August 27, 2024 – Prioritizing Your Safety at Chico State

(Dear employees, the following message about student safety was sent to all students this morning). 

Dear Wildcats, 
 
I live in the Warrens Center on campus, so I’ve seen firsthand how excited you are to be back socializing with friends both old and new. Trust me, we want you to have fun and experience the best of Chico State. Still, with Labor Day weekend coming up, I do ask that you do so in a way that prioritizes your and your fellow Wildcats’ safety. No matter what you do this weekend, please remember to keep safety a priority: 

• Look Out for Each Other: As Wildcats, we take care of one another—help your peers be safe, make good choices, and avoid risky situations. If you see something that doesn’t feel right, speak up and take action if it’s safe.  
• Know Your Limits: If you plan to consume alcohol, know your limits and absolutely do NOT drink and drive. 
• Be Aware When Attending Parties Off Campus: There will be a lot of parties in the neighborhoods surrounding campus during the first few weeks of the semester. If you are at a party, please be aware of your surroundings. If a situation starts to deteriorate, gather your friends and leave immediately.  
• Safeguard Your Drinks: Always watch your drink being poured and/or open it yourself, don’t take drinks from strangers, and don’t leave your drink unattended. Get help right away if you feel the effects are unusual or stronger than normal. 
• Save UPD’s Phone Number: If you find yourself in an unsafe situation in the areas immediately around campus, calling University Police at 530-898-5555 is the fastest way to get help. I urge you to take a moment to save their number in your phone. 
• Travel Safely: Be aware of your surroundings when walking to and from campus. The Campus Connection shuttle service is an alternative to walking through campus at night. It also makes stops at University Village and The Social dorm. 
• Update your contacts in Chico State Alerts: We can call, text, and email you in the event of an emergency. Log in to Chico State Alerts and make sure your contact info is up to date so you receive real-time notifications during emergencies. 
• Get to Know Our Police Department Over Root Beer Floats: On Thursday, August 29 from Noon to 2 p.m. in front of the Student Services Center (SSC), the University Police Department will serve root beer floats, welcoming the campus community to meet the department, ask questions, pick up some swag, and enjoy a cool treat on a warm afternoon.  

When you have a chance, visit our safety resources webpage and the  Report Concerning Behavior link, which is a one-stop-site to report a student or employee of concern or in need of support, as well as the place to report crimes or other behavioral incidents, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking.  

Finally, our campus must serve as a place where every person is respected, protected, and empowered to pursue their goals free from discrimination or harassment. That is why Chico State and the CSU (California State University) system are taking a comprehensive and caring approach to strengthening our Civil Rights (Title IX and Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation) programs.  

We are doing this first by providing more resources and training to clearly explain our community expectations with the hope and intention of preventing harmful behavior before it occurs. And second, we are developing clearer and more effective response systems to address harmful behavior and provide support to members of our campus community.  

You have my commitment that we will work every day to achieve this goal.   
 
Have a wonderful week, enjoy the long weekend, and stay safe! 

Thank you,
Steve Perez