B. Safety and Security
Assistance in Evacuation
If you have a condition that means you need assistance to evacuate the building, you should tell your House Fellow and roommate as soon as you move in.
Elevator Malfunction
If an elevator malfunctions when you are in it, you should ring the emergency bell and wait for assistance. Ordinarily, the elevator will be repaired in a short period of time. Do not attempt to leave the elevator or assist anyone else in leaving an elevator car, even if you can see the floor above or below you. Do not attempt to force the doors open if they do not open automatically and do not assist anyone else in forcing the door open.
If you are not in the elevator and you hear the alarm bell, find out who is in the elevator and try to find a House Fellow or go to the hall desk if it is open. If no House Fellow is available or if the desk is closed, call University Police at 264-COPS (264-2677) and report the malfunction. Be sure to tell the dispatcher that there are people in the elevator car.
Fire Precautions
See Fire Safety.
Fire Safety
University Housing facilities utilize a variety of safety equipment to contribute to a safe environment. Fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, sprinkler systems, exit signs, pull station alarm covers, and fire doors are all designed to help with your safety. Tampering with any of these systems will likely lead to dismissal from University Housing.
We have also specifically banned lit candles, incense, and certain appliances because of the risks they create.
Remember, your actions, and the actions of all of our residents, are vital to creating and maintaining a safe community.
Concerns can be addressed to any University Housing staff member, starting with Residence Life staff and Physical Facilities staff members.
Evacuation Procedures
It is important that you familiarize yourself with procedures for evacuating the building BEFORE you need to evacuate in an emergency. Evacuation procedures are posted on house bulletin boards. You should familiarize yourself with the nearest exit from your room as well as alternate exits, if the exit nearest to your room is unusable.
Fire Alarms
When the fire alarm sounds you should always evacuate as if there is a fire. Building evacuation is required when the fire alarm sounds in the building. Evacuation is required for your safety and also for the safety of the firefighters, University Police officers, and Housing staff members who respond during fire alarms. During evacuation, keep the following in mind:
- before opening your door, check to see if the door or doorknob is hot. If it is not hot, or if there is no smoke coming under your room door, proceed with the emergency procedures under Fire Emergencies below.
- close your room door
- walk, don’t run
- use the designated exit for your room on the evacuation guide that is posted in your house
- do not use the elevator
- if smoke or fumes are coming up the stairwell, use an alternate exit
- once you’re out of the building, move as far away as possible from the exit to protect your own safety and to allow firefighters access to the building
- If you do not leave during a fire alarm University Housing staff will notify University Police for possible legal action. Your decision places not only yourself, but other individuals in danger.
Fire Emergencies
In case of a fire:
- if the fire is small and can be contained, and you feel safe doing so, use the nearest fire extinguisher
- pull the nearest fire alarm
- evacuate the building as outlined above.
If you notice smoke coming from a room:
- pull the fire alarm
- notify a staff person to the location of the room.
If there is heavy smoke and you cannot find your way to an exit or if your room door or doorknob is hot:
- remain in your room with the door closed
- place a towel or other clothing along the bottom of the door
- open a window and hang a sheet or white towel out to attract attention
- call 9-1-1 and give the dispatcher your location. Stay on the phone with the dispatcher until he/she directs you to hang up
- stay in your room until emergency personnel tell you it is okay to leave.
Fire Precautions
To greatly reduce the chance of a fire you should:
- avoid running electrical cords under carpeting, where the cords can be stepped on and easily damaged
- use surge protectors with their own built-in fuse
- empty wastebaskets regularly
- follow all rules and policies in the Student/Community Expectations and Policies section of this handbook
- not overload electric circuits and not string extension cords over nails, under carpets or furniture, or in locations where they will wear
- use only approved appliances (avoid halogen lamps)
- not operate appliances when you are not present and not operate appliances in closets or close to flammable materials
- keep doors to trash rooms and stairwells closed
- keep hallways clear of your belongings including shoes and boots
- not use lit candles/incense/tobacco products. (These products are not permitted in University Housing, a smoke-free environment.)
