Residence Halls Security Policies

Holy Family University has co-education residence halls, each with 24-hour visitation.

Resident directors, assistants, and all other members of the University's residence life staff live in the residence halls and are on call 24 hours a day. All residence life staff members receive training in enforcing residence-hall security policies. Desk assistants and public safety officers are assigned to the desk at the main entrance of each residence. Residents are expected to cooperate fully with the desk assistant/public safety officer in the discharge of his or her duties.

Desk assistants/public safety officers are responsible for controlling access to and egress from the building through the front doors and for checking students' University ID cards before admitting students into the building.

The desk assistant/public safety officer will also assist residents in registering guests. The resident is responsible for escorting guests at all times while they are in the residence hall and for explaining University housing rules and regulations to each guest.

Each resident is issued a key or ID that will open his or her room. If a key or ID is lost, a lock change is ordered and a new key is issued.

Most University housing facilities are closed and locked during official vacation and break periods. During these times, residents are encouraged to take all valuables with them. Students who remain during these periods are given temporary residence in a designated residence hall, which will remain open and accessible during breaks.

University residence halls have such fire safety features as smoke detectors, alarmed fire-exit doors, fire extinguishers, and fire-exit doors. Tampering with fire safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers, fire hoses, alarm pull stations, smoke detectors, heat sensors, or a sprinkler, is prohibited. Making a false fire report, fire warning, or threat of fire by any means of communication is prohibited.

Throughout the year, members of the Public Safety staff speak to residents on topics including sexual assault, date rape, theft prevention, personal safety, victim services, and alcohol and drug awareness.