Category: Campus Safety

Remember that the University Police Department is available 24/7 on campus during emergencies. If you see something, say something by calling UPD at 316-978-3450. Add the number to your contacts list so you always have immediate access to emergency services.

The University Police Department is here to support students and ensure they feel safe and supported on campus.

While squirrels and other wildlife are a familiar sight on campus, leaving food out for them can attract pests and other unwelcome visitors. The university encourages the community to help maintain a safe and sustainable campus environment.

What you can do to help:

• Avoid feeding the animals on campus: Let wildlife take advantage of the natural nutrients across campus, as additional feeding can attract unwelcome pests or large animals. These animals can disrupt campus activity, especially after hours, or the natural ecosystem.
• Support wildlife by letting nature take the lead: Campus wildlife like squirrels have natural instincts and seasonal behaviors that help them thrive. Interfering can disrupt these patterns and may lead to dependency on humans or poor health. Observe and appreciate wildlife from a distance to help them remain safe and self-sufficient.
• Keep our campus spaces and artwork clean: Help preserve the beauty and integrity of campus by keeping shared spaces clean and free of food waste. Food left out can lead to damage of benches, gardens, landscaping and outdoor sculptures from the Ulrich Museum of Art as pests and other animals are attracted to campus.

Thank you for your help keeping our campus safe, not just for us, but also for the local wildlife, where they can thrive in their natural habitats.

Remember that the University Police Department is available 24/7 on campus during emergencies.

See something? Say something: Call UPD at 316-978-3450 for emergencies on campus. Calling 911 while on campus will connect you to Sedgwick County dispatch, which could result in delays from responders. Add 316-978-3450 to your contacts list so you always have immediate access to emergency services on campus.

If you are away from a phone, you can use one of the many emergency phones on campus, which you can find the locations of through the campus map (wichita.edu/map) under “Campus Safety.”

The University Police Department is here to support students, employees and visitors and ensure they feel safe on campus.

As the weather cools and everyone seeks ways to stay warm, it’s crucial to remember that space heaters are prohibited on the Wichita State’s campus. This policy is in place to ensure the safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors.

WSU Policy and your safety

The prohibition of space heaters is outlined in WSU Policy 11.20, “Space Heaters.” This policy specifies that the use of personal, electrical, portable heating devices is not permitted in any campus building. This is due to the significant fire hazard they pose, as well as the potential to overload electrical circuits. Space heaters are one of the leading causes of home fires and can be particularly dangerous in an academic setting with many people and valuable equipment.

Additionally, WSU Policy 11.27, “HVAC Systems Standards,” dictates that the campus’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are designed to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the year. The use of personal space heaters can disrupt the balance of these systems, leading to inefficient heating for the entire building. The Facilities Services team works diligently to ensure that the campus climate is well-regulated for everyone’s comfort and safety.

Dress for success and warmth

Some areas may feel cooler than others so it’s encouraged that everyone dress in layers to stay comfortable. A sweater, a jacket or a cozy scarf can make all the difference. Remember to bring a warm layer with you, especially if you have an early morning class or a late-night study session.

If you believe a room’s temperature is a consistent issue, do not hesitate to report it. You can submit a service request to Facilities Services through its online portal. By working together, we can ensure a safe and comfortable environment for everyone at WSU.

WSU Fire Safety and its vendor will conduct required annual fire alarm inspections and testing starting at 5 p.m. each evening. Testing will continue through the remainder of September or until all the fire alarm systems have been tested. Testing for most buildings will be done during the evening and overnight hours. There is no schedule for when a building will be tested. Only state-owned buildings will be tested.

Every effort will be made not to disrupt any business or classes; however, the fire alarm system could go off. Unless told otherwise by Fire Safety, follow your evacuation procedures and do not re-enter the building until you are told you can do so.

During the inspection, personnel will be entering all rooms, including labs and offices. Please secure any valuables and sensitive documentation.

Any questions can be emailed to Scott Murray at scott.murray@wichita.edu and Dennis Moore at dennis.moore@wichita.edu.

WSU Fire Safety and its vendor will conduct required annual fire alarm inspections and testing starting at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7. Testing will continue through the remainder of September or until all the fire alarm systems have been tested. Testing for most buildings will be done during the evening and overnight hours. There is no schedule for when a building will be tested. Only state-owned buildings will be tested.

