Personal Safety and Student Property

While the University takes reasonable precautions, the University cannot assume responsibility for the personal security of students or the security of personal possessions. Please take the following precautions to help safeguard yourself and your belongings:

In General

  • Do not open the door to a secured area for any stranger or non-resident of your building.
  • Report strangers in the building to the RA, residential coordinator or to the Office of Public Safety.

Suggestions for Personal Security

  • Lock the door and windows to your room when you leave, when you are sleeping, or are in the bathroom.
  • Be aware of your surroundings and those people around you.
  • Walk in well-lighted areas.
  • Avoid walking jogging alone.
  • Call security for escorts across campus late at night.
  • Avoid working or studying alone at night in computer labs or isolated areas of campus buildings.
  • Call security and let them know if you are going to be working late at night after regular hours or on weekends.
  • Do not use your name when recording an outgoing message for your answering machine.
  • Do not prop open locked doors.
  • Know the location of campus emergency phones.
  • If you should be the victim of an attack or other incident, notify the Office of Public Safety immediately.

Safeguarding Property

  • Keep your room locked. Keep your key with you. Do not let others borrow your key or ID Card.
  • Do not leave your keys unattended, anywhere!
  • Keep money and valuables in a secure place. Do not keep large amounts of cash in your room.
  • Secure valuables left in your residence hall room or vehicle.
  • Record serial numbers and makes of all your items of value. Record the numbers of your credit cards (or make copies) and bank accounts.
  • Engrave all valuables with a unique number.
  • Lock up your bicycle.
  • Use a lock on your gym locker.
  • Do not leave books, bags, purses, wallets or any other possessions unattended even for a moment. Take them with you.
  • If there is a theft or there is damage to your property, immediately notify the RA, your residential coordinator and the Office of Public Safety.

Reporting Safety and Security Issues

If you notice any of the following issues contact the Physical Plant immediately to have these items repaired:

  • Doors or windows that won't lock
  • Windows that are stuck
  • Lighting that is out

During Breaks

  • While students may leave possessions in rooms, consider bringing valuables home to guard against unforeseen damage or theft.
  • When leaving over breaks, be sure to close and lock all windows and doors.
  • For Village residents, consider the use of lamp timers to help dissuade potential thieves.

Computer

  • Never provide addresses, social security numbers, or last names in online content chat rooms or forums.
  • Always make sure you log off your email account when done and close open windows to reveal open sessions you may have forgotten.
  • Never give your passwords to email accounts, network accounts or other password protected services to anyone. The Office of Instructional Technology prohibits giving access to email accounts to anyone except the person it is assigned to.
  • Back up important data to a floppy disk or removable storage media, and save often while you work.

Vehicle

  • Lock your car and take your keys when you park.
  • Roll your windows all the way up if you have anything of value in your car.
  • Remove valuable property from plain view. Place it in the trunk or out of sight.
  • Park in well-lit areas.
  • Invest in a car alarm, kill switch, and/or steering wheel locking device.

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