Frequently Asked Questions About  Desk Operations and Visitation

Q:  Why aren’t there desk staff on duty 24/7 checking the ID of each person who enters the hall?
A:  Weekday ID check and guest check-in were eliminated as of fall 2007 because of cost.  Increases to the minimum wage in January 2007 resulted in a deficit.  Given budget reductions and that deficit, it was not possible to continue 24-hour desk.

Q:  Why is there no coverage in CRC, Schneider, and Stratford?
A:  Campus Recreation Center and Schneider Halls are upperclass and graduate communities and are smaller than the halls that house predominantly first-year students.  Students in these facilities are more prepared to recognize who is a fellow resident and who is a stranger, and they are generally more able to assume more independence and live in a somewhat less structured setting. Similarly, most individual buildings at Stratford are quite small. 

Q:   Why bother with weekend coverage if you aren’t providing it 24/7?
A:  Weekends tend to have higher levels of general activity and a greater number of guests.  In addition, with most other university offices closed on weekends, we want to provide as much service and support as possible for residence hall students.

Q:  How are students supposed to stay safe without desk staff?
A:  The safety of residence halls has always been a shared responsibility between staff and residents, and it always will be.  Students have to take responsibility for the safety of their home just as if they lived back home or in a local apartment.  Important measures specific to the halls include the following:
• Don’t allow people to follow you in the front door unless you know for sure they are also a resident.  Everyone who is there legitimately has their own key and security sticker.   Ask to see them if you aren’t sure.
• Don’t prop open entrances.
• Use only the designated exit doors.
• Keep your room door locked EVERY time you are out of the room/suite and when you are sleeping.  Opportunity theft is the most common crime in residence halls, so don’t increase people’s opportunity.  Carry your keys and ID at all times.
• Report suspicious people or activity to UCPD at 911 (from a campus phone) or 556-1111 (from a cell phone, or for non-emergencies).
• Escort your own guests at all times, as the policy requires.  You can help your neighbors feel safer by not letting your unescorted guest be someone else’s stranger in the hallway.

Q:  How can students get staff assistance when the residence hall desk is closed?
A:  The Turner Hall desk (556-3925) remains open 24/7 for service, and as of fall 2009, the Stratford Heights Complex desk (556-7000), located in the community building, will be open 24/7 for service.  They can put you in contact with the duty staff member in your hall whenever your hall desk is closed.  Each hall also posts the names and contact information for the designated on-duty RAs.  There are designated duty RAs in each hall or complex 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. on “school nights” and 24 hours from 5 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Monday.

Q:  How will you enforce limits like the 2-night limit on overnight guests or the number of guests a person has at one time?
A:  Residents are responsible to police themselves, keeping in mind that the rules exist for the safety and comfort of all, and to report violations of which they have knowledge.  In addition, when violations are observed or become apparent because of roommate conflicts or other disruptive behavior, those violations will be addressed.