Every effort will be made not to disrupt any business or classes; however, the fire alarm system could go off. Unless told otherwise by Fire Safety, follow your evacuation procedures and do not re-enter the building until you are told you can do so.

During the inspection, personnel will be entering all rooms, including labs and offices. Please secure any valuables and sensitive documentation.

Any questions can be emailed to Scott Murray at scott.murray@wichita.edu and Dennis Moore at dennis.moore@wichita.edu.

WSU Fire Safety would like to remind all students, faculty and staff to keep egress corridors clear at all times.

The International Fire Code, the code adopted by the State of Kansas, requires that corridors/halls be clear and unobstructed for safe exiting during an emergency.

These areas are designated as “means of egress,” meaning they are a continuous and unobstructed path for occupants to exit a building during an emergency. Obstructions can impede evacuation, especially for individuals with disabilities, and can also hinder emergency responders.

Items commonly seen in corridors around campus include excess chairs from classrooms, unwanted furniture, backpacks, drinking cups, shoes, scooters, skateboards and many other items.

Throughout the day, be sure to remain aware of weather forecasts and prepare accordingly when arriving, departing or remaining on campus. In the event of a sudden change in weather, such as rainfall, most buildings on campus are open during the school day for temporary shelter.

The campus community is encouraged to sign up to the ShockerAlert system, which will directly notify you via your phone and email in the event of more serious weather. For more information about the weather outlook, consult the National Weather Service forecast for Wichita.

The University Police Department wants to remind students about the appropriate channels for reaching emergency services while they’re on campus.

If you are on campus with a phone:

Calling UPD directly at 316-978-3450 is ideal for getting immediate assistance. Calling 911 will connect you with Sedgwick County and could result in longer wait times for responders.

If you are on campus without access to a phone:

Use one of the many emergency telephones across campus, which are identifiable by the blue light located atop them. These phones connect straight to UPD, and even if you are unable to talk to the dispatcher, an officer will be sent to the location. You can view the locations of all emergency phones on campus through the campus map (wichita.edu/map) under “Campus Safety.”

Other resources:

• Dial 988 or text 741-741 to be connected to the suicide and crisis lifeline.
• Submit a CARE Team report for potentially concerning, but non-emergency, behaviors.
• Counseling and Psychological Services provides mental health treatment to students. Learn more about Counseling Services.

The Wichita State Police Department encourages all students, faculty, staff and visitors to remain safe while driving and walking across campus.

WSUPD offers the following safety tips to both drivers and pedestrians:

For drivers:

• Follow all traffic laws, including driving at or under speed limits and coming to a full stop at stop signs.
• Stop for all pedestrians and offer proper clearance for them to cross the road.
• Be vigilant when approaching intersections. Even if you have a green light, pedestrians may still be crossing.
• Be prepared for pedestrians to cross the road if you see them approaching a crosswalk. They may not give you adequate signals they will cross before doing so.
• Make sure to use your blinkers when making turns, and check that you don’t accidently have your blinker on when you don’t intend to turn.
• When making turns, make sure to check for pedestrians in front of you as well as where you are turning into.
• If you see a yellow light, slow down and proceed with caution when it is safe to do so. Pedestrians may start crossing as you pass through.
• Be extra vigilant when visibility is low, such as at night or in heavy rain, snow or fog.
• Consider using the Wichita State Transit buses when traffic is high or visibility is low, or when you have to drive a considerable distance across campus.

For pedestrians:

• Follow all traffic laws and traffic signals that tell you when and when not to cross.
• Always use marked crosswalks. Many drivers are not expecting pedestrians crossing elsewhere.
• Check for cars coming from both directions before you begin to cross the road.
• Remain vigilant for cars when crossing the road. Pedestrians have the right of way on roads, but drivers may not see you crossing in time to slow down.
• Make sure drivers coming from both directions have clear sight of you before you cross the road.
• When using a crosswalk, make it clear that you are about to cross before doing so to give drivers enough time to see you, slow down and let you through.
• If a driver has their car blinker on, make sure they are slowing down and completing the turn before crossing the road. They may have a malfunction or left it on by mistake and may not be turning.
• Be extra vigilant when visibility is low, such as at night or in heavy rain, snow or fog.
• Consider using the Wichita State Transit buses when traffic is high or visibility is low, or when you have to walk a considerable distance across campus.