Get Smart About Campus Safety

For many students living away from home for the first time, it is easy to take certain things for granted. But personal safety is something that should never be overlooked. According to a report produced by the National Institute of Justice, recent crime rates have shown that campus areas are not as safe as once was thought. In fact, college students may even be at a higher risk for certain types of violent crimes than non-students of the same age group.

Though certain seemingly minor things such as showing your ID to get into dorms or the library may feel like a hassle, it is becoming increasingly critical for students to take safety very seriously, and take precautions that could protect them or their peers from potentially being victims.

Safe Campuses Now is a non-profit established to promote awareness of crime and safety issues for students, parents and university officials and groups. Their website offers some helpful tips for students to keep in mind as they head off to college:

• Always lock your doors, even if you are in your room or going to the bathroom down the hall. A theft takes less than one minute.
• Report suspicious people or activities in dorms to your RA, or call police.
• Never prop doors open, even for a short time. Anyone could sneak in through unlocked doors.
• Do not rely only upon on-campus crime statistics, students will spend a large amount of their time off campus as well, and should be aware of local crime conditions.
• Know the campus shuttle schedule, and utilize it whenever possible.
• When exercising, choose a route that is familiar and takes you through areas with open businesses or stores.
• Avoid unpopulated or isolated wooded areas, particularly during the early morning or evening hours; dawn & dusk give cover to potential muggers or other criminals.

These are just a few things to keep in mind. But whether on or off campus, in a public parking lot, taking money out of the ATM or exercising, even these common every day activities could prove dangerous. Check out Safe Campuses Now for a more extensive checklist of safety tips and recommendations for college bound students.