Safety and Security: Tips for personal safety in Social Setting

"CycleVision" motorcycle mounted video cameras

From: The University of Arizona Police Department
To: University of Arizona Community

The University of Arizona Police Department will has begun using mounted digital cameras on marked department motorcycles and cares. UAPD is the first law enforcement agency in Southern Arizona to utilize "CycleVision" motorcycle mounted digital video cameras.

Digital Video Cameras have become a useful tool in Public Safety. CycleVision will enable motorcycle patrols to record the same video and audio evidence that patrol care capture. This enables the officer to visually and audibly record contacts with the public. Additionally, it can show that the officer's work complies with department policies and procedures and accepted best practices for law enforcement action. The video evidence also serves to document the accuracy of details surrounding an incident.

The purchase of video equipment for four motorcycles was made possible through a grant awarded by the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety.

Abduction near campus

A Message to students from the UAPD

A female University of Arizona student reported that she was recently taken against her will by three males in a white van while walking at night on Campbell Avenue adjacent to campus. She further reported that she was released unharmed a short time later in the vicinity from which she was originally taken. She described the occupants of the van as two white males and one Hispanic male. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call 9-1-1 or 88-crime.

The University of Arizona Police Department would like to take this opportunity to strongy encourage you to utilize good safety and security practices when in public and at home. Please see the safety tips listed below for ideas on how to improve your personal safety habits and remember to always dial 9-1-1 if you witness suspicious activity or persons in the area.

1. Remain alert and aware of your surroundings and the people in your vicinity at al times.
2. Save important phone calls for a later time. Talking on cell phones or using other electronic devices when walking, biking, or driving are distractions and divert your attention away from your surroundings.
3. At night, travel in well-lighted areas. Utilize Safe Ride, Safe Walk and Night Cat services to avoid walking alone at night.
4. Emergency blue light phones give you direct access to UAPD with the push of a button. Know where they are located at all times.
5. Always keep the windows and doors of your home and garage locked whether you are home or not.
6. Utilize outdoor lighting at your home to eliminate the possibility that a potential intruder could hide in shadowed areas.
7. Keep your telephone close by at all times so that it is easily accessible if you must call for assistance.
8. Never second guess yourself if you think you should call police about a suspicious person or incident. If someone or something gives you a funny feeling or makes you look twice, don't hesitate to report it to police.

2010 Campus Safety and Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report

The University of Arizona Police Department is pleased to announce the 2010 edition of the Annual Campus Safety and Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report can be accessed on October 1, 2010 at the UAPD web site located at: www.uapd.arizona.edu Click on the "2010 Campus Safety and Security and Annual Fire Safety Report" hyperlink on the right side of the home page to access the report.

This report contains valuable information about campus crime statistics, safety and security policies and procedures, UAPD patrol boundaries, how to report crimes on and off campus and the annual fire safety report.

We urge you to review this information. Should you have any questions about this report, please contact the UAPD Crime Prevention office at 621-4219. Copies of this report can be printed from the internet or are available upon request


Sincerely,
Anthony Daykin
Chief of Police

Message from ASUA President Fritze regarding the ZonaZoo Entrance Policy

To: UA Community Members
From: Emily Fritze, ASUA president
Re: ZonaZoo entrance policy

On behalf of the Associated Students of the University of Arizona (ASUA) ZonaZoo team, I would like to express my appreciation of the energy and spirit that students have shown the past few games in Arizona Stadium. The electric environment of the student section is a statement to the pride and tradition found here at the University of Arizona.

The largest challenge of the season has been the build up of students in front of the ZonaZoo section prior to game time. As we continue to have a successful football season, the dmand of students to attend games will only increase. However, it is important that ZonaZoo students are made aware of the ZonaZoo entrance policy – WHICH STATES THAT ADMISSION TO FOOTBALL GAMES IS NOT GUARANTEED – when they buy the pass. It is recommended that students arrive as early as possible to increase their chance of securing a seat.

