Campus Safety Awareness

Both the staffs of Security and Residential Life encourage students to promptly report all crimes or incidents. The need for safety awareness is emphasized through orientation meetings, discussion groups in the residence facilities, education sessions on sexual violence prevention, and ads and articles in the campus newspaper.

The Security Office uses these opportunities to make the campus community aware of how and when to contact Security for assistance. The basic premise of these informational meetings is to reinforce the idea that everyone must think safety and share in the responsibility for their own wellbeing. 

In the event of a crime considered to be a threat to other students and employees of the College community, notice is given to the community through the Marist e-mail, voice mail, radio station, television station, and the campus newspaper. Depending on the severity of the crime, the notices are supplemented by memoranda and bulletin board announcements.

In a community the size of Marist, where the majority of the members are between the ages of 18 and 22, we do experience violations of the law. And, although our campus is a relatively safe environment, the possibility of a major crime occurring does exist. We keep this possibility in the forefront during our contacts with students, staff, and faculty, encouraging them to "think safety at all times."

Student Responsibility

The cooperation, involvement, and personal support of students is crucial to the success of a campus safety program.

Students must assume responsibility for their own personal safety and the security of their personal belongings by taking simple, common-sense precautions. Students' awareness of their environment and their surroundings is the best place to start.

• Never prop open the exterior doors to the resident areas.
• Lock your room door even if you are just leaving for a short period of time and carry your keys at all times. Never loan them to anyone.
• Ask visitors to identify themselves before allowing them to enter the building or your room.
• Call the Security Office to report anyone who looks suspicious.
• Take advantage of the College's escort service, especially when traveling alone at night.
• Use taxi services licensed by the City or Town of Poughkeepsie.
• Travel together to and from off-campus events.