With Thanksgiving break fast approaching, I want to provide a few brief updates regarding the Department of Safety’s (DPS) recent activities and share some important reminders about campus safety and emergency planning.
This monthly update includes:
- Community Engagement
- Did You Receive the Orange Alert Test? Check Your MySlice.
- Staying Safe After the Time Change
Community Engagement
Halloween Safety Stations
Our Halloween Eve Safety Station was a great success. Thank you to everyone who stopped by before heading out for the evening. Our team had a blast connecting with the community and we hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween weekend.
Coming Up: DeStress With DPS — Dec. 9
Finals season will be coming up quick and we want to help you finish strong. Join us for DeStress with DPS on Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 7 to 9 p.m. in Bird Library. Stop by, take a snack and spend some time with our team and therapy dogs before the semester wraps up. We hope to see you there.
Did You Receive the Orange Alert Test? Check Your MySlice.
Last month, Syracuse University conducted its annual Orange Alert system test. The Orange Alert system is how DPS and the University communicate urgent safety information to the campus community during an emergency via text message, email and voice call.
If you did not receive the test alerts, your contact information in MySlice may be incomplete or outdated. Please take a few minutes to log in and check your contact information now, so you don’t miss a critical alert.
To update your information
- Log in to MySlice.
- Navigate to the Personal Information section.
- Confirm you have a primary phone number and email address and a secondary phone number and email address listed.
All four fields matter. In an emergency, redundancy is what ensures you get the message. Do not wait until the next test to find out your information is missing.
Staying Safe After the Time Change
Daylight Saving Time ended on Nov. 1, and with it came a significant shift in our daily environment. What was a well-lit walk home from class or work may now be happening in the dark.
Here are a few reminders as we settle into the new schedule.
Adjust Your Routine
- Take note of how your regular routes look after dark. A path that felt comfortable at 6 p.m. in September may feel very different now. Stick to well-lit, populated routes.
- If your schedule has you moving around campus late, consider adjusting when possible—or make use of the Safe Walk or Safety Escort feature on the Orange Safe App.
Be Visible
- Wear brighter colors or reflective gear when walking after dark, particularly near roadways and parking areas.
- Cyclists should use front and rear lights. It is not just courteous; in many cases it is required by law.
Stay Alert
- Limit phone use and keep earbuds to one ear when walking. Awareness of your surroundings is your most important safety tool.
- Trust your instincts. If something does not feel right, move toward a lit, populated area and contact DPS at 315.443.2224.
For Drivers
- Expect more pedestrians in the road after dark and slow down accordingly, especially near residence halls, dining facilities and academic buildings during peak hours.
- Give yourself extra time to react—visibility is reduced and pedestrians are harder to spot.
We Are Here to Help
As a reminder, if you have information that may be relevant to DPS or an ongoing investigation, it is never too late to come forward. You can call DPS at 315.443.2224 or submit information anonymously via the Silent Witness tool. To report a bias incident or receive support, visit the STOP Bias website.
Stay warm and stay safe out there.