SECTION: FACILITIES INDEX: H-9
SUBJECT: BUILDING ACCESS
POLICY
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all facilities owned or controlled by the University of Houston-Victoria are accessible during hours that are necessary to accommodate the needs of faculty, staff, students and the general public.
PROCEDURE
Building Access Hours
Access protocol will help to increase the safety and welfare of students, employees, visitors and properties through minimizing incidents of vandalism and theft, aiding security personnel in identification of suspicious activity and reducing the University's exposure to liability. Posted access hours will also increase the efficiency of custodial and maintenance personnel in completing duties after hours. Unauthorized access may result in University disciplinary action, the summoning of civil authorities and/or the filing of criminal charges depending upon the seriousness of the incident.
Each UHV facility has varying hours of operation to accommodate the needs of users.
Exceptions to Posted Hours
The only exceptions to posted opening and closing hours will be for special programs or events sponsored by the University and attended by one or more staff or faculty sponsors. Opening and closing hours may be adjusted during periods when classes are not in session; i.e. spring break, semester break.
Use of Facilities after Normal Hours of Operation
Only faculty and staff will be allowed in University facilities after official building closing hours. Non-employees are to vacate facilities at closing unless working at the request of a faculty or staff member of the University.
Employees are to accommodate the needs of building and custodial staff when staying after hours and shall not interfere with cleaning operations by crossing work barriers, walking on wet or waxed floors or entering other temporarily restricted areas.
Computer Lab Access
Computer Labs, including open and teaching labs are for the use of faculty, staff, and currently enrolled students only. Exceptions may be authorized for special events by the Director, Information Technology.
Security Schedule
The campus security schedule is maintained by the Department of Business Services and is available to departments upon request. Employees may email campussafety@uhv.edu to request a copy of the schedule or to schedule security services.
Refusing or Failing to Leave a Building Closed to the Public
Section 51.242 of the Texas Education Code states that no person may refuse or fail to leave a building under the control and management of a state-supported institution of higher education, during those hours of the day or night when the building is regularly closed to the public, upon being requested to do so by a guard, watchman, or other employee of a state-supported institution of higher education controlling and managing the building or property. If an individual refuses to cooperate and leave upon request, civil authorities should be called for assistance.
Refusal of Entry, Ejection and Requests for Identification
Section 51.209 of the Texas Education Code states that persons having no legitimate business may be ejected upon failure to leave peaceably on request. Security personnel, guards, watchman or employees of the University have authorization to request identification of any person, including employees, on the property. Failure to produce satisfactory identification is grounds for ejection from the premises.
Trespassing
Section 51.204 of the Texas Education Code states that it is unlawful for any person to trespass on the grounds of any state institution of higher education or to damage or deface any of the buildings, monuments, trees, shrubs, grasses, or flowers on the grounds. A person commits an offense (criminal trespass) if that person enters or remains on property or in a building of another without effective consent and the person (1) had notice that the entry was forbidden; or (2) received notice to depart but failed to do so. "Notice" includes oral or written communication or a sign or signs indicating entry is forbidden. Civil authorities will be called for assistance if an individual refuses to leave the premises after being asked to do so by campus security or any administrator.
Approved by:
Signed 03/16/07
Tim Hudson, Ph.D. Date
President
Next review date: March 2009
Origination: Business Services