Safety and Security

We believe the safety and security of our students and staff is paramount. We offer great security from the moment you pass through the main entrance, until you reach your suite door to let yourself in. To that end, we require that all visitors in the building be registered prior to entry and provide a valid piece of photo identification.

Safety and security is also the responsibility of every resident.

All the safeguards and rules put in place by the Residence Management and the institution are for your safety and protection. Circumventing rules by lending room keys or letting in visitors without permission can only lead to problems. Keep your room locked at all times and do not leave your valuables unattended as neither TRU Housing nor the university is responsible for missing items. This would include having your door unlocked or “propped open”.

Why can’t you leave your door open or propped open?

Each suite is equipped with a fire-rated door that allows for a barrier if a fire was to happen in the building. The suite door must be kept closed in order to allow for this barrier to work. Staff will remind residents to close their suite door while doing their rounds or close any unlocked door as required.

---

Your keys

Upon move-in, you are provided with a key that will provide you with access to your suite. Should you misplace or forget your key, you can always ask your roommate to let you in or, if all else fails, come to the front desk to gain a lockout key. Lock-out charges may apply for students that have locked themselves out of their room.

You will also receive a mailbox key. You will share a mailbox with your roommate. For West Gate Dormitories, residents are asked to visit the main office for mail pickup.

Keys are the responsibility of the resident. Do not give out your keys to anyone (even your parents, friends, or roommate). Lost keys will result in a key/lock replacement charge.

---

Guests and visitors

Residents are welcomed to invite up to two visitors at a time. Residents must sign in each visitor with the Front Desk prior to entering the building. Visitors must be provide valid photo ID (health cards and passports are not accepted, student cards preferred). It is the responsibility of the resident to provide guests with information surrounding the visitors and guest policy. For more details please reference Section 9 of the Residence Community Living Standards. Should a guest or resident be in violation of these standards, a fine or loss of privileges may apply.

Registered guest procedure: If a resident wishes to have a guest stay for an extended period of time (i.e. for the weekend, or two or more nights) and would like to ensure they will be able to sign into the building, students must email the front desk with a “request for guest registration”, stating who they are, their room number, who they would like to sign in and a guarantee that the guest understands the policies of TRU Housing.

Friday and Saturday night protocol: If a resident wishes to have a guest for the evening on a Friday and Saturday night, they must sign in with the proper ID and retrieve a wristband from the front desk. A limited number of guests are allowed to sign in each night. Pre-registration of guests for the weekend is required at the front desk. Registration for the weekend begins on the Sunday before and closes on Thursday at 4 p.m.

---

Camera system

North Tower, East Village, Coyote Den and McGill are equipped with an enhanced video surveillance system for safety and peace of mind purposes. With this in place we are able to see real-time events as well as look up past events. Safety is of the upmost importance to us and the camera system is one of the tools that we lean on to help ensure a secure environment. East Village has Paladin security patrolling the grounds between 8pm and 4am seven days a week. 

---

Emergency procedures

Resident emergency authority

In consultation with the institution, and in accordance with the institution’s emergency procedures and protocols, the general manager is authorized to determine if resident emergency conditions exist, which is defined by the following:

• evidence that a resident, student, or staff has been harmed or appears to be in danger of harm,
• evidence that a resident, student, or staff has harmed or poses a threat to harm another individual or the community,
• evidence that a resident, student, or staff has inflicted self-harm or appears to be in danger of doing so.

In response to a resident emergency situation, the general manager is authorized to:

• determine, quickly and directly, residence response to a resident emergency
• act in all matters associated with a resident emergency
• suspend other rules in order to effect a swift response to a resident emergency
• share any and all related information with security services, the police or emergency response personnel.

Resident emergency response and sanctions

In consultation with the institution, and in accordance with the institution’s emergency procedures and protocols, the general manager is authorized to:

• turn the matter immediately over to appropriate authorities
• immediately relocate the resident(s) involved in a resident emergency within the residence complex or off campus, pending a meeting with the resident
• authorize an exclusion, which takes effect immediately and without notice, pending a meeting with the resident, having the effect that a resident identified by the general manager or other residence staff as being involved in a resident emergency: a. is prohibited from accessing any service or facility of the residence b. may be escorted from the residence and/or the campus
• determine sanction(s) at levels 1, 2, and 3 (including eviction), following a meeting with the resident.

---

Fire safety

In regards to the approved fire safety plan for this building, we have included relevant information in this website in an effort to reduce the risk of personal and property loss. We hope this information will heighten your awareness of the fire procedures for this building and clarify what is expected of you in the event of a fire alarm. These procedures apply to all occupants of the Residence, including but not limited to students, guests, visitors, Thompson Rivers University and Residence employees, faculty, service providers/ contractors, and tenants.

Fire alarm system (North Tower only)

The fire alarm system can be activated by an automatic detector (smoke, heat or sprinkler) or by manual pull station, both of which will sound a loud continuous alarm. The main purpose of a fire alarm system is to notify building occupants and officials of a fire emergency. At the sound of the fire alarm, occupants are to immediately evacuate the building in a quick but orderly manner while the building officials investigate the cause of the alarm and coordinate a safe evacuation. The fire department, campus security, other required emergency services, resident advisors (RAs), and residence staff are also summoned to respond and assist in the emergency.

General fire procedures

Upon discovery of fire or hearing the fire alarm:

• Immediately leave the fire area
• Close all doors behind you
• Sound the fire alarm by pulling a manual pull station
• Call the fire department at 911 and give exact fire location
• Leave the building by nearest exit
• Do not use the elevators
• Maintain a safe distance from the building
• Do not re-enter the building until the fire department, security or residence management indicates that it is safe to do so; the silencing of the alarm does not signify that it is safe to re-enter