Campus Safety
The GSU campus is a secure place. The officers patrol the campus 24 hours a day by foot or vehicle. They also work closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in the surrounding area, assisting with incidents which may affect the university.
Emergency Closing Information :
http://www.govst.edu/emergency/t_emergency.aspx?id=9386
H1N1 Flu Response :
First and foremost, prevention is one of the most effective ways to deal with influenza-like illness.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends four key ways to help protect you from getting the flu:
1. Cover your nose and mouth when you cough so that others aren’t exposed.
2. Wash your hands frequently or use a hand sanitizer after potential exposure to contaminated surfaces.
3. Know the systems of flu. Do not go to class or work if you have symptoms. Symptoms include fever or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. Stay home if you are sick for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever. If flu conditions become more severe, stay home for at least seven days, even if you feel better sooner.
4. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions and to find out if you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu and/or 2009 H1N1 flu.
For more information, visit www.flu.gov, http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm
In order to ensure that your education remains “accessible” during this H1N1 flu season, the university is preparing now for the possibility that your instructor might become ill. We are asking that all students use their GSU email accounts, so that your instructor can easily contact you with important announcements, including class cancellations. You should know that it is relatively easy to forward mail from your GSU email account to your preferred email account. Simply go to http://www.govst.edu/its/tits.aspx?id=2081. The instructions are given under the second FAQ. If you need assistance, visit the ACS Labs or the University Library.
In the event of disruptions caused by H1N1 flu, your professor is preparing to offer instruction using GSU’s eLearning system found at www.govst.edu/elearning. If you are not familiar with the eLearning system, the university will offer brief workshops to show you how to log on and access the information provided by your instructor. Watch the television monitors and GSU View for more information on time and place for these workshops.
Be Prepared.
· Use your GSU email or forward it to your preferred email account.
· If you are unfamiliar with GSU’s eLearning system, familiarize yourself or take a workshop.
All students, faculty, and staff experiencing confirmed symptoms of the H1N1 Flu Virus are encouraged to call GSU’s confidential hotline at 708.235-2827.
Whistle Program
Helping Students Protect Themselves And Others
Whistles are given to international students on orientation to alert public safety in case of an emergency. Whistles are available through the Office of International Services.
When you have a whistle in your possession, you should understand that the whistle should only be used if you feel threatened, if you are in immediate danger, or if you need to call to attention to an emergency situation.
The Whistle program is a great way to stay safe and caring about the welfare of others. Blowing your whistle may be effective in scaring a predator away.
It is our hope that you respect the intent of the Whistle Program and understand that to blow the whistle without due cause may result in consequences.
Personal Safety Tips
- Travel or walk with a buddy to and from your activities.
- Pay attention to those walking around you.
- Do not accept rides from strangers.
- If you ride the bus, use well-lit bus stops.
- Do not drink and drive.
- Do not hitchhike or pick up hitchikers.
- Keep valuables out of plain view in your car.
- Make yourself aware of the location of campus telephones.
- Dial extension 4900 to contact the Department of Public Safety, or call 911 or any red campus phone in case of emergency.
- Do not walk alone at night.
- Be alert and aware of your surroundings.
- Walk in well-lit areas.
- Park away from shrubs and wooded areas.
- Have your key out before leaving the building.
- Carry change for a phone call.
- Do not wear headphones when walking around.
- Lock your room doors.
- Do not give any stranger personal information about yourself and your family.
- Do not lend your house key or car key to anyone.
- Do not leave your textbooks and/or backpack unattended anywhere.
- Request identification from anyone who is seeking entry to your room.
- Report all thefts to university police immediately.
If a friend drops you off, have him/her wait in the car until you are inside. Establish a signal, such as flashing the lights on and off so he/she will know you are safe. If you are alone and think someone has been or is inside your home, do not investigate. Call the police.
If your car breaks down, stay in the car and call for help. If a stranger offers you help, open the window just a little and ask the person to call the police immediately.
Transportation Safety
- The State of Illinois enforces strict laws concerning the use of alcohol. If you are driving a car, moped or bicycle and are under the influence of alcohol (or illegal drugs), you can be arrested for "driving under the influence".
- It is against the law to have open containers of alcoholic beverages while driving.
- Illinois law requires the driver and front seat passengers to wear seat belts.
ICE Life-Saving Idea
ICE (In Case of Emergency) refers to storing emergency contact information in your cell phone.
The concept of the ICE is rapidly gaining acceptance. The idea originated during the London bombings when a paramedic realized that most of the victims did not carry emergency contact information, but they did carry cell phones. So he started a campaign to get people to store their information in their cell phones.
The process of adding ICE to your phone is easy, and it costs nothing but the few moments it takes to program a new directory entry.
Just start a new directory entry with the heading "ICE," followed by the name of your contact person, and then fill in the rest of the entry information and save the number. Be sure to let the contact person know you have chosen them. You also can store a secondary or backup person to call as ICE2 or ICE3.
It is that simple and could help save your life. It is wise to keep an emergency-contacts card with your I.D.
Safety Booklet
