Top tips for staying safe at college
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This article is brought to you by Brigham Young University-Idaho, which is a private, Christian, four-year university sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The university’s mission is to help students “develop as disciples of Jesus Christ who are leaders in their homes, the Church, and their communities” by offering high-quality, affordable education in a fun and uplifting environment.
If you’re sending off a student to college this fall, you might be worried about their safety while they’re away from home. We’ve put together some tips to help your student stay safe:
1. Learn about your college’s safety procedures
First, study up on the campus safety guidelines and procedures for your student’s specific college. This should include the safety resources available to students, such as self-defense training or safety escorts.
This safety information will be publicly accessible on the college’s website and can be found by searching your college’s name with the keywords “Campus Safety” or “Clery Act.”
All colleges and universities are required to comply with the Clery Act, which requires them to “report campus crime data, support victims of violence, and publicly outline the policies and procedures they have put into place to improve campus safety.”
2. Plan before adventuring outdoors
Many college campuses, especially in Idaho and Utah, are mere miles away from exciting outdoor activities. Before heading out for an adventure, it’s important that students know how to stay safe outdoors.
Students should plan ahead by checking the weather, researching the area, telling someone where they’re going and when they’ll be back, and packing food, water, a first aid kit, and any other gear they’ll need. Where possible and depending on the activity, they could also consider bringing a friend with them.
Your student’s school may have an outdoor resource or rental center for affordable gear. The school may also have an outdoor recreation department that plans outdoor group activities for students.
3. Be safe dating, online and offline
Dating is something most students look forward to at college. To help dating be a safe and fun experience, students should exercise good judgment and, above all, trust their instincts. If they are ever in a situation that makes them feel uncomfortable, nervous, or afraid, they shouldn’t hesitate to leave.
Especially with online dating, students should set their first few dates up in well-lit public places so they can have safety in numbers while they get to know each other. It’s also a good idea to tell a friend about their plans and plan their own transportation to and from the date.
If they or someone they know is the victim of sexual misconduct, such as assault, harassment, or stalking, your student should know about the resources available to help. All United States colleges and universities are required to comply with Title IX, which prohibits sexual harassment. By searching their college’s name with the keyword “Title IX,” students can find their college’s tools for reporting, prevention, and recovery.
4. Housing safety
Outside of classes, students spend lots of time at their apartment. A few simple habits can help them stay safe.
Locking the door should be a first instinct. Students should lock their apartment doors whenever they leave and before they go to bed. If they live in a first-floor apartment, they should also close and lock their windows. This will help keep the apartment secure.
Students should also be sure to turn off any appliances or tools (stoves, curling/flat irons, etc.) and extinguish any candles, especially at night and before leaving during the day. Each housing complex will have its own specific rules to help ensure student safety.
Good communication is key to being good a roommate. Students don’t have to keep a schedule with their roommates 24/7, but staying updated on each other’s whereabouts is a good way to keep each other safe.
Extra tip: How to find a safe college to attend
If your student hasn’t decided where they’re attending yet, there are a few ways that they can include campus safety in their college search.
Look at campus safety rankings: Niche, Newsweek, and other sources post campus safety rankings based on different criteria, which can help give students an at-a-glance picture of how safe the colleges they’re looking into are.
Look at the safety rankings of college towns: Sites like Neighborhood Scout and SafeWise post crime reports and safety ratings for different towns. Students can look up the towns of colleges that they’re interested in to get an idea of how safe the general area is.
Tour campus: Once your student has narrowed down where they’d like to apply, the best way to get a feel for the college’s campus and area is to visit for a tour. They can come prepared to ask questions about campus safety
Sending a student off to college can be nerve-wracking, but taking a few proactive steps can help ensure their safety.