We’ve all experienced it. You’re eating at Taziki’s with your roommate or laying in bed watching Game of Thrones and you get that email notification.

It’s a public safety notice from The Auburn University Department of Campus Safety & Security. You know what you’re about to read – a report of a sexual assault, a robbery, or another scary issue on campus. Luckily for Auburn students, we have great resources that are available to help with these situations at any time. 

Make sure you stay informed, travel in groups, and always remain aware of your surroundings. Here are a few safety tips for Auburn students to keep in mind.

Stay in contact

Register your cell phone number to receive AU ALERT emergency messages, using the link on the My Campus tab in AU Access. You can also follow AU ALERT on Twitter and Facebook.  

Know where the blue light emergency phones are located on campus. These can be found on concourses, in parking lots and parking decks and near campus buildings. These phones will put you in direct contact with City of Auburn Public Safety Communications. Whether you’re a freshman or a graduate student, odds are that you may not be aware of the locations of these phones. The next time you’re out and about, look around and familiarize yourself with their locations. 

Learn the skills

Consider enrolling in a self defense course and take your safety skills to a new level. Auburn offers PHED 2200 Self Defense for Women and teaches realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women that promotes awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance with a progression to hands-on training and simulation exercises.

Travel safely

When traveling around campus at night, walk with friends or use the Security Shuttle ((334) 844-7400) which provides door-to-door transportation on campus between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. seven days a week while classes are in session. Be sure to have the number saved in your phone as a contact. And who knows ­– you may even get blueberry gum from Dan.

Use the buddy system (especially at night). If you plan to go out by yourself, take a friend along.  After all, two is always better than one.

Stay safe and as always,

Be well, Auburn.

Photography: Jack P.