• Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you.
• Be alert to potential danger. If something doesn’t look right or feel right, trust your instincts.
• Anticipate possible problems and know where emergency and courtesy phones are located.
• Don’t walk alone at night. Walk with friends whenever possible. If you must walk alone, stay in well lit and well traveled areas. If you’re on campus call University Police for an escort.
• Have your keys out and ready before reaching your door or vehicle.
• When walking to your vehicle, do a visual check of the area and other cars parked close to yours. Be aware of any places where someone could be hiding. Check in and around your vehicle before you get in.
• If you think someone is following you, change directions and call the police.
• Program University Police 828.232.5000 and other area law enforcement phone numbers into your cell phone.
  • ​Asheville Police Department Dispatch: 828.252.1110
  • Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department Dispatch: 828.250.6670
• Always keep bags and backpacks closed. Avoid hanging your bag on the back of a chair.
• When using headphones, keep the volume at a level that you can hear sounds around you.
• If you see something suspicious, such as someone driving aimlessly through parking lots or walking around looking into windows of parked vehicles, call the police immediately.

• Take responsibility for your own security.
• Keep your room door locked at all times. It only takes seconds for items to disappear.
• If you loose your key, report it immediately.
• Help keep the residence hall entrance doors secure. Don’t prop them open.
• Don’t bring valuable jewelry, antiques or heirlooms to campus.
• Record model and serial numbers of your stereo equipment, computers, iPods, televisions and appliances. You can register these items with University Police and request to have an ID number or name engraved on them.
• Don’t make purchases from door to door sales people. It is against university policy and more often than not and these can be con artists focusing on college students.
• Keep a close eye on your cash, credit cards, and checkbook. Pay particular attention to checks missing from the middle of your checkbook.

Don’t bring firearms or other weapons such as knives, swords, air powered guns, bows and arrows or fireworks on campus. It is a violation of state law, and it puts everyone else at risk.

• Keep your car doors locked and windows up at all times.
• Don’t leave purses, wallets or other valuable items in plain view. Put them under the seat, in the trunk or take them with you. Thieves take items they can see so don’t give them an easy target.
• Stereos, speakers and mobile devices are favorite targets for thieves, even if your doors are locked. It is not uncommon for thieves to bust windows or slim jim the locks.
• Park in well lit and well traveled areas.
• If you have a bicycle, record the brand name, model and serial numbers and register it with University Police.

You don’t have to be a victim of domestic or sexual violence to create a safety plan. Some basic safety plan questions to think about include:

1. The safest way for me to get to class is…
2. If I feel threatened or unsafe when I am on campus, I can go to these public areas where I feel safe (dining hall, quad, etc.,)…
3. I can tell these people (hall mates, roommates, friends, RAs) about what is going on and where I am going…
4. The safest way for me to leave the dorms in an emergency is…
5. During an emergency, I can call the following friends, family members, or Residence Life staff at any time of the day or night…
6. These are the campus and community resources I could reach out to in case of an emergency…

If you are a victim of domestic violence, there are specific steps you should take when formulating a safety plan. You can  or fill out an interactive version online at .* You can also contact University Police at 828.232.5000 to have an officer assist you with a safety plan.

*The online version requires you to enter information into an online form. Before you begin, be sure that the computer you are using is in a safe location and is not being monitored by your partner. There are ways that abusive partners can monitor your computer.

360 Stay Safe is an online training program that helps students, faculty, and staff create a safe and healthy campus community. You can watch the training videos for free here:

• Any powdery substance on the outside
• Handwritten or poorly typed addresses
• Misspellings of common words
• Incorrect or non-existent departments or position titles
• Excessive postage
• An unusual amount of tape
• Oily stains, discolorations or strange odors
• Have no return address, or have one that can’t be verified as legitimate
• Are marked with restrictive endorsements, such as “Personal” or “Confidential”

• Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious envelope or package
• Place the envelope or package in a plastic bag, wastebasket or other container and cover the container with clothing, paper, another wastebasket
• Leave the room and close the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering
• Wash your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder to your face
• Call University Police at 828.232.5000 or dial 911
• Make a list of those who were in the area of the letter or parcel and give the list to University Police

• Do not try to clean up the powder.
• Cover the powder immediately with clothing, a trash can or other available means, and do not remove cover.
• Leave the room and close the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering.
• Wash your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder to your face.
• Call University Police – dial 5000 from an on-campus phone, or 828.232.5000 from any other phone.
• Remove, if possible, heavily contaminated clothing and place in a bag or waste basket. Give the clothing to the emergency responders for proper handling.
• Shower with soap and water as soon as possible. Do not use bleach or other disinfectant on your skin.
• Make a list of those who were in the area of the letter or parcel and give the list to University Police.

• Turn off fans or ventilation units in the area.
• Leave the room and close the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering
• Call University Police – dial 5000 from an on-campus phone, or 828.232.5000 from any other phone.
• University Police will contact Facilities Management to shut down the air handling system
• Make a list of those who were in the area and give the list to University Police.

• If there is an escape path, attempt to evacuate
• Evacuate whether others agree to or not
• Leave your belongings behind
• Help others escape if possible
• Prevent others from entering the area
• Call 9-1-1 when you are safe

• Lock and/or blockade the door
• Silence your cell phone
• Hide behind large objects
• Remain very quiet

Your hiding place should:

• Be out of the shooter’s view
• Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction
• Not trap or restrict your options for movement

• Attempt to incapacitate the shooter
• Act with physical aggression
• Improvise weapons
• Commit to your actions

Read the  booklet by the Department of Homeland Security.

• Your specific location – building name and room number
• Number of people at your specific location
• Injuries – number injured and what types of injuries
• Assailant Information – number of suspects, their location, race and gender, clothing description, physical features and types of weapons they have (long gun or hand gun), backpack and the shooters identity if known. If they have left the area note their direction of travel if possible.

For on-campus emergencies call University Police at (828) 232-5000 or active an emergency phone. For off-campus emergencies, dial 911. Be aware that phone lines will likely be overwhelmed. Program numbers in your cell phone to help you be prepared.