Additional Safety Advice

Safety at night

  • Avoid traveling or walking alone after dark
  • Stay away from isolated areas
  • Try to stay/walk/park near street lights
  • Dress sensibly
  • Respect campus curfew (11pm Sun-Fri, 12am Sat)
  • Hold your purse close to your body

If you’re being followed

  • Cross the street, change directions, or seek a busier street
  • Keep looking back so the person knows you can’t be surprised
  • Go to a well-lighted area, such as store, restaurant, gas station, house, residence hall, classroom-anywhere there are people
  • Notice and remember as much as possible about the person so you can later give a description 

If you’re held up

  • Don’t resist: no amount of money is worth risking your life
  • Notify Campus Safety or Police immediately, giving description of approximate height, weight, and details on hair, clothing, jewelry, scars or tattoos-anything that is noticeable

If you're out with someone and it goes wrong

  • Make your wishes clearly known, verbally
  • If they're not respected, ask to go to a public place, such as a 24-hour store or gas station, and refuse to get back into the car. Call Campus Safety or a Dean to get you home safely.
  • On a date, always carry a cell phone, the numbers of Desk and Campus Safety, and change, in case you need to use a land phone.

Wherever you live

  • Keep track of your keys
  • Don’t let strangers in
  • Don’t leave door unlocked even for short periods, even for someone coming by later or for a roommate who has lost her keys. Why put your belongings at risk?
  • Keep blinds/shades pulled at night
  • Don’t use your name on your answering machine

Protect personal and University property

  • Lock the door if you’re the last person out of a room
  • Engrave valuables (contact Campus Safety for details)
  • Never leave belongings unattended in laundry rooms, library, hallways, classrooms, etc.
  • Lock bike securely on bike rack
  • Don’t keep large amounts of money in your room. Open a local bank account instead. Keep personal papers and valuables (such as telephone access code) locked in your security drawer. Even in your room, don’t leave your purse out in plain sight
  • Shred papers with social security or account numbers

In a car

  • Keep doors locked even while driving
  • Don’t hitch-hike or pick up hitch-hikers
  • Lock valuables in trunk
  • If car is disabled, remain in car with doors locked, and open the door only for the police
  • Park in well-lighted areas and remember where you park.
  • Before school breaks or moves, don’t pack car till you’re ready to go
  • Always lock your car and take the keys!
  • Have keys in hand as you approach the car/parking lot
  • Notice area around (and in) car before you get in