Cars on Campus

The advantages of having a car on campus include the ability to attend off-campus events, shop independently or have an off-campus job. Disadvantages include the extra expense associated with maintenance, insurance and parking fees, and occasional motor vehicle registration difficulties. In addition, liability for passengers can be problematic, as students with cars typically become the “residence hall chauffeurs.” In general, the university recommends that freshman students wait until the second semester to decide if a car is necessary. Students with cars should pay close attention to on-campus parking regulations as they are strictly enforced.

For students with cars on campus, several automobile repair businesses are located near campus and have reputations for being honest, fair and reliable. They are: Mission Bay Automotive, 1125 Morena Blvd., (619) 276-3390; Jiffy Lube, 3775 Rosecrans St., (619) 295-1999; and Speedy Auto Tech, 2950 Kurtz St., (619) 295-2293.

Department of Public Safety

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

It is part of the university’s policy to be prepared when we suddenly face a major event that causes injuries, damage and/or interrupts the daily academic program. Student safety is the highest priority of the university. While we hope disasters never happen, being prepared for them, just in case, is an ongoing component of the academic program. The Department of Public Safety utilizes a system involving four levels of emergency notification.  Depending upon the risk to the campus community, each level incorporates a variety of notification methods based upon various factors.  The notification methods include an automated mass electronic notification system (phone, text and email), campus-wide e-mail, outdoor notification system, and physical posting of safety/security notification flyers on doors and bulletin boards, electronic announcements on my.sandiego.edu, in the Vista newspaper and various University websites. In case of an emergency, the university will also activate its emergency response plan and staff the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The center will coordinate all emergency operations including: medical, public safety, rescue, care and shelter, media interviews, transportation and emergency communications. The EOC will take action, as necessary, to protect lives, property and restore university services.

Information, as it becomes available, will be provided by radio or messenger from the EOC to the emergency staff in the field, including staff, faculty and community directors, who will advise students and others. Updated information can also be found on the Department of Public Safety Web site: www.sandiego.edu/safety. Students are encouraged to keep all emergency contact information updated with the university. In the event of an emergency, the university will activate its mass emergency notification system. This system will send voice, text and e-mail messages to all emergency contact numbers and to two e-mail addresses that students have provided the university.

FAMILIES CALLING THE UNIVERSITY

The university will continue to answer general calls, unless the telephone service is interrupted. The university will activate the (800) 884-9747 Emergency Notification Number during major emergencies. Families can call this number to listen to status reports and general information regarding university operations. As soon as service is available, the university will assist students in calling their families. Please use this number only in an emergency. For more information on disaster preparedness, including classes, family and home preparedness and San Diego community programs, contact:

The San Diego Office of Emergency Services (858) 565-3490
The American Red Cross (619) 542-7400
USD Public Safety Office Non-Emergency line: (619) 260-7777
USD Public Safety Office Emergency-only line: (619) 260-2222

Students are advised to be prepared and remember:

• Discuss how you will contact each other in the event of an emergency.

• Know and practice classroom and residence hall evacuation procedures.

• Keep your keys, wallet, purse and backpack with you or near you.

• Keep extra prescription medicine, glasses or other items you may need in your purse or backpack in the event your building is evacuated.

• Follow the instructions of the university instructors, emergency staff and resident directors.

• Do not leave the university without telling someone. Wait until you hear the route is safe.

• Provide the toll-free number (800) 884-9747 to your family.

• Do not enter a building until it has been declared safe.

• Help others near you who may need your assistance.

PUBLIC SAFETY

The Department of Public Safety works with your son or daughter to help make the
campus a safe learning environment. It offers prevention presentations on theft and
crime prevention, sexual assault, hate crimes and domestic violence, and provides crime
control and traffic enforcement. RAD (Rape Aggression Defense), a 12-hour self-defense class for women, is offered each semester.

Officers have been granted authority to conduct misdemeanor criminal investigations on the USD campus and provide assistance to the San Diego Police Department as necessary in the investigation of more serious offenses.

Parents can help make USD a safe learning environment by staying involved in their
child’s life. For many students, this may be the first extended-stay away from home and
away from the guidance of parents. Some students handle this venture into independence well. For many students, there may be temptations to engage in binge drinking (five or more drinks in one sitting) or to experiment with drugs. Your continued involvement in your son’s or daughter’s life is an essential ingredient in ensuring a safe transition into adulthood. It also is important for you to have discussions with your son or daughter about sexual assault prevention.

The USD campus is a safe campus. While crime can occur anywhere, the most
frequently reported crime is petty theft, which typically results from a student’s failure
to take simple steps to safeguard his or her property. Your son or daughter should be
reminded to exercise good judgment and to extend trust only after careful consideration
of the people involved in an encounter and the context of that encounter.

USD is a diverse, multi-ethnic campus, with students from all parts of the world,
representing a wide variety of religions, ethnicities, disabilities and sexual orientations.
USD is committed to providing a community that is respectful of all people. Please
encourage your son or daughter to be understanding of these differences as long as his
or her space, peace and security are not violated. If you need help discussing any of these
issues with your son or daughter, or if you have any other safety concerns, please contact
the Department of Public Safety at (619) 260-7777 or www.sandiego.edu/safety.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY ADVICE

• The legal age to consume alcohol in the state of California is 21. Students, who are of legal drinking age, if they choose to drink, are strongly encouraged to drink responsibly.

• When walking at night, all students are encouraged to walk with a friend or ride the campus tram. Public Safety is available to provide escorts for students who have concerns about walking alone on campus at night.

• Emergency telephones are located throughout all areas of the USD campus. Many of the 165 emergency telephones are equipped with a blue light that aids in their
  quick location at night. The emergency telephone will connect the caller directly to
  the Department of Public Safety’s 24-hour dispatch center. It is important to become
  familiar with the locations of campus emergency telephones. A map identifying their
  specific locations is available at the Department of Public Safety. Students who feel
  threatened and cannot locate a nearby emergency telephone should go to the nearest
  campus building and call ext. 2222 for Public Safety assistance.

• Always lock your room door in residence halls, even when leaving for only a few minutes to go to the laundry room or soft drink machine. Intrusions can occur in seconds. Report all broken locks or windows immediately to campus housing officials for repair. Never remove screens from windows.

• Do not leave valuables unattended, including backpacks, purses or briefcases. Never leave laptop computers unsecured or unattended.

• Protect your property with a property identification system (available at the USD Bookstore). Placing personal identifiers on valuable items such as televisions, MP3 players, bicycles and computers makes identification easier and deters potential thieves.

• Always report crimes or suspicious activities to Public Safety. They can assist in coordinating other USD resources to help you, such as counseling or medical services.

• When traveling off campus, tell someone where you are going, when you will be back and leave a contact number where you can be reached.

• Provide the Registrar with your current local telephone number and address in case an emergency situation arises and USD authorities need to locate you.

• Always keep your car in good running condition with plenty of gas in the tank.

• When traveling by vehicle, always keep doors locked and park in well-lit locations.

• When off campus, it is important to exercise the same precautions you would take in any urban area.