Dear CSN Family,

As the semester begins, safety should be in the forefront of all our minds. As you know, the CSN and UNLV police departments have been consolidated into one, new department called “University Police Services,” led by Associate Vice President and Director of Police Services Adam Garcia.

You have probably noticed that police cars and uniforms have changed, and we will see many more safety enhancements soon, including a state-of-the-art 911 dispatch center, bomb detection dogs, a detective bureau and an emergency management division, as well as enhanced community policing efforts. If you have concerns or questions about safety, Director Garcia can be contacted at adam.garcia@csn.edu.

I also want to remind you that the use and possession of marijuana on any CSN campus or leased property is prohibited. This prohibition applies to prescribed medical marijuana as well as recreational marijuana. If you wish to know more, you may reference the Nevada System of Higher Education policy found in the Regents’ Handbook in Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 32.

Possession of firearms on CSN campuses is also prohibited. This prohibition applies to those with concealed carry permits and also covers firearms stored in vehicles. If you wish to know more about the prohibition of firearms on campus, you may reference the Nevada System of Higher Education policy found in the Regents’ Handbook in Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 31.

There are a few other safety points I would like to address:

• If you have not yet done so, please download the CSN Mobile Safety app. The app features “report a crime” tip, emergency plans and crime statistics, a “safety toolkit,” campus maps and other important safety resources.

• Please know also that as a CSN Coyote, you are automatically enrolled in the CSN alert system. If there is a public safety crisis, you will receive emergency notifications through email, text, computer, CSN’s website and social media. Police Services will be testing emergency notifications at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 12, so you will receive test messages at that time.

• If there were to be an incident on campus involving an active assailant, remember the “Run, hide, fight!” strategy, as outlined on the UPD website.

• Remember to always keep your safety and the safety of others in mind as we embark on a new semester. Keep aware of your surroundings, and keep an eye out for students and staff with disabilities and others with limited mobility.

• For more safety tips, including a detailed explanation of what to do in the case of an active assailant, visit our Newsroom blog.

And remember to follow University Police Services on Facebook and Twitter for news and events. Have a safe and successful semester!

– Federico