Who are the safety officers on your campus?

The role and duties of your campus police and public safety departments will vary. Public schools will frequently have state-appointed full police officers whereas private universities may employ their own non-police public safety officers. Although the following will illuminate some distinctions, check on your own institutions specific policies.

• “Many campus police officers come from municipal police departments and have very similar training and educational backgrounds. Campus police are sworn officers who are given powers to enforce federal, state and local laws, in addition to any campus-specific policies. These include powers to arrest suspects and carry firearms. Campus security departments also employ non-sworn staff for peacekeeping, community projects and safety patrolling.“
• “Campus police operate in a much more limited jurisdiction than other law enforcement. The specifics vary from campus to campus and depend on agreements with local law enforcement agencies as well as state regulations. Some campuses give their departments full police powers in the county in which their university is located, which means that campus police officers can respond to calls and conduct activities like traffic stops if they witness something suspicious off campus.“
• “A campus police department may report minor incidents to the Dean of Students instead of pursuing legal action that would result in a criminal record for the accused student. Instead of going through a criminal process, the student may be suspended or otherwise disciplined outside of the justice system. This flexibility allows campus police departments to focus more on remediation than punishment.“
• “Since campus police work at and for universities, there’s more emphasis on education and crime prevention. Police officers on college campuses may teach safety workshops and self-defense lessons, or provide safety patrols to students taking classes at night.“
• “Schools are also required to designate campus security authority (CSA) personnel who are required to report crimes to the campus police if a victim confides in them (this is also sometimes referred to as mandatory reporting). Campus police must understand how the reporting procedures for Title IX, FERPA, and Clery crimes work before they can begin their duties.“
• “Because they are in the immediate area, campus police are likely to arrive on the scene of an emergency before outside medical personnel who need to travel to get to campus. Thus, campus police departments are the de facto first responders for universities and receive extensive training on first aid and emergency response, including managing an active shooter situation, inclement weather or any other incident.“
• “While all law enforcement agencies have to interact with the public, there is a greater emphasis on providing customer service at campus police departments because they often have to work with families and staff members who are personally invested in incidents involving their child or student. This dynamic requires a careful balancing of priorities when managing investigations.“

Source: How protecting a campus differs from municipal police work

FERPA

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. It’s a federal law that protects the privacy of students’ educational records. FERPA gives parents and students the right to access and review their education records. It also limits who can see a student’s personally identifiable information.

As a student staff member, you need to exercise caution when accessing or sharing student information. When in doubt, as your supervisor.

Bystander behavior is when someone sees a problem or emergency and doesn’t intervene. The bystander effect is the social science theory that people are less likely to help when others are present.

Bystander intervention is a strategy to prevent violence and abuse by intervening in situations that may lead to harm. 

• Cook only in designated areas. Kitchens often have minimum safety features for ventilation and power.
• If you have a fire inside the microwave, keep the unit closed.
• Keep an eye on what you are cooking, especially if you are cooking at high temperatures.
• Keep fabrics like cleaning rags and curtains away from stovetops and light bulbs.
• Don’t use extension cords or power strips with large appliances.
• Do not plug extension cords into each other and use those with surge and overload protectors.

Tips For Walking Campus Safely at Night

1. Be aware of your surroundings: Stay alert and attentive to what’s happening around you. Avoid distractions such as texting or listening to music with headphones while walking.
2. Walk in well-lit areas: Stick to well-lit paths and avoid poorly lit or deserted areas, especially at night.
3. Stay on designated pathways: Stick to designated walkways and avoid taking shortcuts through isolated areas or unfamiliar places.
4. Travel in groups: Whenever possible, walk with friends or classmates, especially at night or in areas where you feel less secure.
5. Trust your instincts: If something feels off or makes you uncomfortable, trust your instincts and take action to remove yourself from the situation.
6. Keep your belongings secure: Carry your backpack, purse, or other belongings close to your body and be mindful of pickpockets or thieves. Consider using a backpack with zippers or compartments that are difficult for someone to access without your knowledge.
7. Stay connected: Let someone know your whereabouts and when you expect to return, especially if you’re walking alone at night.
8. Use campus resources: Familiarize yourself with campus security resources such as emergency call boxes, campus escort services, or campus police stations. These resources are there to help you stay safe.
9. Avoid risky behavior: Avoid walking alone late at night, engaging with strangers who make you feel uncomfortable, or consuming alcohol excessively, especially if you need to walk back to your residence afterward.
10. Report suspicious activity: If you observe any suspicious or concerning behavior, report it to campus security or local law enforcement immediately. Your vigilance can help prevent potential incidents and keep the campus community safe.