Homecoming Campus Safety Guide: Helpful tips to stay safe in the bluff during the week

It’s that time of the year again! Homecoming, which means this week is practically social chaos, all in the name of school pride. Classes are a no-show, “do you even go here” is a common phrase in passing, everyone is walking around white girl wasted, and all of campus is a party. Everyone’s favorite time of year, Homecoming, can unfortunately also be one of the most dangerous without everyone taking some necessary precautions. College women, between the ages of 18 and 24, are three times as likely to be assaulted compared to all women. This fact is scary but a lack of resources, preventative or reactive, is even scarier.
Luckily, Southern is making improvements to campus that reflect a new attitude about women’s safety. New emergency poles have been constructed and the JagSafe app has been updated. The app even has a feature named Friendwatch. With Friendwatch, students can set a timer, which provides an allotted amount of time to complete a task, like walking home alone at night. When prompted, if the student doesn’t indicate that they have completed their journey safely the app contacts an emergency contact. It also features direct access to the Southern University Police Department so students can request a shuttle or report a crime. These changes are vital in creating a safe environment for all people of the Jaguar Nation. Although these updates are a step in the right direction, more work can always be done. Along with tools Southern provides, individual precautions should always be taken.
Here are some tips to stay safe during Homecoming:
Travel in groups or with a buddy
Do not accept open drinks that you didn’t see prepared.
If walking alone: stay in lighted areas, be alert and be aware of your surroundings.
Trust your instincts. When a situation doesn’t feel right, leave.
No means no. If someone cannot say yes, the answer is no.
When traveling with in large groups, share your locations with one another.
Use the JagSafe app to request a shuttle if you are too intoxicated to make it back to your room.
Use the panic feature on your iPhone (press power button five times) if you have an emergency.