44 Campus Safety

When students come to college they accept new responsibilities, including taking appropriate measures to ensure their own personal safety. In combination with MSC’s efforts to maintain a safe living and learning environment, the College encourages students to follow these safety tips to protect themselves.Sometimes, especially in cases of sexual or domestic violence, safety tips can border on blaming the victim for not taking these steps to prevent their victimization. MSC wants to be very clear that victims are in NO way at fault for anything that happened to them, regardless of the circumstances. So, these safety tips are a great resource but should never be reason for placing blame on victims. 

At home, in your suite, or in a residential hall:

1. Keep your room door locked when you are napping/sleeping or not in your room.
2. Never let unauthorized persons come into your room, enter residence halls, or enter apartment security doors. Always ask to see proper identification.
3. Never prop open inside or outside doors.
4. Do not hide keys outside of your room or apartment. Do not put your name or address on your key rings.
5. Avoid working or studying alone in a campus building.
6. Never dress in front of a window. Close blinds or curtains after dark.
7. If you are awakened by an intruder inside your room, do not attempt to apprehend the intruder. Try to get an accurate description of the intruder and then call the police.
8. Wear a lanyard with your student ID at all times.
9. Any suspicious activity should be reported to the MSC Police immediately.

 

Protect Your Possessions:

1. Always keep your doors locked. Never prop open a door.
2. Secure your vehicle. Close all windows and lock all doors.
3. Adequately protect all valuables in your room, such as wallets, jewelry, credit cards, cash and computers. Do not leave valuables or cash in plain view.
4. Do not loan your keys to anyone.
5. Never hide your keys outside your apartment or room. Do not put your name or address on your key rings.
6. Take all valuable items home with you during vacations.
7. When in a public place, keep valuable possessions out of sight. If you must leave an area for any length of time, take personal items with you.

 

When Driving:

1. Carry your car keys when approaching your vehicle so you can enter quickly.
2. Always check underneath your car upon approach and in the rear seat for intruders before entering your automobile.
3. Lock your doors and keep windows rolled up whenever possible.
4. Drive on well-traveled and well-lit streets.
5. Never hitchhike, and never pick up hitchhikers.
6. If someone tries to enter your stopped vehicle, sound the horn and drive to a safe area such as a convenience store.
7. If your vehicle breaks down, ask any person who offers to help to call the police. Do not allow any person access to you or inside your car. Roll down your window no more than an inch. Be aware that an accident may be staged to provide the driver who hits you an opportunity to commit a criminal act.
8. Leave enough room between your car and the one ahead so you can drive around it if necessary.
9. Call ahead when driving to your home or apartment late at night and have someone watch you walk from your car to the residence.
10. Limit distractions such as cell phones.

 

While Walking or Jogging:

1. Avoid walking or jogging alone, and try not to walk or jog after dark.
2. Avoid dark or vacant areas. Walk along well-lit routes.
3. Be alert to your surroundings. If you suspect you are being followed: Run in a different direction, go to the other side of the street and yell for help, or move quickly to a lit area, a group of people, or a blue light emergency phone.
4. Have your keys ready when returning to your residence hall or apartment. Keep your personal or valuable items concealed and close to your body.
5. Avoid wearing headphones when walking or jogging. Always be aware of your surroundings and practice risk avoidance techniques.