University Residences Safety

Creating a sense of community is one of the primary goals of University Residences. Residential staff members offer activities to help students get acquainted with one another, connect to University resources, and make a successful transition to Western. Staff members also encourage residents to take pride in their buildings and responsibility for managing the community in which they live. By creating a living environment in which students feel a sense of shared responsibility for the facility and their neighbors, everyone helps maintain a safer community.

Residence hall staff members offer personal safety programs on such topics as sexual assault prevention, responsible use of alcohol, personal safety awareness, "community watch," and property engraving. Tips for avoiding victimization by crime and protecting personal property, are included in the Residential Community Handbook distributed to all hall residents, or visit the Residence Life web site.

At least one Residence Life staff member is on duty in every building/complex daily from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Staff members make rounds throughout their buildings; pay attention to safety and security issues; and, are trained to respond to emergency situations. A full-time, professional resident director manages each building and lives on site.

Entrances to the residence halls are locked 24 hours a day and residents have key access to their buildings. If a student loses a room key, that room's lock is immediately changed to minimize the risk of an unauthorized person gaining unlawful entry into the room.