Safety Living On Campus

Your Safety
Personal safety and the safety of your belongings and those around you are very important to the Department of University Housing. Specific instructions and hints to help keep you as safe as possible are outlined below. Remember, ultimately safety is your responsibility - be smart.

Fire Safety

To acquaint residents with a fast and orderly means of exit during an emergency, evacuation drills are conducted periodically each semester. Everyone is required to leave the building each time the alarm sounds. Failure to leave the building when the fire alarm is sounded will result in judicial action.

Evacuation procedures

• Refer to the evacuation plan in your room.
• Turn off all lights, televisions, etc. except for the ceiling light, and raise the blinds.
• Stay beneath smoke. If necessary crawl out.
• Close the door of the room or area of the fire.
• Exit the building via the designated fire exits.

Upon discovery of a fire

• Pull the nearest fire alarm and call 9-911.
• Notify a staff member.
• If you feel safe using a fire extinguisher, attempt to extinguish the fire.

Tornado Safety

Tornado "weather" is usually a hot sticky day with southerly winds and a threatening, ominous sky. Clouds are often a greenish-black color.

Tornado watch means weather conditions are suitable for a tornado.

Tornado warning means a tornado has been indicated on radar or has actually been sighted.

In the event of a tornado warning, Georgia Southern has an emergency horn that will sound. When you hear this horn leave your room and close the door. Walk to the lowest level hallway and wait there until you receive an all clear signal from a staff member before returning to your room. Tornado drills are conducted once a semester to acquaint residents with the emergency procedures used in the event of a tornado.

During a Tornado

• Close the blinds, and stay away from the windows.
• Close but do not lock the door.
• Walk to the lowest level hallway and wait for an all-clear signal from a Staff member before returning to your room.

Personal Safety

Here are some important tips to protect yourself in the halls, around campus and in town.

In the hall:

• Lock your door; when you leave to keep your valuables safe; when you sleep to keep yourself safe.
• Know the emergency evacuation procedures for your building; be familiar with the location of fire extinguisher and emergency exits.
• Memorize emergency numbers.
• Follow health and safety regulations listed in your Student Conduct Code.
• Do not prop doors; if you can get in through a propped door, so can an unwelcome intruder.

Around campus or in town

• Avoid walking alone at night; take a friend if you must go.
• Look alert; eliminate the potential attacker's element of surprise.
• Call Night Escort Services at 478-5234 between 6 p.m. & 2 a.m. for an escort anywhere on campus.
• Carry your keys in your hand; this helps avoid fumbling in the dark. Keys carried in your fist, one between each pair of fingers can be used as a weapon.
• Vary your daily patterns; some attackers stalk their victims, knowing just where and when to strike. Keep them confused.
• Pay attention to your surroundings. Where is the best lighted route? Where can you run for help if necessary?

If you are attacked

• Keep your wits about you as best you can. Sometimes struggling can save you; sometimes it can antagonize the attacker.
• Consider passive resistance; try talking to your attacker in a calm manner.
• Report any attack to Public Safety or to a Staff member.
• Seek medical attention if necessary.

Liability/Loss of Personal Safety

Georgia Southern University assumes no responsibility for theft or casualty losses. To protect your possessions, check your parent's insurance policy to determine coverage. If your possessions are not covered, you should obtain private insurance.

Other tips for protecting your possessions

• Always lock your door at all times. Even if it's just to run out for a minute.
• Use your exit door key and DO NOT prop open exit doors.
• Record the serial numbers of your possessions and participate in Operation I.D. The Residence Education Staff in each building can provide details.
• Register your bicycle with the Office of Public Safety.
• Bring a U-lock for your bike.
• Call the Office of Public Safety immediately to report missing property.

Protecting Your Car

• Always try to park your car in a lighted area.
• Use your trunk to keep valuables in your car.
• Lock your car before you leave it.

For more information about safety on campus, please click here to visit the Department of Public Safety on the Web.