Safety Tips
(417) 328-1556
Crime Prevention
Throughout the academic year, student life, safety and security, and other university organizations sponsor crime prevention and safety awareness programs for the university community. Some of the programs offered are bicycle registration, personal safety and awareness, sexual assault awareness, night maps, theft prevention, and substance abuse awareness. The following list includes tips for personal safety and protection of property:
- Report strangers who behave suspiciously to safety and security officers.
- Don't hesitate to call the police or safety and security officers when confronted.
- Keep your apartment or residence hall room locked.
- Walk in groups of two or more at night.
- When parking, remove valuables from view and lock your vehicle.
- Engrave your valuables with your license number and record the serial numbers.
- Do not leave personal property unattended.
- Make copies of credit cards and other valuables in your wallet.
- Write your name and I.D. number in several places in textbooks.
- Report all losses to safety and security officers or the police immediately.
- Stay in control. Substance abuse puts you at risk.
Building Security
Safety and security officers monitor campus facilities on a regular basis. All administrative buildings and classrooms are secured each evening after normal business hours and after classroom instruction is completed. Entry to administrative and classroom buildings after hours require authorized key access or written authorization to the Department of Safety and Security from the appropriate building supervisor.
Residential Hall Security
The front door of each residence hall will be the only access for entry or exit after 8:00 p.m. All persons entering the residence hall after midnight Sunday through Thursday and after 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday must identify themselves to the office worker and show their student identification. After 2 a.m., entry may be gained by dialing the after-hours access number for residential halls (328-1846).
Reporting Crime
If a student, employee, or visitor believes criminal action has taken place on university property, the Bolivar Police Department should be contacted immediately by calling 326-5298. The safety and security officer will be notified by local law enforcement authorities of any reported criminal action occurring on university property. This is in compliance with the "Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act." The Department of Safety and Security will report the criminal actions on a timely basis in the Omnibus. If circumstances warrant, special printed crime alerts will be prepared and distributed either selectively or throughout the campus community.
In the event of a sexual assault, the victim should be aware of the following procedures:
- Report the incident to the Bolivar Police (326-5298).
- Seek medical assistance (Student Health Center: 328-1888) (Ambulance: 326-7000) (Citizen's Memorial Hospital Emergency Room: 326-0301).
- Consider the importance of preserving evidence.
- Seek counseling on or off campus (SBU Counseling Center: 328-1736).
- Consider pressing charges.
- University officials will cooperate with local officials.
- If the accused is a student, university disciplinary measures may also be taken at the appropriate time with both the accused and the accuser informed of the outcome.