Safety Tips and Information

The University makes every reasonable effort to provide for the safety of students and their personal property, but students must practice good safety habits and exercise individual responsibility. The ultimate responsibility for personal safety rests with each individual. Each person should be aware of his/her surroundings and potential risks to personal safety: walk with friends and in lighted areas, know building evacuation procedures, drive defensively, lock vehicles, and know how to contact Safety Officers, resident directors, and other campus authorities.

Crime Prevention Safety Tips

Campus residents should exercise caution and take responsible actions in order to protect themselves and property:

• Always lock your door when you leave.
   

• Avoid getting near strangers; you don’t have to stop and talk to them.
   

• Avoid isolated or dark areas.
   

• Before exiting a building or car, look around the area for anything suspicious. At all times, notice who is around you and what they are doing.
   

• Before parking at night, call or stop by the Department of Campus safety at Lower Simmons hall. Ask for an officer to meet you and to escort you from your parking space.
   

• Coats, backpacks, and purses should remain with you or be locked up.
   

• Do not prop open exterior doors or allow strangers into the dorm. Remember, you may be putting others at risk.
   

• Do not wear earphones while walking or jogging.
   

• If someone is behind you, look to see how close he or she is.
   

• If you are being followed, cross the street, walk in the opposite direction, and/ or go to the nearest light and populated place.
   

• If you can’t find traveling companions, use the Campus safety escort service on campus no matter how short the distance.
   

• If you come in through an electronic key card access door, do not allow strangers to enter with you on your code. They should have their own cards and codes.
   

• Keep your car locked. Store items of value in the trunk.
   

• Stay alert, and trust your instincts. If you feel uneasy, get out or away.
   

• Travel with confidence and purpose.
   

• Walk, jog, or bike in groups of three or more, in well-lit, well-traveled areas without overgrown foliage, whether traveling between buildings or to and from your car.
   

• Wear outfits and shoes that allow you to move freely.
   

• Don’t use ATMs (automated bank teller machines) alone, at night, or when someone suspicious is nearby.
   

• If you receive obscene or harassing telephone calls, hang up immediately, do not give out any information. If calls persist, call Campus Safety and Bell South Telephone Company Annoyance Call Center at 557-6222 (local).
   

• Know where emergency phones are located and how they operate.  The Emergency phones are located at the front door of Livingston Hall in the parking lot, at the lower door of Sharp Davis hall, in the alley between the Walker Arena and Nora Chambers Hall and in Schimmels Park next to the parking lot in front of the Brinsfield Row Apartments.
   

• Pay attention to community security alerts; keep up with campus and Cleveland news regarding nearby crime.
   

• The Best Access System secures all dorms 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Entry is only gained through electronic key card.

• Think about what you would do under emergency circumstances.
   

• Try to keep a cool head in getting a description of a person.
   

• Use common sense concerning personal and/or University property not being left unattended any where on campus.
   

• Get involved. If you see someone you consider suspicious or out of place, CALL THE LEE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF CAMPUS SAFETY IMMEDIATELY AT 303-4444.

Reporting

All victims are encouraged to report crimes and emergencies to the Department of Campus Safety at (423) 303-4444. Lee University Campus Safety Officers are primary responders to any emergency or criminal situation on campus. Direct radio and telephone communications with local police, fire and emergency medical services ensures that officers can initiate and direct necessary emergency responders to the scene.

Cooperation with Campus Safety Officers in the fulfillment of their responsibilities and duties is required by all members of the Lee University community. Failure by a Lee University student to comply with the directive of an officer who is acting on behalf of the University will result in disciplinary action.

Courtesy Telephones and Call Boxes

Courtesy telephones are located in the Higginbotham Administration Building, Paul Conn Student Union, Conn Center, Walker Arena, and all dormitory lobbies.

Dial 9 to get an outside line, and then dial the local telephone number you are calling. On campus calls can be made by calling the last four digits of the telephone extension.

There are also 4 call boxes located on campus: Livingston Hall front door, lower door of Sharp Davis Hall, the alley between the Walker Arena and Nora Chambers Hall and in Schimmels Park next to the parking lot in front of the Brinsfield Row Apartments. To use the call boxes, press the button and wait for a response from the office. These connect you directly to the Department of Campus Safety.

Fire Safety

Fire Safety Procedures for fire and other emergencies are posted in highly visible locations throughout the campus buildings, and exits are clearly marked. Students are encouraged to become familiar with the locations of equipment and with outlined procedures. Any damaged or missing equipment should be reported to the Department of Campus Safety.
Tampering with safety equipment will be grounds for severe disciplinary action.