Frequently Asked Questions
What is the relationship between Campus Safety and local police?
Haverford Campus Safety staff are not sworn police officers, do not have any police powers or authority, and are therefore not empowered to make arrests or to carry firearms. The police departments of Haverford and Lower Merion Townships have legal jurisdiction over their respective portions of campus (the campus spans both townships) and therefore carry a legal authority and responsibility to provide for public safety within Haverford College. Our working relationship with these departments (as well as Pennsylvania state and federal agencies) helps ensure a safe campus community in myriad ways.
With respect to police presence on campus, police arrive any time an ambulance is called. This is standard practice in all Pennsylvania jurisdictions. Police assistance is also critical with regard to trespass orders and Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders to ensure the safety of those directly affected.
What about alcohol, drugs, and firearms?
Haverford complies with all federal, state, and local laws, including those that regulate the possession, use, and sale of alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, and firearms.
Consult the question about fireworks, firearms, ammunition, weapons and explosives for further information.
Can Campus Safety staff make arrests?
Haverford Campus Safety staff are not empowered to make arrests. The Campus Safety Department maintains a working relationship with the police departments of Haverford and Lower Merion Townships, and cooperates with all Pennsylvania state and federal agencies.
Township police can (and do) arrest students for legal violations on campus, including underage drinking.
What are the "Blue Light" phones that I see around campus?
There are 43 blue light emergency telephones throughout the campus. Each provides an instant link with the Department – no dialing is required – and the dispatcher knows immediately where the call is coming from. An staff member is always dispatched, even if no words are spoken.
Can Campus Safety help with building access?
Members of the Campus Safety Department are responsible for locking and unlocking campus buildings according to the scheduled use of these buildings during the academic year, as well as for special events. Employees’ access to campus facilities is on an “as-needed” basis, and incorporates strict card access and key control procedures. Visitors to the campus seeking access to facilities must do so through an individual host, the sponsoring department, Campus Safety, or the Events Office.
During low-occupancy periods such as school breaks and vacations, the Campus Safety Department regularly checks and patrols the residence halls. During periods that buildings are not occupied, they are secured in such a manner that a student’s OneCard and key will not unlock the doors. Entrance to these specially secured buildings is by request to the Department, and upon proper identification only.
Access to Haverford’s residence facilities is limited to those with proper authorization. The Dean’s staff, employees of the Facilities Management, Housekeepers, and Campus Safety personnel may only enter individual rooms on specific business.
Card Access and privileges to academic areas such as labs are granted by the academic department heads and are maintained by Campus Safety.
Lab/Office keys are issued by Facilities Management (after approval by Campus Safety), but they may only be distributed upon the receipt of an official request form signed by the lab professor or department head. A key deposit fee of $25.00 will be billed to the student’s account. The key must be returned by the end of the academic year in order to have the deposit refunded.
How does the College promote fire safety?
This is a major concern and affects all members of the Haverford community. Each residence hall is equipped with automatic smoke detection systems that report to our office. In addition, each student’s room is equipped with a single station smoke detector and there are fire sprinkler systems in all residence halls. Fire Exit Drills are conducted in each residence hall so that students become familiar with proper building evacuation procedures.
Fire
When the building fire alarm system activates, occupants are required to leave the building immediately. A representative from Campus Safety will advise you when it is safe to return to the building.
The College is required by state law to keep fire alarm systems in operation at all times. Anyone who tampers with the system is subverting the law, putting other students in danger, and is violating College policy. These actions may result in the loss of College housing.
Cause of Fires
Fire can happen whenever combustible materials are brought to what is called 'kindling temperature'. Too often, fires start because we allow these conditions to exist through ignorance or inaction. That's why candles, hot plates, halogen bulbs, bare light bulbs, and large refrigerators (in dorms without kitchens) as well as large high-wattage electrical appliances are prohibited in College housing. Students must not overload electrical outlets with extension cords or gang electrical strips and may never crush plugs or wires against electrical outlets with beds or other furnishings, as these have been a source of serious college fires. An electrical fire can burn for hours unnoticed in the wall before breaking through and feeding on the oxygen and combustibles in the room. Only safe, low-wattage appliances may be used in College housing: shavers, lamps, radios, televisions, stereos, computers, electric blankets, thermostatically controlled coffee makers and the like.
