Safety Tips

Be Observant & Trust Your Instincts. Make sure that you are aware of your environment. It is advisable that you familiarize yourself with buildings and landmarks on/off campus. If you feel uncomfortable in a place or situation, leave the area.

Lock your vehicle and residence doors, even when you are at home. Theft is the most reported crime at Sam Houston State University, but many of these crimes can be averted when you eliminate temptation. When possible, take your valuables with you or secure them out of sight in a locked compartment or trunk. Laptops, computers, purses, briefcases, wallets, cell phones and other small electronics are easy and popular targets for thieves.

Register your valuables with the University Police Department on MySam. Anything that enables the University Police Department to identify an item as belonging to a particular student helps with the property recovery. Engraving your student Sam ID number or Driver’s License number (ex. TX- xxxxxxxx) on the back of the valuable item will help to identify the owner of the property.

Do not prop exterior doors to residence halls open. Access to residence halls is restricted to only students that reside in their prospective hall.

Learn the emergency evacuation plan and routes for your residence and classrooms. Pay attention to any announcements or emergency notifications that could occur.

Keep your friends and family informed about where you are and who you are with. It is important that you know and trust the people you will be living with. Get acquainted with your roommate(s) and exchange phone numbers, and also let them know who your emergency contacts are.