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Safety Where You Live

In Common Areas

peopleIsolated spots on campus can compromise your safety. Be careful.

If you need to work in an isolated area, make sure that someone knows where you are. Feel free to alert University Police that you're in there so they are aware.

If you're looking for a quiet spot to study like the laundry room late at night or a secluded lounge, again, let someone know where you are. And, whenever possible, invite someone else along to study with you.

In Your Apartment

All of the room tips apply to apartments, too. In addition:

  • Ask local police to do a free safety check of your place.
  • Don't put your full name on your mailbox or publish it in the phone book.

In Your Room

Whether you live on or off campus, it's crucial that you take responsibility for your surroundings. The following tips can save you a great deal of trouble.

  • Always lock your door, especially when you're inside sleeping or when you go out.
  • Don't leave a spare key in an easy to find spot. They are the first places someone who wants to enter your room will look!
  • Don't let strangers into your room. Look through the peephole before answering the door.
  • If someone asks to come in so you can sign a petition or so they can use your phone, tell them you'll meet them in the hallway. That way, you're in a public space.
  • If a stranger is in your room, keep the door wide open.
  • If someone knocks and says they're from maintenance or any other group, ask to see ID before letting them in.
  • Report lost keys to the residence life staff immediately! Sure, the person who eventually finds your keys may simply turn them in to public safety and be done with it. However, there are people who may use your keys to hurt you or take your belongings.

bookstoreYour Stuff

You need to take some extra precautions to ensure that your personal property stays safe.

  • Always lock up your bike. Check to see if your residence hall offers winter bike storage in a secure location.
  • Don't leave large amounts of cash in your room, even if it's "hidden" in your sock drawer.
  • Don't leave valuables in plain sight.
  • Keep your blinds pulled at night and when you're out so that potential burglars can't see what's "available" to them.
  • Take advantage of the campus engraving program, Operation ID, so that you can register your big ticket items such as computers, stereos, TVs, bikes and more. That way, if they're stolen, and recovered, they can be easily identified.
  • Textbooks are often targeted by thieves. Keep yours safe by putting an identifying characteristic -- your name, a certain # -- along the binding on the same page in each book. This way if your books are stolen, you can tell bookstore personnel and University Police to "look for the initials along the binding on page 22 of each book" to identify them.
  • When you're at the gym or fitness center, don't leave your backpack unattended. It's too easy for someone to snatch your stuff while you're taking a quick dip in the pool. Use the lockers and bring your own lock, if necessary.