Safety & Security

Young woman closing and locking her residence unit door

UBC works hard to support student and campus community safety. This effort is strengthened when everyone in the UBC community participates.

Let’s work together to build safe communities in residence. Use these strategies to help keep our residence communities safe—for you and your neighbours.

Residence Safety Strategies

  • Lock it up—when you leave and when you are sleeping. Each time you leave and when you are sleeping, lock your unit and room door, plus any accessible windows.
  • Don’t hold the door open for strangers. Please don’t let people follow you into a locked residence building. If they have permission to be there, they will have their own key—or a host.
  • Stop before you prop. Never prop open a building door, even if you are stepping outside for just a moment.
  • Don’t walk away from your valuables. Theft happens. Don’t leave valuables, like your phone, laptop or wallet, unattended in a study room, lounge or classroom—or even your unlocked room. Plus, lock up your bike. The safest place to store your bike is in your room.
  • Trust your instincts. If you feel like you’re in danger or if you witness suspicious activity, first call 911, then contact Campus Security (604 822 2222) and your residence front desk.

On Campus After Dark

To stay safe when walking on campus after dark:

  • Walk with a friend, fellow resident or classmate.
  • Use your Compass Card to ride the Translink Community Shuttle (Route 68), which stops near student residences. Learn more about taking transit on campus.
  • From 8 pm to 2 am use the AMS Safewalk program. Phone Safewalk and a co-ed team will accompany you to and from campus destinations after dark.
  • After 2 am, Campus Security can accompany you across campus. Call 604 822 2222 for assistance.

For more information about your safety on campus, visit UBC Campus Security.

For any crime, it is never the fault of the victim. These preventative measures will not stop every crime from happening. But by working together proactively, we can ensure a safer community at UBC.

Emergency Contacts

Additional safety services

Campus Blue Phones

Blue Phones are strategically located throughout campus and offer an immediate connection to Campus Security, if needed.

Campus Security and Police

Both the local police detachment (RCMP) and the UBC Campus Security offices are located on campus—and respond quickly when called.

Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO)

SVPRO is a confidential place and single point of contact for UBC students, staff and faculty who have experienced, or been impacted by, any form of sexual or gender-based violence, harassment or harm, regardless of where or when it took place.

Residence Life support

Your Residence Life Manager and Front Desk staff are additional resources in the community, should you notice something that needs attention (e.g., a broken lock or other safety concern), or if you need non-emergency assistance.

Tips and Additional Resources

Ways to Protect Your Valuables

Laptops, tablets, smartphones, wallets, purses and personal identification documents can be an easy target for thieves in residence. Keep them safe by securing your room/unit every time you leave, even if it is just for a minute.

  • Keep photocopies of all your identification, credit cards, serial numbers—anything that would have to be replaced if your belongings were taken.
  • Get insurance to protect your belongings from theft or damage due to an unforeseen cause like a fire or flood. UBC is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged property. Some students may already be covered under their family’s plan. BCAA is also an option.
  • Rent a safety deposit box at a nearby bank to secure valuables such as large amounts of cash.

Bicycle Security

Cycling at UBC is a quick and healthy way to get around campus. Consider these tips for keeping your bike safe from thieves:

  • UBC Campus Security recommends using a good quality steel U-lock and heavy cable lock for the front wheel.
  • Don’t bring an expensive bike to campus.
  • If possible, keep your bike in your room, but not in hallways or common areas due to fire safety regulations.
  • Never leave an unlocked bike on a balcony, even if you are above the ground floor.
  • Consider leaving your bike at home and using HOPR, the bike share program at UBC instead.

Vehicle Parking

  • Do not leave valuables in any vehicle parked on campus.
  • All vehicles parked on campus must have insurance.

More Resources