San Francisco State University is a community of more than 25,000 students located in the city and county of San Francisco. As part of that larger community, the university shares many of the same interests and problems, including the concern about crime. Crime is a national problem that also affects the residential area surrounding San Francisco State University.
Although the university has been fortunate in not experiencing a significant number of rapes, assaults, burglaries, and acts of criminal trespass in the past, it would not be honest to state that such incidents have not taken place. They have. To prevent such incidents, a competent residence life staff, a professionally-trained university police force, and the students themselves are responsible for a number of measures to ensure that the students and their possessions are protected as much as possible.
Access to university housing facilities is limited, however, to residents, escorted guests and university staff. Entry is monitored on a 24-hour basis through a combination of cardkey, security systems, door prop alarms, and on-duty Residence Life personnel.
University police enforce laws regulating under-age drinking, the use of controlled substances, and weapons. Alcoholic beverages are permitted within strict guidelines in campus housing and other designated university facilities. Illegal drugs are strictly prohibited, and violators are subject to university discipline, criminal prosecution, and removal from university housing. Firearms and other dangerous weapons of any kind are not permitted in the residence halls, apartments, or on campus. Intentional use, possession, or sale of firearms or other dangerous weapons by students is strictly forbidden on campus.
Potential criminal actions and other emergencies on campus can be reported directly by students, faculty members, or employees to the university police by dialing 9-1-1 or campus extension 2222. Upon receipt of the call, the university police are dispatched immediately to the site of the complaint and have the authority to make arrests if necessary.
As part of the programs sponsored by Student Services, by Housing and Residential Services, and by other university organizations, the university police hold sessions each semester on topics including personal safety awareness and security, rape prevention, and the prevention of burglary and vandalism. Workshops, group presentations, and written materials are provided to on campus housing residents each semester, focusing on community responsibilities and needs within the student living environment. Information on safety and security is provided to students and employees regularly through seminars, films, bulletins, crime alerts, posters, brochures, and university student newspapers.
The Facilities Operations Department maintains the university buildings and grounds with a concern for safety and security. Campus facilities are inspected regularly and repairs affecting safety and security, such as broken windows, locks, and trimming shrubbery are made promptly.
The university campus is well lighted, and further lighting improvements are constantly being evaluated, which include the placement of high intensity sodium vapor lights on buildings, in parking lot areas, in areas with heavy landscaping and trees, and along pathways frequently traveled by students. Complimentary campus telephone service is provided in every residence hall student room. Outdoor courtesy telephones are located at the entrances of all university housing facilities and at many locations throughout the campus. Additional emergency telephones are provided at numerous locations, and are connected directly to the university Police Department.
All residence life staff members undergo comprehensive training each semester for both prevention and response regarding safety and security issues. As part of their responsibility for campus security, both student and professional staff participate in lectures and seminars associated with topics such as substance abuse, prevention of sexual assault, and community security. Professional residence directors and student resident assistants, who are all members of the university Housing and Residential Services staff, live on campus and provide 24-hour staff coverage. Entrances to all campus housing facilities are staffed and locked or monitored on a 24-hour basis. Student staff members provide evening rounds and enforce guest registration and escorts after 8:00 p.m.
Off-campus housing options include apartments, individual homes, individual rooms in private homes, and fraternity houses. The university does not operate or provide supervision for off-campus housing.
Students who live on campus are expected to take responsibility for their own safety and for the residential community in which they live. University police provide an escort service every evening, coordinate campus bicycle registration, and offer engraving instruments to identify personal property. Student room doors should be locked at night and when the room is not occupied. Residents with automobiles may park them in the parking garage (Lot 20) after purchasing a semester permit. Most importantly, residents are reminded to observe building security procedures and to notify residence life staff or the university Police Department of any unfamiliar faces or unusual incidents within the residence halls or apartments.
Crimes 1991 1992 Homicide 0 0 Rape 1 1 Robbery 3 2 Assault 30 23 Burglary 25 34 Vehicle Theft 97 82 Arrests Liquor Law 1 5 Drugs 5 6 Weapons 0 4
last modified August 3, 1995