A copy of the ZonaZoo entrance policy is also available on the ZonaZoo and Arizona Athletics websites. Below is the link to this policy for your review.

http://www.arizonawildcats.com/ot/zona-zoo-member-benefits.html

In consideration of the events, ASUA is working closely with Arizona Athletics to ensure the safety of students. As a result, ZonaZoo will now allow students to start entering the stadium four hours prior to kick off or when the student demand indicates a need to open up the section and other amenities. We hope that this will relieve the build up of students and allow for a safe entrance into the game.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the success of our Aythletics programs here at the University of Arizona.

Bear Down with pride,
Emily Fritze
ASUA Student Body President

A message from Carol Thompson, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Memo
To: University of Arizona Undergraduate & Graduate Students

From: Carol D. Thompson
Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students

Re: The University's Commitment to Preventing Discrimination and Harassment.

Welcome back to the University of Arizona!
The University is committed to ensuring that you have a campus
experience that is safe, positive, and free of discrimination and harassment.
The University prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of
race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, veteran
status, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

If you ever experience or witness discrimination or harassment, we
strongly encourage you to report this information to the appropriate
University office. If you have concerns related to discrimination or
harassment about a University employee, please contact:

Office of Institutional Equity
University Services Building, #217
(520) 621-9449 or (520) 626-6768 (TTY) www.equity.arizona.edu
Director & Title IX Coordinator: Mary Beth Tucker

If you have concerns related to discrimination or harassment about
another student, please contact:

Dean of Students Office
Old Main, #203
(520) 621-7057
http://deanofstudents.arizona.edu

Students can contact these offices anonymously to receive information
or ask questions. Complaints must be filed within 180 days of the
most recent incident of discrimination or harassment. For definitions
of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, please see the
University's Nondiscrimination and Anti-harassment Policy, available
at: http://equity.arizona.edu/non-discrimination_anti-harassment.
For more information about Title IX, please visit:
http://equity.arizona.edu/title_ix. If you would like a flyer with
this information to post in your place of residence, campus work place
or share with others please go to this link: http://deanofstudents.arizona.edu.

Burglar targeting women near U of A

There have been recent burglaries in the U of A area and authorities have reported that the burglar is targeting women who live along near the U of A area and is "sexually motivated."
The Tucson Police Department says the suspect is in his 20s and is probably conducting surveillance of the victims' homes prior to entering. The burglaries normally take place between midnight and 4 a.m.
For students who are the victims of these crimes or anyone who feels they need someone to talk with concerning these events – and any incident of sexual assault – there are many resources on campus that can help. A list of these resources, which include the OASIS Program Against Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS),the Dean of Students Office and the University of Arizona Police Department, can be found on the SafeCats Youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/uasafecats#p/u/5/wepwbd0o-6Q.
A list of safety tips can also be found on the UAPD web site at http://www.uapd.arizona.edu/crime%20alerts.htm.
For further assistance, please call the Dean of Students Office (520) 621-7057.

Schedule of UAPD bicycle safety workshops

The University of Arizona Police Department Bike Education and Enforcement Campaign kicks off in September. The following bicycle safety workshops will take place:

Sept. 9 at Cherry and University
Sept. 15 at Highland and 4th
Sept. 21 at Cherry and University
Sept. 23 at UMC North
Sept. 29 at Olive and 2nd

Keep your eye out for the times, which will vary. Times will be posted next week!

Welcome from President Shelton

To: Campus Community
From: Robert N. Shelton
Subject: Fall 2010 Welcome

I write to extend a very warm welcome to everyone on campus as we begin the new academic year. It is great to have all our faculty, staff, appointed professionals and students back in place for what we expect will be a great year for the University of Arizona.

For the fourth consecutive year, we begin the fall semester with a record freshman enrollment - it will come in at slightly over 7,000 students. In addition to being the largest freshman class in history, it is once again our most diverse. While we won’t have the final numbers for a few weeks, preliminary figures place the total minority enrollment at 38%, up from 34.2% last year, and 30.7% the year before. In just five years we’ve seen the Hispanic freshman class double in size. This is a great success story, and one that reflects our deep commitment to access and diversity at UA.

