It might be the number one concern for parents of incoming students: Will my student be safe on campus?
A number of measures at IU have been put into place to ensure the answer to this question is “yes.”
Residence halls are equipped with a key-card entry system and locks on individual dormitory doors.
To enter most residence halls, students must swipe their IU ID card and use their personal key to get into their rooms. ID cards only work for the residence hall where the student lives.
Additionally, residents are urged not to allow others in who do not have a key card. If a student is without his or her ID or can’t get into the residence hall, he or she will need to contact a Residential Programs and Services staff member at the center desk of his or her respective building.
There are also cameras in and around the residence centers to monitor who is entering and exiting the halls.
Similarly, students can expect to see resident assistants and IU Police Department officers patrolling the halls regularly.
They circulate the dormitories to ensure residents are safe at all hours.
While rounds are not intended to get students into trouble, students should be aware of the consequences for participating in illicit activities in the residence halls.
Outside the dormitories, the campus infrastructure is designed to keep students safe en route to classes, campus buildings and the dorms.
Campus sidewalks and parking lots are well-lit and equipped with emergency stations.
These stations flash a blue light when a button is pressed and alert IUPD there is an emergency in the area.
For students who do not feel safe walking at night, the IU Safety Escort Service provides safe rides to and from campus buildings and student housing, both on and off campus.
Students who wish to utilize the free service should call 812-855-SAFE, and a safety escort van will meet them.
They must then show their student ID before boarding.
IU Student Association has also piloted a program called Safe Ride, which will pick up students from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Sunday.
Unlike IU Safety Escort, which operates on limited hours and only picks up on campus, Safe Ride will pick up a student anywhere in the Bloomington city limits, even if that student has been drinking.
Students have three free rides for the year by calling 812-856-RIDE and will be picked up by an IU vehicle with a student driver and navigator. Find more information online at iusa.indiana.edu/saferide/.
Finally, the campus is equipped with the IU-Notify Messaging System, which serves to notify students and faculty of weather or security emergencies.
Students can sign up to receive text messages, phone calls and emails from the system, and the notifications are also posted online and on campus and cable television.
Ultimately, individual safety depends on the students themselves to make smart decisions and keep themselves out of unsafe situations.
However, parents may be assured that IU staff members work hard on campus and in the community to ensure students are safe throughout their time at IU.
