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Keep your apartment/house/dorm room locked at all times even when you are there. Lock your car, even when you are in it.
Always look through the peephole of your house or apartment door and fasten the safety chain before opening the door for a stranger.
Bring any potential security problems, such as broken locks, burnt out lights, and outside doors left unlocked, to the attention of your landlord or housing director.
Ask service people (telephone or electric company workers, police, etc.) for proper identification when they ask to enter your apartment/house/dorm room.
Notice the location of blue-light emergency phones on campus.
Remember that the Campus Police emergency number is 100 (from any campus phone). If you are using your cell phone or a pay phone, you can report an emergency to the Campus Police by calling 617-253-1212.
Photocopy the identity page(s), all visa pages, and Form I-94 in your passport and keep them in a place separate from your passport. These copies are very helpful in replacing a lost or stolen passport.
Do not carry all your money or traveler's checks with you wherever you go.
Use the MIT Safe Ride shuttle service when traveling to and from campus. It runs from 6pm to 2:30am Sunday-Wednesday, and from 6pm to 3:30am Thursday-Saturday. For more information and schedules, e-mail mitparking@mit.edu, call 617-253-2997, or go to http://web.mit.edu/facilities/transportation/shuttles/safe_ride.html,
Do not hitchhike, ever.
When working in a laboratory late at night, lock the door. If you are working in the lab alone, very late at night, call the Campus Police at their non-emergency number, 617-253-1212, to let them know you are there.
Walk on well-lit streets at night, where other people are walking. Avoid dark alleyways. It is best to walk with other people, when possible.
Scan the area ahead, around, and behind you whenever you are walking on the street. Change direction, cross the street, or enter a busy building if you get the feeling that someone near you might be a problem.
Keep your wallet, backpack, and pocketbook with you at all times. Do not leave these possessions unattended even for short periods of time.
Register your laptop (http://web.mit.edu/cp/www/crime.htm) and your bicycle (http://web.mit.edu/cp/www/bike_registration.htm) with the campus police.
Do not resist a robber if you are confronted
1. Certain behaviors that may be permitted in your home country may not be permitted in the United States. You may be subject to arrest if you commit any of the following offenses, or you may file legal charges against anyone who commits these acts toward you:
Verbal or physical abuse
Spousal abuse
Leaving children unattended in your home, car, or other location, even if just for a short period
2. It is unfortunate that a few scholars are mistreated in their workplace. Please note that the following actions are not permitted by MIT:
Reduction in your MIT pay without notice
Sexual harassment in the workplace
Forced domestic servitude
MIT has an Ombuds Office to assist you if you feel you are being mistreated in your workplace. The Ombuds office representatives are neutral, independent, informal complaint-handlers. All information you discuss with the Ombuds Office is completely confidential. Go to http://web.mit.edu/ombud/ for more detailed information.
As always, the International Scholars Office is available to help you. Do not hesitate to consult us for any matter, large or small.
Last Updated: January 2010