BGSU :: Residence Life :: Office of Residence Life

Safety

Your safety is our priority. BGSU is committed to providing the staff, resources and campus facilities to assure the safety of all students, staff, faculty and visitors. Our Department of Public Safety provides around-the-clock police protection and sponsors many crime prevention programs.

A Campus Escort Service, University shuttle, sophisticated outdoor lighting system, 911 telephone system and outdoor emergency telephones combine to provide an environment that is safe and secure. University Police patrol the campus 24 hours a day in marked police cars, on bicycles and on foot.

All residence halls have electronic door-access security systems and are staffed during late-night hours. Residents are issued a personal entry device (PED).

The most recent information about crime prevention, the law enforcement authority of the University Police, policies for reporting crime on campus, and crime statistics for the most recent three-year period is available online at www.bgsu.edu/offices/safety.

Fire Safety

The Office of Residence Life in collaboration with Environmental Health and Safety, Public Safety, Risk Management and the Bowling Green Fire Division work hard to provide a safe environment for our residents by:

Installed sprinkler systems in our high-rise residence hall, Offenhauer, and partially in Founders Hall with completion scheduled in summer 2006
Trained hall staff in fire safety
Conducting student room fire safety inspections twice a year
Conducting a minimum of 1 fire drill per semester with evacuation verification
Monthly inspections of fire extinguishers
Yearly fire training exercises by local fire division
24 hour monitoring of residential fire detection systems
Providing free fire extinguisher training for residents
Setting standard for electrical appliances, electrical cords and furniture
Smoke evacuation exercise in halls during welcome week
Placed fire safety posters in multiple locations in residence halls

The University-sponsored apartments also have yearly safety inspections, along with inspection of their stoves, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

Practices residents can follow to maximize fire safety for themselves and others in their residence hall or apartments are:

Evacuate the building every time you hear a fire alarm
Never pull a false fire alarm
Never tamper with fire safety equipment
Do not disconnect or cover smoke detectors

Due to the potential fire hazards, the University Fire Safety Policy prohibits the following items in residence housing:

Candles, incense and oil lamps (even if used as a decoration)
Lights or lamps with halogen bulbs
Extension cords
Appliances with exposed heating elements
Hot plates, toasters, toaster ovens, hot pots, outdoor and indoor grills and waffle irons
Air conditioners
Portable heaters
Inflatable furniture or bean bags

Essential fire safety information for students who live in off-campus apartments:

You have the right to a safe dwelling!

The City of Bowling Green mandates the following:

Functioning smoke detector per occupied floor
Methods of exit from room and floor

Know the hazards:

Candles
Combustibles (pizza boxes on water heaters, etc.)
Disabled smoke detectors
Couches on porches
Grills on porches or under overhangs
Portable or space heaters

Know what you can do:

If you have questions or concerns about fire safety in your apartment or house, contact:

City of Bowing Green Fire Department 419.352.3106
Student Legal Services 419.372.2951
Off-Campus Student Services 419.372.2458
BGSU Environmental Health and Safety 419.372-2171

Take charge of your safety!