Tag Archives: Campus Safety

Advice, Health & Wellness

Safe and Spooky: Halloween Tips for College Students

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Halloween is a beloved time of year for college students, filled with costumes, parties, and plenty of treats. However, amid the fun and festivities, it’s crucial to prioritize safety. Remember, at Millersville, we look out for each other; it is part of our culture. Whether you’re planning to attend a themed party or just hang out with friends, here are some essential Halloween safety tips to ensure your celebration at Millersville University is both safe and spooky!

1. Plan Your Costumes Wisely (and Respectfully)

When choosing a costume, consider practicality and safety. Ensure that your outfit is comfortable and allows for easy movement, especially if you’ll be walking around campus or attending parties. Avoid costumes that obstruct your vision or make it difficult to walk, such as oversized accessories or long capes. If you plan to wear a mask, consider opting for one with ample visibility to help you navigate safely.

Additionally, it’s essential to be respectful when selecting your costume. Avoid outfits that appropriate or stereotype cultures, as this can be offensive and disrespectful to others. Instead, consider costumes that celebrate creativity and fun without perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Engage with your friends about their costume choices and encourage an open dialogue about cultural sensitivity. This way, you can enjoy Halloween while fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for everyone on campus. Halloween can be equally EPPIIC and fun!

2. Stay Visible and Safe While Walking

As the days get shorter, visibility becomes a concern, especially if you’re walking after dark. Wear bright colors or reflective accessories to ensure you’re seen by others. Consider carrying a flashlight or using your phone’s flashlight feature when walking between buildings or to off-campus locations. Always stick to well-lit pathways, and don’t hesitate to use MUPD’s Police Escort Service or the SafeWalk option in the LiveSafe app if you feel uneasy about your surroundings. Be sure to have the LiveSafe app on your phone. Students can follow the MU Police Instagram account for Uber vouchers on Halloween.

3. Celebrate Responsibly

Halloween often comes with its share of parties and gatherings, but it’s important to drink responsibly if you choose to consume alcohol. Set a limit for yourself before you start partying and stick to it. Keep track of your drinks, and never leave your beverage unattended. If you’re going out with friends, establish a buddy system to ensure everyone gets home safely. Designate a sober friend to be your driver or use rideshare services if needed.

4. Know Your Limits

Halloween can be a busy night with numerous events happening on campus and in the surrounding areas. While it’s tempting to try to attend every party, listen to your body and know your limits. Make sure to get enough rest, stay hydrated, and take breaks when necessary. It’s better to enjoy a few events fully than to exhaust yourself trying to do it all.

5. Keep Your Living Space Secure

If you’re hosting a Halloween gathering, be mindful of security. Lock your doors and windows, and ensure that any guests you invite are someone you trust. Avoid leaving valuables in plain sight and consider using a designated area for coats and bags. After the party, do a quick check to ensure nothing is left behind that might attract unwanted attention.

6. Be Mindful of Your Social Media Presence

In today’s digital age, sharing your Halloween adventures on social media is common. However, be cautious about what you post, especially regarding location tags and personal information. Avoid sharing sensitive details about your whereabouts, particularly if you’re attending parties at unfamiliar locations. Maintain privacy settings on your profiles and be mindful of the content you’re sharing.

7. Have Fun, But Stay Aware

Finally, the most important tip for Halloween is to have fun! Embrace the spirit of the holiday, enjoy the costumes, and indulge in all the treats. However, always stay aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to remove yourself from the situation.

No one has to do everything, but everyone has to do something. Halloween is a great opportunity to engage in both reactive and proactive “Green Dots” to ensure our campus remains a safe space that does not tolerate violence. A Green Dot is a behavior, choice, or action that promotes safety for everyone. The goal of the Green Dot program is to implement a bystander intervention strategy that prevents and reduces power-based personal violence. This includes sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

What is your Green Dot? Will you choose to Direct, Delegate, or Distract? Make a plan before you go out. Think through some scenarios you might encounter and how you will handle them.

Halloween is a time for celebration, creativity, and community. By following these safety tips, you can ensure that your Halloween at Millersville University is not only enjoyable but also secure. So, put on your best costume, gather your friends, and get ready for a fun and safe Halloween!

A special “Halloween thanks!” to MUPD Chief Anders, Deputy Chief Bauman, and CHEP Director Margo Thowart for contributing to this post! 

Announcements

Millersville University Named Safest School in PA for the Second Year in a Row!

