Campus Facilities Safety
Except for residence halls, most college facilities (academic, administrative, and recreational) are open to all students, faculty, and staff during the day and evening hours when classes are in session.
The general public may enter a limited number of facilities during certain hours, are subject to certain conditions, and may attend cultural and athletic events with access limited to the facility in which the event is being held. During the times the college is officially closed, college buildings (except those housing administrative offices) are generally locked to all except faculty, staff, and designated students, with proper identification.
All residence halls are secured 24 hours a day. Access is controlled through an electronic card-access system, which affords access to all students. Some faculty and staff members have access on an as-needed basis. Each student’s card is uniquely coded, allowing lost/stolen cards to be programmed out of the system for security purposes. Students are encouraged to maintain a secure residence hall by not propping exterior access doors, reporting persons with whom they are not acquainted in their residence hall, and by locking individual room doors while away or asleep. Apartment-style housing units are secured with key locks. Keys are prohibited from being duplicated and residents are responsible for securing their houses and reporting lost keys.
A sophisticated computer-based, life-safety system located in the campus safety office constantly monitors a network of intrusion-detection and fire-safety alarms throughout the campus. Other systems, including mechanical, heating, ventilation, and environmental conditions, in sensitive environments and mechanical spaces, also report alarms to the campus safety office. Additionally the emergency telephones report to the campus safety office.
The college’s security systems, including the fire alarm, electronic card access, intrusion detection, and emergency telephone systems, are inspected and tested by the staffs of the campus safety office, facilities operations office, and Tyco/Fire and Security, Simplex/Grinnell. Any discrepancies or malfunctions are given priority for repair. Oberlin employs a full-time locksmith, who maintains and repairs all security locking hardware.
Consideration is given to the public safety and security of the community when lighting, landscaping, and grounds maintenance are planned. Particular attention is given to minimal screening by shrubs and trees in pedestrian walkways. The campus safety office participates in the planning stages of design and construction of new and renovated college facilities with respect to physical security, locking hardware, and electronic life-safety systems.