Each year, institutions of higher education recognize September as Campus Safety Awareness Month. With students’ becoming acclimated to campuses across the country, September is the perfect time to emphasize ways to keep students safe while on campus.
Consider the following checklist a starting point for campus safety:
- Stay vigilant. This can’t be stressed enough and it’s more difficult than you think. Vigilance requires focus, meaning students who walk with their heads down to check Snapchat with their earbuds in are far easier targets than the students who walk with their hands free and are looking around. Be sure to have your keys out and ready to enter a vehicle or building and walk with a purpose, don’t wander.
- Use the Buddy System. It seems silly, but two are harder to control than just one. Two means a witness. Having a second person to walk with you early in the morning or at night is a major deterrent. Ideally, students should try to limit their time moving through campus in the dark, but if it can’t be avoided using the buddy system and staying vigilant makes a difference.
- Be social media savvy. In a world of instant information, students should be careful of what they share. Allowing everyone to view your Snap map or posting your location to social media is all that’s needed to find you. Consider only sharing your Snap map with select users and only post your whereabouts after you’ve already left. Be considerate of others as well if you do post location information by not tagging them.
- Take advantage of self defense training. Many colleges, local activity centers such as the Y, and police departments offer self defense classes and host workshops that highlight how to avoid being a target. Check with your institution first before reaching out to the local rec center and police department on possible classes or workshops available. Knowing basic techniques in self defense can mean a very different outcome if you are attacked.
- Carry self defense items on your person. Everything from personal safety alarms or whistles to pepper spray and tasers are available to buy online, but that doesn’t mean they’re okay to have on campus or even in your state. Check with your campus security office to see what items you can safely and legally carry on your person for self defense.
- Exchange emergency information with your close friends and roommates. Consider giving some of this information to your parents as well — for instance the phone number of your roommate’s mother or father. This way it’s easy to connect during an emergency.
- Sign up for emergency alerts. Many campuses now utilize an emergency alert system that can be utilized by staff, students and their families. Check with your school to see if there is an app to download or how you can sign up for emergency alerts. This is beneficial in a number of circumstances, like inclement weather, as well as emergency situations.
- Utilize Campus Security. Campus security officers are there for a reason. If you feel threatened, call them. Officers are happy to escort you to and from a building or vehicle, all you have to do is ask. They would much rather see you in that capacity than taking a statement from you after the fact.
- Don’t ignore your gut. Intuition is a real thing — don’t pretend it’s not talking to you. If your gut is telling you not to walk alone or take that particular route, then don’t! Even if others are or even if you feel silly for thinking that way, it’s not worth it. Ask someone to walk with you or change your route. They’re simple things that can keep you safe.
Be sure to talk to your campus security office for more information and always report suspicious activity.
If you would like to speak with someone from our organization, our Campus Advocate Felicia would be happy to meet with you! Call or text 402-992-3828 or email campusadvocate@brighthorizonsne.org.