Campus Safety Community Discussion
Our community discussion on March 3rd, 2025, sparked meaningful conversations and fresh ideas. The session, consisting of students and campus leaders, provided valuable insights and collaborative ideas on campus safety.
All the questions were submitted via our anonymous Qualtrics form.
Thank you to everyone who participated in making this event a success. Stay tuned for upcoming discussions and ways to get involved.
During the ASI Listening Tour last Fall, many students expressed concerns about campus safety, particularly after dark and in the residence halls. They’re calling for better security measures, faster response times to incidents, and clearer communication about available safety resources. What steps is the campus police department taking to address these concerns, and are there any upcoming initiatives to improve safety and security on campus?
Response #1:
CSUDH maintains a 24/7 police presence, with an emergency dispatcher always available in Welch Hall. Crime rates remain consistent throughout the day and night, with no significant increase during evening hours. The majority of crimes on campus are property-related, while crimes against individuals occur less frequently. Each month, campus crime data is reported to the FBI, and annually, it is submitted to the Federal Department of Education. Despite concerns, statistics do not indicate a rise in crime on campus.
To enhance student safety, the university provides nighttime safety escorts—student workers who are in constant communication with police via radio—Monday through Thursday until 11 PM. Walkways are equipped with dimming lights that brighten as pedestrians approach, ensuring visibility. In case of an emergency, students and staff should call 911 or the campus emergency number, 3639, to alert authorities immediately.
Events at Dignity Health Sports Park, located on campus, present additional safety challenges. The passionate nature of sports fans and the presence of alcohol contribute to an elevated risk of crime during these events. Campus police work closely with stakeholders to balance security measures while accommodating large crowds.
To keep the campus community informed, safety initiatives include new employee and student orientations, as well as a town hall meeting each semester. In the event of an emergency, the university boasts an impressive response time of just over a minute, though non-emergency calls may experience longer wait times.
One of the ongoing concerns on campus is the presence of unhoused individuals, due in part to a nearby bus line that connects Los Angeles to CSUDH, terminating at the north lawn. While individuals are not permitted to enter residence halls or office spaces without legitimate business, they do have access to campus restrooms. Campus police monitor the situation, assessing whether individuals have a valid reason to be on campus and ensuring that students and staff are not disturbed (via CSUDH Chief of Police, Carlos Velez).
I am a homeless student and a graduating senior in Psychology. Given that our campus has a large amount of parking, why doesn’t the university offer a safe overnight parking program for unhoused students, as UCLA and other universities do?
Response #1:
CSUDH does not allow camping or overnight parking due to campus parking regulations. Allowing students to stay overnight could set a precedent that extends beyond just students, raising broader concerns. While campus police are aware of students facing housing insecurity, any changes to parking policies would require a larger conversation with university leadership to determine feasibility and impact (via Chief Velez).
Response #2:
CSUDH Health and Wellbeing is approaching this issue from a campus-wide perspective, particularly for students struggling with stable housing or not actively seeking full-time housing. While overnight parking is currently not allowed, we recognize that some students choose to live in their cars and believes a more comprehensive support system is needed. Health and Wellbeing is preparing for discussions with Chief Velez about developing a program that could include mail services, shower access, and other essential resources to support student wellbeing. Ensuring that any solution does not put students in a worse situation remains a priority, and the issue is on the university’s health and wellbeing radar (via Tiffany Herbert, Ph.D., Associate Vice President of Health and Wellbeing).
What steps are being taken to address the possibility of ICE presence on campus?
Response #1:
Arlin shared that discussions on this topic have been ongoing since December, with efforts to develop proper protocols. An email will be sent out regarding designated contacts for reporting any sightings of ICE on campus.
As a public campus, ICE is legally allowed to be present for various reasons. However, they are not allowed in private spaces such as classrooms, offices, meeting rooms, and the health center without a warrant. If ICE is seen on campus, individuals should contact a designated official or University Police Department (UPD) for guidance (via Immigrant Justice Center Interim Program Director, Arlin Gonzalez).
Response #2:
Chief Velez clarified that UPD officers do not take enforcement action based solely on immigration status. They only get involved if a crime is committed but do not engage in immigration enforcement.
