Campus Security-Safety Pointers

Now that you’re a college student, you’re responsible for your own safety; it’s up to you to look out for yourself. Keep these tips in mind to stay safe...

  

                                       

 When traveling....

• Take turns being a designated driver or sober companion. You could save someone’s life.
• If you have a car on campus, avoid running your car to the Empty point. If you need to get in the car and go, or if you will be driving in bad weather, you don’t want to be out of gas. Have a $5 bill tucked away in your glove box for emergencies; that should get you a gallon or more, and even that much gas will probably get you at least 10 miles. 
• Tell at least one person where you are going and when you plan to be back.
• If you have a GPS, set the home address to the local police station, not to your home. They are often stolen, and you don't want the thief to show up at your house.
• If you are using a GPS that attaches to your dash by suction cup, remove it and hide it--or take it with you--when you aren't in the car.
• If a party gets out of hand, leave!
• Put 911 on speed dial so you only have to hit '9' or another single digit. You may be quite jittery when you need to dial those three numbers.
• Remember that if your car stereo is on super-loud, you may not hear a siren approaching or someone trying to get your attention.
   

 Emergency phones may just be a speaker with buttons or an actual phone.

Personal safety:

• Most campuses have a 'panic phone' system. Know where they are, and don't be afraid to use one should you need to.
• If you have unwisely had too much to drink, or are high, do not try to walk home alone.
• Never, ever leave your drink alone or with someone you don’t know. Date rape drugs are easy to use. And men are just as vulnerable as women.
• If a stranger offers you a drink or food, say no thanks. Safer to get your own.
• Be cautious about a date with someone you don't know that well: avoid being alone with him or her, until you feel certain you are in no danger. Give it time. Be smart.
• Don’t ride with drunk or drugged drivers.
• It isn't smart to offer rides to people you don’t know, nor to get in a car with someone you don't know.
• Trust your instincts!
• If you don’t have a friend to walk you to your door after a campus event or a late class, call campus security for an escort. Most dorms will have an office and/or resident advisor that can get you a security escort if you don’t know where to ask.
• You and your roommates have a right to have friends over, but if a visitor makes you sense danger, you also have the right to speak up.
•  Lock your dorm door even if you just plan to be down the hall for a few minutes. This keeps your stuff safe as well as your roommate's stuff, as well as prevents visitors from going into your room when you're not there.
• ALWAYS lock your car.
• Put anything of value, including your backpack, in your trunk. Many times thieves will simply break a car window and take your backpack, because they assume you have a laptop in it.
• Do not "Buzz someone in" that you don’t know. 
• If you feel uncomfortable getting into an elevator with someone, wait for the next one.
• If you have trouble with a person, talk to someone about it! See what can be done.

Have fun, and be safe: You can do both!