Category Archives: Safety/Security

Spam Warning

Career Services, Safety/Security, Tips

Dear Students,

I am writing to alert you to fake job offer scams being perpetrated on college/graduate students.   Read and follow the information and guidance below to protect yourself!

FAKE JOB OFFERS:

  • These job offers are usually sent via email unsolicited (which is rarely the case for legitimate jobs)
  • Or you are invited via email to apply for a job with with great promises:
    • Short hours
    • Easy tasks
    • Ability to work from home
    • Amazing salary
  • Frequently the sender appears to be legitimate with a “.edu address” but a quick search reveals that person and email address are not real.
  • The professor for whom the work will be done may not exist or if the person is real, they are not reachable at the email provided for your reply and they are not hiring and unaware of the scam.
  • These emails frequently include bad grammar and spelling.
  • The work often involves the following:
    • You are asked to buy office supplies or other goods with a promise of reimbursement.
    • You are asked to send money in the form of gift cards, cryptocurrency or bitcoin (all untraceable and unrecoverable)
    • You are sent a check and it bounces.
  • Scam job offer emails can be generic.  They often begin with “dear student.” They frequently do not include your name or the name of your school.
  • Or they can attempt to fool you by using the name of a real professor or dean.  These usually include a “reply to” email address that clearly doesn’t belong to that person.
  • Scam job offers are often too good to be true (very few hours with a large salary).
  • Scammers often ask for your personal information immediately and do not ask for a W9.

Legitimate job/internship postings come through legitimate sources that are known to you and that you can easily verify.  When you receive a job posting/offer email, check all the names and all the emails listed.  Remain skeptical until you have done your research.  Ask us if you are in doubt about anything you receive via email.

Check out the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website for more scam information. 

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE BEEN A VICTIM, PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING:

  • Protect yourself by stopping any further communication with the scammers
  • Notify Dean Huff
  • Notify Columbia Public Safety
  • Change the passwords to any accounts that were involved in the scam
  • Contact any financial institutions (your bank) if they are involved.
  • File a complaint with the FBI.

Also check out this video from the Columbia School of Professional Studies about avoiding fraud while job hunting online.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL POLICY

Action Item, FAQ, Major memos, Master's Project, Master's Project Grants, PhD, Safety/Security

Dear Students:

I am writing to remind you that Columbia University has an International Travel Planning Policy that applies to students/fellows/faculty/staff who travel abroad for purposes related to the University, such as class trips, conferences, research or reporting for class papers, projects or dissertations.

This policy is intended to allow the University to follow the movement of student, faculty and others officially conducting University business abroad so we are prepared to provide you with assistance if needed. As stated on the University site: “Columbia University supports and encourages travel by individuals whose educational, research, or occupational activities are international in scope. At the same time, the University seeks to reduce risk to travelers and the University by encouraging thorough preparation and common-sense practices while abroad.”

The steps below are required of everyone who will be conducting reporting outside of the U.S.

1. Review the information and follow the steps detailed on the Columbia Global Travel Page.

2. Register your trip and itinerary with ISOS (Deadline December 14 for winter break travel)

3. Register your trip with the Journalism School Dean of Students Office (Deadline December 14 for winter break travel)

* Students who fail to register are ineligible for travel grants and lose their eligibility to submit receipts for grant based reimbursements.

* Students who fail to register will also be in violation of Columbia University policy and subject to disciplinary action.

MISS REPRESENTATION

Action Item, Columbia Events, Community Citizenship, M.A. Program, M.S. Program, Major memos, Safety/Security, SVR

miss_represenation_poster-578x200

Miss Representation is a 2011 American documentary film written, directed, and produced by Jennifer Siebel Newsom

It explores how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of cis-gendered women in influential positions by circulating limited and often disparaging portrayals of women.

This screening will be followed by a facilitated discussion led by SVR staff and volunteers.

Tue, October 18, 2016

6-9pm; Lecture Hall

RSVP: http://bit.ly/SRI_Journ2

Attending this event will satisfy the

2016-2017 Sexual Respect and Community Citizenship Initiative

sri

Supporting Someone Who Has Experienced Intimate Partner Violence

Action Item, Columbia Events, Community Citizenship, Deans' Events, M.A. Program, M.S. Program, Major memos, Safety/Security, SVR

 

sri

Examine the behaviors and warning signs that may indicate an unhealthy or abusive relationship and understand how to gauge and take next steps if a relationship becomes violent. Participants will also learn how to effectively support someone who is in an abusive relationship.

Led by Sexual Violence Response staff and volunteers.

Thursday
October 13
6 p.m.
RSVP: http://bit.ly/SRI_Jour2

Attending this event will satisfy the
2016-2017 Sexual Respect and Community Citizenship Initiative

Major Memo: University Travel Advisory – Zika Virus

Healthcare Issues, Safety/Security, Tips, Useful Websites

Dear Students,

Columbia University is monitoring Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene advisories regarding Zika virus.

