Personal Safety and Security

SMSU’s campus is a relatively safe and secure environment, as is the city of Marshall itself. However, no community is perfectly safe, harm free, or crime-free. A campus community serves a wide and varied public, and attracts outsiders. For your present security here and future safety, there are habits you should begin developing.

These include:

1. Always be aware of your surroundings. Use common sense and trust your instinct in situations. Report all crime immediately.
2. Lock your room or apartment whenever you leave. An unlocked door is an open invitation to theft, vandalism, or uninvited intruders.
3. Never prop open an exterior door to a residence hall, apartment complex, or other living unit; it endangers the safety of all complex residents and their property.
4. If off campus, a person’s first actions should be to have apartment or house locks changed.
5. Recognize that the people you live with are your best security. Become familiar with the people who live in your residence hall, apartment complex, and/or neighborhood so you in turn are aware if there is a stranger or outsider present who may not belong. Let roommates, RA’s or other friends know where you are going and how long you will be gone.
6. If you have a car here, even if you don’t drive it every day, remember to check it regularly. LOCK YOUR CAR! Check the back seat and its floor area before you get into your car at night.
7. Become familiar with various campus policies (e.g. how to lodge a sexual harassment/sexual assault complaint) and the resources available to you (Residence Hall Staff, Counseling Services, Health Center, Sexual Assault Program) so you know what kind of support and assistance is available. Take advantage of various groups, workshops, and educational programs that can facilitate your growth and enhancement of life skills.
8. Report any prank, threatening phone calls or other similar communications immediately to the Housing Office (if you live on campus), the University Public Safety Office, or the Marshall Police Department. Maintain a written log of these calls or communications to assist authorities if you decide to pursue a complaint.