Residents will be held financially responsible for acts of negligence or intent that result in damage to University property and/or the personal property of others.
Smoke Detectors in Rooms
A smoke detector is provided in each student room. The smoke detector in your room is plugged into the hall electrical system and will go off when smoke particles enter the smoke detector unit. Never unplug, cover, or create a situation where the smoke detector is inoperative.
If the alarm of your room smoke detector goes off you should:
- determine the source of the smoke and, if it is a small fire in your room and you feel safe doing so, use the fire extinguisher in the hall to put out the fire
- pull the building alarm if you cannot immediately determine the source of the smoke or extinguish a fire
- follow the building evacuation procedures posted on your house bulletin board.
To report smoke detector malfunction, please contact the Maintenance and Repair Service (MARS) by going on-line at: mars.housing.wisc.edu
Sprinkler Systems
Sellery, Chadbourne, Smith, Ogg and Witte Halls have sprinkler systems. As always, the actions of our residents are critical in fire safety precautions.
Firearm Storage
University Police will store registered firearms for students. The University Police dispatcher can give you more information about this service and can be reached at 264-COPS (264-2677).
Also see the Student/Community Expectations and Policies section for policies regarding weapons and firearms.
Health Forms (Affirm received vaccination)
Wisconsin law [SS 36.25 (46)] requires students who live in a University Residence Hall to affirm whether they have received vaccination against meningococcal disease and hepatitis B, and to provide the dates of vaccination if any. The University Health Services has a health record form for students to complete which is confidential and will be retained by University Health Services. This form is available from the University Health Services web site at: www.uhs.wisc.edu
Students are required to affirm this information before they move into the University Residence Halls.
Illness and Injury
We encourage you to seek medical help for yourself and other community members who may be ill, injured, or incapacitated. In a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
If you are unsure if something is an emergency or if you are worried about someone, you should contact a House Fellow or other staff member.
Locking Schedules
Some outside doors and/or inner stairwell doors and elevators are “on key” for all or part of each day. Your WisCard (ID) will open all outside doors that are “on key.” The locking schedules are created to provide security for you and your personal possessions. Doors which are locked should never be propped open. In addition, the locking schedule may change due to special events. At such times, residents will be notified. Some exterior doors are locked and alarmed and can only be used for emergency exit.
Lost ID Cards
You should handle losing your UW Student ID (Wiscard) with the same urgency you would after losing a credit card or bank card. There are two options to report your lost card: notifying your hall desk or visiting http://www.wiscard.wisc.edu.
We urge you to immediately contact your hall desk and report the loss of your card. Your hall desk will have your card deactivated and will issue a loaner key/e-key to provide you temporary access to your hall and floor  and a temporary card will be issued so that you can eat in the dining halls using either your Food Account or Campus Cash.
- You must replace your Wiscard within four days. Â
- Once you suspend your Wiscard, either at your hall desk or online (http://www.wiscard.wisc.edu),  your Housing Food and Campus Cash Accounts will be temporarily disabledand your card’s access to your residence hall is stopped.
- If you have been issued a temporary card to eat in the dining halls, you must get a new Wiscard because your old card cannot be reactivated.
- It is your responsibility to notify other campus departments/buildings where you use your Wiscard (including Rec Sports and the Library system) as well as the UW Credit Union (if you have an account there), about the loss of your card.
- You are responsible for any purchases made with your Housing Food Account and/or Campus Cash Account until your card has been deactivated.
FEES
- If you do not return your loaner/key E-key within four days, you will receive a $60 charge for a core change for your room and your temporary card for dining  will stop working.
- A temporary food account card can be obtained for a $3 charge from your hall desk.
- A new Wiscard can be purchased at the Memorial Union at a charge of $25.Â
- You must then return to your hall desk to have a new card reprogrammed, to restore building access; a $20 reprogramming fee will be assessed.
