Staying safe at UM

Missoulian Staff

Staying safe at the University of Montana

This summer, a teenager in Caras Park downtown Missoula fended off a would-be kidnapper by striking him with her surfboard.

She got away, and he got arrested, according to the Missoula Police Department.

The University of Montana considers safety a top priority, and here’s the good news: You don’t need to carry a surfboard around campus or downtown in order to stay safe.

Here are some tips and ideas for foiling danger to yourself and your belongings, according to UM:

• Take extra precautions at night, and walk with a buddy if you can. Use GrizWalk, a service that provides a safe escort, between dusk and dawn. Call 243-2777 and a student team from the UM Police Department’s

GrizWalk Security Team will escort you. • Tell people you trust where you are going, and when you expect to be back.

Sign up for UM’s safety and health alerts by texting

“Join UM-alerts” to 30890. • Lock your bike. U-Locks can be purchased at the Public

Safety of ce or you can buy one at a local recreation store or online. Also, UM notes you can register your bike with the University Police to aid in its recovery if it’s stolen. Know your bicycle’s serial number in order to register it. Call 243-6131 for more information about bike safety.

UM also identi es organizations on campus that help if you’re in crisis:

• UMPD: The University of Montana notes it is home to its own department of sworn police of cers available 24 hours a day to respond to and investigate all crimes and enforce federal, state and local laws. UMPD employs a community liaison of cer who serves as an important link between UM and the Missoula community, as well as area of cers who work closely with RAs in the residence halls. Of cers are available across campus to meet students, talk with them and serve as a resource to them. For emergencies, dial 911 or 243-4000; for non-emergencies, call 243-6131. • SARC: If you have experienced sexual assault, relationship violence, bullying, intimidation, or discrimination, the Student Advocacy Resource Center is here to help you. SARC’s services are comprehensive and SARC counselors actively listen, believe in, assist and support their clients. Based upon your decisions and choices, SARC also provide referrals, connections and advocacy within the justice, medical, and social service systems. The work SARC does is personal for you and your circumstances. All services are con dential and free. The number for the 24-hour helpline is (406) 243-6559. SARC is located at the East entrance of Curry

Health Center, up the stairs in Room 108. • Title IX Coordinator: The Title IX Coordinator in the

Of ce of Equal Opportunity and Af rmative Action is responsible for responding to complaints about sexual harassment and assault, along with other grievances.

All students, employees and university af liates should feel comfortable calling the of ce to con dentially report an incident. All students should know how and where to report discrimination, including sexual harassment. Such reports are addressed equitably and promptly. • BIT: The University’s Behavioral Intervention Team is a campus-wide team of appointed professionals responsible for identifying, assessing, and responding to serious concerns and/or disruptive behaviors by students who may threaten the health or safety of the campus community. You can refer a student in crisis to

BITto ensure the student gets necessary assessment and help. • Curry Health Center: Curry is the campus health center, and it offers medical, dental, counseling and pharmacy services. Call 243-4711 to set up a counseling appointment.

Council Groves Apartments

Low-Income Multi-Family Housing continuing to take applications for 2, 3 & 4 bedroom apartments for placement on waiting list. notICe: oUR 1 BeDRooM wAItInG LIst Is CLCLoseD AttentIon ALL wAItInG-LIstt AppLICAnts: Youou must must respondrespond inin September September & March & March to to ourour waiting-listwaiting-list update update letters.letters.

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