CC BY
18
УДК 378.095
HOW TO PROVIDE SAFETY AND SECURITY
OF STUDENTS' EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY:
TIPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Nancy R. Mudrick
Abstract: In the article of the director of professional school on social workers' preparations of the Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY, USA), Professor Nansy Mudrik, the importance of training the skills of safe behavior of students from the first courses of the university in various situations is actualized; the significance of comparative research is underlined. The concrete recommendations about safe behavior in usual life and in the street are resulted, as well as the advices about safety of children are given.
Key words: safe behavior, safety guarantees, the modern highly technological state, the competitiveness, socially valuable skills.
КАК ОБЕСПЕЧИТЬ БЕЗОПАСНОСТЬ И ЗАЩИТУ
СТУДЕНТОВ В УНИВЕРСИТЕТЕ:
СОВЕТЫ И РЕКОМЕНДАЦИИ
Нэнси Р. Мэдрик
Аннотация: В статье директора профессиональной школы по подготовке социальных работников Сиракузского университета (г. Сиракузы, США), профессора Нэнси Мэдрик актуализируется важность обучения студентов с первого года их пребывания в университете навыкам поведения, обеспечивающего защиту и безопасность в различных ситуациях; подчеркивается значимость проведения сравнительных исследований в этой области. Даются конкретные рекомендации по безопасному поведению в обычной жизни, на улице, а также предлагаются советы по обеспечению безопасности детей.
Ключевые слова: безопасное поведение, обеспечение безопасности, современное высокотехнологическое государство, конкурентоспособность, социально ценные умения и навыки.
At the beginning of the XXI century, massive changes were taking place in the whole world, and many education systems are facing major changes in national policy. They open wide opportunities for education role and functions that are strongly influenced by the ideological traditions and prevailing policy directives of the national context and traditions. However, education is one aspect of life where Russian and US views nearly conform. In the majority of countries, education is a pillar of national belief and a key determinant of social structure. The functions and expectations of education are similar: train the young for the specialized demands of a technologically modern state and keep each country respectively competitive with other nations in a geopolitical and socioeconomic sense.
Education today plays a dominant part in creating values and beliefs, in creating and maintaining creative talents for the preservation of national and international interests. Further, it is education, more than any other institution that enables each country to think of itself as a classless society in which there are no barriers or inequalities among those who acquire socially valuable skills. And, although Russia and USA have evolved from the opposite extremes of collectivism and egalitarian
individualism, all of them now determine status above all by one education and the prestige of the school that he (she) attended.
The end of the 20th century was also marked by the end of ideological conflict of deinternational contacts between educators and researchers. However, education in Russia, unlike USA or some European countries, is still largely local oriented, and is much influenced by national traditions, funds and programs. Yet, it is difficult to work effectively without understanding the global tendencies and environment. Professional education, competence, job market, and the type are affected by international organizations and associations. However, comparative studies of this kind in Russia are relatively rare.
As I can judge, the whole Russian educational system is undergoing a gradual reform. Still, there are some priorities in education work politics. The first is cooperation between educators around the world. International exchange should be extended from individual to the institutional level. During the previous years this exchange has been unbalanced. Very few educators and students came to study to Europe, and little educators went to other countries for teaching, research and program consultation. But now it is time for collaboration which will allow
Russian educational specialists, students and researchers to be internationally educated. So, the problem of academic mobility development is very acute.
The Syracuse University provides a variety of educational programs and presentations on security awareness and crime prevention programs to all members of the Syracuse community and international students as requested. Available presentations include, but are not limited to: crime prevention, property protection, personal safety, identity theft, bicycle safety, seatbelt safety and child safety. Everyday "Self Defense programs" offer a balanced approach to personal and workplace safety that anyone can learn. I designed the program to help reduce fear and gain confidence in your role as a human service professional. Beside the University faculty developed a set of recommendations that are provided for students from the very start of the education at the Syracuse University. The recommendations concern their everyday life, in the street, as well as the child's protection and safety.
I would like to mention some of them that proved their effectiveness and relevance.
Everyday Living
• Keep emergency numbers near your phone.
• Lock all doors and windows every time you leave your room, even if it is just to go to the bathroom.
• Keep house and car keys on separate rings.
• Do not lend your keys to service/maintenance people you do not know well.
• Always ask service/maintenance people to identify themselves before allowing them to enter your home or dorm room.
• Get to know your neighbors so you can help each other.
• Do not keep large sums of money, jewelry, or valuable items in plain view in your home or dorm room.
• When out of town, set radios, lights, and televisions on timers.
• If you are living off campus, leave spare keys with trusted neighbors, not under a doormat or in a flower planter.
• Try to avoid entering elevators occupied by strangers. If you are waiting for an elevator with a stranger, stand away from the door to avoid being pushed inside. Get off on the next floor if you feel uneasy. Hit the alarm button if you are accosted on an elevator.
