Campus phones have "966" pre-dialed, so you only need to enter the last four digits of any of the above numbers.
For major emergencies, dial 911, or 9-911 from a campus phone.
Employees, faculty, and students are entitled to work and study in a safe environment. Violence, threats, harassment, intimidation, and other disruptive behaviors are not tolerated. We recognize that violence often begins with harassing acts or disruptive behaviors that can then escalate into threats to personal security.
Do not ignore situations that feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Do not second-guess how you are feeling. Do not let it escalate. Do not put yourself or others at risk because you do not want others to think you are overreacting to a situation or cannot handle a situation. Your safety, as well as the safety of those around you, should be your top priority.
Protective Services provides the University of Saskatchewan with a sense of security and safety. Their staff and peace officers are trained to help staff and students handle difficult and sometimes threatening situations. They patrol campus on foot, on bike, and in marked vehicles 24/7. Protective Services keeps records of incidents and misbehaving people on campus, so it's important to report threats to safety so they have that knowledge to help prevent future situations. Furthermore, they want students and staff to be cautious and call, rather than hesitate and potentially be unsafe. Dismissing or minimizing incidents may cause the situation to escalate and put individuals, including yourself, at a higher risk.
When you call Protective Services, a dispatcher answers and asks for information, such as the nature of the problem, your location, and if the situation is an emergency. The dispatcher will inform you how soon to expect the peace officers. You may be given instructions and it is important to follow them. Do not hang up unless instructed to do so.
In the case of an emergency, a tutor can approach library desks, which have panic buttons that are wired into the dispatcher's system. When pressed, the dispatcher will immediately send officers to that specific library desk. This is considered an emergency situation. At the Murray Library, one will be installed at the Ask Us Desk on the 1st floor.
Peace officers are very professional and approachable as well as discreet. They will talk to you, and possibly your supervisor, regarding the incident. They will also talk to the misbehaving person and if necessary, escort them off-campus.
Protective Services can be reached 24/7 at 5555 from a campus phone, 306-966-5555, or by email.
Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Services (DHPS) provide students, staff, and faculty with information and resources to help address instances of harassment and safety issues in the university setting. Their website describes what is and is not harassment as well as provides instructions and links to report harassment to the Harassment Prevention Office. DHPS offers confidential consultations and support should you choose to file a complaint. They are committed to creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone and foster trust and understanding with those who come to them.
Harassment Prevention Office can be reached at 4936 from a campus phone, 306-966-4936, or by email.
Safewalk is a free service offered by the University of Saskatchewan Students' Union and Protective Services for students, staff, faculty, and campus visitors all year round (hours may vary). During the school year, between approximately 8:30 pm to 1:00 am, student volunteers can escort you to your car, bus stop, or even your home (provided it's within a 30 minute radius of campus). When student volunteers are unavailable and during the spring and summer months, Protective Services provides walking escorts.
When you call for a Safewalk, the dispatcher will ask for your first name, a pick-up location and time, and destination. You can also call in advanced to book a walking escort for a different time. There are also patrolling teams on campus that can accompany you if you run into them.
You can arrange a student volunteer to meet you by calling SAFE (7233) from a campus phone or 306-966-SAFE (7233).
Your supervisor is here to help and support you. Reporting an incident ensures that, if necessary, vital information can be passed to the appropriate people, such as library staff, other tutors, and/or Protective Services. You are not only protecting yourself, but also others when you report the incident to your supervisor. Do not feel you are escalating the situation by talking to your supervisor or documenting it.
If the incident is not a security issue:
If the incident is a security issue:
Feeling Uncomfortable But Not Unsafe
These are situations that typically involve minor disruptive behaviors, such as noisy groups, frustrated students, or a student that won't stop visiting with you while you're trying to work. Your work is being disrupted but there is no immediate threat to your personal safety. It's important to deal with this situation calmly and attentively to prevent escalation into a more dangerous situation.
For minor situations:
Some uncomfortable situations can escalate and may require more action, especially if they threaten your safety.
Feeling Uncomfortable And Unsafe
Escalated interactions with a student can be indicated by:
It is important to listen to your "gut feeling." It means you do not feel safe in the current situation and you should treat that seriously.
Some situations require calling Protective Services (306-966-5555), such as:
If you require immediate assistance from Protective Services, excuse yourself from the student and call them. Talking to the dispatcher may be daunting to some, but just remember that they are there to help you! Just take a deep breath and briefly describe the situation and your location. Answer any questions the dispatcher may have. If you're unsure how to begin the conversation, just remember one of the following prompts:
If you cannot remove yourself from the immediate vicinity of the student and feel unsafe calling Protective Services in front of the student, approach the library desk, explain the situation to the library staff, and ask them to call for peace officers or, in the case of an emergency, push the panic button found at their desk. Protective Services can send peace officers who are trained to handle a multitude of situations. While waiting for them to arrive, remain calm, keep your distance, and if possible, keep a physical barrier between yourself and the student. As there is safety in numbers, you can wait for the officers with library staff. You should report the incident to your supervisor as early as possible. Once the peace officers arrive, excuse yourself from the student once more and simply walk up to the officers to explain the situation to them. If you're flustered or unsure how to engage with the officers, remember the following prompts:
Again, it's important to remember that the peace officers are there to act as mediators that can intervene if the interaction between you and the individual is detrimental. They can also address the issue themselves, without involving you, if the situation calls for it. Follow the officers' instructions and fill out any incident reports they require. If you feel unsafe walking to your car, bus stop, or home (if it's nearby), you can request an escort from Safewalk (306-966-7233) or Protective Services.
If you are feeling harassed or receive a harassing email:
If you receive an obscene or abusive phone call:
If you see someone looking at pornography on the Internet:
If you see someone acting in a suspicious manner:
(e.g. confused, wearing a hospital gown, in a restricted location, trying to access a locked area, behaving uncomfortably)