Exterior Emergency Telephones

The university has a large number of exterior emergency telephones on campus, given the relatively safety of the campus and surrounding neighborhoods. Western's exterior emergency telephones are all identified by a blue light at night.

All phones have a one-button connection directly to the University Police dispatcher. Follow this link to a University Police description of the phones and a map showing locations.

The phones are available in the rare event of a crime. They can be used more generally to request an escort, or to summon help for vehicular problems such as a flat tire or being locked out.

In 2001, students participated with many administrative departments and governance units in a 'lighting walk' of the campus hosted by the Central Health and Safety Committee. The primary purpose of several days of walking was to identify areas needing additional lighting. Locations for additional exterior emergency telephones were identified as well.

Several additional telephones were installed in 2003.

In addition to exterior emergency telephones, speaker phones are located on the exteriors of many residence halls near entrances and at several loading docks. These telephones are generally used for access purposes. Nearly all phones include a red emergency call button, which connects directly to the University Police dispatcher. These telephones may be used to request an escort or to summon assistance with vehicular problems.

Interior Emergency Telephones

A number of Western's academic buildings have emergency telephones with direct connections to the University Police dispatcher. The Ending Violence Against Women Grant funded several interior emergency telephones in 2002.

All interior emergency telephones may be used in the rare event of a crime, and can also be used to call for an escort or other less difficult situations. Telephones without handsets are operated by pressing the emergency call button.