Campus Safety and Security
Notifications in Case of an Emergency
In the event of a crisis at Western, the university will use every communication tool at its disposal to share information with the campus community as quickly as possible.
These include:
- The Western Home Page
- The WWU Emergency Communications web site
- and the Western Alert system which will send e-mail and text messages
Students and employees can help by logging into Web4U and making sure that their contact information is up-to-date. It is important that the university know your main phone numbers, including cell phones; it's also helpful for the university to have contact information for your family members in the event of emergency.
Emergency Preparedness
Lockdown Drill Orientation
Options for Consideration
Safety Escorts
- Safety escorts are available 24 hours a day, including holidays and weekends.
- Provides a walking escort to campus community members to all locations within Western's campus.
Safety Tips
- Report safety hazards, unsafe lighting, and defective equipment to Public Safety.
- Park in an area that will be well-lit after dark. Call 360-650-3555 for a safety escort to walk you to your car, residence hall or campus building at night.
- Leave nothing visible in your car, even if it is of no value.
- Do not leave wallets, purses, backpacks and other valuables unattended on campus, even inside your office.
- Keep your doors locked at home, in the residence hall and in your car.
- At home, develop a relationship with neighbors that will encourage regularly checking on one another.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Know where you are. Know where you are going and what to expect.
- Trust your instinct - if you feel uncomfortable in a situation or place, LEAVE!
- Avoid walking alone and let people know where you are going.
- Plan your walking trips in advance and choose a safe, well-lit, and populated route.
- Remember that most crimes occur in response to opportunities.
Emergency Phones and Call Boxes
In an emergency, you need immediate help—look for a blue light. The blue light identifies the location of an emergency telephone. Simply press the emergency phone button (no dialing is necessary) to be connected to the Western's Public Safety Dispatch office. Describe your emergency to the operator. Every call placed from a blue light phone is responded to by a police officer.
Learn the location of the campus Emergency Phones and Call Boxes along your route.
Emergency phones are also located at the main entrance to each Residence Hall.
Registered Sex Offenders
The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2000 is a federal law that provides for the tracking of registered sex offenders enrolled at or employed by institutions of higher education.
The law also requires institutions to issue a statement advising members of the campus community where they can find information on registered sex offenders who are enrolled at or employed by the university. You can obtain information regarding registered sex offenders by visiting the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office website or the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs website.
