Stay Alert!

New York City – along with all of NYU’s global locations – offer rich opportunities to experience life outside of the classroom. Joining the fabric of these incredible cities – visiting museums, exploring neighborhoods, experiencing nightlife – is an important part of your NYU experience. It’s also critical to make smart choices about how to move about places carefully.

Here are some important tips from NYU’s Campus Safety to help ensure you take advantage of what’s on offer safely, no matter where you are.

Be Prepared

Ensure you have everything you need – ID, cash, keys, a fully charged phone – before you go out.
Discuss your plans with friends and go out/return home with a buddy.
Have a back-up plan, including somewhere to meet should you get separated.
Take a bystander intervention training to learn how to intervene in a safe way when you see someone in need of help.

Be Aware

Know who is around you. Avoid isolated or dimly lit areas. Walk with purpose, even if you’re not sure where you are, and listen to your surroundings.
Know where you are going - check out directions in advance, and track your own travel progress on a map app to ensure that you’re on the right route.
Confirm rideshare info before you enter a vehicle. Match the license plate/driver name to a confirmation. Rather than giving your name first, ask who the driver is picking up.
Have a back up transportation plan in mind, should you need to adjust on the fly.

Picture of an outdoor movie viewing with a crowd of people

Be Present

Secure your valuables. Always keep your items with you, carrying them in a bag or on your person, in the safest possible way.
When you're out, keep your drinks close, cover your drinks, and don’t accept drinks from others.
Look out for your friends. If they look like they’ve had too much to drink or are acting strangely, make sure they get home safely.
Trust your instincts. If something seems strange or wrong, remove yourself and your friends from the situation as soon as possible.