Safety and Security Update

As we move forward in our internal investigation of recent events, the Office of Safety and Security would like to share with our students, employees, and visitors information about safety and security initiatives and reminders about partnering for personal safety.

1. We have increased our safety and security presence on campus to the community on north, south, and central campus, both outdoors and within academic buildings and libraries.
2. A safety and security officer is specifically dedicated to patrol in the south bowl area of campus with concentration on patrols within program housing.
3. We have partnered with local law enforcement to provide a vigilant presence on campus and walking patrols from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. The Oberlin Police Department is providing vehicle patrols at this and other times.
4. Professional and student staff members have worked diligently in their own areas to be available to community members individually and in planned activities and have increased reporting, as have student community members.

We would like to remind you of the following services as resources for the community:

1. Safety and Security Escort Services may be obtained at any time of the day or night by calling (440) 775-8444 and asking the dispatcher to coordinate support.
2. The Student Shuttle Service, available as a stop-to-stop service on campus from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. may be reached at (440) 775-7433.
3. A new student-resourced Walk-Line is available to community members by calling (440) 574-0516 or GoogleChat oberlinwalkline@gmail.com to request a volunteer walking escort to your destination. To volunteer as a Walk-Line escort, send an email to oberlinwalkline@gmail.com
4. The safety and security office is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for reporting incidents and concerns, and for contact with officers, supervisors, and dispatchers who are committed to providing safety services for the community. The office acts as the contact after hours for on-call staff and services that may be needed. Director of Safety and Security Marjorie Burton and Dean of Students Eric Estes can be reached through the safety and security office after hours.

The safety and security office shares these recommendations for personal safety:

1. Be aware of your surroundings and immediately report activity you perceive to be suspicious, harassing, or threatening in nature. If an emergency, dial 9-1-1; Oberlin Police (440) 774-1061; safety and security (440) 775-8444 or (440) 775-8911
2. When traveling campus, have your Student ID card available to swipe into a nearby residence hall. Be aware of where people gather or of open businesses on your route where you can seek help if needed.
3. Program emergency numbers into your phone, and be aware of locations of emergency blue light phones. Residence hall door phones also have a button that connects you directly to the safety and security dispatcher.
4. Report people with whom you are not familiar who are in or around your residence hall or house. Report people who follow you closely to enter or attempt to enter your hall without swiping their own access card.
5. It is not wise to indulge in alcohol to the extent that you may not be able to help yourself. However, should you or a friend be under the influence and find yourself feeling unsafe or in need of assistance, do not hesitate to contact safety and security. Your safety is always the most important matter at hand.
6. To receive voice, text, and email messages in event of a campuswide emergency in addition to paper and website announcements, you may sign up or update your current Emergency Alert System contact numbers through the campus portal www.oberlin.edu/warn. Use your T number and e-mail address—be sure to use the full form, firstname.lastname@oberlin.edu—to log in. Oberlin’s emergency procedures may also be downloaded or printed for reference from Oberlin’s Blackboard website:

• Log in to Blackboard
• Click on the “Resources” tab at the top of the page
• Click on “References Info”
• Click on “Emergency Procedures 2012-13”