Hello! My name is Anna Pellegrini and I am finishing up my last semester here at Missouri State. Throughout the past 3 and ½ years, I have spent on campus, I have had a lot of great adventures, memories, and experiences. I was able to enjoy myself and live my college experience to the fullest due to having a safe environment around me. I am writing this blog to share some of the great campus resources MSU offers and other safety tips so other students, family members, friends, and others feel safe when they are on Missouri State’s campus. 

Below are just some of the resources and services that MSU offers:

• Missouri State Alert
• Missouri State Alert is a notification system that the university uses to contact students, faculty, staff, and even the public in the event of an emergency on campus or if the university is closing. Students are automatically enrolled in this alert and can choose how they would like the university to contact them. Forms of contact include text messages, emails, and phone calls.
• Safe Walk
• The Safe Walk is a program where campus safety officers will escort a student to a new on-campus location if they are feeling unsafe. This walking service is available 24/7. To use this service, students can call 417-836-5509 and an officer will arrive at the location.
• Safe Exchange Zone
• The Safe Exchange Zone is a safe location for the campus community to use when exchange items with others. It is common for college students to buy items online through sites like the Facebook Marketplace or other Facebook groups. Having a safe location for students and other community members on campus with officers monitoring the area allows all parties to feel safe during the exchange. This area is located at 636 E Elm Street.
• Blue Light Telephones
• Blue Light Telephones are located all across Missouri State’s campus. These telephones are designed for the campus community to use in emergencies. These phones will connect you with the university’s dispatch center with only having to push a button. These phones can also be used for information about the campus. If you need to know where a building is or where to park, use these telephones and the dispatcher will help you. These telephones are located across campus and have a bright blue light to make it easy for people to see and locate them, regardless of the time of day.

For more information about these and other resources go to MissouriState.edu/Safety.

Below are some general safety tips that I encourage all students to follow.

• If you are feeling unsafe or want to report a safety incident call 417-836-5509. This number is located on the back of everyone student’s bearpass.
• Avoid walking alone at night and if you are leaving at night, tell some friends so they have an idea of where you might be.
• Make sure you lock your cars and hid any valuables that may be in the car.
• Always be aware of your surroundings.

On March 3rd at 5:30 pm in PSU 400 and on Zoom, Student Government Association and the Springfield Police Department are hosting a Safety Educational Event for students. During this event, the Springfield Police Department will talk about general safety tips, self-defense, what crimes commonly occur around the Springfield area, what signs of human trafficking look like, a Q&A session, and more. For more information about this event, follow @MoStateSGA on social media.

~Anna

(submitted by Anna Pellegrini, Missouri State University | Organizational Communication; Orientation and Transition Programs | Orientation Assistant; Student Government Association | Director of Administrative Services; Alpha Omicron Pi)