UT promotes safety education on campus during October

October 15, 2015 | Events, Features, UToday
By Cassandra DeYoung



The University of Toledo spotlights Crime Prevention Month by hosting Not On My Watch, a series of student activities and programs to educate and encourage personal safety.

“One of the things we always tell students is to be aware of their surroundings,” said Virginia Speight, associate vice president for student affairs in UT’s Division of Student Affairs and director of residence life. “College is a mini-city; people think that they’re safe because it’s college, but everybody is not necessarily here to get an education.”

rocksy not on my watchThroughout the month of October, the Division of Student Affairs and The University of Toledo Police Department will offer events on Main Campus that will encourage students to become active participants in their own personal safety along with campus safety.

“We started this three years ago and at first it started out really small with just Residence Life and UT Police, but we’ve been able to build and turn it into something that is divisional and spread it across campus,” Speight said.

Not On My Watch will feature a range of student activities and programs addressing safety in areas of relationships, substance abuse, violence and more.

Students can meet with members of The University of Toledo Police Department in the Student Union Trimble Lounge Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 10 to 11 a.m. and Monday, Oct. 26, from noon to 1:30 p.m. for a question-and-answer session.

An active shooter and violent intruder presentation will be hosted in the Student Recreation Center Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The presentation’s objective is to teach students how to be participants in their own survival and lead others to safety.

Alpha Phi Alpha’s second annual Anti-Domestic Violence Gala will be held Thursday, Oct. 22, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Student Union Auditorium. The philanthropy dinner will charge a $5 general admission fee and will support the Bethany House, a safe, long-term, transitional shelter for victims of domestic violence. The event is co-sponsored by Alpha Chi Omega Sorority and the Sexual Assault Education Prevention Program.

The Division of Student Affairs’ University Counseling Center will feature Gestic Theatre Company Dramatic Dialogues on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Student Union Auditorium. The program will address sex and drugs in frank and open discussions.

In addition to the safety programs, residence halls will perform door safety checks through Tuesday, Oct. 27, in which staff will purposely lock residents’ doors that are left open to demonstrate the dangers of leaving doors unlocked.

“At first, students were furious, but we saw the number of thefts significantly decrease the next year,” Speight said. “It creates an educational opportunity to have a conversation about students’ safety.”

The Student Recreational Center also will feature a Lock It Up initiative throughout the month to remind visitors to secure their belongings.

To see more events planned for the month or for more information, click here.

For more information on campus safety, visit utoledo.edu/campus/safety/index.html.

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