How to Stay Safe on Big 10 College Campuses

Big Ten universities rank among the largest in the United States. Schools like Ohio State, University of Michigan, Penn State and the University of Wisconsin boast 40,000 to 60,000 students or more spread across sprawling campuses with shared residence halls, large social gatherings and a constant flow of new faces.

That scale creates a safety environment that most students have not previously navigated. Dorm room security, awareness during late-night travel, and preparation for unexpected situations are different on a major university campus compared to a hometown neighborhood. Understanding and planning for those differences is the foundation of Big 10 campus safety.

Why Campus Safety is Different at Large Universities

Most students arrive on campus with safety habits shaped by familiar environments and a Big Ten campus is not a familiar environment for most people. A single residence hall may house hundreds of residents and campus footprints can span several miles, making them larger than some towns and communities. Further, social gatherings routinely draw large crowds of people who don't know each other.

These conditions require deliberate adjustments and planning for incoming and attending students. The same instincts that worked well at home may not translate to an environment of this size. Building new habits and understanding what tools are available can close that gap in preparation and ensure a fun and memorable college experience.

Situational Awareness and Behavioral Safety

Behavior is the first and most fundamental layer of personal protection. Situational awareness is the practice of understanding what is happening in the immediate environment and identifying conditions that seem out of place. This is something a person can learn through practice and vigilance. 

Situational awareness looks like walking with attention to the surroundings and not texting while walking or being distracted by headphone use. Other behavior-based safety practices include walking with at least one other person or in a group, especially at night and in unfamiliar areas. 

Become familiar with the location of emergency blue light phone systems. These are outdoor emergency call stations that connect users to security or emergency services. They are usually a tall pole with a glowing blue light on top and a single button that instantly alerts campus safety teams or local authorities when pressed. Many college campuses also offer free safety escorts for late-night travel from class, studying or work, and they have safety apps with real-time alerts. This information is typically shared during orientation and widely accessible on university websites. 

Social environments are another situation that requires additional planning. Large parties and crowded bars can be a fun environment with friends, but they introduce new safety risks. Keep beverages on your person at all times and where possible, cover the opening and arrange transportation or travel plans before going out. For example, agree to meet a place with friends and don’t leave someone behind at a venue. 

Personal Safety Tools for Campus and Dorm Room Security

Behavioral habits reduce risk and personal safety tools address the gaps behavior alone cannot close. The following devices are well-suited to campus environments and used widely by college students across the country.

Pepper Spray and Pepper Gel

Pepper spray is one of the most widely carried personal safety tools among college students. Its active ingredient, Oleoresin Capsicum (OC), causes temporary but intense irritation to the eyes, skin and respiratory system that creates an opportunity to move away from a threat. Pepper gel is a sister product to pepper spray, with the same active ingredient. They differ in their delivery method: Pepper gel deploys in a thicker, gel-like formula that provides greater precision and less blowback. The decision on which to use comes down to personal preference and anticipated situation use. 

Before carrying pepper spray or pepper gel on any Big Ten campus, students should verify it is permitted by the institution. Many universities allow them under specific conditions, such as being clearly labeled for personal safety use and carried by someone who meets the minimum age requirement set by state law. Confirming campus policy before arrival avoids both legal and practical complications. 

Pepper spray or pepper gel are only effective when easily accessible. Do not bury the device in a backpack. Instead, select a product with a carry option that makes it easy to have on-hand, such as one with a key ring or snap clip keychain. 

Personal Alarm

A personal alarm requires no training and is not subject to campus carry restrictions. When activated, it emits a loud, attention-drawing sound — typically 120 decibels or higher — that is audible at significant distances. The sound serves two purposes: it draws the attention of bystanders and creates a deterrent that may discourage a threat from continuing. (Learn more: How Loud is a Personal Alarm? A Guide to Volume, Benefits and Proper Use)

On large Big Ten campuses where other people are often nearby, a personal alarm has a high probability of being heard. Most attach easily to a keychain, backpack strap or lanyard, keeping them accessible at all times.

Wedge Door Stop Alarm

University safety extends beyond campus walkways and parking areas and includes dorm rooms. Shared residence halls present unique security challenges: they may have access points that are propped open, residents may not know everyone on their floor, and locks can be standardized rather than individually keyed.

 

A wedge door stop alarm can be placed against the base of a door to resist forced entry. It triggers a loud alarm if the door is pushed inward. The wedge requires no installation, no tools and no modification to university property, making it one of the most practical additions to any dorm room security setup. As always, ensure these devices are allowable within university guidelines. 

Compact Travel Door Lock

For additional interior reinforcement, a compact travel door lock provides a secondary securing mechanism independent of the room's existing hardware. These devices engage directly with the door frame or strike plate and prevent the door from opening from the outside, even if a key or access card is used. Compact travel door locks are small, require no installation and move easily between locations, making them equally useful in dorm rooms, off-campus housing and travel accommodations. Some universities might prohibit the addition of secondary locks, so check the student handbook prior to installation. 

Door Handle Alarm

Like the personal alarm, a door handle alarm works by emitting a high decibel sound to alert others and potentially scare off a would-be intruder. It works by detecting a vibration that occurs when someone touches the door handle from the outside. SABRE’s Door Handle Alarm has a 30-second activation delay to prevent false triggering. 

A Safety Plan Supports the Full College Experience

College is a period of personal growth, academic development and expanding independence. For students at large Big Ten institutions, that experience unfolds across sprawling campuses, in residence halls full of new neighbors and in social environments that are unfamiliar – and often fun and exciting. A campus safety plan supports these experiences.

 

Students who understand their environment, practice sound behavioral habits and carry appropriate personal safety tools are well-positioned to navigate campus life with confidence. Big Ten campus safety is not a single action, it is a combination of awareness, preparation and the right tools for the environment.

——

What schools are part of the Big 10?

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Indiana University Bloomington, University of Iowa, University of Maryland, College Park, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Northwestern University, The Ohio State University, University of Oregon, Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), Purdue University, Rutgers University–New Brunswick, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Southern California (USC), University of Washington and University of Wisconsin–Madison