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Campus Safety
It is important to take sensible precautions and become familiar with your new environment in order to remain safe. The campus has a variety of programs to provide a safer place in which you can study, work, and socialize. Campus lighting evaluations and improvements, emergency phones, Student Patrol, self-defense classes, and SafeRides are just a few examples of resources that are available to enhance your safety.
Walking Around Campus
- Stay alert - call the police immediately to report suspicious activity.
- Trust your instincts - if it doesn’t feel right, call for help.
- Avoid walking alone at night. Travel in groups when possible and always walk in well-lit, heavily traveled areas.
- Avoid walking near vacant lots, alleys, construction sites, and wooded areas.
- Learn where the campus emergency phones are located and how to use them.
- Learn the best routes between your residence hall and your classes, work and activities.
- Take the safest route, not the fastest route. The safest route is usually the best lit, most traveled one.
- Turn down your electronic devices. Excessive volume or use of electronic devices (iPods, PDAs, cell phones, etc.) can distract you from a potential safety hazard.
- Carry a cell phone, whistle, or a personal alarm to alert people that you need help.
- When you go out, let a friend or roommate know where and with whom you'll be and when you'll be back.
- When on an elevator, be aware of other people. Attempt to stand close to the control panel with your back against the elevator wall. If you feel threatened or are attacked in the elevator, hit the alarm button and as many floor buttons as possible.
At Home
- Doors and windows to your residence hall, apartment or home should be locked. Do not loan out your key or access card.
- Don't leave exterior doors propped open. If you find one open, close it. At night, these doors are locked for your protection.
- Do not leave your identification, wallets, checkbooks, jewelry, cameras, and other valuables in open view.
- Program your phone's speed dial memory with emergency numbers.
- Record the serial numbers of valuable objects you have in your room, home or office. Engrave such objects with your name or driver's license number. Engravers are available from the University residence halls and the University Police.
- Do not allow people you do not know well to stay overnight in your room, apartment or home.
- If you notice a person attempting to gain entry to your residence or attempting to look into your residence, call the police.
Other Helpful Hints
- Know your routes of escape.
- Enroll in a self-defense course. Call the University Police for information.
- Register your contact information with “UI-Emergency” at http://emergency.illinois.edu to receive messages about critical safety issues on campus.
- Never leave personal property (e.g., book bag, laptop computers, etc.) unattended for any period of time. Theft is the number one crime on campus.
- Drink responsibly - remember your ability to respond is diminished by over-consumption of alcohol.
- Try to park your car in an area that is well-lit and is clear of disruptive loud crowds.
- Lock your car doors and roll up the windows completely—even if you’re only running a quick errand.
If You Are Victimized
- Remain calm. Try not to panic.
- Call the police immediately.
- Get a description of the suspect. Note the person’s sex, age, height, weight, race, hair, eye color, glasses type, tattoos, scars or marks, and complexion. Also note the person’s clothing in as much detail as possible.
- If a vehicle was used, note the license plate number, model, color of vehicle, as well as direction of travel.
SafeRides
Offered by the Mass Transit District, SafeRides provides safe transportation between designated areas to University students, faculty, and staff. SafeRides is not intended to be a service of convenience, but rather a safe means of transportation when other travel options do not offer a secure environment.
For more information, visit MTD Saferides website.