Student Handbook - Personal Safety

The rising incidence nationally of theft and violence has become an increasingly important matter for universities in recent years, demonstrating the need for proactive crime prevention programs, strategies and techniques specifically tailored for student residence facilities. The University Police Department and the Student Association have put together a crime awareness program called Campus Watch. The objectives of this program are to 1) foster cooperation and communication to promote personal safety and a sense of  ommunity in dealing with problems, 2) educate members of the campus community about their vulnerability to crime and ways to prevent victimization, and 3) assume leadership in local efforts to reduce crime and improve community life.

Here are some tips from Campus Watch for students to follow:
 

Room Security
Always keep your doors locked, even if you will be out "for a few minutes." It only takes a few minutes for a thief to commit a crime. If you have valuables, engrave them with your driver's license  number. The University Police will be in your college at the beginning of the fall semester to engrave your valuables. If you miss the date, call the University Police for an appointment to come and engrave your valuables. 

Suspicious Persons
Be alert for strange persons in the commons, private areas of the colleges or university buildings, and report them to the University Police. If you don't recognize an individual, contact the University Police and let them handle the identification. Do not attempt to identify a suspicious person yourself; let the University Police do it. 

While Walking
Be alert, do not daydream and DO notice who passes you by, and if you believe you are being followed, change direction or vary your speed. Walk into the middle of the street, into a well-lighted area or where there are people. Carry only minimal cash and avoid wearing expensive-looking jewelry. Keep hands free as much as possible and avoid carrying large bulky objects that may restrict the use of your hands. Avoid walking on dark or deserted streets and taking shortcuts through parks and alleys.

Automatic Teller Machines
Go to a grocery store where the ATM is inside. Do not go to a bank or store where the ATM is outside. Have someone go with you or avoid using ATMs entirely. Most grocery and convenience stores have ATMs available inside their buildings. There is an ATM located in Fondren Library and in the convenience store of the Student Center.

The University Police will respond quickly to a call. Always remember that if something just "doesn't look right," contact the University Police and have them determine if there may be a problem. You could be preventing a crime from taking place. Call 713-348-6000 or x6000 from a campus phone.