Fire Prevention
If the detector in your room is chirping, it needs a new battery. Batteries are available from Campus Safety at any time. All public spaces in residence halls are equipped with smoke detectors and manual-pull stations, both of which set off the building alarms. These directly alert Campus Safety of the emergency. If the alarm in a student’s room is triggered, the building alarms will not activate until either the student uses the pull-station or the smoke from the student’s room activates a smoke alarm in the public halls. Haverford College has recently completed a project that installed automatic sprinklers in every dormitory, providing the highest level of life safety protection available.
What about fireworks, firearms, ammunition, weapons and explosives?
The possession, use, or distribution of fireworks, explosives, ammunition, firearms, and other weapons such as knives and swords is expressly prohibited by the College. A 'firearm is any device that will fire a projectile. This includes but is not limited to conventional firearms (devices using gunpowder), all types of air rifles, BB, pellet and dart guns, any slingshot devices, tasers or stun guns.
No knives of any kind, with the exception of knives specifically designated for preparing meals, are allowed on campus. This exception applies only to students off the full meal plan, who also live in one of the residential buildings with a kitchen (HCA, 710 College Ave, and the Ira DeA Reid House).
What if I'm locked out of my room?
Call Campus Safety at (610) 896-1111. A member of Campus Safety will unlock the room when their normal duties permit. Campus Safety will need to see both the student’s College ID (OneCard) and their College-issued room key if it was locked inside the room. If the student does not have the key, they must sign a lock-change form. If the key is found and brought to the Facilities Management Office before 12:00 p.m. (noon) the next business day the lock-change can be cancelled, otherwise the lock will be changed and the standard lock change fee will be charged to the student’s account. If a student’s class schedule prevents meeting this deadline, the student must call or email the Facilities Management Office, before noon, to set up an appointment to avoid paying this fee. Lockout fees are as follows: $10 for each lockout call even if the key is produced the next day; $125.00 if the lock needs to be rekeyed (ie. the key cannot be found).
Is there a Lost and Found?
Lost and Found is located at Campus Safety. To reclaim an item, you must be able to provide a good description of that item. If that item is not there, Campus Safety will file a report and keep an eye out for it. Thanks for bringing any apparently misplaced items to the office – its owner will appreciate it!
How do I file a missing-person report?
If you have reason to believe that a student or community member is missing – whether they reside on or off campus - contact Campus Safety immediately 610-896-1111 (or in person at Campus Safety) so that we can begin an investigation. (Students can also report missing persons to the Dean’s Office). Campus Safety will investigate reports and contact the Dean’s Office, Student Health Services and Counseling and Psychological Services. For International students, the Director of International Student Services will also be notified.
If Campus Safety determines that the student is missing and has been missing for more than 24 hours (or sooner if circumstances warrant it), Campus Safety will notify the Haverford Police Department and/or the Lower Merion Police Department no later than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing. We will also notify the student's designated contact person. If the missing student is under the age of 18, we will notify the student’s parent or legal guardian immediately after determining that the student has been missing for more than 24 hours.
What is a OneCard ID and how do I get one?
Access to residence areas and many academic areas requires an authenticated OneCard. Incoming first-year and new students are issued a student ID card (OneCard) that is programmed to admit them into their residence hall upon their arrival or during Non-Academic Registration. While the initial card is free, there is a fee for replacing a lost card ($15).
Students have 24-hour access to their dorm building, and reduced access hours to other residence halls. Access privileges to academic areas such as labs are granted by the academic department heads and administered by Campus Safety.
