F.A.Q.'s

What are UPD's hours?

UPD is always open: 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Does UPD unlock buildings?

No: During business hours (Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm), contact Plant Operations to unlock a building: 826-3646.

Yes: During non-business hours, an officer will respond to an unlock request when they are available. Our officers may be responding to an emergency, so please be patient.

Can I call UPD for a department phone number?

No: Our Dispatchers need to be available for emergencies. Use the A-Z Index online, or call the campus operator. Off-campus: 826-3011. On-campus: 0 or 3011.

Does UPD issue Keys and Access Cards?

No: Plant Operations is responsible for issuing and recording the issuance of all University keys and access cards: 826-3646. The Housing Office in the Jolly Giant Commons handles these responsibilities in the residence halls: 826-3451.

Do students work at UPD?

Yes: The department has paid, part-time student-assistant Parking Compliance Officers, Campus Door Closers, and Parking Information Services Associates. All majors and career interests are welcome to apply.

Does UPD have a ride-along program?

Yes: Ride-alongs are generally reserved for people within the police academy, potential applicants, students enrolled in criminal justice courses at HSU, and students who may be interested in a law enforcement career. We have a ride along application that is to be completed prior to scheduling any ride-alongs.

Where can I find information about Parking?

Please visit the Parking website for answers to your Parking questions.

Where can I find crime statistics information?

There are different statistical reports required by law and by California State University policy. The Humboldt State University Police Department is required to report crimes monthly to the state Department of Justice, and annually to the California State University Chancellor's Office and the Department of Education.

Additionally, UPD annually publishes the Humboldt State University Annual Security Report to comply with the Jeanne Clery Act and can be viewed on our Clery Report webpage.

For more information contact our Records Supervisor.

Can I possess or smoke "medical" marijuana on campus?

No: The CSU directs all 23 campuses to follow the federal law which does not recognize or permit "medical marijuana" under California's Proposition 215. Anything less than a total ban on all marijuana on campus could jeopardize HSU's federal funding, including many types of financial aid to our students.

If you are a "medical" marijuana user, you must store and use your marijuana off-campus. Anyone who possesses or uses marijuana at HSU will be cited and have their marijuana and paraphernalia seized as evidence.

What is the difference between HSU police officers and other law enforcement officers?

California State University police officers are regular state-certified peace officers, with all the training, certification, and authority that a City police officer or County Sheriff might have. This includes patrolling, making traffic stops, responding to crimes in progress, conducting investigations, writing citations, detaining and arresting violators, etc. At Humboldt, as a service-oriented department, our officers assist people with a variety of non-criminal calls on campus, and are also first responders to medical, rescue, and fire emergencies.

University police also possess special authority to initiate sanctions against persons interfering with HSU's academic mission, including ordering dangerous or disruptive persons off-campus, and reporting violations of the Student Code of Conduct to the Dean of Students.

Where does UPD's legal authority come from?

University police are empowered with legal authority as state peace officers and HSU staff members through the California Penal Code, the California Education Code, and the California Code of Regulations. University police at Humboldt and every other CSU campus are armed when on duty, in accordance with Chancellor's statewide directives first issued in 1975.

What is UPD's patrol area, and what authority does UPD have off-campus?

The primary duty area for HSU police is the main campus and the area within one mile of the campus (includes all of Westwood, Sunset, Northtown, Plaza/Downtown, and much of east Arcata and the Community Forest). Humboldt's officers are most often seen on the main campus and in central Arcata, but UPD authority can extend to the Marine Lab in Trinidad, the Observatory on Fickle Hill Rd, the Aquatics Center in Eureka, or anyplace in the State that the officers' duties take them.

Why do I see University Police with Arcata Police so often?

Because so many students, staff, and faculty live, shop, and recreate in the area immediately around the campus, the University does what it can to make that area as safe for our community as we can. This includes helping APD whenever UPD can, especially when APD does not have enough available resources to handle all the demands for service they might receive. In return, APD is always ready to go the extra mile to help HSU with an emergency situation on campus, a missing student in the forest, a serious crime investigation involving a student victim, etc. We regularly meet to train together, improve our operational relationships, and share valuable information about crimes, crime trends, and violators on and off-campus that could pose safety concerns to the larger community.

What is CERT?

CERT is Humboldt State University's Campus Emergency Response Team, comprised of trained volunteer staff, faculty & students from many different departments and divisions. CERT members are trained to provide assistance to local fire and police departments in emergency situations. Visit the CERT website for more information.

What happens when there is an emergency situation on campus?

Humboldt State University has multiple ways to communicate emergency information:

• Posting information to the HSU homepage
• Ringing the bell tower
• Utilizing our Emergency Loudspeaker System
• Posting signs at campus entrances
• Sending text messages (only if the emergency affects the whole campus). To sign up to receive these you can follow the instructions on the emergency FAQ page.
• Broadcasting on KHSU 90.5 FM radio
• Updating the recording to 826-INFO
• Posting to HSU's FaceBook and Twitter page

What weapons are prohibited on campus?

Firearms, ammunition, switch-blade knives, dirks, daggers (knives with more than one edge sharpened), ice picks, non-folding knives with fixed blades longer than 2½”, bows & arrows*, swords*, nunchaku, metal knuckles, belt buckle knives, billy clubs, slingshots, air-powered (airsoft) replica guns, BB devices/guns, spot markers or paintball guns, laser guns, stun guns, Tasers®, and less lethal weapons.

*except for authorized HSU classes & recognized official HSU clubs. Arrows and swords may not be stored in HSU’s residence halls.

 

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