The CDC has posted an “Alert Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions,” for areas in the Caribbean, Central, and South America where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. (See map at:http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/) There have been reports of a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika virus while pregnant. Knowledge of the link between Zika and these outcomes is evolving, but until more is known, CDC recommends special precautions for the following groups:

  • The CDC advises women who are pregnant to consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.
  • For those women who are trying to become pregnant or who are thinking about becoming pregnant, the CDC recommends that they talk with their doctor about any travel plans to affected regions.

Zika virus is primarily transmitted through mosquitos. Anyone travelling to, or living in, areas with confirmed cases of Zika virus is, therefore, at risk for infection. Symptoms of Zika virus include rash, fever and joint pain. Only 20-30% of infected individuals will become symptomatic. The incubation period of the virus is unknown, but thought to be in the range of 3-12 days. There is currently no vaccination against Zika virus; treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms of infection and is not specific to Zika virus.

While there are three reported cases of Zika virus in New York City, these were all associated with travel to the affected region.

While no one is obligated to travel to an affected area on University business, those who do are strongly advised to adhere strictly to mosquito precautions:

  • In contrast to other mosquito-related illnesses, where the highest risk of exposure tends to be at dawn and dusk, Zika has been reported to be contracted during daytime hours as well.
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
  • Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
  • Sleep under a mosquito bed net.
  • Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents. All EPA-registered insect repellents are evaluated for effectiveness.
  • Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). You can buy pre-treated clothing and gear, or treat them yourself.

Additional precautionary measures can be found here.

For more information on Zika virus, please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html

CU Public Safety Message: Pick Pocket Incidents

New York City, Safety/Security, Tips

As we prepare for the upcoming academic year, something to keep in mind:

Dear Public Safety Friends,

According to the NYPD, Pick Pocket incidents increase during the months of August, September and October. Obviously during the start of the school year. In the majority of the reported incidents, the victim had their wallet removed from their backpack front compartment, a common location where students put their wallets. Carry your bag in front of you. Gentlemen, carry your wallet in your front pocket.

Common locations where thieves target victims:

 By the subway turnstiles– Thief one walks in front of you swiping their metro card but they use a card that denies them access while the 2nd thief is behind you,  bumps into you removing your property (cell phone, wallet, etc)

 In a crowded train– removing your wallet from your backpack front compartment.

 Going up or down the stairs of the subway–  removing your property from your backpack front compartment.

Pick Pockets thieves look like you and I, they usually work in a team of two or three.

 Below is a link to view an excellent news project / short video done by one of our Journalism students on Pick Pocketing in the subways. Please share with students, faculty, staff, family, friends and members of the community:

http://dnainfo.com/20091009/morningside-heights/police-warn-columbia-students-about-backpack-pickpockets

Thank you for your continued help.

Ricardo Morales

Assistant Director

Crime Prevention Programs

Columbia University Public Safety

212-854-8513    Fax  212-932-0798

www.columbia.edu/cu/publicsafety

Pride-Professionalism-Service

MAJOR MEMO: Columbia University – Smoking Policy

Going Green, Major memos, Notes From, Safety/Security

Dear Students:

I am writing to inform you of a recent change in the University’s smoking policy. Following a University Senate resolution, smoking is now restricted to 14 designated locations on the Morningside campus. Smoking urns are installed in each area toeasily identify the appropriate location, and to ensure that cigarettes are disposed in the proper waste receptacle. Please view a map of the designated locations [http://policylibrary.columbia.edu/files/policylib/imce_shared/Designated_Smoking_Areas-Map.pdf].

All students, faculty, staff, and visitors are asked to comply with the smoking policy [http://policylibrary.columbia.edu/university-smoking-policy]. As a member of a community, such as ours at Columbia, the respect of individual rights and recognition of personal accountability are highly valued. We ask each community member to act responsibly in observing the smoking locations and to support each other during this time of transition.

If you are interested in learning more about stopping the use of tobacco for you or someone you know, there are many resources available. Smoking cessation programs for students are offered by Columbia Health [https://health.columbia.edu/tobacco-cessation] on the Morningside campus. Information regarding New York State’s smoking cessation program is also available at 1-866-NY-QUITS.

MH

Message from CU Public Safety: Apple Picking

New York City, Safety/Security, Useful Websites
Apple Picking:
“The iPhone” The Number One Target of Thieves

•Pay attention to your  surroundings, on the streets, subways & buses.

•Don’t display when not in use. Download the latest IOS 7 Software to your device.

•Password & Activate the “Find My I-Phone” feature on your device.

•Register your device with the NYPD & CU Public Safety Operation ID Program 212-854-8513.

•Change the color of your earphones from white to any color.

•Don’t Walk and TEXT

•Don’t Leave your device CHARGING in an UNSECURED area.