As campus is brought to life again, so are the possible crimes and dangerous situations students face each fall. Luckily, Eastern Michigan University has safety organizations in place to keep students comfortable and safe this year.
The most safety-driven student organization on campus is SEEUS (Students Eyes and Ears for University Safety). SEEUS provides escorts to students, both walking and mobile, at times they would otherwise feel uncomfortable. They are also responsible for observing the campus environment.
SEEUS walking escorts can be recognized by their bright-yellow jackets, shirts and badges that have their logo on the back. Any time between 5 p.m.-1 a.m., students may contact an escort by calling dispatch at (734) 487-3387 (48-SEEUS), or approaching a SEEUS worker whenever they see one.
The mobile escort service is available Sunday through Thursday, 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., during fall and winter semesters.
Sophomore Keriann Chmielewski remembers using the escort service one night.
“I was leaving the Student Center after an event, it was almost midnight,” she said. “Two of the SEEUS members were waiting by the doors to escort anyone who might need it. I was so relieved. They walked me to my car. I mean, I’m little, I don’t want to take any chances.”
Campus is also spotted with Emergency Stations that contact campus police when used. Tutorials on how to use these stations can be found on the emich.edu/public safety website.
Campus Safety has outlined tips and ideas to keep students and their friends safe on campus this year. It highlights ideas such as keeping your doors locked, using a buddy-buddy system and not allowing strangers through the exterior dorm doors.
Also on the list are phone numbers to call in order to report suspicious activity, tips on keeping valuables safe from theft and how to protect yourself from potential harassment.
Along with preparing for the worst, campus police also send informational releases through e-mail when crimes occur on or near campus to keep students informed. These reports include armed or unarmed robberies, assaults and other dangerous situations.
Kailey Schneemann, a junior, likes the information she gets from the releases.
“I try to stay off campus at night, anyways,” she said. “But reading where crimes are happening and how really informs me on what not to do. It’s sort of like learning from (other’s) mistakes, and keeping everyone safer.”
Though campus police, public safety and SEEUS can keep students as safe as possible, a person’s safety is ultimately in his or her own hands.
“SEEUS is great, so are the campus police, but they are no good if you don’t know when they are necessary,” said Kristen Blackburn, a sophomore. “Students need to learn to judge situations and keep themselves safe when they feel uneasy.”
Past crime reports and additional ways to stay safe can be found on emich.edu.