UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A new semester at Penn State brings new classes, new routines and, for some students, a first experience living independently. With that independence comes responsibility for personal safety and security.

Penn State University Police and Public Safety (UPPS) Officer Shelly Stevick said creating a safe campus is a shared responsibility.

“Our top priority is student safety, and we are always committed to providing the safest possible campus environment,” Stevick said. “It is the responsibility of everyone, both at the individual and community level, to take an active role in looking after their personal safety and contributing to the overall health and safety of our community.”

One of the simplest ways to protect yourself is to stay aware of your surroundings, Stevick said. That means looking both ways before crossing the street, keeping track of valuables such as your phone and wallet, and paying attention to what is happening around you.

Here are practical steps students can take to stay safe and know where to turn for help.

For immediate assistance or a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

At University Park, students also should save the number for University Police and Public Safety — 814-863-1111 — in their phones and know the location of the University Park police station at 8 University Drive, University Support Building I.

Each Commonwealth Campus has its own police station. Contact information for University Police at the Commonwealth Campuses can be found at police.psu.edu.

Students can report suspected crimes to University Police through the University's online crime reporting form, which applies to every campus and allows anonymous reports.

Many on-campus elevators also are equipped with emergency phones, while several campuses also have emergency phones in public outdoor spaces, often in the form of poles topped with blue lights. At University Park, dozens of emergency phones are strategically located throughout campus. Students can select the maps icon on the Penn State Go app to view the locations of the emergency phones on campus.

PSUAlert is Penn State's notification system for campus emergencies, closings and other urgent information.

All Penn State students and employees automatically receive PSUAlerts through their Penn State email address. Students and employees are encouraged to visit psualert.psu.edu and use the yellow “Manage My Alerts” button to add text messages and/or phone calls.

Users also can add a parent, guardian or family member as a recipient and select alerts for multiple Penn State campuses.

PSUAlerts also are available and archived on the PSUAlert website, allowing anyone — including community members who cannot enroll in the notification system — to view current and previous alerts for each campus.

Theft is the most reported crime on campus, Stevick said, with thefts from items left unattended or unsecured being the most prevalent. Stevick said students can reduce the risk of theft by not leaving cellphones, laptops, wallets, purses and other valuables unattended; properly registering and locking bicycles; and locking residence hall and apartment doors.

Residence halls have security systems designed to restrict access to building residents. Stevick encourages students not to bypass those systems and to make sure doors close and latch completely.

“Residence halls and apartment buildings are private residences, and you should not let strangers or unescorted guests into those buildings,” she said. “And, of course, if you see someone gain access who shouldn’t, don’t hesitate to report it to police.”

Phishing emails, phone scams and other attempts to steal personal information are increasingly common today, Stevick said. Students should remain cautious and never give out passwords, Penn State ID numbers or other sensitive information in response to an unexpected request.

A suspicious message can look as though it comes from someone you know or trust.

“If something doesn’t seem right,” Stevick said, “then it probably isn’t right.”

Official law enforcement agencies, including Penn State and local police, also will never demand money under threat of arrest. That is a common scam that can take many forms.

Students who are unsure whether a message or request is legitimate should report it to University Police. Suspicious emails can be sent to phishing@psu.edu. More information about phishing and protecting personal information is available at security.psu.edu.

Anyone who believes they have been the victim of a scam should report it to police by calling 911 or using the University's online crime reporting form.

Penn State's Active Attacker Response Program is designed to prepare students, faculty, staff and visitors to respond if confronted by an active assailant.

Based on the “Run, Hide, Fight” model developed by the city of Houston, Texas, the program uses three simple steps: run if you can, hide if you can't, and fight if you have to.

Online Active Attacker Response Program training is required for all Penn State students and is available in Canvas. The course also is available to faculty and staff through the Learning Resource Network.

Student organizations and work groups can request in-person training by contacting University Police at 814-863-1111 or visiting University Police's Community Oriented Policing webpage.

Every Penn Stater has the right to feel safe walking around campus, no matter the time of day. Community members at University Park who do not feel comfortable walking alone at night can call the Safe Walk Program at 814-865-WALK (9255). A student auxiliary officer will accompany them to an on-campus destination.