More information about the OneCard can be found at brynmawr.edu/inside/offices-services/onecard
What if I think a crime has occurred?
Students are expected to contact Campus Safety immediately if they witness or are subject to crimes against College property (burglary, vandalism), nonviolent crimes (theft and fraud), and violent crimes against persons involving assault and armed robbery. If the township police need to be contacted, Campus Safety will do so (although anyone is free to contact the police directly at 911).
A Campus Safety team member will be dispatched immediately in response to each complaint, and will evaluate the incident, take appropriate action, and notify the necessary authorities.
Call Campus Safety immediately if anyone talks about injuring someone or you witness violence or a threat of violence. The Campus SaVE Act (Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act) includes partner violence in the broader definition of violence. The term “intimate partner violence” is defined to mean “any physical, sexual, or psychological harm against an individual by a current or former partner or spouse of the individual”. This includes sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking.
In accordance with Pennsylvania’s College and University Security Information Act 73 of 1988, and with federal Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990, Haverford College provides information relating to crime statistics and security measures to prospective students, matriculated students, employees, or anyone who is interested. The Annual Security Report can be found at: https://www.haverford.edu/campus-safety/safety-information
In addition, the College’s Campus Safety Department submits an annual Uniform Crime Report to the Pennsylvania State Police. Crime statistics for the most recent three-year period, which reflect the incidents reported to the state police, are available upon request and are compiled according to Pennsylvania State Police requirements using the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting methods.
Any criminal conduct engaged in by an employee of the College is grounds for immediate suspension and/or discharge.
If I call Campus Safety about a student who is sick from alcohol or other drugs, will they or I be cited?
It is critically important to call for help whenever a student's health/life may be at risk, and that determination should be made by medical professionals. Neither the student who alerts us, (nor the student who has had too much to drink, will be cited when an ambulance is called for an alcohol poisoning) Not 100% guaranteed. Don't ever hesitate to call security if you suspect alcohol poisoning. Someone's life may literally be in your hands. Keep an eye on each other and when in doubt it is always best to get help.
Can I access a roof, even if it's just for sunbathing or on a dare?
Only College-authorized personnel are allowed on a roof or ledge of any campus buildings or structures. Failure to comply may jeopardize a student’s right either to remain in current College housing or to obtain such housing in the future. Other sanctions may also apply.
What can I expect in the way of privacy when it comes to search and seizure?
Campus Safety respects what is known as "a reasonable expectation of privacy". We will not enter a student’s room unless there is an invitation to enter or due to emergency circumstances (such as probable cause to believe a crime is being committed inside; possible fire; screams of distress; medical emergencies; danger to the community; checking on the well-being of a student, etc.). If Campus Safety is somewhere they have a right to be, evidence of a crime or anything in plain view that is contraband (that is, illegal or prohibited to possess) will be confiscated.
The College discourages students from bringing smoking devices into dorm rooms and apartments. Such items include, but are not limited to: pipes, water pipes, bongs, and hookahs. Although these devices are not, per se, illegal, the possession of paraphernalia in conjunction with drugs or drug residue is prohibited and such devices will be confiscated and destroyed.
Any safety tips for us?
We believe that the College is generally very safe. Campus Safety patrols 24 hours a day – even when we're sitting in a CS car, we're still patrolling! – but you can help stay safe by avoiding unlit areas of the campus at night. Whenever possible, avoid walking alone at night and when you do, walk purposefully, know where you are going, and be alert to your surroundings.
If you are concerned for your safety, Campus Safety can escort you to anywhere on campus. We will also meet concerned students at the Haverford or Ardmore SEPTA train stations (regional rail and trolley) after dark.
Lock all windows and doors when you leave your room; valuables have been stolen from unsecured rooms when students have ventured down the hall or to an adjacent suite.
Be especially careful to lock up your valuables. Campus activities draw students to central points, making empty dorms targets for thieves. Propped doors are an inviting sign to thieves and burglars.