National Campus Safety Awareness Month

National Campus Safety Awareness Month
Resources

September 20, 2021

Resource: Blog Industry: Education, Higher Education
Tags: Higher Education, Online Training, Prevention

In 2008, National Campus Safety Awareness Month was unanimously approved by Congress to encourage a public conversation on important topics in violence prevention at our nation’s colleges and universities. Every year, the Clery Center chooses a relevant theme, then works to spread awareness, inform institutional policy, and effect change by developing free programs and resources that promote campus safety. This year, the Clery Center will be offering a free, virtual summit to bring together campus safety practitioners and higher education leaders to help improve campus safety and discuss the main challenges institutions face today.

Campus safety can include a variety of important safety topics on campus, such as hazing prevention, sexual violence prevention, alcohol and drug misuse prevention, mental health and wellness, diversity and inclusion, etc.  For many students, college is the first time that these young adults are on their own and it’s important that they feel safe and welcome. Below are five tips on how to make your campus even more safe:

1) Promote safety information and resources in highly-trafficked areas and/or your campus mobile app.

It’s critical that campus members can easily locate or access your institution’s safety information, such as policies and procedures, contact information, night ride shuttle services, campus safety apps, campus maps, and tips on how to stay safe on campus.  This information can be promoted in dormitories, lecture halls, campus buildings, and online or through your campus mobile app  to assure members are aware of what resources are available.

2) Regularly use your emergency notification system (ENS) to promote safety information to your campus community.

Although ENSs were primarily built to communicate emergency crisis communications, institutions can utilize these systems to inform their campus communities on a number of safety-related topics, such as weather conditions, road closures, online safety topics, and more.

3) Offer free transportation around campus for students in the evenings.

Many colleges and universities provide student transportation during night time hours and into the early morning hours. Students can call ahead and ask for a pick up time, or they can locate where these buses pick up and drop off, usually close to dorms or lecture halls, and wait for them along with other students to feel safer.

4) Provide your campus community a way to safely and confidently report crimes or incidents to campus officials.

It’s vital that your community has the ability to safely and confidently report crimes or incidents to campus officials since faculty, staff, and students often know what’s happening on campus before officials do. In addition, it’s been successful providing students the ability to report anonymously.

5) Require training for students, faculty, and staff.

Colleges and universities should supply and mandate training for alcohol and drug misuse prevention, sexual assault prevention, diversity and inclusion, hazing prevention, and more, so that students are better informed and make healthier decisions while on campus.

 

Although campus safety should be a priority 365 days of the year,  Campus Safety Awareness Month provides an opportune time to re-evaluate your long-term safety planning  on your campus. Campus safety is more complex now than ever and it’s important for all campus members to feel safe and welcome on campus. Increased safety can help shine a positive light on campuses, which can then lead to increased enrollment.

How Vector Solutions Can Help

Vector LiveSafe is a powerful safety communications platform and mobile app that empowers faculty, staff, and students to play a role in their institution's safety and security efforts.

Vector LiveSafe is equipped to protect your institution from safety and security threats, facilitate incident prevention and response, and remind students, faculty, and staff that safety is your top priority.

With features like:

  • Broadcast Alerts
  • Tip Submission
  • Customizable Resources
  • Two-Way Messaging
  • SafeWalk
  • And more!
Learn More
LiveSafe dashboard and mobile app (rebrand)

Want to Know More?

Reach out and a Vector Solutions representative will respond back to help answer any questions you might have.

Contact Us