Lost Keys and Lockouts
If you lose your room key, you should go to the hall desk and request a loaner room key. You will need to show identification to get a loaner key. You will be issued a duplicate key which you may use for four days. If your lost key(s) are not found within four days, a room and mailbox core change request will be made. You also will be billed for costs associated with these procedures that are completed by the key shop staff.
If you suspect your room key may have been stolen, you should go to the hall desk and request an emergency core change. You will be billed for these procedures.
After the third time a staff member has had to let you into your room, and/or issue you a loaner key, or any combination of three loaner keys/lockouts, you will be charged an additional fee for each future loaner key issued/lockout. This charge will be in addition to any charges for core changes should they be necessary.
If you have a question or a concern about a bill you receive for key-related issues, you should talk to the Director of Desk Services at 262-4323.
Medications and First Aid Supplies
You should bring essential medical care items with you to campus, including a one-month supply of any medications you take. The pharmacy at University Health Services can refill prescriptions from your hometown doctor, but you must have the prescription transferred to the UHS pharmacy first.
Many students find it helpful to have some basic first aid supplies in their room, such as adhesive bandages and a digital (electronic) thermometer. University Housing staff do not provide any medical supplies to students.
Meningitis (Meningococcal disease)
You received an information sheet at check-in on meningitis. Recent studies indicate that college freshmen living in a residence hall are at an increased risk for developing meningococcal meningitis, so you may wish to consider immunization against this serious disease. For more information about vaccination, contact your health care provider or University Health Services.
Obscene/Threatening/Prank E-Mail
If you receive an obscene, threatening, or prank e-mail and you feel that your physical safety is threatened, call University Police immediately.
If your physical safety is not in jeopardy, you should save a copy of the e-mail and contact the Residence Life Coordinator or Area Coordinator of your hall, or the Information Security Officer for the University at DoIT via the following web site: www.doit.wisc.edu/security
Obscene/Threatening/Prank Phone Calls
If you receive an obscene phone call or prank phone call, hang up immediately and make a note of the time, day, date, and content of the phone call. It is important to keep track of these types of phone calls in the event that a pattern develops. If a pattern develops, you should contact University Police at 264-COPS (264-2677). Police intervention is not warranted for isolated prank phone calls, unless a threat is involved.
If you receive threatening or harassing phone calls, call University Police immediately. Be prepared to provide the day, date, time of the phone call, as well as the content of the conversation.
Peep Holes and Door Chains
As an additional safety measure, you may request that a peep hole and/or door chain be placed on your room door if the door is not already equipped with these features. Peep holes and/or door chains can be requested through the Maintenance and Repair Service (MARS) by going on-line at mars.housing.wisc.edu
There is no charge for this service.
Personal Safety and Security
Residents play a critical role in creating a safe community for everyone. Please remember that your actions impact everyone else in the community as well as your own safety. See the UW campus safety website for more information. Please:
- Carry your keys and WisCard (ID) at all times.
- Lock your door. Watch who you let into the hall.
- Pay attention to your surroundings.
- Walk in groups. Use SAFE Walk/SAFE Ride at 262-5000. Keep your cell phone accessible.
- Make sure someone knows when you leave and when to expect you back.
- Report a crime or any suspicious activity immediately.
911 Emergency
608.264.COPS (2677) Non-emergency
Do not hesitate to contact University Housing staff or University Police if you observe an unsafe situation or have a concern.
Protecting Your Personal Property
The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, its officers, employees and agents, and the Division of University Housing are not liable for property belonging to you that may be lost, stolen, or damaged in any way, anywhere on the premises, including in storage facilities, unless caused by negligence on the part of a University employee.
Take all the appropriate safety precautions to safeguard your bicycle. Thefts of bicycles occur frequently in Madison, so be careful.
