UPD’s annual guide to campus safety

Welcome back, Seawolves! As we begin the new academic year, the University of Alaska Anchorage Police Department (UPD) is sharing the following safety reminders to ensure students, faculty and staff have a safe and great experience this year.

"We remind people to not only be on the lookout for wildlife on campus, but also to be alert for things out of the ordinary," said Jeff Earle, UAA UPD chief of police. "Please reach out to UPD if you have a safety concern or encounter wildlife on campus. We are here to help and ensure everyone's safety." Head to UPD's website for a full list of resources on safety and reporting issues on campus.

Traveling on campus

While UAA is located in the heart of the UMED District, our campus is surrounded by woods, pathways and major city roadways. A few reminders when walking about campus, through the neighborhoods or bike trails surrounding campus.

• Tell someone when you plan to walk alone.
• Walk in a group.
• If alone at night, you're welcome to call UPD for a safety escort when walking to a parking garage or parking lot.

Vehicle safety

While campus is monitored by UPD, there are many people who travel to and from campus every day. A couple of reminders to prevent break-ins or vehicle theft.

• Always lock your car doors.
• Do not store valuables in your car (laptop, cell phone, wallet, keys, expensive equipment, etc.). Take them with you.
• Make sure all of your vehicle information is up to date in the unlikely case a vehicle theft occurs.
  UPD and Parking Services offer free jumpstarts for your car.

Wildlife safety

Tips for handling moose encounters

While not typically aggressive, moose can become agitated and charge if provoked. ADF&G suggests the following for a safe encounter:

• Do a quick moose check before exiting your vehicle, parking garage or campus building to avoid surprising both you and the moose.
• Give moose a wide berth when traveling campus pathways and trails. If possible, find an alternate route, or provide as much space between you and the moose.
• Know the physical signs: Ears laid down, hair up on the neck and hump of their back and a lowered head often indicate an agitated moose that may charge.
• Be extra alert during late September and throughout October, as this is considered rutting season. Both male and female adult moose can be more sensitive to people, animals such as dogs, and noises.
• If a moose begins walking toward you, particularly if it's displaying any of the aforementioned physical signs, try to create some distance between you, preferably going into a building or hiding behind a large object such as a tree.

Tips for handling bear encounters

While bear encounters are not common on the Anchorage campus, it is important to remember bear safety in the fall months as we return to campus and in the spring, as Southcentral bears start to emerge from winter dens.

• If you see a bear while walking on campus pathways or trails connecting to the university, stop and take a moment to assess the situation.
• If possible, safely leave the area by backing away slowly, keeping your eyes on the bear and its movements - never running - and if it sees you, talking to the bear in a calm voice.
• If on campus, find a building to retreat to and use UAA's Spine to travel between buildings.
• If on trails around the UMED District that connect to campus, follow the above tips, consider exiting the trail system if possible / finding an alternate travel route, and if the bear comes within 30 feet of you, deploy bear spray (only on a trail, not if you're on campus).