Residence Hall Safety

How are university facilities and programs accessible to students, employees and guests?
As a private university, Carnegie Mellon does have the right to limit access to its campus and to control activities on the campus. But, in the spirit of academic freedom and free expression of ideas, the university permits and encourages freedom of speech and assembly by all persons. This includes the distribution of leaflets and petitions, as well as demonstrations or protests involving speaking, discussion or the distribution of information outside university buildings.

What restrictions apply to such activities?
The only limits on these activities are the rights of the members of the university community and the maintenance of the normal functioning of the university. No activities that harm individuals, damage or deface property, block access to university buildings or disrupt classes will be permitted. Public events, such as lectures, plays and concerts, are, of course, open to the community on a ticket or free admission basis.

How are guests admitted or identified in the residence halls?
Carnegie Mellon students, their escorted guests, and authorized representatives of the university are the only individuals permitted in the private areas of the residence halls. In order for an individual to gain access to a hall, he or she must use the ID card reader or a front door key and show his or her ID to the desk attendant where a service desk are located.

How are the entrances of buildings secured?
All Carnegie Mellon residences are locked 24 hours each day. Residents gain access through one main entrance per building via a card key which also opens their individual room doors. Our four largest residence complexes have service and security desks which are staffed by student desk attendants 24 hours each day. All other exterior doors of residence buildings are considered emergency exits only.

What locking features are used in the residence houses?
Historically, Carnegie Mellon has provided a safe and secure living environment within our residence halls. However, we always take strides to stay on the cutting edge of technology and bettering our facilities and services for our students. Therefore, Housing Services upgraded the security system in our residence houses. All students residing in Carnegie Mellon owned housing receive a programmed card with access to their private living area. This TESA system allows for the maximum in private living area security and is a wonderful addition to existing security measures in our halls. Hard keys are issued to residents living in areas not equipped with a building card-reader entrance. All private area student rooms, apartments, suites and houses are equipped with the card entry with the exception of University leased Oakland apartments. Information regarding lockouts and lost keys can be found on the housing Web site at www.housing.cmu.edu.

How are student housing residents informed about security procedures and enforcement?
Via Student Affairs, the resident assistance staff is regularly informed, as is the campus community, of various health and safety concerns. All resident assistants receive an extensive week-long training session for preparation in aiding and advising students in all non-academic issues. University Police sanctioned personal safety practices are taught to the Resident Advisors (RAs) who then advise residents through bulletin boards, meetings and workshops as needed, including programs to heighten student awareness of personal concerns such as the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and the problems of suicide and acquaintance rape. Security information programs are presented by security personnel to resident students at least once an academic year with special attention to those areas that may be experiencing unusual security problems, as well as off-campus rental units in locations where students have to walk on public streets to travel to and from campus.

Are there special security procedures during low-occupancy periods such as holidays and vacation periods?
During Thanksgiving break and spring break special attention is given to making sure that buildings stay locked and secure with extra security monitoring. During the winter break (from mid-December to mid-January) residence facilities are locked and inaccessible by the normal residents. Morewood Gardens, Webster Hall, Fairfax, and Cathedral Mansion apartments remain open. Morewood Gardens is monitored via its front desk on a 24-hour basis. The University Police increase their patrols of these areas during the winter break's low occupancy period.