With spring's warmer temperatures quickly approaching, University of Colorado at Boulder officials are reminding students of important personal and community safety measures to keep in mind when they are out and about on campus and in the Boulder community.
CU-Boulder officials stress that communication to students about safety, and safety protocols, are ongoing projects on campus.
"Safety is a top priority for the campus," said Gardiner "Tuck" Tucker, assistant dean of students. "We want all students to take care of themselves and each other, and to help one another be successful, especially when it comes to safety and security. We encourage students to make good decisions, be aware of their environment and get help if needed."
Among the tips advised by CU police and safety officials are:
路 Remember to use the buddy system. Don't walk home alone and don't leave friends alone while out at night.
路 Remember to close and lock doors and windows to help prevent burglaries and assaults.
路 Report all suspicious activity and persons in on-campus locations to campus police by calling 9-1-1 in emergencies or 303-492-6666 in non-emergencies.
路 Report all suspicious activity and persons in off-campus locations to Boulder police by calling 9-1-1 in emergencies or 303-441-3333 in non-emergencies.
路 When it comes to personal safety, it is always better to err on the side of caution by contacting one of the numbers listed above with concerns.
路 Remember that alcohol impairs judgment and the ability to recognize dangerous situations.
路 Don't be a passive bystander. If you see a crime in progress, quickly make a call or assemble a group to aid a victim.
路 All residence hall residents should be conscientious about any strangers trying to enter buildings without an escort or "tailgating," entering residence halls with a group of students. Doors leading to living areas in residence halls remain locked 24 hours a day and visitors must be escorted by a hall resident.
CU-Boulder community safety measures already in place include:
路 CUPD employs 46 full-time officers -- up from 40 officers in 2009 -- who patrol the campus and respond to reports of emergencies and crimes 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Students should call 9-1-1 for police, medical and fire emergencies both on and off campus, and 303-492-6666 for non-emergencies on campus and 303-441-3333 for non-emergencies off campus.
路 With input from the Safety Initiatives Coalition, the University of Colorado Student Union (UCSU) developed and administered a safety survey in spring 2009. They will soon administer the survey this spring as well, with the goal of designing and implementing strategies to increase campus and communitywide safety.
路 The bystander intervention program was introduced during New Student Orientation 2009. The new presentation encourages students to take responsibility for the safety of peer groups and teaches the skills necessary to intervene in certain situations.
路 Facilities Management has reinstated the Eyes and Ears Program, which makes all Facilities Management employees available as an emergency communication resource. If an employee witnesses an emergency or is flagged down, he or she will radio for help and stay close by until help arrives.
路 Campus officials encourage students to learn about the prevention of sexual assault and acquaintance rape and the resources that are available for victims. Trained professionals offer free, confidential information and counseling, including reporting options and advocacy. For information, call the Office of Victim Assistance at 303-492-8855, or the Office of Counseling and Psychological Services at 303-492-6766.
路 Campus administrators encourage all students, faculty and staff to sign up for Campus Alerts to receive breaking news about campus emergencies. To access the system, the CU-Boulder community should go to / or /.
路 CU Facilities Management, working with CUPD and other campus safety officials and women's safety advocates, twice a year completes a "lighting walk" audit of campus lighting and obstructions like bushes and brush. 脜s a result, lighting has been added in several areas of campus to enhance safety.
路 There are more than 60 emergency phone kiosks located across the main campus, east campus, Williams Village and Bear Creek Apartments and in the Regent Drive and Euclid Avenue parking lots and on the Hill. Students and others can use them to connect to campus police to report crimes in progress, suspicious persons, medical emergencies or concerns about personal safety.
路 CU NightRide, created by UCSU, offers free, nighttime escorts to students, staff and faculty around campus and anywhere within the Boulder city limits. To request a ride, call 303-492-7233.
路 Community Health uses interactive education, peer-facilitated programs and campuswide campaigns to raise gender violence awareness. For information call 303-492-2937.
路 During orientation, new students learn about crime reporting and personal safety resources and how to obtain more safe-living tips in "Ralphie's Guide to Student Life" . Residence hall advisers, the CU Police Department and the Off-Campus Student Services office also can help students with safety issues.
For more safety information, go to .