
It's safer to live out of the city and less expensive, but you have to weigh the expense of gas and such.
Montgomery Hall and the Furniture Building are the only two you really have to worry about as far as being in unsafe areas, but again the area and parking are fully gated and guards are close by.

**If you have the opportunity to go, then go...you won't regret the experience I promise. Savannah is one of the most beautiful cities and you'll quickly be won over by it's charm and hospitality.

Sincerely,

SCADgrad08

[starhawk18]

I used to work at the Ex Libris Bookstore from 2002 to 2004 and partially during 2008. From the outside, people think that all SCAD students are a bunch of weirdos. I also thought that way until I started working at the bookstore. I will have to say that over 90% of the students are "normal appearing" people while only a small percentage dress eccentrically. I have gotten to know many students and a few have become my best friends. The students come from all racial, ethnic and many national backgrounds. There are young and old, urban, country, you name it, it's there.

While it's true that some students are known for their partying, crazy antics (i.e., falling out of mult-story buildings), and drug abuse, most seem very serious about their education.

FYI not all SCAD students are "trust fund" kids with rich parents. Many I have met work very very very hard!

Although this thread is quite old, if you are still reading, I think you would have a great time at SCAD. As far as crime is concerned, just use your god given common sense such as walking with a group if you can, don't be in areas that you aren't familiar with especially at night.

I was just curious, what do you plan to major in at SCAD and what are your career aspirations after graduation?

[gamecock43]

Hahaha...falling off buildings out windows. I laugh because it just happened to my SCAD neighbor who drunkenly went through a 2nd story bathroom window a few months back. Those single pane glass historic windows are trouble!

I LOVE SCAD. Never been a student- but love the students and the campus buildings.