Personal Safety Tips

Add Security’s telephone number, 608-363-2355, to your cell phone now!

Security escort services are available by calling Security at 608-363-2355, and never be hesitant to call Security with any questions or for assistance.

• Be alert!
• Avoid walking alone at night, particularly in isolated areas with limited lighting. If you must walk alone, let a friend know where you are going and call when you arrive safely. Let them know where you are and who you are with. Don’t take the same route every day. Walking with confidence may deter an attacker, but you should not assume that doing so will always ensure your safety.
• If you are being followed, head quickly (run if necessary) to a well-lit area, building, or group of people and call Security (608-363-2355) from your cell phone. If you can, go to the nearest outside blue light emergency telephone, then press the Emergency Button, which calls Security
• Go to parties with friends and leave with those same friends. Look out for one another, and if it appears someone may be in trouble, do not hesitate to help.
• Using drugs or alcohol will impair your judgment, ability to react, and interfere with your instincts.
• Carry the key you will use next once you approach your destination. You will leave yourself vulnerable for a shorter period by having it ready.
• Drive your own vehicle so you don’t have to rely on others for transportation and look in the back seat before entering to make sure no one is hiding there.
• Don’t prop open doors to your building, room, or other areas. Not only is this a fire hazard, but doors that are propped open are invitations to intruders.
• Sleep with your door locked and lock your door whenever you leave.
• Take a self-defense course, but do not attempt to apprehend subjects yourself; observe as much as you can and call Security immediately.

If you are the victim of an assault

Remain as calm and aware as possible, but the other person is hurting you. You have the right to defend yourself, even if that means hurting the other person.

• Notice everything you can about the perpetrator: clothing, color of shoes, gender, height, weight, race, hair length, color, facial hair, speech, direction of travel, etc.
• Preserve all physical evidence. Do not touch any object that may have been handled by the assailant.
• Seek assistance from Campus Security (608-363-2355) immediately. If you are in severe and immediate danger of great physical harm, call 911.

If you see something, say something

Trust your instincts, go to the nearest place of safety, and report suspicious behavior to the Security Department (608-363-2355).

• Remember that behavior, activity, and situations are suspicious. Not somebody’s race, ethnicity, gender, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
• Every reported incident will be responded to by a Security officer, and a follow-up investigation will occur when necessary. Local authorities are also called whenever needed, or if requested, by any victim of a crime. It is standard procedure for a Security officer to ask crime victims if they would like to have a police report.

Property Safety Tips

Minor thefts of personal property are the most common crimes on campus. It is perhaps one of the most difficult crimes for the college to prevent. YOU, however, have a great deal of control in the prevention of personal property thefts simply by following some common-sense guidelines.

• Keep your room locked at all times! Even if you’ll only be out for “a few minutes.”, like taking a shower or using the restroom. Always lock your room door before you go to sleep.
• Always lock your car doors even if you’ll only be away for a short time. Park in well-lit areas or in view of a camera whenever possible. Never leave your keys in your car. Avoid leaving property in your vehicle. If you must do so, lock it in your trunk or conceal any valuables so they are not visible.
• Record serial numbers, brand names, model numbers, and descriptions of valuable items (E.g., laptops, gaming consoles, bicycles) for your Take a picture of these serials and items at the start of the year and back them up.
• Report faulty locks, doors, windows, and lights to Facilities via a Work Request, to your R.A., or Security if neither is available and it’s an emergency.
• Take your purse, wallet, laptop, or other valuables with you when you leave a lounge, classroom, or table. Even at the library! NEVER leave your items unattended. Leave your book bag in your room when going to a meal at Commons.
• Always lock your bicycle using a good lock. “U” shaped locks are the best when secured through an immovable portion of the bike frame. Remove quick-release items from your bike and store them in your room. Record serial numbers, model numbers, brand names, etc., and keep them for your records.
• If you own a Kia or Hyundai vehicle, update the software if you never have. Get a steering wheel lock. A known manufacturer vulnerability caused a large surge in vehicle thefts regardless of whether they were affected by the vulnerability.