It’s August and campus will soon be buzzing once again with students, faculty and staff. Whether you’re new to the Capstone, or are returning to study, teach or support the UA community, now is the perfect time to think about campus safety. Here are some tips to help you have a successful and safe semester.
Always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.
Whether you’re walking across campus, entering a building or heading to your car, being mindful of your environment helps prevent accidents and enhances personal safety.
When entering a building with access control, like a residence hall, avoid letting in anyone you don’t know. If they’re authorized to be there, they’ll have their own access.
Be cautious when crossing streets.
Put away your phone, remove your earbuds, and look both ways before stepping into a crosswalk. Never cross against the light.
The Student Government Association’s “Look Up, Legends” campaign encourages everyone in the UA community to avoid distracted walking and stay alert near streets and intersections.
Practice bicycle and scooter safety.
Riding a bicycle, scooter, or other micromobility vehicle is a great way to get around campus. However, these vehicles can be dangerous if you don’t practice good safety habits while using them.
In Alabama, bicycles, e-bikes, and scooters must follow the same rules that motor vehicles follow. They should be ridden in bike lanes and not on sidewalks. When a bike lane is not available, ride as close to right side of the road as possible, and always ride in the same direction as traffic. Make sure to stop at all red lights and stop signs.
Cyclists, scooter riders and those using any other micromobility vehicle must always be courteous to pedestrians.
Learn more about micromobility vehicle safety.
Lock your doors.
This includes residence halls, offices and vehicles. A locked door is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your belongings and personal safety.
Don’t leave personal items unattended.
Whether it’s a backpack in a classroom, a laptop in the library, or your favorite outfit in the laundry room of your residence hall, unattended items are easy targets for theft. Keep your valuables with you or secured at all times.
Report suspicious activity.
If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. If you see or hear something that is concerning to you, contact UAPD at 205-348-5454 or use one of the many blue emergency phones located across campus.
Text your concerns.
Text UAct is an innovative resource designed to enhance campus safety and make it easier to report concerns of student or student organization misconduct. This confidential reporting system allows anyone to anonymously report issues such as hazing, Code of Student Conduct violations, and other misconduct via text message.
To report a concern, text 888-708-8433 (TIDE). The service maintains your anonymity, and a UA staff member will follow up with you, without seeing the phone number that submitted the report.
Download the UA Safety app.
The UA Safety app is a great tool for staying safe while on campus. This free app provides UA Alerts, safety resources, and one-touch dialing to reach first responders. The built-in GPS provides directions to every campus building and storm shelter.
For more critical safety information and resources, check UA’s Safer Living Guide.
Safety is a shared responsibility. By staying vigilant and looking out for one another, we can all contribute to a safer UA.
Welcome back, Legends — let’s make it a safe and successful semester. Roll Tide!
Safety Reminder: UA Alert System Test
Weather permitting, the University will test its emergency notification systems, including UA Alerts, the public address system and digital signage Wednesday, Aug. 6, at 11:55 a.m.