Student Handbook

General Safety Policies
 

GENERAL SAFETY


Law Enforcement
Clemson University is a relatively large community of about 17,000 students within a small-town community of about 12,000 residents in the city of Clemson. Although the Clemson University campus and the surrounding city are relatively safe, they are still vulnerable to criminal activity. Educate yourself about the resources available to you and the ways you can help protect yourself.
Clemson University provides a 24-hour certified police department to enforce state law, offer educational and crime-prevention programs for students, faculty and staff, and provide escort services. University police officers are certified by the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy and commissioned by the Office of the Governor. Additional security personnel are also utilized to ensure safe living in residential areas.

The Clemson University Police Department (CUPD) is dedicated to community policing programs and finds these programs to be successful especially within our campus environment. Officers are assigned to specific areas, and they work hard through walking and bicycle patrols to develop community rapport with students, faculty and staff in an effort to increase awareness and a positive exchange of information.

Educational and Personal Safety Programs
The Clemson University Police Department offers numerous educational and personal safety programs for students, faculty and staff. These programs are offered each semester:

  • Escort Service - Police officers and members of the Auxiliary Student Patrol are available to escort faculty, staff, visitors, and students to and from areas on campus between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and as otherwise requested. To request an escort, contact the Police Department at 656-2222.
  • Rape Awareness - Classes for men and women that discuss stranger rape, acquaintance rape, and risk reduction techniques.
  • Rape Aggressive Defense - A practical self-management program designated to educate women on techniques that reduce the risk of becoming a rape victim and how to escape an attack.
  • Common Sense Self-Defense -Police officers interact with participants to provide information on crime in the work place and at home while providing risk reduction techniques.
  • Violence in the Workplace - An educational program that identifies the problems and characteristics associated with workplace violence.
  • Campus Safety: Crime at Clemson - An informative program that discusses the types of crimes that occur at Clemson while offering advice on reducing the risk of becoming a victim.
  • Driving under the Influence - Police officers discuss state Awareness law and present DUI arrest demonstrations.


Prevention

  • Use the Escort and Transit Services
  • Be aware of the emergency telephones and their locations
  • Avoid being in classrooms or office buildings alone at night. If you must be there, let the police know where you are and how long you will be there. Stay near a telephone.
  • Report any suspicious person or activity to the police department, whatever the time, day or night.
  • Know who is at your door before opening it.
  • Vary your routine. Do not walk the same route night after night.
  • When walking at night, be alert of your surroundings. Listen for footsteps and voices to be sure no one is following you.
  • Avoid unlit areas. Whenever possible, walk and park in well-lit public areas.
  • Always lock your doors in your car, room, apartment, or house. Keep the car doors locked even when you are driving.
  • Never pick up hitchhikers.
  • When driving, always make sure you have enough gas to reach your destination.
  • When walking to your car at night, have your car keys in hand before leaving the building.
  • When walking from your car to your residence, have your door key in hand before you leave your car. If you are being dropped off, ask the driver of the car to wait until you are safely in your residence.
  • If you drink, drink responsibly.