Security

FOR ASSISTANCE IN AN EMERGENCY ~ DIAL 911 ~ ANYWHERE IN THE U.S.Student with a drone in hands standing by a UAF police officer.

Fairbanks and the UAF campus is a safe environment as long as you stay focused, take precautions and are aware of your surroundings at all times.  Following are tips and information on safety and security on and off campus.

On-campus emergency telephones:

Emergency telephones are available outside several buildings and are clearly identified (yellow box, blue light on top).  These are dedicated 911 Emergency telephones and are clearly marked on the UAF campus map with stars or glowing circles.  All elevators have emergency call boxes and are also dedicated 911 emergency phones.  When you activate one of these phones, you will be immediately connected to the UAF police department and an officer will arrive at that site within a couple of minutes. Use these phones only for a real emergency.  From any other telephones on campus, dial 911 for all emergency services or 907-474-7721 for non-emergency services.

Off-campus emergencies – call 911 from any phone.

Security Escort Service:

The UAF police department offers a security escort service on campus for anyone who desires an escort for safety reasons.  This may be a person coming on foot or in a vehicle to provide assistance in getting to the on-campus destination safely. Telephone 907-474-7721 for assistance.

Wild animals: 

Avoid contact with all wild animals. Be especially careful not to get between a mother moose and her calf.  Moose are very protective of their young. Do not feed the moose or any other wild animals.

Reporting crimes: 

Crimes such as sexual assault, harassment, domestic violence, stalking, under age consuming of alcoholic beverages, operating a motorized vehicle while intoxicated are crimes in Alaska and are unacceptable at UAF.  They should be reported to the police (907-474-7721, or in the case of an emergency, 911).  If you are unsure of what to do, contact International Student and Scholar Services (218 Eielson), Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability (110 Eielson), if you live in the residence halls your Residence Hall Director, or a trusted professor, teacher or colleague.  For more information about laws you should know and obey, see the Laws to Know page.

Safety Tips

  • Don't show lots of money when you are in public. Don't carry large amounts of cash.
  • If you use ATM (Automatic Teller) machines, don't allow anyone to see your PIN (Personal Identification Number), don't write it down on the card, and don't tell anyone else your PIN.» If you must write it down in order to remember it, disguise it as a part of a phone number along with other phone numbers.
  • Keep your personal items (purse, backpacks, laptops) secure or within eyesight. It only takes a second to walk off with your stuff. Bikes, laptops and personal music devices are the most frequently stolen items on campus.
  • Engrave your expensive electronic equipment with your name and/or passport number. There is an engraver you can borrow at the UAF Police Department.
  • Write down the make, model and serial number of personal property that could be stolen, and keep this list in a safe place.
  • Keep your important documents secure in a safe place in your residence. This includes credit card or bank names, account numbers and the phone number(s) to report lost/stolen cards.
  • Consider getting an Alaskan Identification Card instead of carrying your passport around. Cost is $15. Please contact our office for more information.
  • If someone tries to rob you, don't fight them - give them whatever they ask for, and get away.
  • Register your bike with the UAF Police Department.
  • Utilize security pass codes for cellphones, tablets and other electronic devices.
  • Acquire/Activate/Test applications such as “Find my iPhone” so that if the item is stolen it can be tracked.»
  • Use common sense: well-lit areas are safer than dark areas.
  • Don’t daydream when out in public: be aware of where you are and who or what is near you.
  • When you see potential danger or feel uncomfortable, avoid risk and leave the area.
  • There is strength in numbers: walk or travel with friends whenever possible, or use the UAF police department escort service on campus 907-474-7721.
  • Always lock your house/apartment/residence hall room door when you are home and when you leave, even if for a short time.» Leave outside porch lights on at night.
  • Never open the door unless you know who is there. Ask for identification if you are unsure.
  • Be careful in laundry rooms and in elevators, especially late at night. Wait or leave until the situation appears safe.
  • Do not leave valuables in plain sight anywhere including your office, residence or vehicle: lock, remove and/or conceal them.
  • Never drink from a common container offered to you. Open and/or fix your own drinks whether they are alcoholic or not. Keep the drink under your control.
  • Always report suspicious activity. Police would rather respond to ten calls that amount to nothing, because a bigger situation was avoided, than one call where it’s an after the fact incident.»

You should never disclose personal information over the phone unless you have originated the call and know it is a trusted number such as the number of the back of your credit card.» You should also never disclose or confirm personal information such as birth date, social security number, account information, account passwords via computer, unless you see the "https" in the address and know that it is a valid and secure website. U.S. government websites have the .gov extension on the website address.» Anything else is not a valid U.S. government website.» Beware of “phishing” schemes.» U.S. government agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), USCIS, US Department of State will never contact you by telephone or email asking you to confirm information.» Do not respond to this type of communication.»These agencies will NOT ask for, or demand any type of direct and/or immediate payment, or password, or personal information.» If you receive a call that includes instructions to give your bank account information or directs you to purchase Visa/gift cards and provide the activation numbers on the back of the card, THIS IS A FRAUD.» DO NOT DO IT.

If you have questions or concerns please contact International Student and Scholar Services immediately.» Fraudulent calls and emails can and should be reported to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

Identity Theft (PDF)