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