Written by: Hannah Kemp
Student Reporter -September 2023
September is National Campus Safety Awareness Month and college campuses across the country are encouraging everyone to practice violence prevention and promote safety on campus. In 2008, Congress passed the National Campus Safety Awareness Act to encourage public conversations on violence prevention in schools.
Every September, colleges offer violence prevention courses and information to
students and faculty to promote a safer environment on campus. Everyone deserves to
feel safe on campus and it is the responsibility of everyone within the campus community
to cultivate an environment that prioritizes
safety for all of its students and faculty.
National Campus Safety Awareness Month (NCSAM) serves as a way to encourage
public conversation on violence prevention at colleges each September. Campus safety
encompasses a wide range of topics such as personal safety, emergency preparedness, sexual assault prevention and many others. National Campus Safety Awareness Month (NCSAM) is meant to help schools and universities with fostering a culture where safety is a very high priority for all members of the campus community.
The University of Washington- Bothell encourages students to utilize the many campus resources that are available to promote safety all year round. The Campus Safety department works to “enhance the teaching and learning environment for the entire campus community” by providing safety services to the University of Washington- Bothell and Cascadia College. Campus safety dispatchers on campus are available 24/7 and can be accessed on campus at the Campus Safety Office located in the LB2 building on Campus Way NE or by phone.
If you see suspicious activity on campus, you are highly encouraged to report to Campus Safety and they will respond to the issue immediately. Incidents that can be reported to Campus Safety include but are not limited to lost property, harassing phone calls, vandalism, and vehicle prowl. If you need to report an incident, visit the Campus Safety Office or report it online at https:// www.uwb.edu/safety/report-and-support/ online-reporting.
Campus Safety is also available to escort you to your car, jump your car battery and let you into a building for class if you are locked out. If you need any of these services, call Campus Safety at 425-352-5359. If you need to report an incident of bias or suspected bias, the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion offers bias reporting support. You can submit an online bias report at https://uwb-advocate.symplicity.com/ care_report/ or visit their office on campus Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m at Founders Hall 173.
On the fourth Tuesday of every month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Campus Safety holds an event called “Coffee, Tea, and Conversation with Campus Safety,” where students and faculty are encouraged to come learn about different safety topics and enjoy a free hot beverage and snacks. The event is held in the UW2 Commons Lobby from January to April and in November and held at Codex from May to October. Topics previously covered at these events include vehicle theft prevention and wildfire smoke safety. If you are interested in learning about safety and getting a free hot beverage, head to Codex on October 24 for a “Coffee, Tea, and Conversation with Campus Safety” event about National Crime Prevention Month.
The Violence Prevention & Advocacy (VPA) program at the University of Washington- Bothell works to create a community free of gender- and sex-based violence and harassment. If you or someone you know has been affected by sex- or gender-based violence in any way then you are always welcome to reach out to this program. You can meet with an advocate in-person or book an appointment online at calendly.com/vpa_advocate/appointment and receive immediate support in a judgment-free space. Advocates can also help with safety planning, connections to medical care, and more. For more information on their services visit www.uwb. edu/violence-prevention/support.
The Health and Wellness Resource Center (HaWRC) at UW Bothell also connects students with on and off-campus resources to make sure that all students have their basic needs met. Some resources that are available are food, housing, and transportation resources as well as resources for parents and financial assistance. You can find more information on these resources at the Health and Wellness Resource Center website or visit https://library.uwb.edu/amenities for a full list on resources that are available on-campus and within the community. You can visit http://www.uwb.edu/arc/hawrc to book an appointment or visit the Health and Wellness Resource Center, located on the first floor of the ARC, during office hours Monday through Thursday for a walk-in appointment.
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