To kick off the fall semester, University Police Chief Sherry St. Clair is providing important safety reminders for students and other members of the WVU community.
To our University community:
I am so excited to see everyone returning to campus. As chief of the WVU Police Department, this is my favorite time of year as we begin to welcome new and returning Mountaineers, both students and employees, to Morgantown.
Throughout your WVU era, we will be working to provide a safe environment for everyone to learn, live, and work.
Our headquarters is located at the Chestnut Ridge Building, 886 Chestnut Ridge Road, near the Health Sciences area of campus. If you ever need anything, feel free to stop by our main office, or visit us at one of our satellite offices at the Mountainlair, Mountaineer Station, the Health Sciences Center, or University Place. We’re here to help.
While we work to provide a safe environment, there are a few safety measures you can take to protect yourself and your belongings.
• If you see something suspicious, please say something. Report suspicious activity by dialing 911 or calling University Police at 304-293-3136. You can reach out to UPD in person at 886 Chestnut Ridge Road, or via the LiveSafe app, which allows you to communicate directly with the University Police team using text, photo, video and audio, among several other features.
• For incidents on or near campus, the University notifies our campus community by sending information via the WVU Safety Notification System, a three-tiered emergency notification system. Students are automatically registered to receive emails, but should add their phone numbers to their accounts to receive text notifications as well. The WVU Safety Notification System is a critical resource in our efforts to keep you safe, and I encourage you to ensure your contact information is added and updated.
As a heads up, we are scheduled to test the WVU Safety Notification System at 11 a.m. on Sept. 1. Be aware that you will be receiving an Alert notification at that time. If you don’t, please check your registration.
• When in public, always keep your possessions in sight and never leave them unattended. Always lock your home and vehicle when you leave and store valuable items out of sight. Record serial numbers for electronics. Register your bicycle with UPD.
• Pedestrians and drivers should stay alert when making their way across the Morgantown Campus. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and in specific areas at Falling Run Road and University Avenue, and Grant Avenue and Campus Drive near the Life Sciences Building on the Downtown area of campus, and Fine Arts Drive and Evansdale Drive behind the Canady Creative Arts Center on the Evansdale area of campus. Drivers should obey all traffic lights or signals.
• No matter where you are, be sure to stay aware of your surroundings. When possible, travel with a friend and put your phone away so you can stay alert. Download the LiveSafe app to access the SafeWalk feature.
• Be aware of possible fraud and harassment schemes, including those involving threats to distribute private and sensitive material if monetary demands are not met. Our advice is to only interact online, via social media, or by phone call or text with people you know. Be skeptical and ask questions, especially when it comes to unsolicited calls or text messages. If you think something is a scam, let our officers know and we’ll check it out.
• For those who choose to participate in activities involving alcohol, always exercise caution. If you choose to drink, stick with one type of alcohol to better moderate how much you consume, pace drinks to one or fewer per hour, and alternate alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic beverages. You should also always keep an eye on your drink. Never set it down or give it to someone else to hold. Utilize the buddy system to help prevent someone from ending up in an unsafe situation and have a plan to get home safely either through ridesharing, a designated driver, taxi, or walking.
• Finally, always call for medical assistance when someone is in danger of drug or alcohol overdose. Under the University’s medical amnesty policy, you may be safe from prosecution and may not face charges under the Student Code of Conduct if you seek medical assistance in an emergency. The bottom line is — always seek help to save a life.
Throughout the academic year, UPD offers trainings for emergency preparedness. See the full list.
For the latest safety information, we encourage all students to follow @WVUSafety on X, @wvusafetyofficial on Instagram, and the WVU Safety and Wellness Facebook page.
Find more information about University Police.
If you have any questions, thoughts or concerns, don’t hesitate to talk to our officers on campus, reach out to us directly by phone, email, or app, or submit your feedback through our contact form found on our website.
I look forward to seeing you around the Morgantown Campus this year.
Let’s Go!
Chief Sherry St. Clair
West Virginia University Police Department