Emergencies and FAQs

Emergency Information

Emergency Communication Information Brochure (PDF)

Call 911 to report an emergency, or from a cell phone call 530-752-1230. For status of an emergency, call 530-752-4000.

�ٺ��Ƶ WarnMe and Aggie Alert

�ٺ��Ƶ WarnMe and Aggie Alert provide faculty, staff, students and other subscribers with timely information and instructions during emergencies or other urgent situations that may directly affect their well-being.

At �ٺ��Ƶ, the safety of the entire university community — students, staff, faculty and visitors — is a top priority. The university has a comprehensive emergency management program and its own full-service police and fire departments.

Emergency preparedness and response

Other emergency help

: 530-752-1655
: 530-752-1566
�ٺ��Ƶ News and Media Relations: 530-752-1930

Personal safety

Campus intervention programs

: 530-752-3299
- CARE is nationally recognized for its work to reduce incidents of sexual assault and serve survivors.
: 530-752-1128
: 530-752-3383
: (530) 754-3434
- Health 34 is a team of healthcare educators and providers who deliver free, nonemergency support and service navigation for mental health and basic medical care on the campus.

Campus health and counseling services

: 530-752-2349
- SHCS provides medical and , and the university has special teams that intervene with troubled or troubling students and employees before situations escalate.
: 530-752-6051
- Occupational Health Services is a campus-based medical clinic that offers treatment for work-related injuries and illness, work-related preventive medicine and injury and illness prevention services, and OSHA- and departmentally-mandated medical surveillance programs.
: 530-752-2727
- ASAP offers confidential and free assessment, intervention, consultation and referral services to all �ٺ��Ƶ faculty, staff and their immediate families.

Community services

Emergency Notifications

Notifications and Information About Emergencies

�ٺ��Ƶ is prepared to meet the need for urgent communication as part of its comprehensive emergency management program. We have multiple ways to distribute life-saving and other important information in major emergencies.

Be prepared to play your part. Familiarize yourself with these communication methods. For those that require your contact information in advance, sign up now.

Notifications for emergencies and other incidents

�ٺ��Ƶ uses �ٺ��Ƶ WarnMe and Aggie Alert messages to provide faculty, staff, students and other subscribers with timely information during emergencies and other events. To learn more about the services and provide contact information, visit .

Internet

University homepage

�ٺ��Ƶ posts information about major campus emergencies and other news on the . News can also be found on the �ٺ��Ƶ News and Information page.

Social Media

�ٺ��Ƶ posts emergency information to its main and accounts.

Telephone

Emergency Status Line: 530-752-4000

The campus Emergency Status Line provides callers with a recorded telephone message about the status of the campus in an emergency. In the event of an emergency, the recording indicates the emergency’s nature, brief instructions and another source of information, such as the �ٺ��Ƶ homepage. Callers dial 530-752-4000.

News media

KFBK (1530 AM, 93.1 FM) and other news media

�ٺ��Ƶ works directly with the news media to broadly disseminate information about emergencies and provide direction to students, employees and others. KFBK in Sacramento is the designated station for initiating broadcast of Emergency Alert System messages for several Northern California counties. The station has a large coverage area and offers live audio streaming on the .

Campus Safety And Managing Emergencies FAQs

Alerts and Notifications

How does �ٺ��Ƶ notify the campus about emergencies?

provides faculty, staff, students and other subscribers with timely information and instructions during emergencies or other urgent situations that may directly affect their well-being. The system sends messages to the university community by email, text message, and the Everbridge Mobile App. It also posts life-safety messages automatically to the main and . The system complements other �ٺ��Ƶ communications including use of the Web and news media.

What is the campus Emergency Status Line? How do I reach it?

The campus Emergency Status Line provides callers with a recorded telephone message about the status of the campus in an emergency. In the event of an emergency, the recording indicates its nature, brief instructions and another source of information. Callers dial 530-752-4000.

When a student has a problem at school, under which circumstances will �ٺ��Ƶ contact the parents?

Under university policy and federal and state law, students have privacy rights. There is no general exception for notifying parents unless the student has given written consent, or there is a serious concern about the health and welfare of the student. Exceptions may include transportation to the hospital for alcohol poisoning. But campus officials can only make that call if they know about the incident. If the situation doesn’t come to the attention of the campus for several days, and a student is no longer in immediate danger, parents may not be contacted.

Campus officials will usually contact parents if a student threatens or attempts suicide. If a student is removed from residence halls for misconduct and the student has nowhere to go, parents may also be notified.

Why can’t I access my student’s records?