As I have traveled around the state this summer promoting the University, I was amazed by the number of people who went out of their way to offer compliments regarding our staff, faculty and students. From parents who had concerns about their incoming freshmen children, I heard praise for the accessibility and supportive manner of our staff. From students who needed some additional academic guidance, I heard about faculty who went out of their way to give tours, discuss career paths, or who worked diligently to ensure that students got necessary class assistance. From community members who found themselves on campus for summer events, I heard over and over how beautiful they thought the campus was, and how helpful students and staff were in welcoming them to events. And from everyone exposed to orientation, I got nothing but rave reviews about content, tone and the personal touch they felt.

My point in mentioning all this is that our people, whatever their role at UA, present a marvelous “face” to the public, and their doing so has a huge impact on how we are perceived and ultimately supported. Despite a harrowing economic crisis that has put huge budget pressures on the University, the people who make up UA continue to exhibit a commitment and passion that is truly inspiring, and I want to thank all of you for this determined effort to make the UA experience unique and meaningful to our students and everyone else whom we serve.

This fall we will conclude our accreditation review by the North Central Association. The accreditation process affords an important opportunity to reflect on where we are and where we are headed in the coming years. The UA team that was charged with demonstrating our worthiness for accreditation was headed by Beth Mitchneck and Randy Richardson; they have done a superb job of chronicling the accomplishments of the University, while also helping us understand those places where we need to do more.

The NCA review team will be on campus in early December, and will spend a good deal of time chatting with people across the whole University about the relevance and importance of the process. If you are presented with the chance to speak to them, I hope you will use it to thank the review team for their hard work and acknowledge the importance and value to UA of the whole accreditation review. I urge you to familiarize yourself with our self-study report that will be available through the university’s web page by the end of September.

Since the end of the last academic year, we had very good news from the ballot box. Against long odds, the people of Arizona went to the polls in large numbers and voted by a two-to-one margin to approve a one-cent increase in the sales tax – via Proposition 100 – to help shore up funding for education in our state. That vote flew in the face of stereotypes that many like to use to portray our state, and it spoke to the value that Arizona taxpayers place on education and the role it plays in shaping our state’s future.

Had Proposition 100 failed, the University of Arizona was facing an additional $42 million budget cut on top of $100 million in cuts already taken. It would have been devastating. Arizona voters recognized that. In a period of challenging economics, deep budget cuts and seemingly endless political acrimony, the people of this state made an important statement. For that we are truly thankful.

Later this fall we will be playing at home against our football arch rival ASU. But there is a slight change to that game that everyone on campus will need to be aware of. Rather than a Saturday evening, the game will be played on Thursday, December 2 at 6 p.m.

This game will be nationally telecast on ESPN and will reach millions of people across the country affording a tremendous opportunity to show off our campus and garner exposure to a great range of University programs and accomplishments (in addition to generating significant and much needed revenue for Intercollegiate Athletics). This visibility will give us the opportunity to be gracious hosts to all who visit the campus for this event. That’s the good news. The bad news (if you can call it that) is that we will have nearly 60,000 people descending on campus that afternoon (many during the height of rush hour) and that will inevitably lead to some challenging situations with traffic and parking.

A team has already been assembled to look at the parking options for game day and a memo with their specific recommendations will be distributed shortly. It will no doubt require some accommodations (and some disruption to normal routines) on that day, which is why I wanted to bring it to your attention early so that we can provide the maximum amount of time to plan for the game’s impact. We will get the specific details on parking and transportation changes out to you as soon as possible.

I hope this year will be successful and rewarding. And I thank you for your commitment to making the University of Arizona the great institution that it is.

A Thank You from President Shelton

To: Campus Community
From: Robert N. Shelton
Subject: Thank You

As commencement approaches and the academic year winds to an end, I wanted to write to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who is a part of our University – faculty, staff and appointed professionals – for the extraordinary effort that has gone into making this year so successful and productive, despite the unprecedented challenges that we faced.

A university is a diverse community of people who share a singular passion for scholarship and discovery and the hope that can blossom in students’ lives when they are given a chance to succeed. We are truly blessed by the people who make up the University of Arizona family, and who have helped this University stand for the most important ideals of our society.

This year we faced historic budget cuts; we mourned the passing of several cherished colleagues; and saw a law passed that, understandably, has offended members of our community and challenged what many believe are their fundamental rights as Americans.

