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Eastern Illinois University is concerned about the safety and welfare of all campus members and guests. And even though it remains one of the safest public universities in Illinois and one of the safest campuses in the United States, the University continues to develop policies and procedures designed to ensure that every possible measure is taken to protect persons and property on campus.

The Eastern Police Department, located at the corner of 7th and Grant, provides service and protection to the campus community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The 28-person force of armed and commissioned police officers have full arrest power and are graduates of the Illinois Police Training Institute. All are trained in emergency response procedures, first aid, and firearms proficiency, and are provided continuing training opportunities to upgrade their skills.


EIU Police Officer Jim Williams chats with students recently while patrolling the EIU campus. Regular bike patrols are just one of the ways the 28-member force keeps a watchful eye on the campus community.

The University enforces state laws and University regulations. All criminal incidents are investigated. The University Police Department maintains a cooperative relationship with the Charleston City Police, the Coles County Sheriff's Department, and the Illinois State Police. Crimes reported to the Charleston Police Department involving students, or occurring in areas immediately accessible to the campus, are forwarded to the University Police.

The University Police Department is a member of the East Central Illinois Drug Task Force, which is comprised of seven law enforcement agencies responsible for street-level drug investigations.

Access to Campus Facilities
Building access is limited in the evenings and on the weekends. Only those who have clearly demonstrated a need are issued keys to a building. Contract maintenance and physical plant employees are issued identification badges and must sign out keys. The Campus Police conduct routine security checks of the various buildings during the evenings and night hours.

Reporting Suspicious Activity
Students, faculty, staff and guests are encouraged to report any crime or suspicious incidents to the Campus Police. Reports may be made anonymously or on a confidential basis in some circumstances. The Campus Police will attempt to substantiate the report. University telephone service is provided to each on-campus student room and apartment and in the offices and lobbies of campus buildings. In an emergency, dial 911. For a non-emergency, dial 581-3212. For administrative purposes or information, the Campus Police can be reached by dialing 581-3213. In addition to 35 exterior telephones, 19 call-box phones are located strategically throughout campus. These telephones boxes can be easily identified by a blue light and require only the push of a button to place an emergency call.

Crime Prevention and Safety Awareness
Crime prevention and safety awareness programs are an on-going facet of the University's attempt at reducing campus crime. Eastern's prevention programs are aimed at both minimizing criminal opportunities and encouraging students to be responsible for their own security and that of others. These programs stress the necessary cooperation and involvement of all campus members. Together with the housing staff, student organizations, and Sexual Assault Counseling Information Center, the University Police Department has developed the following programs and offers them each semester:

Programs
•Residence and Street Safety (Approximately 35 times a year)
•Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Approximately 35 times a year)
•Campus Crime Log (Updated every 48 hours)
•University Housing And Security

University Housing and Security

EIU Provides on-campus housing for 4,000 students in 12 residence halls, 17 apartment buildings, and 27 fraternity/sorority houses. Freshmen are required to live in the residence halls. There are single-sex residence halls and coed halls by wing, floor or suite. The housing staff includes professional live-in directors and residence assistants who reside on each residence hall floor. All undergo thorough training in upholding residence hall security policies. Our residence hall doors are locked from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Guest are allowed to visit during visitation hours only, and all guest of the opposite sex must be escorted by the host student to and from the room. From midnight to 5 a.m., during the time the University is in session, the police force is augmented by student night assistants who aid in maintaining security in the halls and are supervised by and in radio contact with police. Upon report of missing room keys, the room door lock is promptly re-cored.

Campus Maintenance
University buildings and grounds are maintained with a concern for safety and security. Contract employees are issued an identification tag and must sign for keys. There is a campus Safety Officer; safety and security hazards are first priority for the Physical Plant. The campus academic areas, residential areas, and parking lots are well illuminated. Sidewalks are designed and maintained to provide easily traveled visible routes.

Parking
Parents/visitors are encouraged to visit the campus at any time. Parking rules and regulations are enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All vehicles must display a valid parking permit while parked on campus from 7 a.m. on Monday to 5 p.m. on Friday. A parking permit is not required on the weekends in student lots. Visitors may obtain a parking permit at the University Police Department. Parking meters are also available at the Student Union and Blair Hall. Parking regulations are available at the University Police Department and on the web at www.eiu.edu/~police/park.html.

Crime Statistics
Crime statistics are reported to state and federal agencies and a crime log is available to view at the University Police Department. The crime log is updated every 48 hours. Eastern Illinois University believes providing timely information raises safety consciousness. The University Police utilizes press releases and web sites to notify the campus community of situations that call for immediate notification.