We understand that safety and security is very important to students and their families; we share this value and believe that safety and security is a shared responsibility.
A Shared Responsibility
It is the expectation that residents agree to take primary responsibility for their own safety and security, and to support the safety and security of others. OSU-Cascades and Residential Education and Housing (Housing) will work cooperatively with residents and with our OSU-Cascades colleagues to promote a safe and secure environment, although absolute safety cannot be guaranteed. When signing the Housing contract, students agree to read and abide by security policies and precautions stated in the Housing Policy Guide and other university publications made available to them.
Any student who is concerned about a risk or threat of safety for themselves or others, or who has concerns about property damage, security risk, or significant disruption, should contact a housing staff member in their building. If the matter is urgent, call Campus Safety at 541-322-3110. The sooner we know about something, the sooner we can intervene.
Buildings + Staff
Building Security
All residence halls have three locked security points.
- Exterior doors. The main entrance of the residence hall is open from 8am to 5pm on weekdays. Outside of business hours, students who live in the building may enter by scanning their OSU-Cascades ID card at the proximity access device at each entrance.
- Entry points to residential wings. There is a second locked point of entry at elevators, stairwells, and/or entrances to residential wings. Students who live in the building can enter these areas by scanning their OSU-Cascades ID card.
- Room doors. Students can enter their room area by scanning their OSU-Cascades ID card.
Courtesy Phones
A courtesy phone is located outside every residence hall entrance to allow guests to call residents and announce their arrival. This phone can also be used to cal 9-1-1 if necessary.
Residential Education and Housing Staff
Residential Education and Housing staff help provide security inside residence halls. The residence hall has a staff member on duty from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. every day. Residents can contact the staff member on duty using the duty phone number posted in the building. These student leaders are available to assist residents with all questions and concerns and have extensive training to handle emergency situations.
In addition, a professional staff member is available 24 hours a day. These full-time professionals, with a background in higher education, are always available by cell phone to assist in escalated or crisis situations.
OSU-Cascades Campus Safety
In addition to Residential Education and Housing staff, OSU-Cascades Campus Safety (DPS) work to make the campus a safe environment.
Emergency Lights are strategically placed throughout the OSU-Cascades Campus, providing a lighted walkway and emergency access to DPS. By pressing the call button on the pole, a blue light is activated, providing a beacon signal while immediately connecting the caller to the campus Campus Safety. For more information on campus security and safety tips, visit the OSU-Cascades Campus Safety website.
Security Cameras
To enhance safety and security efforts within the hall, and dining center, security video cameras may be placed in a hall, lobby, or other public area. These cameras are typically in set locations. However, if there is a concern for property damage or personal security, cameras may also be temporarily placed to monitor an area. To ensure personal privacy, the cameras are located in areas where people would not expect to be private. No cameras are placed in restrooms or resident rooms.
These cameras are not continuously monitored but are intended to be used in investigations of alleged policy violations. If images are needed to address property damage or personal security concerns, the OSU-Cascades Campus Safety is the coordinating agency assigned to control access to that information.
Questions regarding the cameras or the use of recorded information can be directed to Residential Education and Housing staff.
Fire Safety
Fire safety is top concern of OSU-Cascades and the Bend Fire Department. The Residential Education and Housing Staff conduct a minimum of one fire drill per residential facility per term to practice the safe and orderly evacuation of the building in the event of a real fire or emergency. To ensure a preventative approach, annual fire safety inspections of all facilities are performed during the Fall Term. Follow-up inspections are conducted within three months of this annual inspection. You can also access resources from the U.S. Fire Association to learn more about fire safety.
Students are expected to know and follow appropriate evacuation procedures during an incident where the alarm sounds and the building must be evacuated. Information about this responsibility can be found in the Housing Policy Guide section on Evacuations, as well as in building-specific fire plans, found below:
Cascades Residence Hall Fire Plan
Personal Safety
Living Safety in a Community
Ultimately, community security is a shared responsibility between you; other residents; and university staff members. We care about the comfort and safety of our residents and we encourage them to take all reasonable steps to ensure their personal safety and security. Common sense and crime prevention strategies can help ensure the student's safety and security.
Find additional crime prevention information from Campus Safety (541-322-3110). Students can also contact the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards (541-737-3656) to report safety concerns or to learn more about the community standards that students are held accountable to as members of the university community.
Safety Tips
- Keep your room door locked when you are not present.
- Do not prop outside doors open. Do not let strangers into your building.
- Do not leave your belongings unattended in public or common areas.
- Be aware of what is going on around you.
- In remote areas, walk with a friend when possible or carry a mobile phone. At night, walk in well-lit corridors of campus and try to avoid walking alone.
- Use the buddy system. Watch out for each other.
- Remember, alcohol and drugs can impair perceptions of and reactions to situations. Be especially careful if you drink, and if you're with someone who has been drinking. We encourage you to make a plan about how you will be safe and watch out for others.
- Trust your instincts. If you feel unsafe, get to a safe place and call for help. Emergency Light Phones that connect directly to Campus Safety can be found at many locations on campus.