Engravers
Engravers can be checked out at each hall desk. Engraving your driver’s license number (including the state) on each item you own helps identify the items as yours in the event that they are stolen and later recovered.
Insurance (Renter’s)
We strongly recommend that you obtain insurance coverage for all of your personal items and that you have adequate insurance coverage for fire and water damage, theft and vandalism. In addition, if your negligence results in damage to the property of others or to the University, you may be held legally liable for all resulting damages (see Damages and Billing for more details).
- If your parents/guardians have a homeowner’s policy or renter’s insurance for their own property, your belongings might be automatically covered under their policy. You should check into this option first, since double coverage can be expensive.
- If your property is not covered, you might want to find out if a "rider" can be added to your parents'/guardians' policy. Such a policy extension, if allowable, can be picked up for a slight increase in premium.
- If neither of these options is available, renter�s insurance can be purchased at a relatively small cost from any insurance agency.
Locking Your Room
You should lock your room door whenever you and your roommate are not in the room, even when you are close by, AND whenever you are sleeping. You should not leave your room door unlocked for convenience—virtually all thefts from residence hall rooms occur when residents leave their rooms unlocked.
You should talk to your roommate about this issue as soon as possible to set up a shared commitment for the safety of all of your room contents. Plan to take your room key with you whenever you are not in your room to avoid having your roommate lock you out.
You can also investigate the option of locking expensive items, such as computers and printers, to each other or to another object in your room (such as a loft or bunk). Be sure you do not drill holes in or adhere anything to Housing-provided furnishings.
Securing Personal Belongings
- A desk or dresser drawer with a locking hasp is provided in each room. You can secure small valuables (such as credit cards, money, jewelry, etc.) with a padlock that you provide.
- Do not leave personal belongings unattended in common areas, such as floor lounges and dens.
Surge Protectors
We recommend that you plug expensive electronic devices into a surge protector in order to protect these devices as much as possible.
Psychological Crises
The UHS Crisis Response Service is an after-hours and weekend service for students experiencing psychological crises. The number is 265-5600.
During weekdays, crisis emergency appointments are available by calling 265-5600.
Room Entry Policy
Staff members will not enter your room without your permission except when:
- responding to what they consider a serious life and/or health threatening emergency
- done by police officers under their authority and responsibility for the purpose of investigation
- performing requested, preventive, prescheduled and/or emergency maintenance
- retrieving items that have been identified as Division of University Housing property
- removing an illegal pet
- in the absence of residents, there is a disruptive noise such as the alarm of a clock or a stereo playing at a disturbing level
- conducting non-emergency inspection/repairs (end of semester and over winter break) and room inspections when a resident moves out.
Division staff are required to report Housing Contract violations which they observe in a room. No room will be searched except where staff have reasonable evidence to believe that an immediate search is necessary to resolve a serious life or health threatening situation. Appropriate legal authorities may search resident rooms.
SAFE Nighttime Services Program
Information on all SAFE Nighttime services can be found on the web.
SAFEride Bus Service
The SAFEride Bus provides free bus service on campus during the academic year from 6:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. (Sunday through Thursday) and from 6:30 p.m.-3:00 a.m. (Fridays and Saturdays). Buses run at 15 and 30 minute intervals on three different routes: the Route 80 Eagle Heights/Memorial Union, the Route 81 Lakeshore Halls/Langdon-Johnson, and the Route 82 Regent-Breese/Bedford-Broom. Bus schedules and maps are available at residence hall desks.
SAFEwalk Escorts
SAFEwalk is designed to provide walking escorts to all of the campus except the far west side (UW Hospital and University Apartments). Two-person escort teams are trained by University Police to assist students in a variety of situations. SAFEwalk is available every night 7:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. from October through March; and 8:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. from April through September. Call 262-5000 to request an escort or make a reservation anytime during the day.
