Back to Top

Safety Tips

From the moment you walk on campus to graduation day, you should always be smart and be safe with yourself and with your possessions. Below are some safety tips that you should follow while on campus or anywhere you will be: Safety Tips for Students While at College

If you know of a crime that has occurred or is occurring on campus we would like you to report it:         Complete our silent witness form »

 

 

 

 

 

Important Phone Numbers:

CAMPUS EMERGENCY 911 
On-campus NON-EMERGENCY 3434 
Off-campus NON-EMERGENCY (504) 865-3434

  • Study the campus and neighborhood with respect to routes between your residence and class/activities schedule. Know where emergency phones are located. Familiarize yourself with the location of emergency telephones, both indoor and outdoor. These boxes all have a blue button near the bottom of the faceplate that will auto-dial to University Police. University Police Dispatch will answer; allowing you to communicate with them, or you can press the button and continue on, if you feel that it's best to do so. Dispatch can tell where the call came from and dispatch an Officer to the scene.
  • Share your class/activities schedule with parents and a network of close friends, effectively creating a type of "buddy" system. Give network telephone numbers to your parents, advisors, and friends.
  • Survey the campus, academic buildings, residence halls, and other facilities while classes are in session and after dark to see that buildings, walkways, quadrangles, and parking lots are adequately secured, lit and patrolled.
  • Stick to well-lighted and busy areas. Stay on the part of the sidewalk that is farthest away from shrubs, dark doorways and alleys where people can hide.
  • Although University Police patrol the campus 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, we cannot be at every place at every time. Therefore, when traveling about the campus, travel in groups of two or more and always travel in well-lit, heavily traveled areas. Use our escort service after dark. Never walk alone at night. Avoid "shortcuts".
  • Follow what your instincts tell you. If you're walking on campus and just have a strange feeling that something's wrong, then something may be wrong. Change directions to a well-traveled, well-lit area and head toward a campus emergency phone, to University Police, or to your residence hall.
  • Use the buddy system. If you're out walking on campus or heading to a local bar, take a friend with you and don't leave his or her side. Watch out for each other and make sure that the other makes it safely back to their room. While you're at the bar, if someone harasses you, tell your bartender or server.
  • If ever confronted by a "flasher," there are certain steps that University Police urge you to follow. First, if you feel that you are in danger, get away--leave the area. Immediately contact University Police at Extension 3434. University Police will ask you several questions, and it is important to relay the information to the best of your ability. University Police will ask for a description of the subject: was s/he wearing anything, how tall was the subject, what hair color did the subject have, etc. Also, University Police will ask for the location that this occurred, did the subject leave the area, and, if so, which way did the subject go. Were there any cars in the area or did the subject leave in a car. Any information you can provide is valuable information and University Police strongly encourages you to call as soon as possible after the incident.
  • Know your neighborhood and campus; find out which buildings are open late (or early) and where you go to summon help if needed.
  • Choose an ATM that is located inside a building, such as the Danna Center or other well-lit locations. Never count cash at the machine or in public. Wait until you are in a secure place.
  • Obtain a whistle from the Campus Safety & Security Department and carry it with you at all times. Use your whistle to draw attention.
  • Call for an escort.
  • Always lock your car and your room. Students will commonly leave their door unlocked if they are expecting a visitor or if they are going to be away for just a minute. Many thefts occur when the student is away from their room for just a few minutes. Do not loan out your key. Re-key locks when a key is lost or stolen.
  • Always lock your doors and 1st and 2nd floor windows at night. Never compromise your safety for a roommate who asks you to leave the door unlocked.
  • Never give your keys or your student id/keycard to anyone, even if they are your best friend. With your room keys, they can enter your room at any time that they want. With your student id, anyone who has it can enter your residential building anytime they want and also use your meal plans as they please.
  • Residence Halls have a central entrance/exit lobby where nighttime access is monitored, as well as an outside telephone which visitors must use to gain access.
  • Do not leave your identification, wallets, checkbooks, jewelry, cameras, and other valuables in open view. Avoid displaying large amounts of cash or other tempting targets such as jewelry or expensive clothing.
  • University police as well as all R. A.s have invisible ultra-violet markers that can be used to I.D your property that helps get your property back to you if it is stolen as well as help convict the person who stole it. University police also have electric engravers that can be used. Take advantage of these crime prevention tools.
  • Program your phone's speed dial memory with emergency numbers that include “911 and family and friends.
  • Know your neighbors and don't be reluctant to report illegal activities and suspicious loitering.