Making sure UNT maintains security

The recent change in the federal government's national security threat level provides an opportunity for all members of the UNT community to take a few moments and reflect upon their roles in helping to keep the campus community safe.

"We each play a vital role in campus security, and the assistance of faculty and staff members is critical to the success of our security efforts," says Richard Deter, director and chief of the UNT Police Department. "We are asking faculty and staff members to take a moment and review some security-related suggestions and determine how they can assist our efforts in their respective areas."

Facility security

• All offices should be closed and locked when not occupied — this includes conference rooms and the outer doors to common office areas.
• All mechanical, storage, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning rooms should remain locked unless UNT personnel are present.
• All windows should be closed and secured when a room is left unattended or at the end of the day.
• The last person who leaves an office or classroom at the day's end should turn off the lights.
• Computer users may leave their computers turned on; however, they should log out of the UNT network and Internet connections.
• All unusual or unexplained odors in a building should be reported to the facilities office by calling (940) 565-2751 or the building coordinator.

Suspicious people and packages

• Suspicious people and packages inside any UNT building should be reported to the building's coordinator and to the police department by calling (940) 565-3000. Suspicious people or packages outside the building should be reported to the police.
• Vehicles not clearly marked as UNT vehicles that are parked immediately adjacent to buildings should be reported to the police.
• Faculty and staff who see people they do not recognize who appear to be lost or wandering around buildings after hours should report them to the police.
• All university faculty, staff and students are required to have their university-issued identification card in their possession at any time that they are on campus. Faculty and staff members should request identification if they have questions about a request they have received or an act they have witnessed, or are otherwise uncertain about a person's presence on campus or in their area.
• Faculty and staff members should refuse to accept delivery of any package or mail item delivered to their area that is not directly addressed to them or their area. If a package has been accepted, it should remain unopened and placed in a secure area, and the police should be notified.

Resident students

• Resident students should follow all security suggestions and procedures established by the Office of Residence Life.
• Outside doors should remain secured and should not be propped open.
• Residents should not open doors or hold doors open for people other than their immediate friends and visitors.
• All suspicious people and packages should be reported to the hall staff.
• Use of the "buddy" system when walking on campus after dark or during early morning hours before sunrise is always advocated.
• Everyone should remain on sidewalks and in well-lighted areas when walking at night.

General safety precautions and reminders

All faculty and staff should:

• Lock and secure all valuables in offices and vehicles.
• Not leave valuables visible in their vehicles.
• Not provide rides or transportation to strangers.
• Not allow anyone to use their passwords to access their computer or account information.
• Report to appropriate parties (supervisor, building coordinator or police) suspicious acts or people — those things that seem out of place or abnormal, for example a person who looks lost or out of place and wearing a jacket on a hot day.

BY RODDY WOLPER rwolper@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• Search for UNT College of Engineering dean succeeds with appointment
• UNT names Philip J. Romano inaugural recipient of humanitarian award
• Law conference addresses key higher education issues
• Faculty and staff can vote now for the 2003 Homecoming theme
• Five TAMS students named semifinalists in national Intel science competition
• Admissions Marketing Report awards best of show title to UNT undergraduate viewbook
• HIPAA isn't short for hippopotamus
• NEA funds national project based on UNT program

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