| From: Greg Premo, Director of Campus Safety
Welcome back to campus!
On behalf of the Campus Safety office at PLU, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all new students and a hearty welcome back to returning students, faculty, and staff. Campus Safety is dedicated to making your transition or return to campus as pleasant, and safe, as possible.
Our office, located in the basement of Harstad Hall (north side), is open all day and night, all year long. You can contact us at x7441 from on-campus phones or at 253-535-7441 from anywhere else, including your cell phone. Take a second to program that number into your phone so it's handy when you might need it.
You can also request assistance and services, including access to our Escort and Shuttle service which will provide you with a walking escort on campus or with a ride within the PLU perimeter. The walking escort is available 24/7, all year long. The Shuttle program was created to provide students with safe transportation around the campus. It is not intended to be used as a means for routine transportation. Remember that at peak times, such as Friday and Saturday evenings, your wait might be longer than usual. We will let you know when you call how soon the shuttle can be there.
Emergencies
Should you need to report an emergency of any type while off-campus, please call 911. For on-campus emergencies, call x7911 from on-campus phones or 253-535-7911 from your cell phone, after calling 911. This will allow Campus Safety to assist victims or assess the situation and assist first responders with the emergency. If you are near one of the many Emergency Blue Phones around campus, you may use them for immediate contact to the Campus Safety office.
Off Campus Parties
- Be Safe...If you choose to attend a party, only go where you know the host and those attending.
- If you choose to host a party, only admit those you know.
- Provide water and non-alcoholic beverages.
- If you choose to drink, drink in moderation.
- Discourage "drinking games" as these tend to take people out of responsible drinking behavior.
- Don't share beverage containers. Avoid the flu.
- Help each person maintain control over his/her behavior.
- Avoid risking an MIP, DUI, or open container arrest.
- Remember the "Green Dot" program and interact.
- Be sure everyone gets home safely and receives any assistance he/she may need.
- If there is a life/death emergency, call 911 immediately and indicate the nature of the emergency. Then, call Campus Safety at x7911 (on-campus) or 253-535-7911 (off-campus) for additional assistance.
- Be Legal...If serving alcohol, be sure everyone is of legal age.
- Be sure no one charges for entrance, sells or takes "donations" for alcohol.
- Use a designated driver who does not drink.
- Cooperate with all law enforcement officials, including Campus Safety.
- Be Neighborly...Hold the party indoors (tarps that block entrance or exit are illegal).
- Let neighbors know in advance of your plans.
- Be considerate of your neighbors' property and sleep.
- Clean up afterwards.
Pierce County Sheriff's Deputies
On most days/nights of the week, PLU employs off-duty sheriff deputies to work for the university in patrolling the campus perimeter. If you need assistance from a deputy, you can call Campus Safety and they will work with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department to expedite assistance.
You already know:
- It is against PLU policy to possess or consume alcohol on campus, regardless of age. The PLU Student Handbook outlines these policies and the intersection of the PLU Student Conduct System and student behavior off-campus.
- It is against Washington State Law to provide alcohol to minors or to sell alcohol without a license.
...but, did you know this?
- Disruptive behavior on campus due to alcohol consumption is a PLU policy violation.
- In addition to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, the Washington State Liquor Control Board enforcement officers routinely work the Parkland area. They will enforce the law.
- Arrest or citation for violation of alcohol related laws may affect your future career plans (e.g. teaching certificate or professional license).
Personal Safety
The PLU community works hard to look out for the safety and welfare of its members and of the surrounding community. This commitment to safety can take many forms. Just as we take it as our responsibility to look after the environment by watching our energy use and recycling, let us take the responsibility to look after ourselves and our personal property by observing a few precautions:
- Buddy up when walking off campus so you have somebody who has "got your back". Listen to your inner warning voice if you feel a situation is not normal.
- Make a call to Campus Safety if you feel another person is in danger, might not belong in your residence hall, or might be up to some mischief. Most of the time your instincts will be correct so act on them.
- Do not prop open outside doors and close propped doors if you find them.
- Always lock your own room, whether you are in it or not.
- If you bring a car to campus, register it with Campus Safety. Only park in the lots permitted by your decal. Never leave anything in your car that is visible from the outside.
Restricted From Campus (RFC)
Periodically, Campus Safety needs to Restrict From Campus (or criminally trespass) individuals who have, through their actions and behavior, violated laws or rules, policies or procedures at PLU. These individuals are usually not from the PLU community and, as such, may not be recognizable to most of our students, staff or faculty. We suggest that the PLU community periodically check the Campus Safety web site to view who the RFC'd individuals are. The direct web link is here, and you will need to log in with your ePass.
Emergency Planning and Drills
Emergency drills will take place on campus this fall. Emergency Evacuation Drills (commonly known as Fire Drills) will happen in academic buildings and residence halls. Although these can be inconvenient, it is important for you to practice what you would do in a real situation. There will also be a Lockdown/Emergency Notification Drill occurring in academic and residence buildings.
Should you need any further information, I encourage you to call the Campus Safety office at 253-535-7441 or visit the Campus Safety web site.
Have a great and safe fall semester.
Greg Premo
Director of Campus Safety
Contract City Chief, Pierce County Sheriff's Department
Campus Resources:
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