University police and Bizzell Memorial Library librarians urge students to use safe practices to keep from being a victim of a crime while studying late at night for the next few weeks.
Between midnight and 7:30 a.m. during finals week, all people entering the library will need to show a valid OU ID before entering, which will ensure only OU students, faculty and staff are in the library, said Sarah Robbins, libraries spokeswoman.
“An OUPD officer is in the building from midnight to 7 a.m. and makes regular rounds of the building,” Robbins said.
The library also promotes the OUPD’s Safewalk program for those leaving the library alone at late hours, she said.
The OU Safewalk program is a service students, faculty, staff and visitors can use free of charge. People who do not want to walk alone can call 405-325-9255, and an escort will arrive in 10 to 15 minutes to escort a person to his or her campus destination, according to the OUPD website.
Additionally, students should remember they should never leave personal property unattended, not even for a few minutes, said Lt. Bruce Chan, OUPD spokesman.
“It is useful to study with a partner from a security standpoint in order to be able to leave books, backpacks, laptop computers and other valuable items with a trusted friend when getting up to go to the restroom or to get a snack,” Chan said.
Otherwise, he said, a person should take all valuable items with them.
“If students see anything suspicious while they are in the library, I would encourage them to report it to someone who works in the library so security can be alerted,” Robbins said.
While studying the week before finals, Taylor Burgess, University College freshman, said she does not leave the library until 3 a.m.
“I can’t study in the dorm,” she said. “It’s hard for me.”
For late-night studying, Burgess said she usually travels with a group of people to be safe.
Shelbi Lewark, University College freshman, said she will sometimes study late at night for finals, but she said she usually studies the week before so she doesn’t have to study late.
Lewark said she also will walk with other people when out late.
“We never go out by ourselves,” she said.
The library will offer 24/7 access starting at 7:30 a.m. Friday until 9 p.m. May 14, Robbins said.
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