The anger that has been generated by SB1070 is understandable. Many on our campus – whether international students and visitors, or faculty and staff who fear their ethnicity will make them targets – are anxious about its implementation. It is the expectation of most legal experts that SB1070 will be overturned by the courts. Whether or not that happens, I am certain that no one on our campus should fear that because of their ethnicity or national origin they will be accosted by our police.

Illegal immigration is a serious problem that begs a solution from the federal government. It is unfortunate that the state’s efforts to confront it resulted in flawed public policy that sends all the wrong messages about our state.

Despite the turmoil that we have experienced this year, we persevered in a way that should make every one of us proud. We have maintained our commitment to access while continuing to provide a quality educational experience to our students, and we are determined that UA will forever be a welcoming and inclusive community.

For the third consecutive year we enrolled a record number of students, and our freshman class was not only the largest ever, but the most academically gifted and diverse. Our faculty opened doors of discovery and garnered research awards that are the envy of our peers. We transformed our academic enterprise, thanks to input and guidance from those in every college on campus, resulting in productivity gains and exciting new opportunities for collaboration.

I am truly grateful to all of you for the commitment and hard work that you have demonstrated over the past year. There are still challenges ahead, but your efforts have enabled The University of Arizona to maintain its standing as one of the premier research universities in the world. That standing is a tribute to each of you. My thanks for your good work.

Message from the President

To: Campus Community
From: Robert N. Shelton
Subject: SB 1070 - Arizona’s New Immigration Law

Many people and organizations on campus are expressing understandable concerns over the ramifications of SB1070, the new law that was signed last week by Governor Brewer. The law directs local police to require anyone whom they reasonably suspect of being in the country illegally to provide evidence (such as a driver’s license or alien registration document) of their lawful presence. This has raised worries about racial profiling along with troubling questions about how SB1070 will affect the University’s international community on our campuses.

The University of Arizona is an institution that is international in its impact and reach. We attract students and scholars from every corner of the world to our campus. On any given day there are literally hundreds of people here from around the globe. They come to our campus to learn, to collaborate in research projects, and to share the products of their own scholarship.

I cannot state more firmly that the health and safety of our international students, faculty, and professional staff are priorities of the highest order for us, and we are going to do everything possible to help each of them understand the law and its impact. We intend to put in place whatever procedures are necessary to ensure their safety and free movement on campus and in our community.

Foreign students who have come to study at American universities are responsible for huge portions of the gains this nation has made in technology, medicine, materials, and so many other academic areas critical to our nation’s defense and economic prosperity. We must do everything possible to ensure that these students continue to feel welcomed and respected, despite the unmistakably negative message that this bill sends to many of them.

UAPD, which is one of the finest police operations anywhere, will be receiving extensive training on the specifications of the new law. I have total confidence that they will abide by the letter of the law, which includes a provision that individuals may not be stopped solely on the basis of race, color or national origin.

We have already begun to feel an impact from SB1070. The families of a number of out-of-state students (to date all of them honors students) have told us that they are changing their plans and will be sending their children to universities in other states. This should sadden anyone who cares about attracting the best and brightest students to Arizona.

Additionally, large numbers of UA students, faculty, staff and appointed professionals have expressed concerns that they or members of their families or their friends may now be subject to unwarranted detainment by police. Many of these individuals are from families that have been residents of Arizona for generations. While I am completely confident that no one need fear the way that UAPD will approach the application of this law, I nevertheless appreciate the anxiety that friends and colleagues are feeling. It is a concern and fear that no one should have to harbor.

At its meeting in Phoenix later this week, the Arizona Board of Regents will be discussing the implications of SB1070. I will keep you informed of any developments that might result from that meeting.

Spring Break Travel Update

To: UA Student Community

From: Dr. Carol Thompson, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Many students will choose to travel to different destinations over spring break. As you make your final preparations I would like to make you aware of an upcoming campus educational program that may be of interest to you.

March 4th, 10:00-4:00 - Spring Break Safety Fair, UA Mall
There will be a variety of booths, demonstrations, and interactive educational opportunities available for students to obtain safety information and other resources on spring break travel. This program is jointly sponsored by ASUA, UAPD, Campus Health, the Dean of Students Office Safe Cats Program and the UA Parents & Family Association.

