WSU-Rochester wants to ensure that you feel safe in campus parking lots—especially as this is a commuter campus. For that reason, Code Blue emergency poles have been placed in the East, West and North parking lots. Activating a Code Blue alarm will immediately connect you with emergency services.

The campus-wide Emergency Alert system makes it possible for students, employees and community members to receive quick notifications by text, phone and e-mail. The Emergency Alert system will only be used in emergency situations when life or safety is threatened and/or standard campus operations are severely impacted.

To set up an account, WSU-Rochester students and employees will use an e-mail address to create a user ID and establish a password. Sign up for your account. 

As an added security measure, you also are automatically registered for WSU Alert.
 

With our commitment to offering classes when convenient for our students, courses are often scheduled during evening hours. If at any time, day or night, you would like an escort to your car, you may request one simply by contacting Campus Safety at 507.285.7262.

Exercising the right attitude and actions can help protect you, your belongings, fellow students and our campus. Here are some strategies to help you plan your safety while on campus.

Walk with a Friend or Campus Escort

When walking on campus, go with a friend as there's strength in numbers. You can also call Campus Safety from a regular classroom phone at extension 7262 or phone at 507.285.7262 to request an escort.

Avoid isolated or dark areas and report any unsafe conditions to Campus Safety immediately.

Protect Your Valuables

Do not leave book bags, textbooks or purses unattended. Take your belongings with you everywhere you go. Engrave/write your name or student ID number on your personal property (i.e. calculators, textbooks, laptops, book bags etc.).

In the Parking Lot

Walk to your car with a purpose with car keys in hand and be ready to unlock the door. Check underneath your car and in the back seat before you enter. Make every attempt to park in well-lit areas. Once inside, keep your car doors locked.

Protecting Your Car

Always lock your car doors, roll up your windows and close your sunroof. Never leave any valuables in plain sight within your vehicle. Rather, lock valuables in your trunk or in your glove compartment. Additionally, look over your vehicle upon returning from class to assure you are not the victim of a hit-and-run accident.

Call Campus Safety to Report an Incident

If you see something dangerous or someone suspicious, make note of it and call Campus Safety immediately at 507.285.7262 from a cell phone or extension 7262 from a classroom phone.

Provide all the important information to Campus Safety and try to be as detailed and accurate as you can:

• nature of the emergency
• location 
• suspect(s) description(s) 
• type of vehicle
• license plate numbers
• time of day

Always be vigilant and make every attempt to be aware of your surroundings. Remember, when in doubt, call Campus Safety.

Employees and students are not permitted to carry or possess firearms on campus—even if they have carry permits. There are some exceptions for authorized use.

Please review the complete firearms policy on the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities website.
 

Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted attention, harassment and contact. This can include behavior such as:

• Following the victim
• Appearing at the victim's home, place of employment, classroom, motor vehicle etc.
• Making unwanted and frightening contact with the victim through phone, text messaging, mail and/or email
• Harassing the victim through the Internet or posting messages on web pages 
• Making threats to harm the victim, the victim's children, relatives, friends or pets
• Intimidating the victim
• Vandalizing the victim's personal property
• Securing personal information about the victim by accessing public records, hiring private investigators, using Internet search services, contacting friends, family, work or neighbors or going through the victim's garbage

If you are dealing with a stalker, never contact your stalker or try to reason with this person directly. Be sure to document all stalking incidents or actions in a journal (notes, letters, voicemails, text messages etc.).

Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Always walk with a friend or call Campus Safety to walk you to your destination if you feel unsafe. Place Campus Safety contact number on speed dial if you cannot remember it.

Consider purchasing mace or taking a personal self-defense course in order to better protect yourself.

If problems persist off-campus, contact your local law enforcement agency.

Stalking is a Crime

Menacing by stalking is a crime. It is defined as the act of a person who knowingly engages in a pattern of conduct that causes you to believe that the offender (stalker) will cause you physical harm or mental distress.

In this situation, a “pattern of conduct” means two or more actions or incidents occur in a short period of time. The term “mental distress” means any mental illness or condition that would normally require counseling.

If a person follows, exhibits undesired affection/attention, pursues or harasses you to the point where you feel uncomfortable while on campus, contact Campus Safety from any campus phone by dialing extension 7262 or by dialing 507.285.7262.

As a member of the Winona State University community, you have options for support if you have experienced:

• sexual harassment
• sexual assault
• rape
• dating/intimate partner or domestic violence
• gender-based violence
• stalking
• cyber-stalking
• retaliation for reporting any of the above incidents