Students

Safety First and Always

Colleges and Universities are committed to providing a safe and secure environment on campus. However crime can occur anywhere, whether your campus is located in a rural area or a large city in a metropolitan area.

A wide variety of staffing options exist on college and university campuses. Staffing patterns typically range from university personnel who are hired as security officers or actual university police officers, to staff who are not university personnel, but are hired by the University to manage security on the campus.

Information about the crime that occurs on college campuses is available to you. Universities and colleges are required to report all crime statistics about their campus, per the Federal Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act of 1990, which was recently renamed the Jeanne Cleary Act (P.L.101-542). Crime statistics are available for the last three years upon individual student request. Campus Police and security offices are also required to report their crime survey data annually.

REPORTING CRIME ON CAMPUS

If you are the victim of a crime on campus you should always report it to your Campus Security Department. This is important as it is critical for the appropriate tracking of crime on campus, but reporting crime heightens the awareness of the Campus Security staff, and enhances their ability to manage and handle crime on campus. You can either report crime directly at the Campus Security Department office, or you can call and report the crime, and in most instances staff are dispatched to your location to take your report.

EMERGENCY PHONES ON CAMPUS

Most universities have emergency phones located throughout the campus, that have a direct line to the Campus Security Department, which is activated when the phone receiver is picked up. These phones in many instances have a blue light on top of the phone pole. You should become familiar with your campus emergency phone locations as you travel about the campus.

CARRY YOUR IDENTIFICATION WITH YOU

Most college campuses require students and staff to carry their university ID card with them at all times. This is a way for Campus Security Department staff to easily identify campus community members from others. Some Colleges and Universities encode residence hall access information onto a campus ID, so that only individuals who are permitted to have access to a residence hall are allowed into the hall (excluding guests who can typically be signed in by a resident).

FIRE SAFETY TIPS

Fires on campus do happen, and people die in fires on college campuses, so it is of critical importance that you evacuate any building that you are in if a fire alarm sounds. Colleges and Universities also have unannounced fire drills in residence halls and other campus facilities.

Do not tamper with smoke or heat detectors...they could save your life some day.
Do not overload electrical outlets.
Do not run electrical cords under rugs or furniture or over nails. Check all of your electrical cords on appliances and do not use them if the cords are frayed or damaged.
If you live in a residence hall, sleep with your bedroom and suite or apartment doors tightly closed. Doors are generally fire rated, and will help keep a fire out. If they are open, the fire will come in.
Learn the location of fire extinguishers, and leave them alone so they are charged if you need to use them.
Know the location of fire exits. Do not vandalize fire exit signs. Report missing or damaged fire exit signs immediately.
Know the location of fire alarm pull stations. Use them only in an emergency.
If possible, always evacuate the building if an alarm is pulled. Your life could depend on this.
When an alarm sounds, check your doorknob, the door and/or frame before you open the door. If it is hot, don't open it.
If you see, smell or hear fire, call out loudly and pull a fire alarm immediately and evaluate the building immediately, using a stairwell.
In the event of a fire, do not use elevators.
Gases and smoke in a fire rise so keep low and crawl if you need to. Cover your nose and throat with a damp cloth if possible.
If your clothing catches on fire, you need to "stop, drop and roll". Running will cause the fire to increase.
If you cannot evacuate during a fire, hang and/or wave a sheet or other item from the window so rescue personnel know you need help.
If smoke is entering the room where you are, stuff fabric materials, that are preferably wet under the door, and try to seal the cracks between the door and door frame.

GENERAL SAFETY TIPS

All members of the campus community have responsibility for their personal safety and well being. Remain aware of your environment and surroundings at all times.
Never prop exterior doors; in particular never prop exterior doors in the residence halls. If you do you will jeopardize the safety of others, as well as yourself.
Lock your room and office doors at all times, even if you leave for only a short period of time.
If you live in a residence hall do not sleep at night with your room door unlocked.
Never provide unknown individuals with access to University buildings. Ask for a University ID before you let anyone into a building.
Do not loan your room keys or access cards to anyone.
Park cars in lighted areas, and keep them locked at all times.
Do not leave belongings visible in the locked interior of your car. Always conceal your valuables.
Do not leave your personal property unattended in common areas of university buildings.
Report lost keys immediately to appropriate university staff.
Report suspicious looking individuals to your campus security staff immediately.
Don't walk alone at night. Use your campus escort service in the evening and night hours.
Do not leave your room or other keys or ID materials unattended in your jacket or coat pocket. As opposed to this, keep them on your person if possible.
Do not leave first floor windows open and unlocked, and leave the area. Unless it is a security screen, a screen will not keep an intruder out.
Register your bicycle if you have one on campus with the Campus Security Department.
Park your bike in designated areas, which tend to be well lit and well traveled.
Use good common sense all the time.