A message to students from Dean of Students Lori Berquam regarding personal safety

Dear Students,

I hope your semester is off to a safe and successful start. You should be aware that there have been several recent violent robberies around campus and downtown. Although some arrests have been made in these cases, it is still important to be diligent in regards to your personal safety.

In the wake of these incidents, I’m reminding everyone to integrate safe habits into their everyday lives.

Personal safety isn’t something to only think about at nighttime or after leaving the library, but to make a part of your life all of the time. I want you to be especially aware to these issues as you are out and about this academic year.

 Safety is a shared partnership between students, faculty and staff, the city and our police. Help play your part:

— Always walk with a group of friends, especially at night. Both men and women have been victims of recent robberies, which have been unprovoked and without a pattern.

— Watch out for your friends and neighbors, and take care of one another.

—If you intend to drink, do so in moderation so as not to put yourself in a position of increased risk.

—Make use of SAFE Nighttime Services, 262-5000.

—Lock your doors and windows, even if you’re home.

—Don’t let anyone into your residence hall who you don’t know.

— Carry a cell phone and dial 911 for help.

—Use your “radar” or common sense as your first defense.

—Use the My UW portal to sign up for WiscAlerts-Text, the university’s emergency text-messaging system.

We care about our students and want to do everything we can to have a safe and healthy school year.

To learn more, visit this site.