Federal regulations protect the privacy of student medical and educational records. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, sets safeguards around personal health information in the United States. While students can access their own health records, �ٺ��Ƶ cannot disclose information from health records to other individuals, even family members, without written authorization from the student. However, in a health or safety emergency, the university may share information with other people to protect the health or safety of the student or others.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, puts similar measures in place for all records, including academic grades and health records, directly related to students. Like HIPAA, FERPA requires all public universities to obtain explicit, signed consent from the student for most disclosures of identifiable information from his or her educational record. Although parents have special rights under FERPA for K-12 education, the rights previously held by parents and guardians are transferred to the student upon enrollment in a �ٺ��Ƶ academic program. Some information — such as a student’s major, dates of attendance and degree awarded — is considered public and can be disclosed unless the student has designated themselves “all records confidential.” A student’s telephone number and email address may be released unless the student has designated the record as “directory confidential.” For medical interns, less information is considered public.

Emergency Management

How is the campus prepared for emergencies?

�ٺ��Ƶ has a comprehensive emergency management program under the guidance of a full-time emergency planner. It includes a formal emergency operations plan for preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies. �ٺ��Ƶ uses an emergency operations center to coordinate response to major emergencies, and trained employees staff the center. �ٺ��Ƶ regularly conducts training sessions and emergency exercises. �ٺ��Ƶ is part of a regional emergency management system, and it is in compliance with state and federal standards for managing emergencies.

How is �ٺ��Ƶ served by police and fire?

�ٺ��Ƶ has its own full-service police and fire departments located on campus. The �ٺ��Ƶ Police Department is a state police agency that provides patrol, investigative and crime prevention services on the Davis and Sacramento campuses. The department’s jurisdiction extends one mile around the campus boundaries and to all facilities administered by �ٺ��Ƶ. The department has its main station on the Davis campus and one at the Sacramento campus.

The �ٺ��Ƶ Fire Department is responsible for fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response and rescue on the main campus in Davis. �ٺ��Ƶ also has automatic-aid agreements with local cities through which equipment and firefighters are automatically dispatched for certain incidents.

How does �ٺ��Ƶ handle campus closure?

�ٺ��Ƶ policy provides for any temporary change to the status of campus operations due to an emergency event or hazardous condition. The campus may reduce or suspend non-critical functions and services or close facilities at one or more locations. Certain critical functions and services will be maintained to ensure the health and safety of the campus community and the operation of critical facilities, infrastructure and programs (e.g. healthcare and patient care, public safety functions, building maintenance, student housing and dining, and care of animals). �ٺ��Ƶ maintains a website with , and there are .

How does �ٺ��Ƶ respond to wildfire smoke events?

During a wildfire smoke event, �ٺ��Ƶ makes decisions informed by public health best practices and scientific research. Based on recommendations from a UC systemwide review of air quality protocols, �ٺ��Ƶ has adopted a decision matrix and uses the U.S. EPA’s AirNow Current Conditions AQI as its official source of air quality data. The matrix outlines required and recommended actions regarding campus closure, , athletic events, and other operational considerations. �ٺ��Ƶ’ plan also addresses the maintenance of HVAC systems in campus buildings and accommodations for outdoor workers at different levels of air quality. �ٺ��Ƶ maintains a website with .

Is �ٺ��Ƶ prepared to deal with a shooter on campus?

It’s something we hope doesn’t happen here, but we know it could. Since the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007, all �ٺ��Ƶ police officers have completed training in active shooter/rapid response and related equipment has been purchased. While it was once standard for law enforcement to set up a perimeter and wait for a specially trained and equipped SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team to arrive, the active shooter procedures call for teams of trained officers to move in immediately and neutralize the shooter. The department holds training sessions to help members of the campus community to think ahead and learn strategies to increase the likelihood of surviving a shooting incident.

Crime Prevention and Risk Reduction

How does �ٺ��Ƶ help the community prevent crime?

The �ٺ��Ƶ Police Department works to reduce crime through community education. It provides crime prevention resources including written guidelines and tip sheets as well as presentations on topics such as personal safety, office and facility security, workplace violence, suspicious package recognition and others as requested.

All students are encouraged to take precautions for their personal safety and attend presentations on personal safety and security that are offered in the residence halls. Members of the campus community should also protect their personal property by registering their bikes, locking computers to their desk, and engraving valuables with their student identification or driver’s license number.

How does �ٺ��Ƶ help reduce incidents of sexual assault and serve survivors?

Established in 1979, the (CARE) is the on-campus, confidential resource for students, staff and faculty who have experienced any form of sexual violence, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, domestic or dating violence, and stalking. It provides 24/7 emergency response, crisis intervention and support services. It also offers support and guidance to family members, friends and others concerned about the survivor. CARE also works to reduce sexual violence through primary prevention, education and awareness.

Does �ٺ��Ƶ offer self-defense classes?

Campus Recreation offers , and the �ٺ��Ƶ Police Department offers .

What does �ٺ��Ƶ do about hazing?

�ٺ��Ƶ is committed to ending hazing on our campus. Hazing is taken extremely seriously, and there are university policies and processes in place to address hazing incidents when they occur. Campus policy encourages and empowers anyone who has witnessed hazing, been hazed or suspects that someone they know has been hazed to report this to a university official. A offers information about hazing, how to report incidents, support services, and ideas for positive ways to bring groups together.

