UTSA Main Campus
UTSA offers year-round safety, security services
By Tim Brownlee
Assistant Director of Public Affairs
(April 1, 2009)--Safety and security in the UTSA community is a top concern of university officials. In consideration of recent events at an off-campus housing complex, UTSA officials remind students, faculty and staff to keep in mind these safety and security programs and services provided year-round at UTSA:
- Call the UTSA Police Department at (210) 458-4242 at any time to request an on-campus escort to your car or a bus stop.
- In an emergency, call the UTSA Police Department at (210) 458-4911. It is recommended to program this number into your cell phone. (From an on-campus phone, simply call 4911.)
- There are 63 emergency phones located around the UTSA campuses. By pushing the red button, UTSAPD is contacted directly. Additionally, every UTSA elevator has an emergency phone connected directly to UTSAPD.
- UTSA Counseling Services, part of the Division of Student Affairs, offers a variety of services to UTSA students. All services are confidential and available at any time during the workday. Additionally, in an after-hours emergency, an on-call clinician can be contacted. For more information, call (210) 458-4140 or visit the UTSA Counseling Services Web site.
- Safety whistles are available at the UTSA Police Department in the Physical Plant Building (Main Campus), Buena Vista Street Building Room 1.303 (Downtown Campus) and the Crime Prevention offices at University Oaks and Chaparral Village residence facilities.
- The UTSA Police Department offers personal safety presentations at the UTSA campuses. Information is provided on personal safety tips for on-campus residences or off-campus apartments. For more information, contact Cpl. Geoffrey Merritt, University Oaks III clubhouse, at (210) 877-4006 or Officer Melody Piepho, Chaparral Village Neighborhood Center #14, at (210) 458-6974.
Safety and security tips
- Although assaults are rare on a college campus, it is important to be alert to any suspicious activity. Keep safety in mind by being aware of your surroundings and walking with a friend.
- Be sure to lock doors and windows before you leave your home.
- If you go out for the evening, turn on lights and a radio or television, so the house, apartment or room appears to be occupied.
- For more resources on personal safety, alcohol information and holiday safety, select the "Crime Prevention" and "Safety Brochures" links at the UTSA Police Department Web site.