Personal safety has been an important goal at the University of Colorado at Boulder for years, but the issue has taken on even greater significance following the recent, random attack on a first-year student.
CU-Boulder and the city of Boulder have collaborated for several years on programs and practices designed to help prevent personal injuries and crimes against students, faculty, staff and visitors to the campus and surrounding city. Now, more than ever, local safety experts are encouraging the university community to get familiar with safety guidelines, recommendations and services that can help keep the campus safe, including a new text-messaging alert system.
"A large university campus is like a small city, with many of the same problems you'd find in other communities," said CU-Boulder Police Chief Joe Roy. "We strive to work collaboratively with members of the university and city of Boulder communities, and a variety of agencies and constituencies to prevent crime and respond promptly to reports of criminal activity. Our efforts are intended to enhance the safety of our students and allow them to focus on their education."
On Aug. 27, a man with a knife attacked a freshman finance student outside the University Memorial Center. The student suffered wounds to his neck and underwent surgery but is expected to recover fully. Following the attack, campus officials sent out an emergency text message to everyone who had signed up for the university's new alert system.
Campus administrators are encouraging all students, faculty and staff to sign up for the service to receive breaking news about campus emergencies, including snow closures and other unexpected situations. As of today, more than 7,800 students, faculty and staff had signed up for the service.
To access the system, the CU-Boulder community should go to or w.
Meanwhile, safety resources that have been in place on the CU-Boulder campus for years include emergency phone kiosks, round-the-clock police dispatch centers, improved campus lighting, victim's assistance offices and print and online materials. An important resource is a city-campus liaison who works closely with students to improve their safety during visits to off-campus sites.
During orientation, new students learn about crime reporting and personal safety resources and how to obtain more safe-living tips in "A Guide to Residence Hall Living," "Ralphie's Guide" and the CU phone directory among other materials. Residence hall advisers, the campus catalog, the Off Campus Student Services office and the Committee on Personal Safety also can help students with safety issues.
According to Roy, the CU-Boulder Police Department employs 40 full-time officers who patrol the campus and respond to reports of emergencies and crimes 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Â鶹ÒùÔº should call 9-1-1 for police, medical and fire emergencies both on and off campus, and (303) 492-6666 for non-emergencies on campus and (303) 441-3333 for non-emergencies off campus.
The campus police dispatch center is one of four Boulder County 9-1-1 public-safety answering points. It coordinates emergency responses and helps with less urgent public safety matters such as nighttime campus escorts. Emergency 9-1-1 calls from campus phones will reach the campus police dispatch center. However, 9-1-1 calls from a cell phone may be connected to campus police or to the Boulder Police Department dispatch center, depending on each caller's phone technology and location.
There are more than 50 emergency phone kiosks scattered across the main campus, east campus, Williams Village and Bear Creek Apartments and in the Regent Drive and Euclid Avenue parking lots. Â鶹ÒùÔº and others can use them to connect to campus police to report crimes in progress, suspicious persons, medical emergencies or concerns about personal safety.
Campus officials urge all residence hall residents to be conscientious about any strangers trying to enter buildings without an escort or "tailgating." Doors leading to living areas in residence halls remain locked 24 hours a day and visitors should sign in and out at front desks.
In addition, campus officials encourage students to learn about the prevention of sexual assault and acquaintance rape and the resources that are available for victims. At the CU Office of Victim Assistance, trained professionals can discuss incidents in private and assist with the reporting of assaults to authorities. For information, call (303) 492-8855.
The CU Rape and Gender Education Program, or COURAGE, uses interactive education, peer-facilitated programs and campuswide campaigns to raise sexual violence awareness. For information, call (303) 492-4339.
CU NightRide, created by the CU Student Union, offers free, nighttime escorts to students, staff and faculty around campus and anywhere within the Boulder city limits. To request a ride, call (303) 492-7233.
For students visiting or living at off-campus sites, CU and city officials offer the following tips:
o Remember to use the buddy system. Don't walk home alone and don't leave friends alone while out at night.
o Remember to close and lock doors and windows to help prevent burglaries and assaults.
o Report all suspicious activity and persons in on-campus locations to campus police by calling 9-1-1 in emergencies or (303) 492-6666 in non-emergencies.
o Report all suspicious activity and persons in off-campus locations to Boulder police by calling 9-1-1 in emergencies or (303) 441-3333 in non-emergencies.
o Remember that alcohol impairs judgment and the ability to recognize dangerous situations in time to avoid problems.
o Never leave lit candles, incense or fireplaces unattended.
For more safety information, go to bouldercolorado.gov and .