Late nights in college are inevitable. Whether coming from a late class, long club meeting, or just studying at the library, it is important to be aware of the many ways to stay safe on campus at night.
Here are a few tips:
(1) Choose roads that are brightly lit and surrounded by buildings. Try to stay in well-lit, highly visible areas and avoid shortcuts. If you have to go down an unlit street, turn your phone flashlight on to help guide you.
(2) Remove your headphones. While it is tempting to pop in a pair of earbuds and tune out your surroundings, music can be a distraction that disables your awareness of danger.
(3) Keep your phone charged and accessible at all times.
Make sure your phone is charged and easily accessible before you leave your dorm so you can make an emergency call if you find yourself in danger. If your phone isn’t charged, stay home until it is. Better late than sorry.
(4) Trust your gut. If you think someone is stalking you, follow your instinct and don’t ignore it. Have your phone ready to call a friend and share your location with them. Speak loudly to let them know that you will be home shortly, so as to deter anyone who might be trailing you.
(5) Have your keys ready. When you return home, have your keys in hand as you approach your home and be aware of your surroundings both in front and behind you. Take the time to lock your doors and you’ll be much safer for it.
(6) Have someone with you. Always adopt the buddy system whenever you can. When coming from an activity, class, or just studying, chances are, other people are walking alone as well. Be proactive and ask to walk with them. Traveling in a group means more sets of eyes, which increases alertness and overall safety.
(3) Message your roommates before you leave the house. If you are going to be walking alone at night, inform a trusted friend of your whereabouts before you depart, allowing them to be a resource for contacting UMPD on your behalf if an emergency arises.
In addition to the U-M bus system which operates till 2 am or 3 am (for details regarding the Blue Bus, visit here), the University of Michigan and the City of Ann Arbor provide several alternatives to walking alone at night from campus to your residence.
(1) SafeRide by U-M at 734-647-8000, select Option 1.
a free service transporting students with a valid MCard from University buildings up to a mile off-campus.
Option 1 - 10 PM to 2 AM at any University building to buildings up to a mile off-campus
Option 2 - 2 AM to 7 AM at Shapiro Library, Duderstadt Center, or Cancer Center.
Call to reserve your ride. The estimated wait time can be 30-40 minutes, so plan your study schedule accordingly and make a call in advance. Check to see if Blue Buses are still running as a safe alternative.
(2) Night Ride by TheRide at 734-528-5432 or 734-647-8000, select Option 3
Shared nighttime cab service at a fixed cost of $5.00 that travels within the Ann Arbor city limits
Monday–Friday 11:00 pm–6:00 am
Saturday–Sunday 7:00 pm–7:30 am
You can reserve a ride in advance by calling or emailing nightride@theride.org.
For more late night transportation options, visit here.
(3) Other Emergency Phone Numbers
Fire, Police, Medical Emergency -- 911
University Division of Public Safety & Security (DPSS) -- (734) 763-1131
Sexual Assault Prevention & Awareness Center --734-764-7771
Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) After Hours Support (734) 764-8312 (press 0)
(4) Blue Light Phones & Red Box Emergency Phones
If you find yourself in danger, scan the area for the nearest on-campus emergency blue light. If you are in a campus parking structure or building elevator, look for a red box phone. Both systems are connected to the University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) dispatch, so DPSS will receive the location automatically and send an officer to help you.
Be familiar with the locations of blue light boxes
With historically high risk weekends like the OSU football game (November 27, 2021) and Halloween (October 31, 2021) fast approaching, it is important to keep these nighttime safety tips at the front of your mind. Do yourself a favor and plan ahead before leaving home after dark.
Written by Jinxuan (Sunny) Pan
Summer Orientation Peer Advisor
Undergraduate Student
China
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