Campus Facilities: Controlled Access and Security
The vast majority of colleges and universities have physical buildings that the community takes great pride in. These facilities and the resources they offer are shared by the campus community, and at times open to the public. Under certain circumstances, however, access to campus facilities must be restricted for a number of safety and security reasons.
Institutions of higher education (IHEs) are required by the
Clery Act to produce and implement a, "statement of policies concerning security of and access to campus facilities, including campus residences, and security considerations used in the maintenance of campus facilities."
A major safety and security challenge for many IHEs is managing access to residence halls. Clarity in institutional procedures is a key first step in ensuring safe residential halls. Having a dedicated webpage and sharable materials that clearly and concisely articulates the core principles of your residence hall policy is important. Outlining the most notable components of building security policies helps residents, staff, and visitors know what should and should not be happening in residential buildings. Some of those components may include:
- Having security staff in residence halls
- Utilizing restricted access systems, such as key cards
- Employing external door prop alarm systems
- Resident and staff access limitations and an escorted guests policy
- Entry and exit monitoring on a 24-hour basis
- Contact information for who to call to report violations
Campus security professionals are not the only campus community members who are responsible for maintaining safe residence halls. Successful policy implementation requires communication with student residents about not only the importance of adhering to policies, but also the significant role they play.
Short, informational videos effectively educate students about safety and security issues regarding access to facilities.
Vanderbilt University's video and
Towson University's video broach topics such as 'piggy-backing' at main entrances and elevators, guest sign-in protocols, and how to report suspicious activity. In both cases, each institution's police department participated in the production of these videos.
You may
contact us for examples of policies that are effective in creating safe and secure campus facilities.
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