For UA student Kim Stenseth, a simple trip to the local East Sixth Street gas station often involves dodging homeless people.

"Outside the gas station, it is pretty scary," said Stenseth, a pre-business freshman.

The homeless are not just hanging out in front of the gas station, Stenseth said, they are often in the parking lot behind Coronado Residence Hall, where she lives.

Stenseth is not the only student concerned about homeless people hanging around Coronado; others are worried about their safety as well.

"Since I am on the edge of campus, I figured it would be a problem," said Alisa Manning, who lives in Navajo-Pinal Residence Hall. "But I wish they weren't by our dorms."

One of the reasons homeless people congregate around the residence halls is because some students give them money, said Sgt. Eugene Mejia, UAPD spokesperson.

Mejia urged students not to give the homeless any money or handouts.

"They know they can get money from the students," he said. "They then turn around and go directly to the liquor store or go and buy drugs."

I want them to be kept away from campus. Especially being a girl and when it is at night. It is a safety issue. - Alisa Manning Navajo-Pinal Hall resident

Stenseth said that the homeless usually ask her for cigarettes and money.

"Just today, I got approached for a cigarette," she said.

Manning, a physiological sciences sophomore, frequently sees homeless people rummaging through the dumpsters near her residence hall.

"I want them to be kept away from campus," Manning said. "Especially being a girl and when it is at night. It is a safety issue."

Homeless people roam throughout the campus, not just by the residence halls, Mejia said.

In the past, UAPD has received complaints from students about homeless people being around campus, he added.

"When the UAPD receives the complaints, we immediately respond to them," he said. "If the homeless are not committing a crime or causing a disturbance, the student should not be alarmed."

Jim Van Arsdel, director of Residence Life, said he recognized the fact that many homeless people ask students for money, and he said that should not be tolerated by the students or the university.

"Panhandling and such behaviors are causes to be concerned," Van Arsdel said. "It could be scary or intimating for the student."

Being part of a large university located in a metropolitan area attracts many different types of people, including some who might be homeless, Van Arsdel said.

When dealing with homeless people, students should remain alert to their surroundings, said Alexis Hernandez, associate dean of students.

"If you are concerned, call the UAPD or 911 immediately," Hernandez said.

Students should take advantage of the blue light phones located around campus if they ever find themselves in danger, Hernandez said.

Any unusual activity or behavior should be reported to the authorities or the resident advisers, Van Arsdel said.