Student Safety
Bowling Green State University is committed to providing a safe and secure campus. The BGSU Department of Public Safety provides the campus with 24-hour police protection by a fully certified staff of police officers, detectives and dispatchers. The department provides law enforcement, security, shuttle service, campus escort service, educational programs and crime prevention information, and regulates parking and traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions About Campus Safety
| Is the campus patrolled 24 hours a day? | Yes. University Police provide patrols and service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. |
| Who do I call if I live off campus? | Call Bowling Green City Police at 419-352-2571 for police service when off campus. However, if service is needed while on campus, call University Police at 419-372-2346. Dial 911 for emergency service. |
| How safe is our campus? | While no campus can guarantee the complete safety of its community, together we can work to provide the safest possible environment. Your role is to take responsibility for your own safety and security by making safety-conscious decisions. |
| How safe are the residence halls? | University Police, residence hall clerks and campus security officers patrol residence halls. Residents should always close and lock exterior doors, never prop doors open, and report suspicious persons immediately. On-campus residences are locations of constant activity, so if you notice a door is not closing or locking properly or that a light fixture is out, notify a Residence Life or a maintenance staff person right away. |
| Whom should I call to report sudden serious illness or an injured person? | Call University Police (911) for sudden serious illness or if you find an injured person. You should stay on the telephone until the dispatcher obtains all needed information and instructs you to hang up. |
| What should I do in the event of a fire? | Fire safety is everyone’s concern. Each building is organized with fire protection in mind. Familiarize yourself with fire exits, extinguishers, pull stations and panic panels. Whenever a fire alarm sounds, day or night, you should evacuate the building immediately. |
| How do I protect my personal property? | There are several services available to aid in theft prevention. We encourage you to see us about these programs. Often, the best protection you can provide is to not leave valuables unattended and to secure them when they are not in use. |
| Are weapons allowed on campus? | No! The University prohibits weapons of any kind on campus. |
| How much theft occurs on campus? | Crimes of opportunity are the most common crimes committed on campuses across the nation. These crimes involve the theft of property left unattended. Lock your room doors and never leave items like your bookbag, jacket, wallet or purse unattended. |
| What precautions should I take with regard to my bicycle? | Bicycles are a popular mode of transportation on campus. We recommend that you secure your bike with a U-bolt one-piece locking mechanism. Lock your bike to a bike rack, not a handicap ramp, tree or signpost. Always register your bike with BGSU Parking & Traffic or the Bowling Green City Police. |
| Can I have a car on campus? | Yes. Your vehicle must be registered with the Office of Parking & Traffic within 48 hours of your arrival on campus. Keep your car doors locked, windows closed and valuables locked in the trunk and out of view. |
| Are there crime prevention programs on campus? | Crime prevention programs are offered year round to heighten student and employee awareness of safety issues on and off campus. See your hall director or call University Police at 419-372-2346, if you are interested in safety awareness programs. |
| What happens if I am on campus and dial 911 from my cellular phone? | Calls made to 911 from a cellular phone on campus are routed to the Bowling Green post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OHP) or the Wood County Sheriff’s Office. The dispatcher of the agency receiving the call will forward any information to the BGSU dispatcher or transfer the caller to the BGSU police communications center. |
This information is provided by the Department of Public Safety as part of Bowling Green State University’s commitment to campus safety and security and in compliance with the Title II Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990.
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