Personal Safety Tips
All students, employees, and campus visitors are encouraged to take responsibility for their own security and the security of others. The following common-sense practices help protect everyone on campus:
- Walk with a friend, especially at night. If a companion is unavailable at night, you may call Campus Safety and Security (434.544.8102) or use the LiveSafe app to request an escort. You can also use SafeWalk within the LiveSafe app to invite friends and family to virtually follow your location on a real-time map.
- Know the people you visit, whether on or off campus.
- Close and lock ground-floor windows when you are not in your campus residence or office.
- If you bring a vehicle to campus, keep the windows rolled up and the doors locked at all times. If you leave valuables in your car, lock them in the trunk so they cannot be seen by others. If you need an escort from your car to an on-campus destination, use the LiveSafe app to contact Campus Safety and Security.
- If you are working in an academic building or office at night or during weekend hours when the area is usually locked, notify Campus Safety and Security (434.544.8102 or dial “0” from any campus land-line telephone) so that officers are aware of your presence in the event of an emergency.
- Be aware and concerned about the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Sexual assaults and other violent acts occur more often when people are under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
- Anyone needing emergency assistance on campus can reach Campus Safety and Security at any time by dialing emergency extension 5555 from any landline telephone on campus or by dialing 434.544.5555 from a cell phone or off-campus phone. Dial 911 for local police and fire emergency assistance at off-campus locations.
- Firearms or weapons of any type, including concealed weapons for which the carrier has a legal permit, are strictly prohibited on campus. Weapons include but are not limited to firearms (e.g., Airsoft guns, BB guns, handguns, paintball guns, pellet guns, rifles), bows and arrows, explosives, knives, martial arts weapons, metal knuckles, and stun weapons. Possession or use of a realistic facsimile of a weapon is also prohibited on campus. Contact Campus Safety and Security immediately to report the presence of weapons on campus. (Exceptions to this policy may be made when a legitimate, authorized, classroom-based need exists.)
- Pay attention to security alerts, safety announcements, and other information about crime prevention and enhancing personal safety provided on campus. Knowing safety precautions and resources can make a difference in a crisis.
Safety Tips for Residential Facilities
All University of Lynchburg-owned residential facilities are considered “on campus.”
University housing includes:
- Six residence halls (Freer, Hundley, Montgomery, Shackelford, Tate, and Westover Halls);
- Five townhouses (Brewer, Bullard, Houston, Rainsford, and Warren Houses);
- Westwood and Peaksview Hall apartments; and
- More than 60 houses are located on public streets near campus, some of which are occupied by recognized student organizations (e.g., the Olympus Community of fraternity and sorority houses on Vernon Street and houses occupied by members of special interest groups, such as athletic teams).
The University of Lynchburg does not operate any off-campus housing or residences not owned by the University for use by student organizations.
The Office of Housing and Residence Life schedules staff members to be on duty each night when classes are in session. While on duty, community assistants periodically patrol their respective residential areas. Campus Safety and Security staff also patrol residential areas and will work collaboratively with Housing and Residence Life staff to have a presence within the residential community.
To enhance safety in campus residential facilities, students should adhere to the following:
- Only members of the University of Lynchburg community and guests are authorized to be in residential facilities. Student hosts must accompany their non-student guests in residential facilities at all times. Students must register their non-student guests who stay on campus after midnight by completing the form posted on https://portal.lynchburg.edu (use tabs “Personal” and “My Visitor”).
- All room doors can be secured by key. Lock your door when you leave your room, even if you will be gone for “just a minute.” Similarly, lock the entrance doors to your residence if you live in a University apartment, house, or townhouse. Lock your door(s) before going to sleep.
- Keep your room key and ID card on your person. Do not lend your key or ID card to anyone. A lost or loaned key or ID card is an invitation to a thief or other criminal, giving them access to your residence and jeopardizing your safety and that of your fellow residents.
