Safety + Security

Campus security is responsible for the safety and security of students, university employees and campus property.

This service is provided 24 hours per day, 365 days per year by security professionals trained in first aid and CPR.

Services we provide:

Links

Security monitoring

Campus Security service has CPR and first aid qualified guards on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Guards patrol buildings and grounds throughout the day and evening on a regular and random basis. Also, Durham Regional Police Service randomly patrols the campus. Campus entrances are open from 7 a.m. to midnight Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Staff and students wishing to enter the campus outside these hours must show identification and a permit slip to the guard at the security desk in the Gordon Willey building. Also, any student, staff or faculty member working on campus after hours should sign in and out with the Work Alone program; Security will periodically check on these individuals. Security also requests that staff working at night keep watch and report unusual people or activities.

Security equipment

For your protection, surveillance cameras are located in buildings, on the grounds and along footpaths. High-level safety mirrors are also located in corridors to enable you to see what's around the corner.

Pay phones and emergency phones are on campus and in the parking lots at key locations. Students and staff are encouraged to learn where phones are located. For help, dial: 911 from any pay phone at no charge; 9.911 from any office phone; 905.721.8668 from any campus pay phone.

Blue call lights

Blue call lights are located in parking lots on campus for you security. These 9 foot poles with blue lights on top have instant contact with security. Once the button is pressed, the call instantly goes to the security desk and activates camera monitoring in your location.

Campus Walk service

The Campus Walk service is provided by trained student teams, who will, on request, provide accompaniment to students, staff or visitors to their car or residence or other campus locations during the weeknights. Campus Walk members are students who are employed and trained through student employment. All members work in pairs and can be identified by their vests with "Campus Walk" printed on the back. To request this service, contact the security guard at the Library, Gordon Willey building security desk or security office in the Whitby Campus or Downtown campus. In the Student Centre, contact any security person for an escort. If you live in residence, call 905.728.8700 to request an escort, or ask the guard on duty in the residence. You may also call the security desks directly to request to be met at a specific location by the Campus Walk team members.

Hours of operation from September to the end of April

Oshawa Main Campus:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday (7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.)

Wednesday and Friday (8:00 p.m. to midnight)

Downtown Campus:

Monday to Thursday (6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.)

Whitby Campus:

Monday to Thursday (6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.)

(This program is supported by the Ontario Work Study Program, the University Works Program and the Women's Campus Safety Grants.)

If you have any suggestions to improve campus safety, please emailsecurity@dc-uoit.ca.

Incident reporting

Students and staff should contact security to report any and all unsafe incidents that occur on campus. A report will be generated and security will evaluate the situation and contact the appropriate outside agency if needed. Security will also ensure that all required departments are notified of the incident.

Patrolling/ticketing parking lots

Patrolling and ticketing of vehicles on campus is done in conjunction with the parking office 24 hours per day. Vehicles parked without permits, or parked in no parking zones will be ticketed.

Welcome booths are staffed during regular business hours and attendants will direct you to appropriate parking lots.

Lost and found

A lost and found bin is located at the main reception desk Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and at the Security desk all other times. You must be able to clearly identify lost objects. At the end of each term, any unclaimed items will be given to a local charity.

Be safe tips

Campus Security Services support personal safety programs to help ensure your safety on campus. Below are some suggestions for safety on campus.

Safety in public places

Avoid walking alone and using shortcuts through unfamiliar, deserted areas
Look confident and be aware of your surroundings when walking alone
Travel in well-lit areas and away from bushes, doorways and buildings
If you have to stay late, move your car closer to a building and by a well-lit area
Have your keys ready so you can enter your car or residence quickly
Check in and under your vehicle before entering
Lock your car as soon as you enter or leave it
Keep windows and sunroof closed

Safety indoors

Be aware of your surroundings, particularly the general campus layout, exits, rooms and offices
Be alert in confined spaces such as washrooms and stairwells
Before you leave an area, check for strangers
Have a friend join you if you plan to stay late
Sign in with the Work Alone program; a security guard will periodically check with you
Be alert
Don't use headsets that distract you from paying attention to your surroundings
Use exits closest to your mode of transportation
Don't leave a purse, computer or other possession out of your sight, even for a short time; mark personal items with your initials or student number
Don't give your locker combination to others, and always spin your lock past the last number

Personal safety

Be responsible
Know how and where to get help
If you're on campus late, request an escort to your vehicle or residence through our Safewalk program
Travel with crowds or an individual you know
Report strange incidents or suspicious behaviour; for example, if someone is loitering near your vehicle, leave immediately and contact Security at 905.721.8668 ext. 2400
Trust your instincts
Use common sense

Open fires

Open fires on or around campus are dangerous and prohibited by the Ontario Fire Code and a City of Oshawa bylaw.

Storm water management ponds

There are three storm water management ponds and a river on the north Oshawa location. Entry or use of these ponds is prohibited.

During the spring season, the rivers swell from melted snow and rain causing the river banks to become soft. This may cause the river banks to collapse.

Running safety

Run with a friend or in a group
If you run alone, let someone know the time and route of your run
Plan your route carefully, use familiar routes and avoid poorly lit or deserted areas
Familiarize yourself with emergency phones, pay phones, populated areas and businesses along your route
Always carry ID, your medic alert ID (if applicable) and emergency cab or bus fare

If you think you're being followed

Look behind you
Go to the nearest well-lit, populated area
Vary your speed and change direction
Attract attention
Call 911
Report suspicious people or incidents to Security at. 905.721.8668, ext. 2400

Preventing assault

Never risk personal injury to protect property or personal belongings
Never admit you are alone, either in person or on the phone; mention that someone else is present
Wait in well-lit areas for public transit and sit near the driver.
Be alert to others watching you and keep your distance
Refuse to give your name, address or phone number to strangers, unless for legitimate purposes
Trust your instincts
If you feel at risk, take action

If assault occurs

Call the police as soon as possible (dial 911; 9.911 on internal campus phones)
Contact security at 905.721.8668 ext. 2400
Ask any staff member for help
Record as much identification and details about the suspect as soon as possible

Sexual assault

Sexual assault is any unwanted act of a sexual nature, verbal or physical, imposed by one person upon another. It is a crime regardless of where you are, what you wear or what you consume. Those who commit the assault are responsible for the crime.

If you are sexually assaulted:

Call police as soon as possible (dial 911; 9.911 on internal campus phones)
Contact security at 905.721.8668 ext. 2400
Get assistance from someone you trust and with whom you feel comfortable

For assistance, in addition to security staff, you can speak to:

A qualified, on-campus counsellor at 905.721.8668 ext. 2484 or 2539
The health nurse at 905.721.3037 or go to room G127, Gordon Willey building

Assistance is also available from:

The Durham Region Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Care Centre at 905.668.3050
The Rape Crisis Centre at 905.668.9200
Lakeridge Health Corporation (formerly Oshawa General Hospital at 905.576.8711

(The above information about specific safety situations was published with support from a Ministry of Education and Training campus safety grant.)

Contact Information

Security office

UOIT
Gordon Willey Building
(Security desk is adjacent to main entrance reception desk)
2000 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
L1H 7K4
905.721.8668 ext. 2400