5 ways to be safe while you are at university

Starting university can be an exhilarating yet daunting experience, filled with excitement for new opportunities and learning adventures. However, for many, the transition from online learning to on-site can evoke feelings of uncertainty and anxiety.

Whether you're a proud parent bidding farewell to your child, a supportive friend offering guidance, or embarking on this journey yourself, navigating the university landscape with safety in mind is paramount.

Here are a few 5 thoughtful tips to ensure your time at university is not only enriching but also safe and secure.

Explore your campus

• It might sounds odd but familiarising with your surroundings can be the biggest tool in helping you assess potential safety risks on campus, such as areas prone to theft, vandalism, or accidents, and take proactive measures to mitigate these risks, such as avoiding shortcuts through isolated areas at night.
• Attend orientation sessions offered by the university to learn about important locations such as academic buildings, residence halls, dining facilities, libraries, health services, and security offices.

Invest in a good backpack

• Reflective Details: Consider a backpack with reflective details or strips, especially if you'll be walking or biking to campus in low-light conditions. Reflective elements enhance your visibility to motorists and pedestrians, improving overall safety.
• RFID Blocking: Some backpacks come with RFID-blocking pockets or compartments, which prevent unauthorized scanning of your credit cards, passports, or other RFID-enabled cards. This helps protect your sensitive information from electronic theft.

Plan your transport

• Take account for possibilities delays such as class running behind to ensure that you have a backup plan 
• Share your location only with your trusted contacts
• There are dedicated location-sharing services and apps available, such as Glympse or Google Maps' location sharing feature, that allow you to share your live location with selected contacts for a set period of time 

Have security on speed-dial

• Familiarize yourself with campus safety services, such as escort programs, where security personnel or student volunteers can accompany you to your destination, especially during late hours or in isolated areas.
• Always call Triple Zero via 000 and call University Security immediately after calling emergency services.

List of University Security Numbers/Services:

1. University of Melbourne: 834 46666 or 1800 246 066 (for emergencies and to book security escort)

• Offers Safe Zone services 

• Blue emergency help phone booths at various points in the Parkville, Southbank, Burnley and Werribee campuses which generates an alarm in the security control room and CCTV attention

2. Monash University: 03 9905 3333 (for emergencies) or 03 9902 7777 (for security escort)

• Security bus runs from 5:30pm to Midnight on the Clayton and Caulfield campus which can be tracked 

• Offers bSafe to support Monash students with for any support services 

• There are emergency help points (phones and intercoms) in the Caulfield, Clayton, Parkville and Peninsula to speak to security immediately 

3. RMIT University: 03 9925 3333 (for emergencies)

To book escort:

• Bundoora: 0418 551 814 or  03 9925 3895

• City: 03 9925 3895 or 03 9925 3349

• Brunswick: 0439 930 165 or 03 9925 3895 

• Offers Safe Zone services 

• The Bundoora Campus offers free bus service for students that will take around Bundoora campus and the surrounding areas until late at night with a trained RMIT security officer

4. Deakin University: 1800 062 579 (for emergencies)

• Offers Safe Zone services to book security escort 

5. La Trobe University: 03 9479 2222 (for emergencies and to book security escort)

6. Australian Catholic University: 1300 729 452 ((for emergencies and to book security escort)

• Offers Safe Zone Services to book security escort

7. Victoria University: 03 9919 6666 (for emergencies) or 03 9919 4999 (to book security escort)

• Offers VUSafe for support services

8. Swinburne University: 03 9214 3333 (for emergencies and to book security escort)

• Offers a night bus service to and from the Hawthorn campus during semester period

9. Federation University

• For emergencies

Ballarat - 1800 333 732 (1800 FED SEC)

Berwick - extension 28555 or call 5122 8555

Gippsland - extension 26662 or call 5122 6662

• For security escort

Ballarat campuses - extension 6333 or call 5327 6333

Berwick Campus - extension 28555 or call 5122 8555

Gippsland Campus - extension 26662 or call 5122 6662

Wimmera Campus - call 5382 0560 or 0417 820 560