If an ICE agent is identified on campus, UPD will verify their identity and notify campus counsel, who will then coordinate with the Chancellor’s Office General Counsel to determine the appropriate response (via Chief Velez).
Response #3:
Dr. Soriano encouraged students to engage with campus resources through departments or student organizations for additional support (via Associate Vice President of Belonging & Engagement, Dr. Mayra Soriano).
Will it be safe for family to attend commencement without fearing ICE being present?
Response #1:
While there is no current protocol. discussions are ongoing with ceremonies and events teams. Arlin emphasized the importance of developing a protocol, comparing it to existing safety measures for fires and earthquakes. Suggestions include distributing red cards with ICE-related information and ensuring attendees feel prepared (via Arlin Gonzalez).
Some students expressed feeling unsafe due to a lack of clear protocols. In response, they have started banding together to look out for one another. There is also a growing demand for greater transparency, including clearer communication on the steps being taken, such as contacting the chancellor, to address their concerns (via students).
What steps are being addressed to health safety regarding buildings being outdated?
Response #1:
Concerns about facility conditions are directed to Environmental Health and Safety. Students can report specific issues for review (via Chief Velez).
Given the current attack on transgender people, what initiatives are being taken to protect transgender-identifying students and staff?
Response #1:
Chief Velez emphasized that campus safety is a priority for everyone, with police focusing on overall crime trends and addressing perceptions of safety.
Dr. Soriano highlighted that the Queer Resource Center (QRC) provides resources, training, and safe spaces, while DEIJ/OEI supports concerns about discrimination and ensures proper protocols are in place.
Response #2:
The University is committed to protecting the rights and dignity of all, including transgender-identifying students, staff, and faculty. The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) is charged with ensuring compliance with the CSU Nondiscrimination Policy. This policy is a reflection of both federal and California law. Under the policy, gender, gender identity, and gender expression are all protected from discrimination and harassment. So, while concerns of a national attack on transgender people are well understood, OEI remains here to protect. OEI has been in communication with the QCRC directly regarding this issue and generally, reaffirmed its commitment to protect against discrimination and harassment, including against transgendered people, in its February 24, 2025 email to the campus community (via Blair Miles, Executive Director & Interim Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Administrator)
General Housing Safety Concerns & UPD Presence
Response #1:
Concerns about housing safety have persisted over the past year, leading to an increased UPD presence in response to resident requests. Many first-year students are navigating psychosocial development, with some issues arising from high school-aged visitors and off-campus guests.
The guest policy has fluctuated, and while some students feel disciplinary actions are not swift enough, the response depends on the severity, duration, and impact of incidents. Repeat offenders with minor issues may face removal, and students disrupting the community have been removed through the conduct process.
Efforts to improve housing safety include:
- Enhancing conflict resolution skills for students.
- Upgrading entry systems for residence halls.
- Converting Lot 5’s egress point into an exit-only space.
- Addressing door security issues that require frequent repairs.
- Implementing updated security measures.
(Via Director for Residential Living and Learning – CSUDH Housing, Addae Jahdai-Brown and Chief Velez).
How are safety incidents generally communicated to students?
Response #1:
Confidentiality policies prevent University Housing from disclosing sanctions against individuals who violate rules—only the violator has the right to share that information. This is standard across institutions, not unique to CSUDH.
To foster accountability and personal growth, Housing aims to create spaces where students can engage in conversations about the conduct process and self-improvement. Transparency has been encouraged, especially regarding property-related incidents. Students are reminded to report concerns to prevent the broader community from bearing financial responsibility for individual actions (via Chief Velez).
Response #2:
Herbert emphasized the challenge of effectively communicating with students, as every semester brings a different student population with varying needs. Health and Wellbeing relies on student feedback to improve messaging and find solutions, even when opinions may contradict. A cultural issue exists where some students feel overwhelmed by calls, texts, and emails, leading to information overload. Since the campus lacks a central hub for information, uncoordinated messaging across departments makes it difficult for students to determine what is important. The goal is to develop better communication strategies that balance outreach without overwhelming students (via Dr. Tiffany Herbert).
There was an incident in the dorms where a resident was attacked by an intruder, how has this issue been addressed?
