Protect yourself on campus

In the past few years the news has been peppered with reports of campus crimes. However, never before has student safety become such a concern and topic of debate as in the wake of this year’s campus massacre at Virginia Tech, where 32 people were murdered by a lone gunman.

While shooting rampages are certainly not the norm on campuses across the country, this incident has been a catalyst for colleges and universities to re-evaluate their safety policies, and for students and faculty to take steps to be safer.

Under the federal Jeanne Clery Act, colleges and universities have to disclose important campus crime safety information. The safety of a particular campus should be just one of many considerations for students as they research schools.

Security On Campus, Inc., a nonprofit organization designed to promote campus safety, offers a searchable database of crime statistics for many schools across the country. Visit www.securityoncampus.org to see how your prospective school ranks.

For those already enrolled, there are certain steps you can take, whether you’re an on-campus resident or a commuter student. Working in concert with school personnel to safeguard your well being is paramount.

 

Outdoor Safety

• Stay alert while walking on campus. Wearing headphones or talking on a cell phone can distract your attention. Look confident while walking, observing the surroundings.

• When possible, walk in groups, particularly during off hours or after dark. Inquire about campus escorts who can walk you to your vehicle or residence if you don’t feel safe.

• Use lighted walkways and do not take shortcuts through unlit areas of campus. Keep away from shrubbery or trees where someone can hide; walk on the more visible side of outdoor passageways.

• Female students should have their car or room keys readily available so they don’t have to dig through a large purse to find them.

Or rethink whether a purse is necessary at all.

• Trust your instincts. If someone seems suspicious or gives you an unsettling feeling, remove yourself from the vicinity.

• Do not flash your cash or other valuables on your person or leave them visible in your vehicle.

• Know the location of emergency phones where you can reach campus security or the police department. Also inquire about and know the schedules of security patrols.

 

Residence Safety

• Keep doors to dorm rooms locked at all times. Do not agree to prop open a door for a roommate or visitor who doesn’t have a key.

• Residents on the first and second floor should keep windows locked when the room is not occupied or during overnight hours.

• Keep only the minimum amount of personal information on you and/or in your dorm room. This should include only one or two credit cards, identification and minimal cash.

• Visitors to the residence hall should have authorization and must be registered as guests.

• Building entrance doors, stairwell doors and other secured doors should not be propped open.

• Do not open doors to anyone you do not recognize.

• Observe any safety messages made by the school via phone, e-mail or posted around the property.