For those students traveling abroad, the U.S. State Department <http://travel.state.gov/> website provides extensive information regarding travel requirements and safety information. In addition, information is provided regarding Travel Warnings and Alerts for specific locations around the world. Travel Alerts are issued by the U.S. State Department to disseminate information about short-term conditions, generally within a particular country, that pose imminent risks to the security of U.S. citizens.

A Travel Alert has been in place for Mexico <http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4491.html> since August 2009 and remains in effect until August 2010. This Alert describes recent violence, and provides guidance and additional links regarding travel in Mexico. If you choose to travel to Mexico for spring break, I urge you to familiarize yourself with this information and the following resources, tips and suggestions to increase your safety.

* Going to Mexico - Spring Break Safety Information <http://www.health.arizona.edu/health_topics/mexico-brochure.pdf>
* Spring Break in Mexico - Know Before You Go <http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/spring_break_mexico/spring_break_mexico_2812.html>

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jason Casares, Assistant Dean of Students & Coordinator of Campus Safety, through any of the following options:
621-7057 or
casares@email.arizona.edu.

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Travel Safety Tips

Check out the attached brochure for tips on how to be safe when traveling to Mexico!

Check out STEP UP Day March 1!!!

Safe Walk Program begins today!

Staying on campus until sundown? Find yourself walking alone to your car/dorm/bus stop at night? CALL SAFE WALK! The Women's Resource Center is proud to bring back the Safe Walk program, two safe walk employees will walk you from point A to point B, taking advantage of walking in numbers and garunteeing a safe walk on campus.

Hours are Monday thru Thursday 7:30PM-11:30PM
Call SAFE WALK at 520.471.5262

Flu Shot Clinic on the UA Mall

The Campus Health Service will hold a flu shot clinic on the UA Mall on
Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for all members of the University of
Arizona community.

Limited supplies of both H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines will

be available. Because the H1N1 vaccine is supplied by the

federal government at no charge, it is free. The seasonal flu shot costs $15; Campus Health can bill insurance companies.

As we enter the peak period of the traditional annual flu season

(January through March), it is especially important for

everyone to get a flu shot if they have not already done so.

Most experts believe that we will continue to see H1N1

flu -- a third wave -- in communities across the Northern

Hemisphere during the coming months.

The H1N1 flu vaccine is available now in ample supplies

and everyone is encouraged to get one. This includes

people in high-risk groups who have not yet received the

H1N1 vaccine:

> Pregnant women
> Household contacts and caregivers of children who are
less than 6 months old
> Everyone between 6 months and 24 years old
> Anyone between 24 and 64 years old who has a chronic
medical condition

PLEASE NOTE: Because of increased supplies of the H1N1

vaccine, anyone who wants to be vaccinated -- regardless of

whether they fall into the high-risk categories --

can receive the H1N1 vaccine.

For those who cannot attend the clinic on the Mall,

the Campus Health Service has injectable H1N1 vaccine

and a limited supply of injectable seasonal flu vaccine available

through its Immunization Clinic, located off the main lobby of the

Campus Health Service in Highland Commons.

To find out about other places offering H1N1 vaccinations,

visit the Pima County Health Department's H1N1 flu Web site at
www.pimahealth.org/disease/h1n1_influenza.asp.

Safe Walk is Back

The ASUA Women's Resource Center is providing University of Arizona students the opportunity to get paid while creating a safe environment on campus. The WRC's Safe Walk program provides after hours escorts to the campus community Mon-Thurs from 7:30 to 11:30pm. Our program guarantees a safe walk from one point on campus to another, and we are currently looking for safe walk interns to accompany campus community members in this endeavor.

Our Safe Walk position is designed for UA students to not only help provide a safe environment on campus, but also bring awareness of other issues that affect women and other marginalized groups. Students will have the
opportunity to develop practical job skills in this internship.

Our Safe Walk program is set to start Tuesday January 19, 2010. If you are a UA student, and interested in creating a safe environment on campus, we encourage you to apply to be Safe Walker. Stop by the Women's Resource Center (4th floor of the SUMC in the CSIL) and pick up an application, or
email us at UAWomensResourceCenter@gmail.com.