Staying Safe on Campus

Personal Items

Cars and Bikes

Register your vehicle and bicycle with the Campus Police and keep them locked at all times. Do not leave valuables in your vehicle.

Electronics

Do not leave small portable devices such as laptops, iPods, cell phones and other electronics unattended, even for a short period of time.

Cellular Telephones

Cellular telephones can be of valuable assistance in the event of an emergency. Unfortunately they can also be distracting and directly or indirectly lead to motor vehicle accidents. Here are some suggestions for the safe use of a cellular telephone in a vehicle:

  • Please make sure your cellular telephone is positioned where it is easy to see and easy to reach. Be familiar with the operation of the telephone, so that you are comfortable using it on the road
  • It is best to dial the telephone when the vehicle is not moving
  • Use a hands-free microphone while driving
  • Use the speed dial feature to program frequently called numbers. This way you can dial the telephone by pressing only one button
  • Writing while driving is very dangerous. If this is necessary pull over to a safe location to continue your conversation
  • If available use your telephone's voice activated dialing feature to place a call so you don't have to take your eyes off of the road to dial
  • Let your network's voice mail take the call if it's inconvenient or unsafe to answer the telephone while driving

Around Campus

Walking

  • Avoid walking alone, especially in dark vacant areas, and avoid shortcuts
  • If you must walk alone, walk directly to your destination on well-lighted paths. Walk with an air of confidence. Look alert; be aware of your surroundings
  • Keep your hands free, not overloaded
  • Have your keys ready
  • Do not lend your key to anyone

Running

  • Stay alert at all times. The more aware you are, the less vulnerable
  • Don't wear headphones, you may not be able to hear approaching vehicles or an approaching attacker
  • Avoid wearing jewelry, carry identification and know the location of telephones along your route. Tell family and friends of your favorite running routes and write down or leave word of the direction of your run
  • Run in familiar areas avoiding unpopulated locations
  • Try to go with one or more friends
  • At night, wear reflective material, use lighted and well-traveled roadways
  • Be cautious about walking or running the campus periphery at night
  • Trust your intuition about an area or a person. Avoid them if you are unsure
  • Use discretion in acknowledging verbal harassment by strangers
  • Project calmness and strength, keep your distance and keep moving
  • Be vigilant on-campus. Call the Campus Police Department or off-campus the local police department immediately if something happens to you or someone else, or if you notice anyone or anything out of the ordinary
  • Know where the emergency blue-light phones are located throughout the campus

In Campus Residences and Buildings

  • Keep your office or residence hall room door locked at all times when unattended even when you are just down the hall, and lock your room door when you are asleep
  • Never compromise your safety for a roommate or friend who asks you to leave your door unlocked
  • Notify your house director if your key is lost or stolen. Notify the One Card office if your One Card is lost or stolen
  • Use caution admitting strangers, and be careful of individuals following in through an open door
  • Call the Campus Police if you see any suspicious activity or for any emergency
  • If you are being followed, run to an occupied area or campus residence and yell for help
  • Utilize quality lighting around door entrances

Off Campus

  • Report suspicious activities to campus police or the town police if you live off campus
  • Do not block fire lanes, tow zones or in Handicapped Parking spaces without a state-issued placard or hangtag
  • Tell your friends about your plans and destinations when leaving your house, especially when you go off campus
  • Call your friends if your return will be delayed
  • Learn effective techniques of self-protection
  • Carry the schedules for Five College and student shuttle buses and the phone numbers of local taxi services and friends or house mates with cars
  • Also carry an emergency reserve of cash in case you need to take a taxi back to campus