Safety and Security
The staff in Residence Life is committed to providing the students with a safe and secure environment where they can pursue their studies while learning about themselves and others in the community.
The security in the residence hall is provided in a number of ways, but it is important that every student be aware of their environment and make good decisions about their own safety and that of their neighbors.
The following safety and security measures are currently in place:
- Swipe Card Access to Residence Halls
- Student Security Services Personnel
- Residence Life Staff
- Fire Safety Procedures
- University Police
- Escort Service
- Student Involvement
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Swipe Card Access to Residence Halls
Each residence hall on campus is equipped with an electronic, computerized card access system. The card access system utilizes the student's id + card. During the hours of operation, only residents of the building can gain access by swiping their card through the card reader on each building. The system is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Student Security Services Personnel
University Police hires students to monitor nighttime and early morning activities at certain doors, in certain residence halls. These security assistants in the Residence Hall Security Unit serve as rovers to check for propped doors, monitor activities in the commons building, and assist students who have questions or difficulties with the card access system. In general, they are on duty from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m., during the weekdays and 24 hours on weekends, although shifts and locations vary from area to area on weekdays and weekends.
- Residence Life Staff
Each residence hall is staffed by student Resident Assistants or Community Assistants. Among other duties, they provide security for the halls. In addition to the student staff, there are full-time, live-in professionals in each area who both monitor the halls and respond to crisis situations as needed. Learn more about Residence Life staff here.
- Fire Safety Procedures
Currently, each residence hall and apartment is equipped with a number of fire safety features including fire extinguishers, emergency lighting and emergency exit signs. In addition, a number of the residence halls and apartments are equipped with a fire suppression sprinkler system. Housing and Residence Life also conduct monthly fire drills in accordance with University Police. For the safety of all the residents, candles, halogen lamps and exposed heating elements are not permitted in any residence hall environment. To learn more about fire safety go to: Fire Safety.
- University Police
Campus safety and security is a 24 hour, 7-day a week operation for the University Police. Residence Life staff works closely with the University Police to offer educational programs and safety initiatives for our residents.
- Escort Service
The University Police also provide a free security escort service for students, faculty and staff on and near campus. This service provides our residents with a safe and secure escort to and from the residence hall when the need arises. Auxiliary Police employees are available from dusk until dawn every day and requests can be made by calling 814-865-WALK (9255).
- Student Involvement
Our greatest ally in providing a safe and secure residence hall environment is our students. So it is important that each student takes the initiative to assist the residence life staff in creating a safe and secure hall for all the residents. Please keep the following tips in mind:- Do no allow strangers to enter the residence hall with you. (No "piggybacking")
- Notify the staff member on duty if someone has insisted upon entering the hall with you. Observe the offender to get a good physical description and note the direction he or she is walking.
- Keep your room locked at all times - even when you're sleeping, and especially when you're gone.
- Report a malfunctioning card access reader or door immediately.
- Meet your guests/visitors at the lobby door.
- Never lend your id + card or room key to others.
- Immediately report a lost or stolen id + card.
- Report suspicious activity immediately.