ST. PAUL — Minnesota senators are hoping to learn more about campus crime and security in the wake of several high-profile incidents.

The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee was holding a hearing today. Law enforcement officials as well as representatives from private and public colleges in the Twin Cities were scheduled to testify.

A spate of reported robberies and sexual assaults near the University of Minnesota and elsewhere has some students and their parents on edge. Officials at the university say crime is actually down, but the violent nature of some recent offenses has contributed to the unease.

Authorities have more readily used special alert systems to warn students, faculty and others of crimes.

The hearing is informational and no specific legislation is due to be discussed.