Safe Walk is a free University Police service available to students, employees and visitors from dusk to dawn, 365 days a year. Most Penn State campuses offer some form of the program; details are available through individual campus police station websites.

Students also can use map.psu.edu to identify paths lit at night at University Park. Under the “health and safety” filter, select “Police & Public Safety” and then “Night Map.” The site also identifies locations of automated external defibrillators and emergency phones.

The safest choice regarding alcohol is not to drink underage and, for those of legal age, to drink responsibly. But students should never hesitate to seek medical help when someone's health or life is at risk.

Pennsylvania's Medical Amnesty Law and Penn State's “Responsible Action Protocols” protect certain individuals who report an alcohol or drug overdose out of concern for another person's safety. The protections can apply to both the caller and the person needing medical attention when the caller reasonably believes they are the first to call for help, provides their name, and remains with the person until authorities arrive.

The protocols also apply when reporting a sexual assault.

Stevick said students should focus on getting help rather than worrying about disciplinary consequences.

“In a situation where someone may be suffering from alcohol poisoning or an overdose, our first priority is always saving that person’s life — not getting anyone into trouble,” Stevick said.

Sexual assault unfortunately does occur on college campuses, and the beginning of a semester can be a particularly important time for students to understand consent, establish boundaries, and know where to turn for support.

Penn State provides guidance on consent and obtaining consent before sexual activity, along with resources for students affected by sexual misconduct.

Students who experience sexual assault can seek confidential support from the Relationship Violence Outreach, Intervention, and Community Education (R-VOICE) Center, which provides advocacy and can help survivors navigate reporting and the criminal justice process if they choose to do so.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers confidential counseling and therapy, including crisis intervention services.

The Office of Sexual Misconduct Reporting and Response is not a confidential resource and is subject to Title IX reporting requirements, but it provides reporting options, resources for victims, and information about supporting survivors.

Survivors also are encouraged to report sexual assault to University Police and Public Safety or call 911 in an emergency.

Hazing is illegal and violates University policy. Penn State will fully investigate every allegation of hazing, and individuals or organizations found responsible can face University discipline, including expulsion or termination of employment.

Hazing involving an individual or a University-affiliated or recognized organization can be reported to the Office of Ethics and Compliance, Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response, or the Penn State Hotline. Students also can submit an anonymous online hazing report.

For emergencies, call 911 or contact University Police.

Campus safety is also about recognizing when something seems unusual or concerning and reporting it promptly.

“What it really comes down to, at the end of the day, is that we are all Penn Staters — and it’s up to each of us to watch out for each other,” Stevick said. “So, if you see something that seems out of place or that is suspicious or concerning, say something.”

Students should contact police directly rather than reporting emergencies through social media. Social media channels are not monitored 24/7 and are not intended for emergency communication.

Students also can report concerns to the Penn State Behavioral Threat Management Team, which investigates reports involving individuals who may pose a danger to themselves or others. More information, including indicators of potential concern, is available at btmt.psu.edu.

Students who experience victimization, assault, misconduct or other traumatic events have several Penn State resources available:

• reporting.psu.edu — Students can file reports through the University's reporting system.

• Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response — Supports students and investigates reports of misconduct.

• R-VOICE Center and Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity — Provide confidential support, including resources for survivors of sexual assault.

• Office of Sexual Misconduct Reporting and Response — Provides support, reporting options and information related to sexual misconduct.

• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) — Offers mental health services, counseling and therapy.

• Office of Student Care and Advocacy — Works with campus partners to support students affected by traumatic or unexpected events, including connecting students to basic needs like food, housing, clothing, transportation and medical care.

• Penn State University Police and Public Safety — Provides referrals and resources for victims.

• Student Legal Services, Residence Life, Paul Robeson Cultural Center, and the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development — Offer specific resources, services and programming.

Additional resources are available through the Student Affairs website.

“Being a student is an exciting and important time in your life, often with many different priorities to juggle,” Stevick said. “But your priority should always be your safety and well-being. Staying safe and healthy is the foundation that allows you to achieve all your other goals, and the entire Penn State community is here to help and support you.”