- If you lose your key or ID card, or if they do not work properly, contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life or Campus Safety and Security immediately.
- Do not let strangers into a residence through exterior security doors or into your room. Never prop doors open or leave ground floor windows open. Such openings are ready-made entrances for would-be criminals.
- Immediately report suspicious persons to Campus Safety and Security. Quick reporting increases the likelihood of apprehending trespassers.
- You have a great deal invested in the personal belongings which you bring to campus. Review your family’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy; if your belongings on campus are not covered by the policy, consider acquiring a rental insurance policy.
All students residing in housing not owned by the University of Lynchburg should contact their local police department or sheriff’s office to report crimes occurring at their residence.
LiveSafe App
LiveSafe, a mobile-safety technology for the University of Lynchburg community, empowers students and employees to take charge of their own safety and to look out for those around them.
- Share information – Submit reports to Campus Safety and Security about suspicious activity, a mental health issue, or potential violence with picture, video, or audio attachments. Send anonymously if you choose.
- Have peace of mind with SafeWalk – Individuals invite others to “virtually escort” and monitor their location on a real-time map. Simultaneously, Safe Walkers can chat with one another or call 911 if needed.
- Summon emergency help – Safety officials can leverage location data in an emergency, allowing faster response times.
- Access emergency information – Have fast access to important campus support resources and emergency procedures.
To download the LiveSafe app, visit the Google Play or App Store and search “LiveSafe.” When registering, select “University of Lynchburg” as the designated school.
Campus Safety Officers
The University of Lynchburg’s Campus Safety and Security, composed of uniformed, unarmed officers, operates 24 hours every day of the year. All campus safety officers (CSOs) are non-commissioned security staff members without the authority to arrest; CSOs complete a certification program through Virginia’s Department of Criminal Justice Services. Campus safety officers patrol the campus on foot, bicycles, golf carts, and marked cars. While on patrol, officers address crimes and University policy violations occurring on campus and submit safety-related repair requests.
The University of Lynchburg’s campus safety officers have the authority to:
- Ask individuals on campus for identification and to determine whether or not individuals have a legitimate reason for being on campus;
- Address and report possible violations of University policies and laws committed by students to Community Expectations and Restorative Practices or by University employees to the appropriate administrator for address through University disciplinary processes; and
- Issue tickets for violations of the University of Lynchburg Traffic Code and other state violations.
A Campus Safety and Security staff member is available at the Dispatch Center 24 hours per day to receive reports of campus crimes and other emergencies (first floor, Hall Campus Center; emergency: 434.544.5555; non-emergency: 434.544.8102). In response to a report, a CSO takes appropriate action, which may include going to the scene of the reported incident, asking the caller to come to the Campus Safety and Security office to make a report, contacting local or state law enforcement agencies, activating procedures for a campus-wide announcement of a safety concern through a timely warning, and/or conducting a follow-up investigation to collect additional information.
Relationships with Law Enforcement Agencies
For situations that require mutual aid assistance from local law enforcement agencies, the University of Lynchburg’s Campus Safety and Security has a standing Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the Lynchburg City Police Department (LPD) for the investigation of alleged criminal offenses. Because the University of Lynchburg’s campus safety officers have authority only on University property, University constituents and visitors needing assistance with crimes or emergencies occurring off campus should contact their local 911 Dispatch Center for local law enforcement assistance.
The University of Lynchburg enjoys a successful, collaborative working relationship and rapport with the Lynchburg City Police Department built through day-to-day interactions. The University works cooperatively with the Lynchburg Police Department on crime prevention and in addressing reported incidents.
Security Video Monitoring
The University of Lynchburg is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for the campus community. The purpose of security video monitoring/recording is to enhance campus security and the safety of persons and property through electronic security patrol of campus areas, monitoring access to grounds and facilities, documentation of incidents, and assisting campus safety officers in criminal or misconduct investigations. Video monitoring cameras may be stationary or worn by campus safety officers.