Wayne State University

A Whole New Experience

Apartment Safety & Security

Wayne State University takes the safety and security of its students extremely seriously. A number of safety systems are in place at WSU and the Office of Housing and Residential Life has developed guidelines to help residents better understand them.

Emergency Phone Numbers
Emergency Telephone System
Safety Guidelines
OneCard Identification
Building and Room Access
Fire Safety
Severe Weather Procedures
Evacuation Procedure for the People with Disabilities

 

Emergency Phone Numbers
Public Safety (from on campus) 7-2222
Public Safety (from off campus) 313-577-2222

Emergency Telephone System (Blue Lights)
There are more than 100 emergency telephones located around the campus, its perimeter and in parking facilities. The phones are conspicuous with their bright blue lights and are programmed to dial directly to WSU Public Safety with the touch of a single button.

Safety Guidelines
Security is an active and shared responsibility of both the resident and the Office of Housing and Residential Life.

  • Do not allow people to tailgate you when entering the building.
  • Always keep your apartment doors locked. We ask you to check your door whenever you leave your room.
  • Propping, unlocking, barring or leaving open an exterior door jeopardizes the safety of all members of the apartment community.
  • Immediately report any missing keys to the front desk and your roommate(s).
  • We reserve the right to change locks and bill residents if keys are lost or misused. Do not loan your key to anyone for any reason.
  • No person shall possess or duplicate any key or card at any time.
  • If you encounter an unauthorized person in the building, contact a staff member or Public Safety immediately.
  • Do not loan your OneCard to anyone for any reason

 

OneCard Identification
Housing facilities are restricted to residents, university employees and registered guests only. Your OneCard ID establishes your affiliation with WSU and is not transferable. Students should not lend their OneCard to another student for any purpose including entry to a building, the purchase of meals, vending items, or other goods that may be charged to the OneCard. If you lose your OneCard, please report it to the OneCard office immediately.

Building and Room Access
Apartment buildings are locked 24 hours a day and require key  or card access for entry.  You will receive an apartment key at move-in and are responsible for keeping it with you at all times. Lost or stolen keys should be reported to the front desk immediately.

Fire Safety

Fire Prevention:
Most fires are preventable. We ask that all residents comply with the following policies regarding fire prevention:

  • Candles, oil lamps, torches and other open flame objects are strictly prohibited.
  • Keep all furniture, trash and personal items out of hallways.
  • Keep room decorations and posters to a minimum.
  • Smoking is prohibited in all common areas of the building.
  • Make sure all electrical cords and appliances are in proper working order. All appliances shall bear the Underwriters Laboratories or Factory Mutual certification seal.
  • Do not overload electrical outlets. The building staff reserves the right to unplug any device for health and safety reasons.
  • Do not prop open stairwell, hallway or fire doors.
  • Torchiere-style halogen lamps and bulbs are prohibited in public and student apartments.
  • Fire doors, hallways and stairwells and smoke detectors must be clear of obstructions at all times.
  • Fire doors must be free to close automatically, especially in an emergency and to keep a fire from spreading.

     

Fire Alarms:
If the fire alarm sounds, all residents must immediately leave the building. Failure to exit in an immediate and orderly fashion may result in disciplinary action and/or the issuance of citations.

Fire Alarm Guidelines:
1. Lock your door upon exiting the building.
2. Leave the building via the nearest available exit. Always know a secondary means of exit to use in the event your first choice is unattainable.
3. Use the stairwells to evacuate (do not use elevators). Once in the stairwell, check to see that the door is closed and proceed down to the first level.
4. Do not re-enter the facility until advised by the Department of Public Safety.

Fire Evacuation Procedures:
Upon move-in, all residents are supplied with a fire evacuation plan and procedure. The evacuation plan is also posted on the back of your apartment door as well as in each hallway. Please read this plan and become familiar with your evacuation route. For additional copies of the plan, please contact the Office of Housing and Residential Life or your apartment manager.

All residents must immediately leave the facility when an alarm sounds. Treat all alarms as if they were real. Familiarize yourself with the exits, sounds and procedures for evacuating a building. Get to know your exit routes before there is an emergency. If an alarm sounds, please do the following:

  • Put on a coat and hard-soled shoes, quickly.
  • Take a towel with you to prevent smoke inhalation.
  • Close windows.
  • Check your doorknob and door. If either is hot, do not open your door. Exit through a window if applicable or summon help. If the door and doorknob are cool, exit cautiously and close your unlocked door. Take your keys with you.
  • Walk quickly and leave the building via the nearest available exit in your area.
  • Use the stairwells to evacuate (do not use elevators). Once in the stairwell, check to see that the door is closed and proceed down to the first level. Gather at the emergency gathering point 100 feet away from the building.
  • DO NOT re-enter the building until a building staff member, Public Safety or the fire department tells you it is safe to do so.

Failure to exit in an immediate and orderly fashion may result in disciplinary action and/or the issuance of citations.

 

Severe Weather Procedures
WSU police will notify building staff in the event of severe weather that makes it necessary for staff and students to move to designated shelter areas.

Snow:
WSU will close when severe weather conditions compromise the safety of its students, faculty and staff, both at the university and intransit to or from the university. Severe weather could consist of excessive accumulation of snow during a single snow period and/or prediction of excessive accumulation of snow and excessive or dangerous accumulation of ice.

Closure will be publicized through the university news line (577-5345), WDET-FM (Public Radio 101.9) and by local radio and television stations.

Tornado Warning:
If a tornado warning is issued:

  • Proceed to a lower floor level or interior hallway or corridor (center core).
  • Seek shelter under sturdy or heavy furniture, tables or desks.
  • Avoid elevators, top floors of the building, areas with glass windows or doors, the cafeteria and unsecured objects.
  • Assist persons with disabilities to the safest area on the same floor.
  • If possible, take a flashlight, radio or cellular telephone with you.

The building staff will advise you when it is safe to return to your floor and/or apartment.

 

Evacuation Procedure for Students with Disabilities
In the event of an emergency condition within a university facility, the following procedures for people with disabilities must be followed:

  • All students with disabilities are advised to remain in their apartment during any general fire alarm.
  • A building staff member will personally call the students to advise them of the situation.
  • If it is a false alarm, the student(s) will be notified of such.
  • In case of a real emergency, emergency evacuation personnel will personally evacuate each person with a disability from their apartment.