Safety
The staff at the University of Washington (UW) and University of Washington Department of Housing & Food Services (HFS) work together to protect the safety and security of the campus community. However, as part of an urban community, it is important for each resident to be aware of safety risks and how to minimize them. The following information describes many of the programs, policies and services that exist to protect your safety and well-being, both on and off campus.
Your Responsibilities
Entrances and Doors
The entry doors to all residence halls are locked by 7 p.m. every night (2104 House, Hansee Hall and Mercer Hall are locked 24 hours a day). The residential floors of Haggett Hall, Lander Hall, McCarty Hall, McMahon Hall and Terry Hall are accessible only to residents and authorized personnel. Stevens Court is configured with a separate entry for each apartment; residents should keep their apartment doors locked at all times. All student room doors, including those in apartments, McMahon clusters and your own room, are equipped with commercial-grade locking door handles and one-way peepholes. Residence hall keys are high-security keys. Duplicate keys can only be made using factory equipment. Only the residence hall desk can provide you with duplicate keys.
Privacy and Safety
HFS will not, under any circumstances, release room numbers to any person, including friends, relatives and parents, without written authorization from the student. Although this policy may seem inconvenient at times, it promotes residents’ safety and a more secure living environment within the UW. We encourage you to make sure your family and friends have your address, room number and telephone numbers and that they are aware of the residence hall guest policy.
If you have been threatened or believe you are in physical danger, contact the UWPD immediately at 206-685-UWPD (8973)/TTY 206-543-3323 or dial 911.
Guest Policy
You must meet your guests (any nonresident of that building/complex) at the entrance and accompany them at all times while in the residential areas of the building. Never allow anyone you do not know into the building. Be especially aware of potential nonresidents who may follow you into the building after you use your Husky Card to unlock the door. Every guest is the responsibility of the resident host and is subject to UW policies, rules, regulations and other standards of conduct while present in the halls. Each resident is responsible for ensuring that activity that takes place in his or her room is in accordance with all applicable regulations. Only residents, staff, faculty, authorized vendors or invited guests are authorized to enter the residence halls.
Keep In Touch
Always let someone know where you are going and when you will return.
Emergency Contact Information
Update your emergency contact information at any time via the Housing Profile Page by clicking on Update Profile on the left-side navigation bar.
Personal Property
The UW is not responsible for theft or damage to residents’ property in the residence halls. To protect your belongings, you are encouraged to:
Outside Doors
The outside doors to all residence halls are locked by 7 p.m. every night, except for Hansee Hall and Mercer Hall, which are locked 24 hours a day. All residential floors are accessible only to residents and authorized personnel at all times. You should never prop open any door for any reason or let anyone you do not know into the building. Free phones are available at hall entrances for guests to call residents they wish to visit.
Inside Your Room, Cluster or Apartment
Before you answer the door, look through the peephole to see if it is someone you know. If you do not know the person, do not open your door without first verifying the person's identification (e.g., Residential Life or custodial staff).
Building Access and Keys
Your Husky Card serves as a building access card for your residence hall. The entry doors to all residence halls are locked by 7 p.m. every night (Hansee Hall and Mercer Hall are locked 24 hours a day). The residential floors of Haggett Hall, Lander Hall, McCarty Hall, McMahon Hall and Terry Hall are only accessible to the residents of that hall and authorized personnel. In addition, your Husky Card will be programmed to allow you access to the dining facilities in Haggett Hall, McCarty Hall, McMahon Hall and Terry Hall during their operating hours.
Because your Husky Card is programmed to open electronic entry locks, allowing you access into your residence hall, it should be treated like any other key. Your Husky Card, room key, mailbox key and any other key issued to you are the property of the UW and are issued only to you for your exclusive use. Residents are not permitted to lend or give their room keys or Husky Cards to anyone or any UW group. Residents are not permitted to put their own locks or alarms on any residence hall doors.
Lost or misplaced keys should be reported immediately to your residence hall front desk. If a rekey of your room is warranted to maintain your security due to lost or unreturned keys, you will be charged a nonrefundable fee of $85, plus $5 for any additional keys lost (mailbox, bathroom, or bike room keys) other than your room key. If your keys are stolen, contact the UWPD at 206-685-UWPD (8973)/TTY 206-543-3323 to file a report and receive a case number from them, and then contact your residence hall front desk. If you do this, you will not be charged for the rekey of your room. Replacement keys are available at your residence hall front desk.
The duplication or misuse of a UW key or Husky Card is strictly prohibited. Interfering with security systems, tampering with locks or elevators or unlocking doors designated to be locked is strictly prohibited. All student room doors, including those in apartments and McMahon Hall clusters, are equipped with commercial-grade locking door handles and one-way peepholes. Residence hall keys are high-security keys. Duplicate keys can only be made using factory equipment.
Lost Cards
Lost or misplaced Husky Cards should be reported immediately to your residence hall front desk and the Husky Card Account & ID Center (located on the ground floor of Odegaard Undergraduate Library). You are responsible for all charges made on your Resident Dining Program and Husky Card Account. Your card is as good as cash and an entry key to your building. If you lose your card, there is nothing to prevent others from using it, so it is important to report your lost card by completing all of these steps.
Fireworks/Hazardous Materials
Possession, use, manufacture, transport, display, sale or distribution of fireworks, ammunition, explosives, flammable liquids, propane or other compressed gases and all other hazardous materials, including spray paint, is strictly prohibited in the residence halls. The use of fireworks is a misdemeanor and may result in prosecution under the Seattle criminal code and dismissal from the residence halls.
Firearms
Possession, use, manufacture, transport, display sale or distribution of firearms, air-powered guns (e.g. BB guns, pellet guns and paint guns), knives, martial arts weapons and all other weapons or replicas of any of the above-mentioned items are strictly prohibited in the residence halls. They may be stored free of charge at the UWPD.
Medical Device (Sharps) Disposal
A sharp is any device having corners, edges or projections capable of cutting or piercing the skin or that pose a safety hazard to the custodians and other personnel who handle waste. Sharps are usually hypodermic needles or other sharp medical devices. These types of devices are often contaminated with blood or bodily fluids. Sharps cannot be disposed of in the trash. They must be disposed of in an approved sharps container. If you generate this type of waste, please follow the procedures listed below to dispose of your sharps waste.
Individuals who have improperly disposed of sharps waste will be subject to the Residential Life Conduct Process and local laws, and he/she risks removal from the residence halls.
Video: What can happen if you don't lock your door?
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