September 12, 7:00-8:30 PM, Student Center, Piedmont Room, RSVP: www.voice.gatech.edu

What can you do to create a safe environment for all members of the Georgia Tech community? This interactive workshop is designed to bring people of all genders together to build a community that does not tolerate any form of sexual violence. Students will learn tools to recognize a potentially sexually violent situation and safely intervene, as well as resources to prevent and respond to these issues.

Join the Georgia Tech Police Department for its annual Campus Safety Week. Officers will be on Tech Walk throughout the day on Thursday, Feb. 14, with various demonstrations and information about safety programs going on throughout campus.

K-9 units, the Georgia Tech Equestrian Club with Atlanta Police mounted patrols, and McGruff the Crime Dog will all be in attendance, along with information from the Crime Prevention and Emergency Preparedness units of GTPD.

Sexual assaults on college campuses a problem nationwide
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Posted: 12:00 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012Laura Diamond-Bo Emerson

The sense of Emory University, a small, close-knit private school,as a protected environment has been shaken after an unusual number of sexual assaults were reported to campus police.
This fall, seven rapes, including at least one from 2011, were reported at the school. The incidents, most of which happened this semester, were revealed during counseling sessions, Emory officials said. The reporting was anonymous and all involved acquaintances.

Federal law requires that counselors alert campus police of such incidents, but no victims filed charges and no investigations were initiated.  Because of the concentration of young people in one place, many of them out from under parental oversight for the first time, sexual assault on college campuses is a huge problem. National statistics show 70 percent of sexual assault victims are under 25 and one in four sexual assaults occurs on college campuses.

The United States Student Association reports that about 13 percent of college women report being stalked during an academic year and one in five are sexually assaulted.  The reports at Emory prompted a decisive show of solidarity with assault victims during the school’s annual anti-crime “Take Back the Night” assembly last week and triggered widespread concern about the best way to reduce sexual violence on college campuses.  

The Home Park Community Improvement Association along with Georgia Tech Student Government Association hosted a public safety awareness meet and greet in late August. The purpose of the event was to provide students and residents of Home Park safety tips and contact information for public safety. Presentations were provided by Atlanta Police, MARTA Police, and Georgia Tech Police officials.

Other campus safety initiatives are ongoing. Tech has unveiled new campus safety programs and City of Atlanta Council President Ceasar Mitchell commissioned a campus safety task force which included police chiefs, student leaders, and administrators from Emory University, Georgia State University, Atlanta Metropolitan, the Atlanta University Center schools, and Tech. The task force met weekly over a six week period to develop a comprehensive plan aimed at increasing campus safety. 

Are you concerned about your safety while off-campus? The Home Park Community and Georgia Tech are co-hosting a “Meet and Greet” to discuss safety awareness, especially for students living anywhere off campus.

The "Meet and Greet" is an opportunity for students and other interested people in the Georgia Tech community to meet Home Park residents while gaining insight into safety awareness issues and strategies for students living anywhere off-campus. Come join your neighbors in building a sense of community, learn what you can do to protect yourself and your home, and see first-hand the latest safety techniques in use by GT and APD — not to mention enjoy some complimentary food from some of Home Park's pizzerias!

Saturday August 25, 2012
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Grace Midtown Church, 1095 State Street NW

Learn about:

The Georgia Tech Police Department Office of Emergency Preparedness will conduct a hazmat exercise, Tuesday, March 22, from approximately 10 a.m. – noon. The training will take place in the parking area near the J. Erskine Love Jr. Manufacturing Building (MRDC) located at 771 Ferst Drive.

Because SAA believes in continuing the tradition investing in the future of Georgia Tech, instead of a membership fee, SAA collects a membership donation. $5 of every membership donation goes toward the SAA Gift to Tech which goes toward a project which SAA members select from the top 6 choices chosen by the Georgia Tech Student Body through an online vote. Plus, for every student donation to SAA, the Georgia Tech Alumni Association will give an additional $10 toward the SAA Gift to Tech (up to $10,000). So by joining, you give $15 towards projects like campus safety, building a greener campus or many other possibilities that enhance life on campus. To date, SAA is set to give over $19,000 to one of the projects!

Click here for more details on the projects and VOTE!

The fact that Georgia Tech is located in a thriving urban area offers many exciting opportunities. Conversely, our urban location also presents challenges when it comes to personal safety and security of our valuables.
To help the community learn more about personal safety, Georgia Tech Police Department sponsors Campus Safety Day on Friday, February 11.

Top 10 Ways to Avoid Being a Victim of Crime

• Avoid leaving valuables (laptops, iPods, etc.) unattended
•  Always lock your car and keep valuables in your trunk
•  Always lock your doors and windows
• Avoid walking alone after dark
• Ride the Stingerette when studying or working late at night
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Report suspicious activity or concerns to the Georgia Tech Police Department
• Avoid off-campus crime hot spots
• Trust your instincts. When you feel uncomfortable in a setting, leave.
• Add the Georgia Tech Police phone number, 404-894-2500, to your list of contacts

The forecast for Wednesday evening is calling for winter weather, which could impact Georgia Tech's operations on Thursday. Faculty, staff and students are reminded to check the Institute web page and local media outlets for information regarding cancellations and delays.
In the event of winter weather, the Tech community is urged to actively monitor road and traffic conditions and use good judgment in determining when they can safely travel. If you have any concerns, please work with your supervisor or instructor.

Using a space heater in this chilly weather?  Make sure that you do so safely.  Click here for information on acceptable use of space heaters on campus.  The basic requirements for selecting a space heater are as follows:

*Ceramic type devices.
*Individual built-in thermostats.
*Automatically shut-off if the airflow becomes blocked.
*Safety shut off if the heater is tipped over.
*Listed by an approved testing laboratory, like UL Listed