Elmira College

Remember: “If You See Something, Say Something.”  Report any suspicious persons, vehicles, situations or items.  If you aren’t sure about something, contact Campus Safety for assistance at 607-735-1777 or security@elmira.edu.

One of the many ways that Elmira College communicates with students in the event of an emergency is a text message alert system. This secure messaging system is available to members of the college community free of charge (other than normal service provider fees) and is only used in the event of an emergency. Since the system relies on text messaging, it will function effectively even if cell traffic increases during an emergency.

Campus community members may opt into the system, which sends messages to cell phones, PDAs, email addresses or pagers. No one will receive unsolicited text messages from Elmira College and the system will not deliver advertising content.

The log-in information for registration is your Elmira College username and secure password. For example if your email is mtwain@elmira.edu, your username is mtwain. After login, you will be able to enter your cell phone number and carrier to opt-in.

--> Click Here to Sign Up or Update Your Information <--

No Eagle Left Behind is a service provided to Elmira College students who are off campus and find themselves without a safe way back to campus. Here's how the program works:

• Call local cab service Total Transportation at (607) 734-6161 to pick you up
• Campus Safety officers meet the cab upon arriving on campus and provide a voucher to the company
• The bill is charged to your account

Residence Halls

• Keep room doors closed and locked at all times.  This includes while you are inside your room.  Even if you're going next door to a friend's room, always grab your keys and lock the door.  
• If someone knocks on your door, ask before opening. Utilize the door peephole, if equipped.  Make sure you feel comfortable that the person knocking is someone that you would allow in your room.
• Don’t hold residence hall entrance doors for people that you don’t know.  This may seem impolite, but is imperative to maintain the safety and security of yourself and the residence halls.  If someone has authorized access to a residence hall, they will be able to utilize their own ID card to gain access.
• Don't hide your room keys outside your room.
• Don’t give your Elmira College ID card or room key to anyone for any reason.
• Have your ID card and room key ready when approaching your building and your room.
• Learn your building.  Be aware of the other residents on your floor and in your building.  Identify exits, stairways, elevators, fire extinguisher locations, and other safety equipment that may be present.  In the event of an emergency, promptly reaching safety is a priority.
• Take inventory of items in your hall and promptly report suspicious packages or items to Campus Safety.
• If your room has windows, always close and lock them.

Walking

• Don't walk alone. Walk with a friend or group.  There is safety in numbers. You can also contact Campus Safety for escorts on campus.
• Plan your route ahead of time. Take advantage of well-lit and highly travelled areas.
• Inform a friend if you intend to walk somewhere, how long you will be, and the path you will take.
• Carry your cell phone and ensure that it is sufficiently charged.
• Carry signaling devices, such as a whistle.
• Be alert to what’s all around you! Look behind you occasionally.
• Don't carry large sums of money, carry valuables, or wear valuable jewelry.

Vehicles

• LOCK YOUR VEHICLE!  Secure your vehicle, even if you only plan to leave it for a minute.  Make sure windows are rolled up. College parking lots are common targets for thieves, and theft from a vehicle is most often a crime of opportunity. Thieves focus on opportunity and rarely, if ever, force entry into a vehicle.
• If your vehicle is equipped with a security system or audible alarm, use that system at all times for an additional level of security.
• Always look inside your vehicle before getting in.
• Have your keys ready when approaching your vehicle.
• Lock all doors immediately after you are in the vehicle.
• If you see a suspicious person or someone approaches you while you are in your vehicle, lock the doors, keep the windows up, keep the engine running, and prepare your cell phone to call Campus Safety or 911 in an emergency. 
• Honk your horn if you need to attract attention.
• Don’t leave valuables in your vehicle.  If you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle, don’t leave the item in plain view.  These items may include purses, wallets, clothing, cell phones, laptops, and other electronic equipment.
• Vary your routine.  If you often return to campus at the same time of night, try to vary your return time and parking location.  Upon return to campus, notify a friend that you are on campus and where you are parking. 
• Be aware of campus video cameras in parking lots and park within view of the camera.  Avoid parking on the street and take advantage of the video cameras covering the parking lots.

General Safety

• Avoid drinking in excess!  Drink responsibly.  Consuming large amounts of alcohol can make you an easier target for an offender. Your personal safety, as well as the security of your property, can be significantly compromised while in an intoxicated condition.
• Program the Campus Safety phone number into your cell phone so you have it at your fingertips in the event of an emergency on campus.  If you see a crime in progress, see something suspicious, or just have questions, please contact Campus Safety.  The Campus Safety phone number is (607) 735-1777 (#1777 from a campus phone). 
• Make sure your cell phone is on and sufficiently charged.  Program Campus Safety and any other emergency numbers in your phone.
• Keep an eye out for suspicious vehicles and persons on campus.  Report suspicious vehicles or persons to Campus Safety.
• Be aware of people showing an unusual interest in buildings, door locks, security, cameras, and events.  Promptly report suspicious persons.
• Don’t leave your personal property unattended, even if it is just for a minute.  These items may include a purse, wallet, backpack, laptop, cell phone or other valuables.
• If you leave campus, notify a friend of your plans.  This might include where you are going, who you are meeting and their contact information, and what time you plan to return.  If you are unable to notify a friend, leave a note with the same information in your room.
• If you use public transportation, be alert.  Keep your personal belongings close to you. Sit near the door or the driver.
• Always be aware of your surroundings. Whether you are in a classroom, dining hall, gymnasium, or any other location, take note of exits and available safety equipment.
• Don’t wait to be a victim.  Consider how you would respond to an emergency and consider scenarios that you might face in your daily life.  Plan ahead.
• Use interior and exterior lighting to your advantage at all times.
• Keep personal information private.  Avoid becoming a victim of identity theft by carrying only the necessary items on your person, in your wallet or purse. Don't keep your social security card in your wallet.
• Don't give personal information to solicitors.
• If you are confronted by another person, your life and safety is far more important than any personal property.

If you bring a bicycle to campus, register it with Campus Safety.  Elmira College provides a bicycle storage room with card access control.  This limits the number of people that are authorized to access the room.  Keep your bicycle locked inside the bicycle storage room.  This provides an additional level of security for your bicycle.

Keep an eye out for suspicious vehicles and persons in and around parking lots.  Promptly report suspicious vehicles or persons to Campus Safety.