Campus Safety
Be Smart
Students should decline to have their photos and personal information published for distribution to the campus community. Some have used such publications to "target" unknowing students.
Be Safe
Share your class/activities schedule with parents and a network of close friends, effectively creating a type of "buddy" system. Give network telephone numbers to your parents, advisors, and friends. If you plan to be away from campus for a weekend, leave your travel schedule and contact numbers with parents, the Department of Public Safety, or friends. Check in with your folks on a regular basis.
Be Smart
Survey the campus, academic buildings, residence halls, and other facilities while classes are in session and after dark to see that buildings, walkways, quadrangles, and parking lots are adequately secured, lit and patrolled. Are emergency phones, escorts, and shuttle services adequate?
Be Safe
Study the campus and neighborhood with respect to routes between your residence and classes and activities. Know where the emergency phones, and lighted corridors are located.
Be Smart
Always travel in groups. Use a shuttle service after dark. Never walk alone at night. Avoid "shortcuts."
Be Safe
To gauge the social scene, drive around campus and the Corvallis community on weekend nights and stroll through the student hangouts. Are people behaving responsibly or does the situation seem reckless and potentially dangerous? Remember that alcohol and/or drug abuse is involved in about 90% of campus crime. Carefully evaluate off-campus student apartment and living group complexes if you plan to live off-campus.
Be Smart
Doors and windows to your apartment, house, living group, or residence hall should be equipped with quality locks. Living group room doors should have peepholes and deadbolts. Do not loan out your key. Never compromise your safety for a roommate who wants the door left unlocked. Replace locks when a key is lost or stolen.
Be Safe
Students must be very aware and in control at school functions, parties, bars, and restaurants. The number of violent crimes is alarming. The date rape drugs (GHB and Rohypnol) are being used to spike both women's and men's drinks prior to sexual assaults.