General Tips
At Central Michigan University, providing you with a safe campus is one of our top priorities. While CMU has one of the safest campuses in the state, it's important that each of us uses common sense and takes appropriate precautions. Unfortunately, accidents, crimes and injuries do exist on campus. Fortunately, the right attitudes and actions can protect you, your belongings, fellow students and the campus.
Why should I know about campus safety?
Because campus safety depends on everyone -- including you! Do your part to protect against:
CRIME - Assault, murder, rape, burglary, vandalism, auto theft and other crimes can endanger members of the college community.
FIRE - On-campus fire or off, fire can destroy property and injure or kill people.
ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE - Too often, students don't realize the tragic effects of drug and alcohol abuse until it's too late.
ACCIDENTS - Motor vehicle crashes and other accidents claim more young people's lives than all other causes combined.
People working together can do a lot to guard against campus hazards.
Using common sense is often your best protection when walking, jogging, biking or inline skating.
Take Steps to Protect Yourself:
Keep your doors locked. Keep money and jewelry locked up and out of sight. Make a record of your valuables, record model and serial numbers. Do not hide a spare key. Take your valuables with you when you go home during school vacations.
Always LOCK your doors! After driving passengers, they often forget to lock their door, double check and make sure all doors are locked. Park in well lighted areas. When you arrive in the day time be aware of what the conditions of the parking lot will be during the night. Park near lighted areas. If you must keep valuables in your car, keep them locked in the trunk or out of sight. Remember to maintain your vehicle. Look for wear and listen and feel for unusual sounds or shakes.
Book theft is a serious problem on college campuses. Protect your books by marking them with your name and driver's license number in a specific place. Keep your books with you; do not leave them unattended in public places such as the library, the testing center, or the Student Activities Center. Do not leave them on coat racks or in unsecured lockers. Report book thefts immediately to the CMU Police Department if they were taken from an on-campus location, or the Mt. Pleasant Police Department if they were taken from an off-campus location. Often, recovery may be made at the resale counter of the UC Bookstore or the Student Book Exchange.
The CMU Police Department offers a free textbook marking program that will help identify your book in case they are lost or stolen. This will greatly increase the chances that your textbooks will be returned to you. It will also help the CMU Police Department in identifying the person that took your books. Please stop in at the CMU Police Department, or contact Officer Jeff Ballard at 774-2276 for more information.
Go with someone. There's safety in numbers. Stay away from isolated areas. Try to stay near streetlights. Avoid shortcuts. Alleys, parks and parking lots maybe dark and isolated. If you notice unlit street lights, report them to Facilities Management at (989) 774-6548. Protect your valuables. Hold your purse or briefcase tightly, close to your body. Do not carry a purse or backpack hanging from your shoulder. Don't flaunt expensive jewelry.
Cross the street. Change direction. Keep looking back so the person will know you can't be surprised. Go to a well-lighted area, enter a store, house, residence hall, classroom or library -- anywhere there are people. Notice and remember as much as possible about the person so you can give a good description. Locate a Blue Light Emergency Phone or telephone and contact CMU Police at 911.
Don't resist. No amount of money is worth taking chances with your life. Don't take risks. You can never tell if a robber is armed. Notify the campus police immediately. Try to give a description that includes approximate age, height and weight and details on hair, clothing, jewelry, scars -- anything that's noticeable.