Welcome to Spring Semester!
We're all looking forward to a productive semester of teaching and learning as well as some great times enjoying good friends and fun. As we all get back into the swing of things we want to remind you to be sure to keep your own safety and the safety of others in mind at all times. The campus is an urban setting and is an open campus. With that openness in mind we would like to remind everyone that personal safety is a matter of awareness and preparation. The PLU community is one which does a good job of looking out for each other, but it never hurts to review good practices. Here are a few safety tips for your review:
Emergency - If you are experiencing an emergency situation call 911 (x7911 from on-campus phones) immediately and indicate the nature of the emergency. If you are unsure if the situation is an emergency it is always better to err on the side of caution and treat it as an emergency until you are sure otherwise.
Blue Light Phones - These phones are located throughout campus and in many of the parking lots. They are identified by their tall and thin towers with the word "EMERGENCY" printed on them. You can use the phone to call for a shuttle, an escort, or for help in case of an emergency. Each phone connects directly to Campus Safety.
Off Campus Parties
Hosts: Remember you carry responsibility for the safety and well-being of your guests. Have a "Designated Host" who is monitoring the gathering. Keep your events small and the activities legal. Please do not risk attracting attention of unwanted guests or let them join your event, e.g. by the size, visibility or noise level of your gathering or by advertising publicly (or on MySpace, Facebook, etc.). The Sheriff's deputies working for Campus Safety can assist you in disbursing unwanted gatherings.
Guests: Ultimately, you are responsible for your own personal safety wherever you are. Among the things you can do are: utilize safety resources, be alert to your surroundings, avoid dangerous times of night, and keep your physical and thought processes unimpaired.
Pierce County Sheriff's Deputies - On most days and nights of the week PLU employs off-duty sheriff deputies who patrol 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.
Shuttle Service - For your safety and convenience PLU operates a shuttle program at all hours of the day and night. This service is available within these borders: from Pacific Avenue (east of PLU) to Steele Street (west of PLU), between 112th Street (north of PLU) and Tule Lake Road (south of PLU). Call 535-7441 to arrange a ride. The typical wait time is 5 to 7 minutes.
Campus Escort - If you would like to have Campus Safety accompany you on campus while walking from one campus location to another just call 535-7441. Students often use this service after dark, but it is available at all hours of the day and night.
Residence Halls - For your safety the residence halls are locked at all times. You can use your LuteCard to access a hall. In late January a student at the University of Washington in Seattle was attacked in a residence hall that is secured in the same manner as those at PLU. It is unclear at this time whether the attacker was allowed entry as a guest or entered via a propped open outside door. Please do not prop the doors open. Make sure that anyone who enters a hall is a student who has access or is an escorted guest. Do not assume that anyone belongs in a hall, and beware of those who are "piggy-backing" behind you as you enter. Go ahead and ask questions and if you are in the least suspicious contact residence hall staff member, or Campus Safety.
Restricted From Campus - Periodically, our Campus Safety staff has 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. As a result of this process, Campus Safety suggests that members of our community periodically check the Campus Safety web site to update themselves as to who those RFC'd individuals might be. The web link is http://www.plu.edu/~csin/protected/png-date.html.
Vehicle Safety - Be sure to lock your car and do not leave anything of value visible in the car (iPod's and accessories, purses, backpacks, etc.). Most of the parking lots have video camera surveillance and are marked so, but that does not guarantee that no harm can come to your car. Be sure your car is registered with Campus Safety so you can be contacted if anything happens to it.
Earthquake Drill - The campus will practice earthquake drills this spring.
If you have any questions, please contact Campus Safety at 535-7441 or campussafety@plu.edu.
Tony
Berger
Director of Campus Safety
Detective
Sergeant
Pierce County Sheriff's Department