A safety message from Dean of Students Lori Berquam

Welcome to your UW–Madison community!

Whether you are a new or continuing student, please know that in our community, we do our best to take care of one another. As you may know, UW-Whitewater student Kelly Nolan was killed after a night out at downtown Madison bars in late June. It is a tragedy that remains unsolved.

As dean, it is my deepest hope that you will be safe and successful here. I urge you to pay close attention to your own personal safety and look out for your friends and roommates, especially when out downtown, late at night. Please keep the following in mind:

• Over the past few years, many of the cases that involve violent crime downtown—whether they involve men or women, new or returning students, and big-city and small town residents—can all be linked by the common denominator of alcohol and intoxication.
• If you intend to drink, do so in moderation to avoid placing yourself in a position of increased risk.
• Safety is a shared partnership between students, faculty and staff, the city and our police. Take responsibility for your safety. Take care of your friends as well.

Please make use of services such as UW–Madison SAFEwalk and SAFEride programs and help make sure everyone gets home safely. Other safety advice is available online.

For more information or if you have questions about safety at UW–Madison, please call UWPD at (608) 264-COPS.

Thank you and have a safe semester,

Lori M. Berquam
Dean of Students