Campus | Photo by Arden Reimer | The Wright State Guardian
As students are returning to campus, here is the ultimate information guide to stay safe and healthy at Wright State University this fall.
Criminal Offenses
The campus daily crime log provides information about reported incidents and crimes throughout the Dayton campus.
Between Feb. 1 and Aug. 1, 2022, there were 24 reports of larceny offenses including burglary and fraud, 9 reports of property damage and 6 reports of conspiracy attempts to commit a crime, according to the crime log.
The WSU 2021 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report shows lower numbers of rape, alcohol and drug reports compared to the 2021 Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports from Miami Univeristy and Bowling Green State University.
The most reported crimes are opportunity theft and scam emails, according to WSU Director of Public Safety Kurt Holden.
WSUPD collaborates with other organizations on campus to provide educational programs about scams, active threats, power-based violence, drug/alcohol safety and knowing your rights.
“I try to make sure that our programming is applicable to students,” Holden said. “We try to educate the community as much as possible.”
Holden recommends that students do not walk alone at night, know where destinations are, have good situational awareness, keep belongings on-person and lock all doors.
Hate Crimes and Incidents
At the Dayton campus, reports have been made about racially motivated hate speech and bias actions. Last year, the Black Student Union responded to one such occurrence, but other communities echo similar experiences.
“I do know many students that I work with and friends have heard overtly racist remarks and statements made to them,” President of the Asian Student Association Ryan Diaz said. “Campus police are very responsive and have made efforts to create relationships with us students. I do see them with relative frequency.”
Officers and student safety advocates patrol campus 24/7 both on-foot and in police vehicles. University police also offer security escorts, community connection programs and access to victim witness resources.
Public Health
The WSU Department of Environmental Health and Safety provides services and resources to ensure the wellbeing of the campus community.
Environmental health includes safety of drinking water, maintenance projects, the swimming pool, lab practices and food.
EHS collaborates with Facilities Operations and Maintenance, WSUPD and Research and Sponsored Programs. The Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of Transportation and Ohio Department of Health are some of the regulatory agencies WSU EHS must comply with.
Green chemistry is a sustainability initiative that reduces waste, environmental and energy impact, according to Director of EHS Dr. Marjorie Markopoulos. Recycling gloves, using alternative chemicals and sourcing less hazardous materials are ways students and faculty can lower the environmental impact of research labs and campus activities.
Markopoulos cautions students to be informed about CDC, local health department and WSU COVID-19 task force guidelines regarding safety in the pandemic. WSU updates the COVID webpage when necessary.
“There’s nothing more important than making sure people are healthy and safe,” said Markopoulos. “We are a department that anybody can come to and ask for service.”
EHS offices are located at 047 Biological Sciences II and can be contacted at 937-775-2215.
The WSUPD Administrative Office is located at 118 Campus Services Building with the Emergency Communications Center equipped with 24/7 dispatch operation in Allyn Hall 060.
In case of emergency, students can press blue lights at emergency towers, in hallways and on elevators, or call university police at 937-775-2111 or extension 2111 on any campus phone.
