What to do in case of emergency

Campus emergencies
If something serious happens on campus, students will be informed by an emergency alert via e-mail, phone call or text message, as well as by their residence assistants if they’re in a residence hall.

If an emergency occurs, look to the IU Campus Emergency Site, at http://emergency.service.indiana.edu or call 1-877-482-5486 for more information. Or check idsnews.com for breaking news.

You can also sign up for IU emergency calls or text messages. Have your student visit www.iub.edu/~prepare and follow the IU-Notify link. There, they’ll be able to enter your phone number, as well as their own, to receive messages about any emergency situations on campus.

Run-ins with the law
People make mistakes. Young people tend to make them more frequently than their parents would like. If your student ever has a problem with the police, there are a few resources that might be helpful.

Know that everyone arrested by the IU Police Department is transported to the Monroe County Jail, 301 N. College Ave. Call the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department for information on the release of anyone from the jail.

Also, have the phone number for your student’s resident assistant or residence hall handy in case you need to get in touch with someone there. If you don’t have time to find the list of IU phone numbers try the IU Call Center at 812-855-IUIU, a 24-hour telephone service that will direct you to any office or building on campus.  

Hospitalizations or health care issues
If your child is seriously ill, there are places on campus and around town where they can see a doctor.

Counseling and Psychological Services
Mental health is always a concern around college campuses. If your student comes to you about problems with depression, there are a few campus resources that can help immediately. If your son or daughter needs someone to talk to right away, or if you just need some advice on how to talk with them, call health center’s Counseling and Psychological Services to speak with a counselor.  

Safety
Generally, the IU campus is a really safe place to be. But if you don’t believe us, see for yourself.

Some IU Police Department on-campus crime statistics for 2008
Zero assaults
One forcible rape
48 burglaries
By far the largest numbers belong to disciplinary referrals (drinking tickets) issued to students on campus. In 2008, nearly 1,500 alcohol citations and more than 110 drug citations were given out.

However, safety for your student is still a concern. Talk to your student about walking alone on campus late at night. Though there are usually plenty of students walking to and from night classes or the library, it’s still good to stick to the lit areas. If a student does feel unsafe, there are plenty of emergency phones stationed around IU. A touch of a button will act as a call for help and cause a blue light to flash.

Stolen property
If something is stolen from your student’s dorm room, there isn’t much that can be done. Of course, your student should report the theft to IU Police Department and the resident assistant on their floor. But, there are ways to help make the impact of theft lighter, if you plan ahead. If you read the fine print, you’ll notice that IU is not responsible for replacing your student’s property if damaged or stolen, even in the event of a fire. It might be a good idea to look into renter’s insurance, if you’d like to be on the safe side. Call your insurance dealer to find out more.