SAFEride Cab Service
SAFEride Cab Service is available to all students, staff, visitors, and friends at no direct cost to the rider for occasional use. The non-round trip rides are limited to a two-mile radius of campus. Your UW ID must be available whenever utilizing the SAFE services. SAFE services are not provided for convenient travel between parties and bars; such requests will be refused. A 4 ride per month limit is strictly enforced. No more than two individuals are allowed per SAFEride cab ride. The SAFEride cab number is 262-5000. Hours of service are 10:30 p.m.-3:00 a.m (10:30 p.m.-6:00 a.m. during final exam periods). All inter-campus requests for SAFEride cab before 1:00 a.m. will be directed to SAFEwalk and the SAFEride bus.
Security Cameras
Security cameras with recording devices are located throughout the first floor and building entrance areas of University Residence Halls.
Information recovered from these cameras may be used by Housing staff, University Police, or Dean of Students staff to address violations of University or Housing policies. Footage from the cameras will not be released to an individual student without a subpoena.
Sexual Assault
Crisis intervention, support, counseling, and legal advocacy for any victim of recent or past sexual assault are available through the Rape Crisis Center at 251-RAPE, 24 hours per day. The Rape Crisis Center (located on campus at 333 East Campus Mall) provides medical advocacy and accompaniment to health services. The Campus Advocate/Counselor can be reached at 265-6389.
The Nurse Examiner Program at Meriter Hospital is a nursing service for survivors of sexual assault who choose health assessment, forensic evidence collection, and/or crisis support. The 24 hour on-call number is 267-6206.
The Dean of Students Office provides assistance to students who have been sexually assaulted. Assistance includes help with referrals to campus and community resources, explaining options including university discipline and police reporting, negotiating with faculty and staff if necessary, and providing advocacy and support during the disciplinary process. No Dean of Students action is taken without victim consent. The Dean of Students Office can be reached at 263-5700.
Strangers in the Halls
Unescorted guests, people posting material, people selling magazines and/or strangers wandering around are a threat to the security of residents and their property. Call your House Fellow or University Police at 9-1-1 to report the presence of strangers and/or suspicious activity.
Theft
We encourage residents to lock their rooms at all times. Almost all room thefts that occur involve an unlocked door. We recommend that you keep a record of serial numbers, make, and model numbers of your personal property in case of theft and for insurance purposes. If a theft occurs, promptly report it to University Police at 264-COPS (264-2677).
Tornado Warnings
A tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service means a tornado has actually been sighted in the area. When a tornado warning has been issued, the Dane County emergency sirens will sound a steady tone for three or more minutes. The sirens are tested on the first Wednesday of every month at noon.
During a tornado warning you should:
- seek shelter at the lowest possible level away from glass windows, partitions, doors, and outside walls
- take a portable radio or TV with you if you have one
- not use the elevator
- remain in the shelter location until the “all clear” signal has been given over the radio or TV
- remain calm – do not obstruct emergency personnel.
A tornado watch indicates that conditions could lead to a tornado. Be aware and continue to listen for updated information.
Transportation for Medical Care
University Police may provide transportation one way to University Health Services (when open) or to local hospital emergency rooms provided you can walk unassisted. There are some limitations to this service. Call University Police at 264-COPS (264-2677) and they can assess if they can transport or need to get an ambulance. University Police does not provide transportation back from the hospital or back from University Health Services. University Police transportation should not be used in emergency, life-threatening situations. In emergency situations, call 9-1-1 for an ambulance.
University Police
The campus is patrolled day and night by University Police in cars, on bicycles, and on foot. Officers frequently visit the residence halls.
If you need to reach an officer in the event of an emergency and/or to report a crime in progress, call 9-1-1.
If you need an officer and it is NOT an emergency, call 264-COPS (264-2677).
Windows and Screens
The removal of windows and/or screens is prohibited. See Windows for more details.
WiscAlerts - Text Emergency Service
Students are encouraged to sign up for the emergency text messaging system by logging into the MY UW Portal. Look for the WiscAlert logo. Registration takes just a few moments.
