- 1–Welcome
- 2–Intro to ISS
- 3–Orientation
- 4–Housing
- 5–Education
- 6–Money
- 7–Communication
- 8–Academic Life
- 9–Social Life
- 10–Culture Shock
- 11–Health
- 12–Safety
- 13–Taxes
- 14–Returning Home
- Appendix
Chapter 12 — Avoiding Trouble and Staying Safe
Crime is a fact of life in the United States. Universities and colleges are not immune to these problems, but help is available. The primary duty of the police is to serve and protect you, and you should not hesitate to seek their help at any time.
Campus life in the United States, especially in urban areas, is sometimes perceived as dangerous by international students and their families. This perception is heightened by international media coverage of violent incidents and the current situation of the United States in global affairs.
Universities and colleges in the United States want to provide you with a safe and secure environment in which to pursue your academic and social goals. No matter how safe your campus and community appear to be, you should acquaint yourself with your new environment and read the safety information your institution provides.
The most common crime on U.S. campuses is theft of property left unattended or in an unlocked room, car, or apartment. More serious crimes-such as drug dealing, assault, and rape occasionally occur. Some behaviors, such as sexual harassment and spouse abuse, are crimes in the United States, even though they may not be crimes in your country. Protect yourself by exercising good sense and caution:
• Keep your dorm room or apartment locked
• Do not leave your books, backpack, or purse unattended anywhere.
• Buy a good lock for your bicycle and use it.
• Learn the parts of town to avoid at night.
• Use caution with strangers who are overly friendly, who offer you gifts or who ask you to accompany them to an unknown place.
• 911 is an emergency number that you can call at any time from any telephone in the United States for help in an emergency.
• Ask a reliable friend or your international student adviser if you are in doubt about a person or an activity.
It is better to be safe than sorry.
Here are some more helpful hints in how to stay safe in Lincoln and at UNL:
• Familiarize yourself with your neighborhood and campus by walking around in the daylight.
• Ask fellow students or staff members about areas you should avoid at night.
• Do not walk alone at night.
• Note the address and telephone of your country's nearest consulate or embassy.
• Locate the police station that serves your neighborhood.
• Locate the nearest fire-alarm box and learn how to report a fire.
• Identify the hospital emergency room nearest to your home and know what to do in case of an accident.
• Keep 'Emergency' Numbers near your phone at home. 911 is the general Emergency Number in the United States.
• Be comfortable talking with campus or Lincoln police, they are here to help you with problems you may encounter. They can be reached at 472-2222.
• For more information, come to the International Affairs Office.
For an emergency dial 9-911 from a campus phone or 911 from any other phone, including mobile phones.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is a particularly American concept and a very serious topic on campus and in the workplace. Sexual harassment consists of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other physical or verbal behavior of a sexual nature. If you feel you are being sexually harassed it is important that you tell someone. Contact the International Student and Scholar advisers at the Office of International Affairs if you feel you are being harassed either by other students or staff of UNL.
"Sexual harassment" is of widespread concern on American campuses. It is a sensitive topic, often producing controversy and conflict. The basic idea is that people should be treated according to their merit as individuals, not according to their gender. Thus, what people from some other cultures might regard as quite natural forms of interaction between males and females might be objectionable or even illegal here. Scholars can unknowingly get into difficulty if they are perceived as violating institutional rules concerning sexual harassment. Or, on the other hand, they might become victims of harassment.
Please refer to the UNL sexual harassment policy.
Domestic violence
Although matters at home are a private matter, once someone becomes physically, verbally, or emotionally abused, it becomes a public matter and is against the law in the United States.
If police are called to a place where abuse is occurring and find evidence of assault, they are required to arrest the attacker and put him or her in jail. In some cases, both participants may be arrested
If a person feels victimized by the person with whom they are living, they should seek help immediately. There is help for people whose anger becomes uncontrolled. If you are a victim of this type of abuse, contact the Office of International Affairs immediately or the Victim Advocate's Abuse Crisis Line at 402-475-7273 or 472-0203.
Committing a Crime
If you are accused of committing a crime and have been arrested, remember that you do have certain rights. You should notify your International Student and Scholar Advisor as soon as possible. You also have the right to notify your government about your arrest or detainment. If you choose to do so, the police must inform the appropriate foreign consulate or embassy immediately.
Your consular officers have the right to visit you and arrange for your legal representation. Many countries (for example, China, Nigeria, and Singapore) require that the consul be notified when their nationals are confined or detained. In these cases, you have no choice in the matter of whether the authorities notify your consulate; they must do so. Depending upon the severity of the crime of which you are accused, you should obtain legal assistance.
YOUR RIGHTS
Perhaps the most important, but most forgotten right is the right to remain silent . This means that if you are accused of a crime, you should wait to tell anything to anyone until your lawyer is present, because anything you say can be used against you in a court of law.
Threats, Fighting, Robbery, and Guns
Threats and fighting are not common. Threats and fighting sometimes happen late at night with individuals who have drank too much alcohol or who are aggressive and looking for a fight as entertainment. If you or feel threatened by someone for any reason contact the University Police, Lincoln Police, or the Office of International Affairs.
Robbery (mugging) is not common, but burglary and theft are. Protect the contents of your residence and vehicle. Lock your doors and other possessions and if you see something suspicious, contact the police.
The gun laws in the United States are liberal; however, shootings are not common in Lincoln. They do occur occasionally and you should be prepared to hear of such crimes on the news. There have been shootings at private student gatherings. Should you ever be threatened by someone with a gun, contact the police immediately.
