Safety concerns are often front of mind for parents whose children plan to leave home to study at a U.S. university.
“There’s I think just intrinsically that parent instinct of not knowing where your child is going and wanting to make sure that the environment is something that is going to be safe,” says Katie Tudini, assistant vice provost and director for international student services at University at Buffalo–SUNY.
But it’s not just parents who worry. In a 2017 report from the Institute of International Education, 80 percent of U.S. colleges and universities surveyed said that admitted undergraduate students from India had expressed concern about physical safety in the U.S.
As part of the college search process, prospective international students and their parents may research safety statistics for the schools a student is interested in. The U.S. Department of Education’s online Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool allows families to review campus crime data, as reported by the schools.
[Read: How International Parents Can Research U.S. College Safety.]
There isn’t a centralized source of information on crimes committed against international students in the U.S., says Kim Richmond, director of the National Center for Campus Public Safety. But according to a recent report from the center — citing observations from university and law enforcement officials — domestic violence, fraud (usually online), hate crimes and burglary are among the most common crimes affecting international students.
U.S. colleges and universities have many resources aimed both at keeping students safe and assisting them if an emergency occurs.
These resources are usually discussed at new student orientation, where school staff and law enforcement officers will also offer safety tips to international students. For example, at some schools in the Midwest, new international students are taught what to do during a tornado — a type of extreme weather that can occur in that part of the U.S.
Below are six types of resources students in the U.S. can turn to if they have safety questions or concerns. This list includes resources offered by many, but not necessarily all, colleges. Prospective international students and their parents can visit a school’s website for information about the specific safety resources it offers.
Campus law enforcement. Many colleges and universities in the U.S. have their own police force. Campus law enforcement officers assist students in a variety of ways, from providing security at school events to investigating crimes.
The University at Buffalo–SUNY’s law enforcement division is made up of sworn police officers. “We provide all the same services that any local or municipal police agency would,” says Chris Bartolomei, interim chief of the university police department at UB, “but obviously we’re focused on campus safety and the types of crimes that college students tend to be involved in.”
[Read: Follow Security Tips to Stay Safe on Campus as an International Student.]
If students are victims of a crime, they can report the incident to campus police.
Some schools have police officers participate in events on campus to help international students become more comfortable approaching them. At Indiana University–Bloomington, for example, police officers have handed out water bottles during international student orientation and helped judge student competitions during International Education Week, says Rendy Schrader, director of student and scholar advising at IU–Bloomington.
International student services office. This office provides information to help international students with many aspects of U.S. college life, including safety.
To help spread the word about safety best practices and resources, the Office of International Services at IU–Bloomington creates informational videos, emails international students on a regular basis and has a page about safety resources on its website, among other efforts.
If students or their parents aren’t sure where to direct their safety-related questions, a school’s international services office can help them navigate whatever issue they’re dealing with, Schrader says. “I tell parents and students they should never be afraid of asking for help,” she says.
Dean of students office. Students from abroad can also seek help from offices on campus that don’t have “international student” in their title.
The dean of students office at a college fields concerns from students about their welfare and directs them to other available resources. For example, according to its website, the IU–Bloomington Dean of Students office can help with issues related to personal safety, harassment and discrimination.
Student counseling center. In addition to physical health and safety, mental health can also be a concern for international students.
College is a stressful time for most students — domestic and international — but studying in another country brings additional challenges, such as culture shock, that can further tax a student’s mental well-being.
Colleges and universities have counseling centers that offer individual and group therapy as well as other support services to students. Experts note that counseling services are confidential, which may help students feel more comfortable opening up.
Safe-ride services and more. A common piece of safety advice given on college campuses is to never walk alone after dark.
To make this possible, many schools offer safe-ride services where students can call for a car to pick them up and take them home. Schools may also have shuttle buses that run on fixed routes around the campus throughout the evening.
In addition, some institutions have services where students can call for an individual escort, usually a campus police or security officer or a trained student, to walk them home.
[Read: 10 Questions Every Parent, Student Should Ask About Campus Safety.]
For more imminent threats, many schools have alert systems that send texts or emails to students during an emergency, such as severe weather or an active shooter on campus. Students usually register on a college’s website to receive these notifications.
Resident advisers. RAs are a peer resource for college students in the U.S. These student workers supervise the dormitories on campus. They are trained to help new students adjust to college life, and they can direct students to additional support services on campus when necessary.
“I think the biggest thing is, don’t suffer in silence,” Schrader says. “If you feel that something is wrong, or you’ve been mistreated or you’re confused about something, ask anyone in campus authority.”
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6 Types of Safety Resources at U.S. Colleges originally appeared on usnews.com
