Campus Safety

It’s the first time living on your own, and campus can feel like a safe community, but feeling safe and being safe are two different things. According to campus crime rates: assault, burglary, and rape are the three most committed crimes.  It can be scary especially when we hear about so many campus shootings taking place, but it is important to remember that most campuses take great measure to protect their students and keep these statistics low. However, you need to do your part too, so here are some tips:

1) Campus Alert Texts. Many campuses offer free text alerts for emergencies.  These emergencies include weather, crime, and campus closings.  It is good to be in the know if there are major events occurring in your area so that you can be prepared. 

2) Campus Security.  Campus police and emergency alert polls are always located around campus.  The polls are usually well lit and allow you to set off an alarm or phone the police if you feel in danger or suspect a crime.  Campus police are always around and will even help you back to your dorm so you don’t need to walk alone at night.

3) Know Your Surrounding. It is important to know bus schedules and routes around campus.  You want to be familiar with the town in case you get stuck off campus and need to find a way back.  You also don’t want to be stranded without access to public transportation, especially if you don’t have a car.  Make sure you know your way around campus incase there is an emergency and you need to find the quickest way back to the dorm.

4) Carry the Proper Precautions.  Always have an emergency credit card, small amount of cash, cellphone, and pepper pray on you.  You want to make sure that even if you get stranded you can call for help or pay for a cab/tow back home.  If you are walking back to your dorm make sure you have pepper spray.   

5) Use Good Judgment.  It is okay to party just don’t do it alone. You also don’t want to let yourself get so inebriated that you don’t know where...