Safety in Residence Halls

What kind of security does �ٺ��Ƶ have in the residence halls?

Residence halls are locked 24 hours a day and feature an electronic key-card access system for exterior entrances. Access is limited to the residents of the hall and their invited guests so that the resident community collectively controls and limits access to their building. Video cameras are located at most entry points, bike parking locations and certain other areas. Each bedroom has its own dead bolt lock and a peephole in the door, and first-floor bedrooms have window security screens. The residence halls have live-in resident advisers, and someone is on call at all times.

All of our residence halls are equipped with sprinkler systems. Two full-time staff are dedicated to testing and maintaining fire alarm systems, smoke and heat detectors and fire extinguishers.

Alcohol and Other Drugs

What is �ٺ��Ƶ doing to prevent problems related to alcohol and other drugs?

For years, �ٺ��Ƶ has had campus policies and programs to address the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs among its students. Efforts include policy development, educational programming, intervention and enforcement. The campuswide effort includes, among others, , , and the .

The university facilitates the Davis Alcohol and Other Drug Advisory Group. The group examines issues affecting youth and their families and develops, promotes and supports university and community policies and educational strategies that prevent or reduce alcohol and drug abuse and its consequences.

Does �ٺ��Ƶ have a medical amnesty protocol?

is the �ٺ��Ƶ medical amnesty protocol that allows students to call for medical help without fear of disciplinary action from the university in situations involving drugs or alcohol. The protocol is available to students as long as they have not concurrently committed other Student Conduct Code violations and have not used the protocol within two years. Instead of having a disciplinary file opened, a student using the protocol must complete an assigned activity related to drug or alcohol education.

A lot of college students run into problems at parties. How is �ٺ��Ƶ addressing that?

The works to create safer party environments by building a closer sense of community between students and neighbors, promoting safety at parties, and increasing enforcement of alcohol-related laws and policies. This initiative is a collaboration of the city of Davis and �ٺ��Ƶ.

Does �ٺ��Ƶ have an office devoted to prevention of problems related to alcohol and other drug use?

Established in 1990, offers educational programs, employs strategies to create safer environments and provides resources and referrals for treatment. As part of the Health Education and Promotion program, the program aims to reduce alcohol and other drug-related barriers to academic and social development.

Mental Health Issues

What services does �ٺ��Ƶ have for students with mental health problems?

offers confidential and free assessment, intervention and referral for students, and consultation and crisis response for employees, students and parents. Other programs — including new faculty orientation, conferences and workshops — provide guidance in identifying and responding to distressed or distressing students.

What mental health services are available for students outside regular business hours?

After-hours counseling services consultations are available to �ٺ��Ƶ students or others (e.g., friends, family members, staff, faculty) concerned about a �ٺ��Ƶ student for psychological crisis assessment, consultation and intervention during evening and weekend hours and on holidays when is closed. Those seeking this service can call 530-752-2349 and follow the automated menu (press #1 then #5) for assistance connecting with a live counselor.

Where can faculty and staff find resources to help a distressed student?

�ٺ��Ƶ’ acts as a quick-reference guide that faculty and staff can use during interactions with students who display distress or distressing behavior. The Red Folder lists emergency and non-emergency contact information as well as specialized resources for a variety of scenarios. The goal of the guide is to promote safe, sensitive and collaborative responses to support students in crisis.

What does �ٺ��Ƶ do in the case of a student death?

�ٺ��Ƶ has guidelines that emphasize family, student and community support in the case of a sudden student death. The plan, called “,” aims to provide sensitive support and communication to students, family, and the campus community at large in a way that limits the risk of additional events like suicides. �ٺ��Ƶ provides staff and faculty with resources and recommendations to aid them in communicating with students throughout their grieving process. Our guidelines address the availability and coordination of memorial services and counseling for friends and family, and they outline how academic accommodations can be made for grieving students.

What kinds of counseling services are available to employees?

The offers confidential and free assessment, counseling, consultation and referral services to all �ٺ��Ƶ and �ٺ��Ƶ Health faculty, staff and families. The assistance program helps with problems whether they are work-related or personal, administrative or individual, or career or relationship focused.

When additional resources are needed, we can link you to appropriate services in your community. If you are concerned about a friend, colleague, co-worker, subordinate or work group, we can help you. Our goal is to help at the earliest possible moment.

: 530-752-2727

916-734-2727

How does �ٺ��Ƶ deal with students or employees whose problems might get out of hand?

At �ٺ��Ƶ, the Student Crisis Response Team provides immediate and comprehensive response to situations that involve disruption, intimidation or violence. The team develops and implements strategic interventions and helps manage ongoing problems. Related services include the and .

Crime Statistics

Does �ٺ��Ƶ publish crime statistics?

The �ٺ��Ƶ Police Department has a .

Among other information, the department publishes online:

The provides information about safety and security policies implemented to protect the welfare of the campus community and statistics for crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings; and property owned, leased or controlled by the university.

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