UA News

Students have the support of a network of campus safety professionals who offer safety programs, tips, resources and services.

University of Arizona Residence Life, the UA Police Department, Campus Health and the Associated Students of the UA are integral parts of the the University student safety and security network.

UA Residence Life has developed new safety education initiatives that include an "anti-tailgating" poster education effort, "Your A List" cards, a monthly safety bulletin called "Safe Stall" and a week-long series of safety programs that will reach students in every residence hall the week of Aug. 30-Sept. 3.

"Our biggest concern is just getting students' attention and making sure they're getting this information," said Gregory Ziebell, assistant director for Residence Life.

The Aug. 30-Sept. 3 safety programs are a major part of the fall semester safety initiative, Ziebell said. One program, for example, is designed to educate students about alcohol use and what they need to do if they suspect someone has alcohol poisoning.

Last Sunday, Aug. 23, the day before classes began, Residence Life distributed thousands of new pocket-sized brochures and business card-sized "Your A List" cards to students at informational meetings held throughout residence halls.

The "Your A List" card keeps essential phone numbers handy. Included are phone numbers for Safe Ride, Safe Walk, UAPD – the 911 emergency number and other numbers, such as motorist assistance, the OASIS Center, Campus Health, Counseling & Psychological Services, the Poison Control Center, for taxi cab companies and more.

Students who want "Your A List" cards can get them from Ziebell, who can be reached at 520-621-6400.

Residence Life is placing posters near residence hall entrances for the "anti-tailgating" campaign. The posters will alert students entering the residence halls to be careful of individuals who may attempt to slip into the building behind them.

Residence hall entrances are locked at all times to all but residents who have access the halls with their CatCards or keys.

The first monthly "Safe Stall" bulletin will appear in September in residence hall restrooms. It lists campus crime facts, crime prevention tips and campus safety resources.

Students are reminded to sign up for UAlert, look for Blue Light Phones around campus and take advantage of Safe Ride and Safe Walk services when needed.

For details on these and other safety programs and services, click on the links below:

• Emergency Blue Light phones located around campus. In an emergency, push the red button or lift the receiver on an Emergency Phone to establish a connection with UAPD.
• ASUA SafeRide provides free rides to students around the community between 6:30 p.m. and 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 9:30 p.m. on Fridays.
• Safe Walk, sponsored by the Women's Resource Center, provides free escorted walks from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 520-471-5262 for more information.
• CAPS, or Counseling and Psychological Services provides counseling to help students cope with personal and family problems.
• Campus Health Service's OASIS center provides services for victims of sexual assault and relationship violence.
• UAlert text messaging. UAlert is a service that allows registered users – UA students, faculty, staff – to receive emergency alerts on their cell phones or other mobile devices during a campus emergency. Messages can be delivered to cell phones, pagers, personal digital assistants and other wireless devices. This service is free and voluntary, but only to those who register. Register online. Administered by members of the UA’s Campus Emergency Response Team, UAlert messages will be sent only during critical situations.
• Campus Watch, a program of UAPD's Crime Prevention Office, is based on the concept of community policing and is a useful tool to combat crime on campus. Campus Watch is modeled after the Neighborhood Watch program.

UAPD, along with community service officers and police aides, have a major role in keeping the campus safe at all times.

Each residence hall has a UAPD Liaison, a UAPD officer who gets to know residents and provides security information. UAPD also has crime prevention officers, a unit that will provide work and residential areas with a "security survey" to assess the area's security and coordinates various presentations on a wide range of topics ranging from alcohol to personal and property security. Call 520-626-8007 for more information.