General Safety Policies

Clemson University is a relatively large community of about 19,000 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 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.

The Clemson University Police Department (CUPD) is dedicated to a community policing philosophy that strives to create new partnerships in order to solve the unique problems within our campus environment. Officers are expected to engage community members through conversation and prevention programming to develop community rapport with students, faculty and staff in an effort to increase awareness and a positive exchange of information.

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

• 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.

Updated: April 2012

Contact: University Police Department, Centennial Boulevard, 864-656-2222.