- Freshmen should “respectfully decline” to have their photo and personal information published for distribution to the campus community.
- Fraternities and upperclassmen and others with access have abused this type of publication to “target” naive freshmen.
- Study the campus and neighborhood with respect to routes between your residence and class/activities schedule. Know where emergency phones are located and carry a cell phone.
- Share your class/activities schedule with parents and a network of close friends, effectively creating a type of “buddy” system.
- Always travel in groups. Use a shuttle service after dark if possible. Never walk alone at night. Avoid “shortcuts” and don’t be the last person out of a building at night.
- Survey the campus, academic buildings, residence halls, and other facilities while classes are in session and after dark to see that buildings, walkways, quad-ranges, and parking lots are adequately secured, lit and patrolled. Are emergency phones, escorts and shuttle services adequate?
- To gauge the social scene, drive down fraternity row on weekend nights and stroll through the student hangouts. Are people behaving responsibly, or does the situation seem reckless and potentially dangerous? Remember, alcohol and/or drug abuse is involved in about 90% of campus crime. Carefully evaluate off-campus student apartment complexes and fraternity houses if you plan to live off-campus.
- Do not give your name and address out to strangers.
- Do not give out personal information over the telephone to people you do not know. (SS #, credit card #’s, driver’s license #’s, address, etc.)
- When leaving your residence hall, campus, etc., let someone know where you are going.
- Walk with a friend. It is less likely that something will happen if there are two of you.
- Never walk alone at night. Many college security and safety departments offer an escort service.
- Have your keys ready to open your car door, especially at night.
- Your keys can also be a defensive weapon.
- Look inside your car before entering; also check vehicle for possible break-ins. Assailants sometimes hide in the back seat of a vehicle or even under it.
- Personal property should never be left unattended, even if it is only for a few minutes. Remember, either take it with you or lock it up.
- Always make sure that the office or classroom door is locked if you are working or studying late. Remember: Never prop any door open for someone else.
- Report all incidents involving vandalism, theft, damage or persons in the residence hall that are suspicious in nature.
- When leaving your residence hall room, whether it is to visit a next-door neighbor or to use the restroom, always lock the door and take the key. Even if you only plan on being gone a few minutes.
- Avoid keeping high value items and large amounts of cash in your residence. For valued items you do keep on hand, keep them out of sight and well hidden. The same procedure applies to your credit card, checkbook, and your unused check supply.
- Engrave items of value and be sure to maintain a record of serial numbers of such items as personal computers, TVs, stereos, cameras, etc. A copy of this record should also be maintained at another offsite location. You should engrave your driver’s license # and state on items. Driver’s license #’s are easier for police to track.
- Don’t let strangers in the building or allow them to “tailgate” or follow you through after you open the door.
- Do not lend anyone your room key, residence hall key or give out the residence hall door combination. The residence hall is like your home, nobody should enter without you wanting them there. Entrance doors to the residence halls should never be propped open. The locks are designed to allow only residence of the hall to have access.
- All visitors, student and non-student, are required at all times to be escorted while in a residence hall by the person they are visiting.
- All suspicious person(s) need to be reported immediately to your RA, RD or Security.
- All crimes need to be reported immediately to your RA, RD or Security.
- Do not leave notes on your door that you are not there. That is an invitation for some unwanted person to enter your room.
- Keep your shades drawn when changing clothes or retiring for the night.
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On 10.25.09—By Dr. Clint Van Zandt
Learn how to protect yourself when you’re away from home at college.
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