Living, Studying and Working Safely at ODU
Old Dominion University is a metropolitan college campus, situated in vibrant Norfolk and offering students, faculty and staff access to a wonderfully diverse array of cultural, arts, entertainment and dining options.
Your safety and security at Old Dominion is our highest priority. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to partner with the university and utilize the services, initiatives and trainings provided by the Office of Public Safety. The office is here to give you the tools and support you need to navigate safely through working, living and studying successfully at Old Dominion and in Norfolk.
Here are recommendations on how to keep yourself and your friends safe:
- Familiarize yourself with the locations of emergency phones and call boxes in the buildings and around the campus routes you normally visit and walk. All campus buildings have red telephones that link directly to campus police. Additionally, there are blue emergency call boxes located around campus that also call directly to campus police.
- Walk on well-lit paths and streets and walk with others, especially at night.
- Use the campus escort service. It is available 5:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. daily by calling 683-3477 or using one of the emergency telephones or blue light call boxes. Police officers are available to escort you after-hours.
- Keep doors locked, including the doors to your dorm room, off-campus residence and car. Do not prop open any doors to the residence halls.
- Do not invite strangers into your dorm room or off-campus house. While that person you just met at a party may seem really nice, he or she could have bad intentions.
- Limit your drinking. Too much alcohol impairs your judgment and makes you less aware of your surroundings.
- Do not leave your bicycle, laptop, iPod or other valuables unsecured and do not leave valuables in view in your vehicle.
- Report suspicious activity and situations to campus police. If you are a victim of crime, report it to police immediately.
