Safety

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has a great list of easy-to-use resources available on their website. They provides information and tips for interacting with U.S. law enforcement and government agencies and understanding your rights:

• What are your rights if questioned about your immigration status?

• What should you know if ICE is at your door?

• What should you know if you are stopped by police, immigration agents or the FBI?

• What are your rights at airports and other ports of entry?

Other resources:

Students: Know your Rights (ACLU)

Your Rights and Protections (US Department of State)

University of Delaware Department of Public Safety works to create an environment where people can feel safe to learn, work, live and visit and is committed to providing quality service and protection to the entire University community. Reported crime is relatively low at the UD, but it is still important for the community to remember that the University is not immune from criminal activity - we share many of the crime and safety issues that exist everywhere. In partnership with the community and other local police agencies, UD’s Department of Public Safety works to prevent crime and resolve issues that affect students, faculty, staff, and visitors. To learn more about the resources available from the Department of Public Safety, visit the Campus and Public Safety website.

In the U.S. people drive on the right side of the road, and the driver’s seat is on the left side of the car. If this is different from your home country, remember to look both ways before crossing the street. This may take some time to get used to, but it is very important for your safety.

When crossing a road at a crosswalk, look both ways before crossing even if the pedestrian light says “Walk” (in white). Cars are permitted to make a right turn at a red traffic light, so you must be aware of turning cars even if you have the right of way. It is not safe to cross the road other than at a crosswalk because drivers may not see you and are not expecting pedestrians to cross without a crosswalk. Crossing the road at a point other than an official crosswalk is known as “jaywalking” and is considered a criminal offense.

When riding a bicycle, you must obey the same traffic laws as if you were driving a car. Ride your bicycle with the flow of traffic and wear protective gear and a helmet, which is required by law. You must have a light on your bicycle if you are riding in the dark, and we recommend that you also wear light-colored or reflective clothing. Many roads have bicycle lanes, however, always be aware of traffic since drivers may not see your bicycle.

The law requires that children be restrained in child car seats and that driver and passengers must wear seatbelts.

Learn more about driving in Delaware on the Delaware Department of Motor Vehicles website.

Having adequate health insurance is a necessary part of living in the United States. Unlike many other countries, the cost of health care (even routine care) in the U.S. is very expensive. An emergency visit to the the Emergency Room can cost thousands of dollars, even if you are not treated or admitted. For this reason, Americans, as well as international students and scholars, are required to purchase health insurance. Health insurance can dramatically reduce the cost of health care, but you must be smart about which plan to choose. Some health care providers seem less expensive, but may not provide adequate coverage . The University of Delaware and the U.S. Department of State have developed guidelines for acceptable coverage, and not all health insurance companies fall within these guidelines.

For information about healthcare and insurance, visit our Healthcare & Insurance webpage. For detailed information on health insurance and the plan required for international students, please visit the Office of Risk Management webpage.

For information about healthcare and insurance for UD’s international community, visit our Healthcare & Insurance webpage. 

Student Health Service (SHS) provides a full range of primary care, treatment, and referral services, as well as related health education programs. Read more about SHS.

Center for Counseling and Student Development (CCSD) provides activities and programs to help with one or more of the following: reducing psychological symptoms, coping with life events and developmental tasks, improving interpersonal skills and relationships, and increasing self-knowledge and problem-solving ability. Read more about CCSD.

Student Wellness and Health Promotion (SWHP) provides services to support students’ behavioral and emotional wellness, and helps students evaluate options for maintaining healthy lifestyles, through prevention, intervention, and education.  Read more about SWHP.

In an effort to promote a healthy campus, the University of Delaware prohibits the use of all tobacco products on University property. This applies to all academic and office buildings, residence halls and apartments, vehicles, grounds and outdoors properties at UD. 

 Read the tobacco-free policy.

Title IX's broad prohibition against sex discrimination includes sexual harassment and sexual assault – we are calling this “Sexual Misconduct”. Read UD’s Sexual Misconduct Policy. Title IX protects: women, men, students, faculty, staff, visitors and vendors when on our campus.

Social and legal rules about dating, treatment of women and men, and sexual relations might be different in the U.S. than in your country. Learn more about sexual misconduct to protect yourself and the people around you.

If you have questions regarding sexual assault or misconduct, or you feel that you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault or discrimination, contact the Office for Equity and Inclusion. 

The U.S. Department of State regularly monitors international global health, safety and security risks and issues travel alerts and warnings for future travelers. When planning your travel, please review the information available on the Department of State website.