Spring Break
Be smart, stay alert, and you'll stay safe
Issue date: 8/22/07 Section: News
Howdy and welcome to Aggieland, students!
By now you've heard those words many times and I offer them with a sincere sense of enthusiasm as you join our campus family - a family that is known for being one of the friendliest and most welcoming in the country!
While it's true that on a relative basis we enjoy a very safe campus and are fortunate to be surrounded by a community that is friendly and accommodating, the reality is that there is no place that is always safe…and Aggieland is no exception.
I encourage you to take a few simple precautions - things you probably already do when at home to help assure that you, and everyone around you, has a great experience here.
1. If you walked up to your home and a complete stranger was waiting at the door, would you let them in? Of course not, so follow the same rule when entering residence halls or other secure student areas.
2. When walking or going for a run at night, would you travel through dark or dimly lit areas by yourself? Most of us would try to avoid such areas, find friends to walk or exercise with, or arrange for a safe escort - those are good practices to continue here.
3. If there was an area of your hometown known for verbal harassment and at times even assaults, you would probably think twice about going there. While social bar settings in the area can be fun places, remember that they can also be places where people under the influence say and do threatening things that they'd otherwise probably not do. You may want to think about that potential and if you should avoid such settings.
4. If something happens on or off campus that makes you feel unwelcome, threatened or worse - it is important to immediately report it. It is critical for University officials to be aware of what happened so that we can respond and track patterns and locations that might be ongoing threats to Aggies.
5. Note that emergency contact numbers are located on the back of your student identification. Use them!
Again, we enjoy a friendly and tight-knit campus community, but remember that in the end, decisions you make are the most important to ensure the safety of yourself and your Aggie family. Do all you can to stay safe and enjoy Aggieland!
By now you've heard those words many times and I offer them with a sincere sense of enthusiasm as you join our campus family - a family that is known for being one of the friendliest and most welcoming in the country!
While it's true that on a relative basis we enjoy a very safe campus and are fortunate to be surrounded by a community that is friendly and accommodating, the reality is that there is no place that is always safe…and Aggieland is no exception.
I encourage you to take a few simple precautions - things you probably already do when at home to help assure that you, and everyone around you, has a great experience here.
1. If you walked up to your home and a complete stranger was waiting at the door, would you let them in? Of course not, so follow the same rule when entering residence halls or other secure student areas.
2. When walking or going for a run at night, would you travel through dark or dimly lit areas by yourself? Most of us would try to avoid such areas, find friends to walk or exercise with, or arrange for a safe escort - those are good practices to continue here.
3. If there was an area of your hometown known for verbal harassment and at times even assaults, you would probably think twice about going there. While social bar settings in the area can be fun places, remember that they can also be places where people under the influence say and do threatening things that they'd otherwise probably not do. You may want to think about that potential and if you should avoid such settings.
4. If something happens on or off campus that makes you feel unwelcome, threatened or worse - it is important to immediately report it. It is critical for University officials to be aware of what happened so that we can respond and track patterns and locations that might be ongoing threats to Aggies.
5. Note that emergency contact numbers are located on the back of your student identification. Use them!
Again, we enjoy a friendly and tight-knit campus community, but remember that in the end, decisions you make are the most important to ensure the safety of yourself and your Aggie family. Do all you can to stay safe and enjoy Aggieland!
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