Here’s some information from our Public Safety Office about campus safety that I wanted to pass on to you. It is common-sense advice that is offered just as a reminder as you prepare to transition to campus life.
College campuses across the country are generally safe places for the students attending them. In many instances, though, this leads to a relaxed attitude toward personal safety and security measures and students tend to let their guard down.
A majority of the incidents that occur on our campus are “crimes of opportunity.” These happen when students leave their room doors unlocked when they leave, do not use the window locks in their houses, leave unlocked bikes outside, or leave their laptops unattended in a library or residence hall. We usually see a rise in laptop thefts during exam periods when students are preoccupied with their studies and leave their laptop “for a few minutes” while they run to grab a bite to eat. It only takes a few seconds for a thief to unplug the laptop, put it in a backpack, and walk away. You should always lock your room or residential area when leaving, even if it is only for a few minutes or you are going down the hall to shower. College campuses are places where thefts occur because there is a large number of laptops, small electronic items such as Ipods, and bikes in a small geographic area that are often left unsecured and unattended.
As you would anywhere else, be aware of your surroundings when walking around campus day or night and always remember to secure your personal items or keep them in your sight. There is no substitute for vigilance when it comes to campus safety.