Response #1:
Not all information about past incidents has been fully accurate. Some depictions of the situation have been misleading, and many individuals involved are no longer present on campus. Specific students who brought in individuals engaging in risky behavior have since left. UPD is the only entity responsible for conducting official campus investigations (via Addae Jahdai-Brown).
What are steps being taken to fulfill psychologist positions to ensure all students are able to receive the services?
Response #1:
CSUDH has 10 counselors on campus but aims to improve the student-to-counselor ratio to better support mental health needs. While the university does not offer psychiatric emergency services, they can assist students in accessing emergency care by providing transportation when needed. Their focus is on prevention, maintenance, and adjustment services, offering intervention support to help students succeed by addressing non-emergency mental health and psychiatric concerns. The university provides a diverse range of mental health professionals, each specializing in different areas to ensure students receive tailored support (via Dr. Tiffany Herbert).
Why are police driving on our walking pathways?
Response #1:
Campus vehicles are directed not to drive on walkways during daytime hours. However, in the event of a medical emergency, they make an exception to escort the fire department and ensure prompt assistance (via Chief Velez).
On the topic of onsite police officers in housing, there has been instances where the cop cars have been parked in the lot without the presence of the officers in the vehicle for long period of times. what can be done about this?
Response #1:
Empty police vehicles are strategically placed around campus to create the perception of a stronger security presence, deterring crime. While it may appear that there are multiple officers on duty, in reality, there are often only two officers patrolling at a time (via Chief Velez).
As a campus community, and as a country, I have to say that we all value every voice being heard. However, with the types of messaging that the campus itself via email, and via a ``free speech`` posters around the campus, post-election, it seems that conservative students, or those who are politically moderate, but lean conservative, don't have as much of a voice. What can we do to guarantee? The conservatives also have a voice in campus politics?
Response #1:
It’s important that all voices are heard, as limiting the freedom of expression within any community can be harmful. There have been times when this has been a concern, and it raises the question of how we can cultivate safe spaces where individuals feel comfortable engaging in open conversations with one another. Creating these spaces is essential for fostering an environment where people can express themselves freely and respectfully (via Dr. Soriano).
Why can’t we go back to two separate gender bathrooms on campus? Everyone feels uncomfortable using them among the opposite sex.
Response #1:
The University wants everyone to be comfortable. After long consultation and deliberation with various campus members, including students, it was decided that gender neutral restrooms made our campus more inclusive. With that said, if “everyone feels uncomfortable,” that is something we have to consider. This issue will be reexamined. In the meantime, it is worth noting that the great majority of restrooms on campus are still designated as “female” and “male.” (via Blair Miles)
While this community discussion primarily focused on campus safety, several questions were raised regarding the exhaustion of federal work-study opportunities. These questions and answers provided include the following:
By students being out of work abruptly, what are the steps being taken to address this? As in their impact on campus now affected, transparency with this issue with the rest of the community as far as mismanagement. this is a safety issue for the students as they’re income to survive is impacted.
Response #1:
Dr. Deborah Brandon, the AVP for Enrollment Management, explained that this is a recurring issue each year, but this year’s situation is under investigation. The university is working to establish a comprehensive protocol to prevent this from happening in the future.
A student asked for clarification about the investigation and how students impacted by the work-study exhaustion would be supported. Dr. Brandon acknowledged concerns of mismanagement by financial aid, noting that the issue is out of students’ control, and funding is expected to support them. Work-study often lasts throughout the year, and the goal is to find better ways to support students.
The investigation is ongoing, and students should expect to hear updates from the university within the next two weeks. Student leaders are encouraged to assure students that no departments have been asked to take action against student employment. Each case is unique, and the university is looking into potential solutions, including allocating extra funds where possible. Dr. Brandon emphasized that no student should be let go due to this issue (via Dr. Deborah Brandon, AVP for Enrollment Management).
What can student leaders say to students who are asking them about work study?
Response #1:
On Friday, February 28th, departments were not asked to take any action against student employment. Each case is being treated individually, with investigations underway to assess the students who have been impacted. The university is also exploring the possibility of allocating additional funds to support these students. It has been made clear that no student should be let go due to this issue (via Dr. Deborah Brandon).