CAMPUS SERVICES AND SAFETY TIPS TO REMEMBER
As the school year kicks off, the ODU community is reminded that the following assistance is available if you need to walk across campus late at night, your car battery dies or you need a ride home.
Student Escorts are on the job from 5:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. seven days a week to accompany students, faculty and staff who request the service. They can be reached at 683-3477 or by using the red emergency phones inside campus buildings or the blue outdoor call boxes on and off campus. Escorts wear reflective vests and carry photo identification badges. Each escort carries a two-way radio and is in direct contact with the escort service dispatcher.
The Old Dominion Police Department also operates the Motorist Assistance Program. Items such as a gasoline can, jumper cables, water bottle or lug wrench can be borrowed from the Public Safety Building at 49th Street and Hampton Boulevard. Call 683-4000 for more information.
The Campus Shuttle Bus provides free transportation to students with a valid Old Dominion University I.D. card to on- and off- campus locations, including MacArthur Center. The Blue (on-campus) route runs 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. The MacArthur Center (off-campus) route runs 6 to 11 p.m. Thursday, 6:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Call 683-4004 for more information.
Hampton Roads Transit, in conjunction with ODU, offers free local bus service passes for ODU students, faculty and staff, which are available at the Parking and Transportation Services office at 43rd Street and Elkhorn Avenue. Call 683-4063 for more information.
Police Sgt. Marc Huckless offers the following safety tips.
1. Report all medical, fire, police emergencies and crimes to campus police immediately. Call 683-4000. The ODU Police Department is a state accredited law enforcement agency, which patrols one mile off campus and works closely with Norfolk Police.
2. Lock all of your property in a secure location and do not leave valuables in your car. Detach the radio faceplate if possible. Lock your bicycle to a bike rack using a U-Blot Lock.
3. Write down the serial numbers for all of your expensive items. Know the color, make and model of your equipment, including TV, VCR, DVD and laptop.
4. Never leave your book bag unattended. Write your first name in the middle of one of the pages in all of your textbooks.
5. Keep your dorm room, apartment or office locked at all times. Report all suspicious people to campus police, with detailed information.
6. Call the Student Escort Service at 683-3477 instead of walking alone across campus late at night.
7. Do not speed on campus and stop for pedestrians crossing the street.
8. Be careful around construction sites. Do not venture into restricted areas.
9. Call ODU Parking and Transportation Services (not campus police) at 683-4004 for parking issues.
10. To keep campus walk ways clear, report nonfunctioning lights and overgrown landscaping to the Work Management Center at 683-4626.