Families & Visitors
<< Back to September 2012 Newsletter
Safety Notes
Students hear various safety messages from home and from campus. Here are a few that don’t always get the same attention, yet are very important in keeping your student safe:
- Write your name on the same page in each textbook, near the spine, so you can more easily identify them if they are stolen.
- Report any obscene emails, texts, social media or phone messages. Some students are bullying and stalking others via cyberspace, and campus officials need to know so they can step in.
- Let residence hall staff know about building concerns like slippery floors, broken glass, missing window screens, burned out lights and more that can compromise community safety.
- When noting a person so you can describe him later, recall permanent features like hair color, height, facial structure, tattoos and birthmarks, rather than just focusing on changeable features like clothing.
- When describing an incident, stay objective, keep things in time order and share where you were located when it occurred.
- Don’t post away messages on Facebook, IM or on your door memo board that tell exactly where you are and for how long. That can be an invitation for robbery or other harm.
- If you’re sitting in your car in a parking lot making a phone call, lock the door so no one can take you by surprise.
- If you go somewhere with friends, make sure that everyone is accounted for before leaving.
- Memorize the phone number for campus public safety so you can call at a moment’s notice.
- If a friend seems ill, intoxicated or drugged, get help immediately. Don’t worry about them “getting in trouble.” Their health and safety need to be your #1 concern.
- Don’t transport anyone to the hospital! Most of us aren’t medically trained and could do more harm than good by moving an injured person. Ambulance personnel can work on your friend en route – they know what they’re doing.
As we all work together to educate students about safety concerns, we’re helping them be smart and stay safe.
Sources: www.securityoncampus.org; www.campussafetymonth.org/home
Our Mission Statement
The Office of Residence Life at James Madison University is committed to designing and maintaining a caring environment that encourages academic success, respect, personal growth and responsibility to one's community.
Quick Links
Photos
