Campus Safety

Crime Prevention Responsibility
The University of Dubuque's Safety and Security Department is fully committed to maintaining a safe campus where students, faculty, and staff can work and study in a secure environment. The Campus Safety & Security Department and the University of Dubuque believe that safety is a shared responsibility and that security begins by being aware of one's surroundings and reporting suspicious persons, activity, or safety concerns. The cooperation, involvement, and vigilance of students, faculty, and staff in a campus safety program is needed to ensure that our campus remains as safe as possible. We encourage all University community members to take responsibility for their own safety and security, by reporting crimes, suspicious activity, accidents, abuse, harassing calls, unsafe conditions or other emergencies immediately to the Safety & Security Department. By accepting this responsibility, members of the University community assist in maintaining a safer and more secure campus environment. Since the opportunity for crime exists everywhere, the campus community should also take precautions to avoid dangerous or risky situations. The following are safety and security tips:

• Use the "buddy" system when walking, especially after dark.
• Park vehicles and/or walk in well-lighted areas.
• Use the escort service on campus which is available 24 hours per day.
• Lock and double check residence halls, vehicle doors, and windows before leaving, even if for a short time.
• Be sure to report lost keys, fobs, or ID cards immediately.
• Don't leave your possessions unattended.
• Don't leave large amounts of money in your room and keep valuables out of sight. If you can't keep your valuables with you, keep them locked in a drawer or closet.
• Make a list of your valuables and mark them, including books, with an ID that can help in their recovery. Record serial numbers of valuables such as DVDs, VCRs, stereos, computers, etc. Take photos if possible. Have valuables such as computers engraved by the Safety and Security Department through Operation Identification.
• Report any broken or flickering lights, dimly lit corridors, broken locks/windows or other items of concern.

Crime Prevention Responsibility
The University of Dubuque administers an aggressive program of regular inspection, testing and maintenance of University premises to ensure compliance with applicable fire and life safety codes and standards.

The University conducts regular egress drills and provides a variety of educational and training programs in fire safety and prevention techniques for students, faculty, and staff.

Fires and Fire Alarms
If you hear an alarm, leave the building immediately. If you witness a fire, pull a fire alarm and exit the building. Fire alarms are located on each floor of every residence hall near the exits. Escaping a Fire

If the door to your room feels hot, do not open it. Stay calm, seal the cracks around the door with clothing to prevent smoke from entering the room, and exit through the window. If exiting through the window is unsafe, open the window and holler and wave a sheet to attract attention. If the door is cool, open it and proceed to nearest exit. Close doors behind you to limit the spread of fire and smoke. If there is smoke in the hall, stay low where the air is freshest. A wet cloth over your face will also help you breathe. Never use elevators during a fire. Remember to leave immediately. Do not try to save possessions. Doing so could cost you your life.

Egress Drills
Egress drills in residence halls are conducted once each semester.

False Alarms
Causing a false alarm is a crime. False alarms endanger building occupants and firefighters. They can also cause some residents to become nonchalant, failing to leave during a real emergency. Students identified as being responsible for intentionally causing a false alarm will face the minimum of automatic suspension and be subjected to criminal prosecution. Students living in residence halls are reminded they are responsible for the actions of their guests. If a guest is found responsible for such conduct, both parties will be punished accordingly.

Fire Safety Reminders
The University of Dubuque has a strict smoking policy that does not allow smoking within twenty-five feet of a building. Do not allow trash to accumulate in room or corridors. The use of candles or any similar item is prohibited in residence halls. Do not overload electrical outlets or use prohibited appliances. Remember to unplug appliances that generate heat such as irons, hair curling irons, etc. Never run extension cords under rugs or plug heavy cords into smaller extension cords. Holiday decorations can be dangerous so use with extreme caution. If you burn your food, open a window to air out the smoke. Do not tamper with smoke detectors or fire alarm horns. Do not wedge open corridor or stairwell doors; they can control the spread of fire. Do not tolerate horseplay with fire extinguishers and safety equipment.

Fire-Fighting Equipment and Alarms
Fire-fighting equipment and alarms are placed in the residential facilities for your protection. Any student setting fires, tampering with or misusing fire-fighting equipment (i.e., extinguishers and smoke detectors) is subject to disciplinary action and/or prosecution under Iowa Statutes which includes a minimum $250.00 fine. Refer to the Emergency Procedures section for further information regarding fire and other emergency procedures. Any student setting off a false alarm anywhere on campus is subject to disciplinary action that could result in possible suspension or expulsion from the University.