| It may surprise you to know that college and university | | | | At the very least, residence halls should be monitored, |
| campuses are scenes to more than just socializing | | | | and nighttime access should be limited to residents |
| and learning. All too often, they can also be the scenes | | | | only. Room doors should be equipped with peep holes |
| of a crime. Awareness of this problem has grown | | | | and dead bolts. Bathrooms are safer when restricted |
| dramatically over the last twenty years, and many | | | | to floor residents. For peace of mind, you may see if |
| institutions are taking appropriate measures to protect | | | | single-sex and "substance-free" dormitories are |
| their students from malice. Wise parents do not close | | | | available. Crime is lower in these halls. |
| their eyes to these issues, but discuss them openly | | | | Another important deterrent against sexual predators |
| with their students. When choosing schools for their | | | | is awareness. Your student should study the campus |
| sons or daughters, they consider the security | | | | and neighborhood with respect to routes between his |
| programs and features utilized by the schools. You | | | | or her residence and classes/activities schedule. |
| must do all you can to ensure that your student | | | | Parking lots should be adequately secured, lit and |
| doesn't get an education they didn't plan for. | | | | patrolled. Many campuses offer emergency phones, |
| Drugs and Alcohol | | | | escort services, and shuttle systems so that students |
| Nine out of ten student felonies involve alcohol or | | | | should never have to compromise their safety by |
| drugs. Annually, 1,700 college students die from | | | | walking across campus alone after dark. These are |
| alcohol-related causes. On their own for the first time, | | | | free services that have dramatically decreased crime. |
| students often feel a surge of independence that can | | | | Theft |
| lead to poor decision-making, such as binge drinking. | | | | College students are often the target of fraudulent |
| There are many resources available to help parents | | | | identity-theft and credit card schemes. Make sure your |
| discuss substance use with their young adult children. | | | | student is savvy about personal information. They |
| Meanwhile, when choosing a school favor institutions | | | | should never leave bill payments, credit card offers, |
| with strict policies regarding alcohol and drug abuse, | | | | health insurance statements, or any personal mail lying |
| and effective parent-notification. In this way, colleges | | | | around. Instruct them never to give personal |
| and universities keep better control of this problem. | | | | information over the phone to any company unless |
| Sexual Offenses | | | | they initiated the call, and they know the company is |
| Unfortunately, 25% of undergraduate women nationally | | | | reputable. Caution students not to give out their social |
| will be victims of an attempted or completed sexual | | | | security numbers to obtain credit cards or |
| assault. Many schools have embraced innovative | | | | memberships, and to keep a personal record of all |
| technological solutions in an effort to protect their | | | | such cards, with expiration dates and company phone |
| students. Residence halls that use electronic key-card | | | | numbers in a locked drawer or cabinet. PIN numbers |
| systems are superior to the ones still using | | | | should not be kept in wallets, and should never |
| old-fashioned metal locks, and most commons areas | | | | incorporate birthdates, social security numbers, |
| of dormitories are now outfitted with video surveillance. | | | | telephone numbers or addresses. |