"The Green Pages" Student Handbook '07-'08

Public Safety

General Information
Jacksonville University is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone on the JU campus: students, faculty, staff and visitors. The Public Safety Department is on duty around the clock to provide 24 hour-a-day servicing to all areas of the campus. If there is ever a problem, assistance can be summoned immediately from special emergency telephones easily identified by their distinctive blue-lights located throughout the campus. Jacksonville University is one of the safest campuses in the state of Florida. JU, however, is not isolated from the rest of society and the potential for crime does exist. That is why everyone should play an active role in the safety and security of the University community. Simple precautions such as locking the doors in residence halls and cars, or walking with at least one other person at night are effective in deterring problems.  This section is designed to fully acquaint you with all the specific elements of safety and security at JU. We hope it will become a useful tool in your day-to-day life on campus.

Campus Safety and Security Programs
Jacksonville University utilizes several programs and systems that inform the University community about campus safety and security. These services are offered through the Public Safety Department. There are many other useful programs offered by the Student Counseling Center and Residential Life. Public Safety provides:

  • Crime prevention programs (i.e., Operation Whistle Stop);
  • Sexual assault and awareness programs;
  • Operation ID (inventory and marking of personal property);
  • Coordinating self-defense workshops;
  • Safety escorts during the hours of darkness;
  • Assistance with planning campus events involving security and parking logistical issues;
  • Campus patrol; and
  • MAPS (Motorists Assistance Program) including jump-starts, assistance with flat tires, etc.

Access
All entrances to the University except First Street by the Residence Halls are closed nightly at 11:00 PM. After 11:00 PM, all access to the University is through the Public Safety Traffic booth located at the First Street entrance onto the campus. All vehicles are required to display their parking decal and stop prior to entering the campus.

The entrances to the Residence Halls are locked at midnight with access restricted to resident students who are issued keys to their hall and room. The main entrance to each hall has a wall-mounted telephone capable of making calls to some on campus extensions, including the Public Safety office.

Access to classrooms, labs, computer rooms, and other areas of the campus after hours is by access list only. Only those students on approved access lists received from their professors will be admitted into these areas after hours. All students requesting access must come in to the Public Safety Office and must have their student ID with them. There is no access to the above areas from 11:00 PM until 7:00 AM

Patrols
Members of the Department of Public Safety provide patrols of the campus on a 24-hour basis by several means of transportation (Foot, Bicycles, and Patrol Vehicle).  Additionally, Residential Life staff members conduct rounds of the residential facilities on a nightly basis. Public Safety Officers respond to emergencies on campus. In addition, Public Safety employs members of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to supplement our patrols of the roadways, parking lots, and residence areas.

Emergency Phones
Blue Light emergency phones are located throughout the campus. Each residence hall main entrance has a direct dial wall phone, which can also be used to call Public Safety.

Lighting
The University continues to invest resources to provide lighting throughout the campus. A continuous audit of the lighting system, potential safety hazards, and proper functioning of emergency telephones is conducted by Public Safety. Any hazards or defects are reported to the appropriate department for repair. An annual lighting survey is conducted to identify areas of the campus, which may need additional lighting.

Reporting a Campus Incident
In the event of an emergency, you are advised to call the local police, fire or emergency medical service. This can be accomplished by dialing 9-911 from any telephone on campus, including residence hall room phones. You may also Call Public Safety at extension 2213 or 7585 for immediate assistance.  If you are close to one of the “Blue Light” emergency phones located on campus, simply push the button and Public Safety personnel will respond to your location.

All instances of criminal occurrence, property loss, assault, threat, injury or potential crime must be reported. The Public Safety Department maintains a log of crimes reported and records of all incidents that occur on the campus. The department must provide annual crime statistics in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, amended in 1998 from Public Law 101-542 Campus Security Act.