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We are very excited to share that Millersville University was ranked the safest school in PA for the second year in a row by YourLocalSecurity! Millersville’s Housing and Residential Programs is just one of the departments on campus that makes student safety a priority. Our staff works hard to ensure students have a safe environment to live and learn in.

Here are some of the things our staff has to say about safety in the residence halls:

Michael Davis, one of the Residential Area Directors on campus, says, “I want to highlight the staff (both DA’s & RA’s) for helping to keep the buildings safe. The DA’s are the first line of defense and the RA’s going on rounds/tour and knowing their residents all helps to maintain the effort we see.”

The Resident Assistants at Millersville have an emphasis on safety and put a lot of work into making the residence halls safe for students. When asked about their thoughts on safety in the residence halls, here’s what they had to say: CJ Longo says, “The health, safety and security of my residents is my top priority. I am constantly on the lookout for potential safety hazards when I am on duty to prevent an incident before it arises. I also educate my residents during floor meetings about safety procedures in the halls as well as other campus safety resources.” Lauren Taddeo, another Resident Assistant, stated, “Ensuring residents are safe and secure ultimately increases the overall productivity and quality of ResLife.” 

The following shows how students ranked their satisfaction on certain areas of hall safety and security in a survey (Note: Satisfaction rankings were on a scale from 1-10, with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest):

  1. Satisfaction of security of possessions in their rooms was ranked 6.13 out of 10 on average by 526 students.
  2. Satisfaction of how safe students felt in their rooms was ranked 6.26 out of 10 on average by 526 students. (This was one of the top 3 highest scored factors in the survey)
  3. Satisfaction of how safe students felt in their hall building was ranked 6.23 out of 10 on average by 526 students. (This was one of the top 3 highest scored factors in the survey)
  4. Satisfaction of how safe students feel walking on campus at night was ranked 5.75 out of 10 on average by 526 students.

Student safety always has been and always will be a top priority to Housing and Residential Programs staff. Gabby Vaxmonsky, a Graduate Assistant, said, “The safety and security of residents is extremely important to me. At the front desk I work with the DA’s and RA’s to check ID’s and sign guests in and out so we can help to keep the halls safe. Also, I encourage residents to stop by during my office hours to talk with me about any questions or concerns that come up.” 

To learn more about how we are keeping the residence halls safe, visit our webpage. To learn more about campus safety at Millersville University, visit the campus safety webpage. 

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Announcements, Lifestyle / Hall Life

How to Stay Safe in and Around the Residence Halls

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With daylight saving time coming to a close soon and days being darker longer, it’s essential to stay alert and safe on campus and around the residence halls. Here are some tips to keep yourself and your belongings safe this fall and winter.

Lock your doors.
Even when you’re in your room, you should lock your doors. It only takes a few seconds to enter an unlocked room and take books, cash, laptops, etc. If someone knocks on your door, look through the peephole before opening the door.

Carry your key and ID.
Keeping your ID and room key on your person ensures your room and valuables stay safe. Never give your ID or room key to someone else, and return lost IDs to the campus ID Office located in Boyer.

Sign in guests.
Don’t let people tailgate into the residence halls. If you think someone has entered the residence halls without a resident, contact the Resident Assistant on duty. Always accompany your guests throughout their stay in the residence halls, and be sure to sign them in and out of the building with the Desk Assistant or RA at the desk.

Keep your valuables secure.
Don’t leave backpacks, books, laptops, or other valuables unattended in public or in your unlocked room. This includes large amounts of cash. Keep your money in the bank and withdraw it when you need it.

Walk in well-lit areas.
If you have to walk around campus or around the residence halls after the sun sets, make sure to walk along sidewalks and pathways that have lampposts. Walking in dark areas could potentially increase the chance of something happening to your person or belongings.

Use the buddy system after dark.
Whether you physically use the buddy system or the LiveSafe app, having friends escort you to your destination greatly improves your safety. Walk to late-night classes with friends or have them virtually walk with you to make sure you get to your destination safely.

Create a safety kit.
While Millersville has a strict “no deadly or offensive weapon” policy, students can carry pepper spray to keep themselves safe. Carrying a whistle will alert those nearby when you require assistance or are in danger. Keep your safety kit handy so you can grab it easily at any time.

Learn self-defense.
The Martial Arts Club offers kickboxing classes, taekwondo classes, and Russian martial arts (ROSS) classes throughout the week. All three martial arts are forms of self-defense, and no prior experience is required! You can learn more information about the classes offered on the Martial Arts Club’s GetInvolved page.