Generations - Jan. 2020 | University of the Arts

In this issue...

City Safety

Each year at the beginning of the term, we send out a brief email to all students highlighting important information to ensure that members of the campus community are able to have a safe and productive year. We’re fortunate that the neighborhood around us is among the safest in Philadelphia, but safety is our highest concern as students travel around our campus and the city. To that end, remind your student of the following tips.

Students should

Carry a UArts ID and be prepared to show it anytime they enter a UArts building, to ensure that only the people who should be in our buildings are inside. Students who need updated semester stickers should visit Student Financial Services Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Stay alert and be aware of the people, environment and buildings around them.
Trust their instincts. If they are uncomfortable about the people around them, the place they’re in or a particular situation, they should leave. If they feel unsafe, they can contact Campus Public Safety at 215-717-6666.
Stay in well-lit areas with which they are familiar. If they’re heading somewhere new for the first time, they should review directions before heading out.
Travel with another person whenever possible. Public Safety escorts are available any time of day, any day of the week, via all Public Safety desks on campus.
Do not become distracted by wearing headphones or talking on the phone.
Keep valuables such as phones, wallets, cameras, secure in a bag or purse and not out in open.
Secure their belongings, whether they’re in their room or a studio. They should not leave valuables unattended at any time.
Report any suspicious people or incidents immediately to 9-1-1 or Public Safety (215-717-6666) if they’re on or around campus.
Review the Student Handbook and be informed about UArts policies.

SEPTA riders: Septa Transit Watch is a new mobile app that enables customers to discreetly and confidentially report security or safety issues directly to SEPTA Transit Police in less than 20 seconds.

PATCO riders: The number for DRPA Transit Police is 856-963-7995.

Lyft, Uber and other ride-share users:

When traveling alone, students should share their trip with others, so someone can track their ride.
Confirm the name of the driver and the license plate before entering a vehicle. Ask the driver for your name before you get in the car instead of giving your name. This can help you verify that the person is your driver.
Avoid giving drivers any personal information, like where you live or your phone number.
If a student is in an unfamiliar place, they can track their progress on a separate mapping mobile app to ensure the driver is following the correct route.

Inclement Weather

Winters in Philadelphia can be unpredictable. We experience snow, sleet, rain and freezing temperatures. As a result, there are times when the University opens with a delay, closes early or cancels classes altogether. Our students, faculty and staff travel from a wide geographic area, and road conditions can vary greatly.

Encourage your student to exercise caution when traveling, allow extra time for buses and trains, and use care when driving or walking on surfaces that haven’t been cleared yet. Because conditions vary by location, your student should use discretion before traveling in conditions they feel to be unsafe. If they are unable to travel to classes, they should email their faculty about their absence.

Many of our students have not experienced winter weather before; share with students from warmer climates information about staying warm this time of year.

Prepare Your Home:

Keep blinds open during the day and closed at night.
Remove furniture and belongings away from radiators and baseboard heating to allow the heat to circulate.
Cover window air-conditioning units with a blanket or plastic bag to block any draft.
During extreme cold, keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around pipes, particularly those in the kitchen and bathroom.
Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through unheated or unprotected spaces.
Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Do not forget the needs of pets. Have extra batteries for radios and flashlights.

Prepare Yourself:

Stay indoors during extreme weather.
Dress in layers.
Stay dry. Wet clothing loses its insulating value and transmits the cold rapidly.
Prepare for power outages by keeping electronics charged.
Walk carefully on snowy, icy walkways.
Pay attention to weather reports and warnings of freezing weather and winter storms. Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.

You and your student can find out about weather-related closings by signing up for UArts Alerts. Students can register as many phone numbers to receive text alerts as they would like, and the instructions are below.

Signing Up for UArts Alerts

The UArts Alerts system notifies students via email, SMS text message and on the Portal homepage about emergency situations at the University, including closings.

To sign up for alerts:

log in to the UArts Portal with your UArts username and password.
Access the link for Emergency Alerts in the left-hand menu.
You will automatically be signed into the UArts Alert system and directed to the site to register phone number(s) and additional email addresses. When you’re adding phone numbers, be sure to check “text” to receive text messaging. Save your edits when they’re complete.
If you have any issues accessing the UArts Alerts system, contact the helpdesk at 215-717-6677 or helpdesk@uarts.edu.