• Please report any broken or malfunctioning locks to the facilities supervisor.
On Foot
• Avoid dark, vacant, or deserted areas. Use well-lit travel routes.
• Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially at night. Ask a friend to jog with you. Call a 5-SURE escort at 725-SURE (7873) to accompany you around campus during evening hours.
• Dress in clothes and shoes that will not hamper movement.
• Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. Avoid wearing headsets that impair your ability to detect and respond to potentially dangerous situations.
• Report suspicious activity or noises to 9911/9-1-1 immediately.
• Carry a noise-making device with you at all times, and use it if you suspect you are in danger. Move to a lit area or building and raise a commotion. Call 9-911/9-1-1 or activate a blue emergency phone tower in the event of an emergency.
If You Sense Trouble
• Move away from the potential threat if possible; cross the street and increase your pace.
• Join a group of people nearby.
• If a threatening situation is imminent and people are close by, yell, scream or do whatever you can to get their attention. Remember, dialing 9911/9-1-1 and or/activating a fire alarm are both part of the personal safety system. 9-1-1 calls are free from any pay phones, and blue emergency towers are now located in many areas on campus and simply require a push of a button to notify emergency services of your situation.
If you are facing an armed criminal, you may minimize the risk of injury to yourself if you comply with the criminal's demands. However, if your life is in immediate danger, use any defense you can to get away.
• Dial 9-911/9-1-1 immediately and give a description of the suspect.
When Driving
• Have your key ready when you approach your car. Before getting in, check inside and under your car to make sure no one is hiding.
• Drive on well traveled streets and keep your car in gear while it is stopped. Allow at least one car length space between your car and the car in front of you so that you can escape should someone try to get into your car.
• Keep doors locked and windows shut and keep valuables out of sight, either covered or in the trunk.
• If your car breaks down, open the hood and stay inside. If someone stops to help, do not open your window or door, but have him or her call for assistance.
• If you do not know the location of your destination, ask someone for specific directions before you leave.
• If you get lost, do not pull over until you find a well-lit public area, and then call the police.
• If you suspect you are being followed, drive to a well-lit public area and call the police.
• Beware of people who:
• Yell, honk, and point at your car as if something is wrong - If your car breaks down, stay inside and lock the doors. If anyone approaches to help, crack the window and ask them to call the police. Ask uniformed people to show identification.
• Motion and ask you to stop and lend assistance - If you want to assist someone whose car has broken down, go to the nearest phone or use your cell phone and call the police.
• Bump your vehicle from behind - If you think you were bumped intentionally, signal the other person to follow you to the nearest police station.
• Most importantly, if a person with a weapon confronts you and wants your vehicle, give it up. No car is worth being injured or losing your life over.
Obscene and Annoying Phone Calls
• Hang up as soon as you realize the nature of the call. Do not try to find out who the caller is, even if you think it is a friend playing a joke.
• Use your answering machine to screen calls. You can also record an obscene phone call with the memo feature on some answering machines.
• If the calls occur frequently, keep a log of exactly when the call was received and what both parties said. Describe the type of voice and note any background noises.
• Consider changing your phone number, depersonalizing your answering machine message, or not being listed in the Stanford Directory. Call Stanford Communication Services at 497-HELP for assistance.
• Consider purchasing a machine that requires an access code before your phone will ring.
• If the calls continue, contact the Department of Public Safety at 9-911/9-1-1.
Protecting Children is the very important task. Child abduction has always been a primary fear of all parents. Here are some steps parents can take to protect their children from abduction:
• Never leave small children unattended.
• Make certain your children know their full names, your name, address, and telephone number, including the area code. Teach them how to use the telephone and about dialing 911 or 0 in case they are in danger.
• Teach your children never to go anywhere with anyone who does not know a family code word.
• Teach your children to never open the door to anyone while at home alone and never tell strangers on the telephone that they are alone.
• Tell baby-sitters or friends caring for your children to never let them go with anyone but you.
• Teach kids that adults rarely ask kids for directions, so if someone stops in a car and asks for directions, they should not approach the car.
• Think about getting your child a passport, because once a passport is issued, it is difficult and suspicious for an abductor to obtain another one if they want to take your child out of the country.
• If your child is going anywhere, such as walking to school, make sure they go with other children if you cannot accompany them.
• Keep records of fingerprints, footprints, dental and doctor information, birthmarks, and certificates.
• Have pictures taken every year; four times a year for preschoolers.
Data about the author:
N.R. Mudrick (Syracuse, USA) M.S.W., Ph.D., Director and Professor, School of Social Work College of Human Services and Health Professions, Syracuse University, USA.
Сведения об авторе:
Нэнси Р. Мэдрик (г. Сиракузы, США), магистр социального благосостояния, кандидат наук, директор и профессор Профессиональной школы по подготовке социальных работников Сиракузского университета, США.
