Crime Prevention
We provide educational programming, security surveys. and other crime prevention functions to the University community upon request or as needed.
Emergency Telephone Options
Blue Light Phone System
Emergency telephones are provided throughout campus. The exterior emergency telephones are on posts with blue lights; the indoor devices are red phones without dials that are mounted to the wall. All calls are automatically forwarded to the Emergency Communication Office.
4444 Emergency Phone System
From any telephone on campus, you may dial 4444 in case of an emergency. This system is similar to 911 in other jurisdictions and dials directly into the University Emergency Communication Center for on campus Fire/Rescue/Police emergencies. From cell phones, students should dial 1-540-654-4444. If an emergency occurs off campus, it is best to dial 911.
RAVE Guardian App
RAVE Guardian is an innovative smartphone app available for download free of charge for any member of the campus community. Users will have one-touch connection to UMW police or 911, be able to discreetly send a text or digital image during an emergency, and have their location tracked when at risk.
Hall Access and Security
Regulations governing campus housing are administered through the Office of Residence Life. All guests entering the residence halls are required to register with and present personal identification to a desk aide who monitors access at the main entrance of all residence halls. The exterior doors of the residence halls are secured at all times unless a desk aide is on duty. Door alarms are installed on all other residence hall exit doors and are monitored by the hall staff. Students and their guests are required to adhere to the regulations on building access to reduce the risk of compromising residence hall safety and security.
The University’s Facilities Services department and the Locksmith Shop regularly inspect campus facilities , promptly making any repairs that affect safety and security, and they respond to reports of potential safety and security hazards, such as broken windows, doors, and locks. Security and safety hazards/concerns may be reported to the University Police non-emergency line at 540-654-1025.
Lighting and Landscape
Parking lots, sidewalks, and all major walkways are lighted at night. University Police personnel check these lights frequently. Any lights not functioning or operating improperly are reported to the Emergency Communication Operator and, in turn, to Facilities Services for repair. Any shrubbery or trees that pose a security risk by creating dark spots or obscuring overhead lighting are reported to the University Grounds Department to make the necessary repairs during the next business day.
Personal Safety
It takes the entire University community — students, faculty, and staff — to make our campus a safe and secure place to live, work, learn, and play.
What can you do to help?
- Trust your instincts. If a place or situation doesn’t feel right, leave.
- Avoid working or studying alone in a building at night.
- Avoid shortcuts and isolated areas when walking after dark.
- Don’t leave your personal property unattended.
- Carry a whistle for alerting others in the event of an emergency.
- Never prop open a building’s exterior doors.
- Keep your residence hall room locked when leaving even for “just a minute” and when sleeping.
- Lock windows and close shades after dark.
- Never attach your name and address to keys.
- When traveling in your vehicle keep windows up and doors locked.
- Engrave your valuables. (Engraver available for use at the University Police Department)
- Report any suspicious or criminal activity to the police immediately.
- If you have an ADA-identified disability which requires special equipment, be sure to identify yourself to the University’s administration so proper installation and maintenance of such equipment can be scheduled.
Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Training
The University Police Department offers a women’s self-defense course, known as the Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) System. The R.A.D. System consists of a 9-hour course in basic self-defense. The R.A.D. course is presented by a certified instructor. This course is free to all University students, faculty, and staff.
For information in R.A.D. training, contact Sgt. Tegan Lewis at tlewis2@umw.edu.