With the temperatures dropping this week, and the sun setting earlier, it is clear that Fall is officially here! As the days grow shorter and it starts getting dark earlier, it’s incredibly important to be aware of your surroundings, as well as being mindful of one another, especially when you are leaving campus in the late afternoons and evenings.
We always seek to prioritize the safety and well-being of our community members and, with that in mind, here are some things to consider over the next several weeks and months:
- The external doors to our building will continue to remain locked and will require your Vanderbilt ID card to enter the building. For everyone’s safety, please do not prop doors open or let others follow behind you unless you recognize them as a DSI community member, as we are part of an urban campus.
- When exiting buildings in the evening, try to coordinate with classmates so you can walk in groups as you all leave campus together. If you find yourself leaving alone, especially in the evening, you are encouraged to call the Vanderbilt Campus Walking Escort Service, which provides a walking escort for students, faculty, and staff walking to and from any location on campus. This is a free service, so please don’t hesitate to use it (615-322-2745).
- We recommend that you download the VandySafe App, which also allows you to connect with VUPD to request the Campus Walking Escort Service.
- Do not leave any personal belongings unattended – especially your laptop and backpacks/bags – in any public spaces, neighborhood restaurants, and particularly at 21st Avenue retail spaces like Starbucks, even for a few minutes.
Here are some other helpful reminders, in case of an emergency:
- Blue Emergency Phones on campus automatically dial directly to Vanderbilt Police (VUPD). These phones are conveniently located throughout the campus and are easily recognizable by the blue light atop the pole which houses the Emergency Phone.
- You may dial 911 using any campus phone or you can call 615-421-1911 from your cell phone.
- If you would like to contact VUPD in a non-emergency, you can call 615-322-2745 (x2-2745).
The safety and well-being of all members of the DSI Community is always of the utmost importance. We hope this information (and these friendly reminders!) are helpful to you!