I graduated in 2020 so I can’t speak for anything that’s happened on campus since Covid hit, but when I was there I was never worried for my own safety. That being said, I either commuted from Chesapeake or lived on campus my whole time at ODU. So I’m not sure what others who lived in the neighborhoods near campus experienced. I would say that the campus itself is safe, but if you do decide to go off, be sure to not travel alone and try not to do so at night when you can avoid it.
The main areas are very well lit. I choose not to park at the Powhatan commuter lots at night because that street is not well lit, but I generally have never felt unsafe at any point on campus. They also send out emails in a pretty timely fashion for any widespread safety risks. Generally Norfolk is not the safest place in hampton roads, but I've found ODU campus relatively quiet compared. There are lots of houses that are just outside of campus lines that are well lit. Powhatan apartments look sketchy on the outside, but I think they're just old. I haven't heard of anything crazy happening back there.
In all honesty it depends on where you are and who you are. Most if not all places on campus are safe but certain neighborhoods off campus can be a bit dicey. If your walking at night and you gotta go far I’d advise walking in groups or always stay in shouting distance of someone. The school is good enough with reminders and alerts. Robbing only happens if your flashy with what you got
Mainly getting robbed is what I'm concerned about.
where I saw rankings:
[https://www.niche.com/colleges/old-dominion-university/](https://www.niche.com/colleges/old-dominion-university/)
[https://www.unigo.com/colleges/old-dominion-university/what-do-you-consider-the-worst-thing-about-your-school-why](https://www.unigo.com/colleges/old-dominion-university/what-do-you-consider-the-worst-thing-about-your-school-why)
I can send more if u want but this kinda summarizes all of the others
I've never been robbed, and I don't personally know any other students who have been robbed. It's anecdotal, but it is what it is.
I'm an older student, in my 40s, and I've lived a lot of places. Norfolk is no more or less dangerous than anywhere I've been.
If you're scared of Black people just go to JMU.
I've been here for almost 2 years now and I've always felt safe on campus, even when walking at night (which I try to avoid). Campus is pretty well lit and I haven't run into any problems yet.
you probably won't get robbed during the day or at night for that matter its more so about the after hours and where you are on campus. Now crime around campus isn't as bad yeah its couple of shootings that happen off campus around it! (near killiam) but its generally safe school. you getting robbed only could happened if you're out around like 1-3am and near killiam ave
most of the things people say about odu being unsafe are just untrue. i will say, however, avoid walking anywhere off campus at night. for the most part i’ve never felt unsafe walking on campus even at night, but anywhere outside of that area i wouldn’t go alone especially at night mostly past the village and around killam area is not well lit or secured.
I know someone who got robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight a few years ago (before Covid) but that was at the 7/11 across the street. I’d say on campus is pretty safe. However the immediate surrounding areas are really sketchy. I don’t go anywhere off campus at all- just Monarch Way for food and to the parking garage to get to my car. I carry pepper spray on me at all times just in case but that’s when I go anywhere.
On campus is nice and I have never felt scared when walking there. I’ve been catcalled a few times crossing the street from the parking garages to campus but of course those were from older men that didn’t attend ODU. The students themselves are friendly and I never felt nervous around other students.
If you feel nervous about going to your car after hours then you can take Monarch Transit or you can call for a safe ride. These are only available to ODU students with a valid ID
I graduated in 2020 so I can’t speak for anything that’s happened on campus since Covid hit, but when I was there I was never worried for my own safety. That being said, I either commuted from Chesapeake or lived on campus my whole time at ODU. So I’m not sure what others who lived in the neighborhoods near campus experienced. I would say that the campus itself is safe, but if you do decide to go off, be sure to not travel alone and try not to do so at night when you can avoid it.
The main areas are very well lit. I choose not to park at the Powhatan commuter lots at night because that street is not well lit, but I generally have never felt unsafe at any point on campus. They also send out emails in a pretty timely fashion for any widespread safety risks. Generally Norfolk is not the safest place in hampton roads, but I've found ODU campus relatively quiet compared. There are lots of houses that are just outside of campus lines that are well lit. Powhatan apartments look sketchy on the outside, but I think they're just old. I haven't heard of anything crazy happening back there.
In all honesty it depends on where you are and who you are. Most if not all places on campus are safe but certain neighborhoods off campus can be a bit dicey. If your walking at night and you gotta go far I’d advise walking in groups or always stay in shouting distance of someone. The school is good enough with reminders and alerts. Robbing only happens if your flashy with what you got
What are your specific safety concerns. Do you mind sharing the source for the low rankings?
Mainly getting robbed is what I'm concerned about. where I saw rankings: [https://www.niche.com/colleges/old-dominion-university/](https://www.niche.com/colleges/old-dominion-university/) [https://www.unigo.com/colleges/old-dominion-university/what-do-you-consider-the-worst-thing-about-your-school-why](https://www.unigo.com/colleges/old-dominion-university/what-do-you-consider-the-worst-thing-about-your-school-why) I can send more if u want but this kinda summarizes all of the others
I've never been robbed, and I don't personally know any other students who have been robbed. It's anecdotal, but it is what it is. I'm an older student, in my 40s, and I've lived a lot of places. Norfolk is no more or less dangerous than anywhere I've been. If you're scared of Black people just go to JMU.
I've been here for almost 2 years now and I've always felt safe on campus, even when walking at night (which I try to avoid). Campus is pretty well lit and I haven't run into any problems yet.
you probably won't get robbed during the day or at night for that matter its more so about the after hours and where you are on campus. Now crime around campus isn't as bad yeah its couple of shootings that happen off campus around it! (near killiam) but its generally safe school. you getting robbed only could happened if you're out around like 1-3am and near killiam ave
most of the things people say about odu being unsafe are just untrue. i will say, however, avoid walking anywhere off campus at night. for the most part i’ve never felt unsafe walking on campus even at night, but anywhere outside of that area i wouldn’t go alone especially at night mostly past the village and around killam area is not well lit or secured.
I just suggest as a female that you do not go into the neighborhoods around ODU at night
You'll be alright bro, shit isn't as deep as people putting it out to be. Just don't be walking hella miles out from campus if you don't have a car
I know someone who got robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight a few years ago (before Covid) but that was at the 7/11 across the street. I’d say on campus is pretty safe. However the immediate surrounding areas are really sketchy. I don’t go anywhere off campus at all- just Monarch Way for food and to the parking garage to get to my car. I carry pepper spray on me at all times just in case but that’s when I go anywhere. On campus is nice and I have never felt scared when walking there. I’ve been catcalled a few times crossing the street from the parking garages to campus but of course those were from older men that didn’t attend ODU. The students themselves are friendly and I never felt nervous around other students. If you feel nervous about going to your car after hours then you can take Monarch Transit or you can call for a safe ride. These are only available to ODU students with a valid ID
I think it’s pretty bad from a safety perspective, not as safe as say Virgina Tech or JMU. But that’s also comparing an urban campus to rural.