Students are encouraged by Marshall University’s police department and Housing and Residence Life to prepare their homes and dorm rooms before leaving for spring break.

Chief Jim Terry has tips to remember before headed home for spring break if students live off campus. These include leaving one or two lights on, asking someone to pick up mail, as well as taking a spare key instead of leaving it.

Terry also recommends not packing vehicles the night before leaving due to the possibility of break ins.

Students are being asked by the housing department to make sure they follow a list of rules they are being provided to prepare to leave for spring break. This list includes unplugging all appliances except refrigerators, taking out trash, remembering to lock the door and other tasks.

Tracey Eggleston, the assistant director for housing and residence life, said students most often forget to take out their trash, which they ask students to do in order to avoid coming back to a smelly room. Despite what the students are supposed to do here, though, she has more important concerns.

“The most important thing though pertaining to spring break,” Eggleston said, “is that no matter where they go and what they are doing, the students stay safe.”

Sarah Ingram can be contacted at [email protected].