Health & Safety

Security System

Your safety is protected by many measures that we have put in place, including some systems that require your attention (for example, locking your room door whenever you leave). All residence hall exterior doors are safeguarded by an electronic locking system that allows 24-hour monitoring of door locks to make sure doors are locked at the proper times. Security cameras with recording devices are located throughout the first floor and building entrance areas of all University Residence Halls, as well as some elevators and resident floors.

University Police

A great benefit to living on campus is the comfort of knowing you are in a place where University Police Liaisons make frequent visits, day and night, to the University Residence Halls, and they are a friendly and welcoming presence.

Fire Safety

A smoke detector is located in each resident’s room, hallway, and common area. It is PROHIBITED to remove smoke detectors for any reason. If fire alarms go off, please proceed to the nearest exit in an orderly fashion.

UW–Madison SAFE Nighttime Services

SAFEwalk Escorts are two-person escort teams trained by University Police.

WiscAlerts

We strongly recommend that all residents sign up for UW–Madison’s WiscAlerts emergency notification system, which sends out text message alerts to your mobile phone in the event of an emergency.

Housing Alerts

University Housing uses an email and text message system very similar to WiscAlerts to notify residents of situations that represent a threat to safety or an unplanned change in service. All University Housing residents are automatically enrolled in this service during their time living in the residence halls. For more information, visit our Housing Alerts page.

Voice It

A community has strength when members stand up against bias and hurtful behavior. Suppose you experience or witness behavior motivated by prejudice or insensitivity around race, ethnicity, national origin, immigrant status, religious beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, age, gender expression, ability, political affiliation, or any other physical or cultural characteristics. In that case, we urge you to contact our University Residence Halls staff or report the bias.

Protect Yourself and Your Belongings:

Steps you can take as residents play a critical role in creating and maintaining a safe community for everyone.

• You should lock your room door whenever you and your roommate are not in the room, even when you are close by, and also whenever you are sleeping.
• You should not leave your room door unlocked for convenience—virtually all thefts from residence hall rooms occur when residents leave their rooms unlocked.
• A desk or dresser drawer with a locking hasp is provided in each room. You can secure small valuables (such as credit cards, money, jewelry, etc.) with a padlock that you provide.
• We strongly recommend that you obtain insurance coverage for all of your personal items and that you have adequate insurance coverage for fire and water damage, theft, and vandalism.

Other Campus Safety Tips

The UW–Madison Police Department and the Division of Student Life share these common sense tips for campus safety:

• If you are ever confronted by an individual with a weapon, give up your property immediately.
• Always keep your doors and windows locked – even if you’re home.
• Don’t hold the door open or allow people you don’t know into the building.
• Please look out for your friends and encourage them to stay safe.
• Sign up for WiscAlerts.
• If you have specific safety questions or concerns, please email the UW–Madison Police Department at police@uwpd.wisc.edu.

Leading a healthy lifestyle can help you resist minor illnesses, promote your productivity and boost your academic success. The first step involves understanding your dietary and nutritional needs and including exercise in your daily routine. To assist you in your pursuit of a well-balanced lifestyle, the University of Wisconsin–Madison offers fitness programs, nutrition support, and counseling. If more careful attention is needed, University Health Services also provides support around topics ranging from a general cold or minor injury to emergency health services and substance abuse.

• University Health Services – Provides students with many free or reduced health services
• Influenza Information – Flu information and prevention for students
• University Recreation & Wellbeing
• Dining Nutrition – Dietary and nutritional resources in Housing
• Prevention
• UHS Wellness Resources
• Substance Abuse Prevention
• Food Assistance

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We understand that mental, intellectual, and emotional health is crucial for a balanced college experience. The UW–Madison offers a variety of group and individual counseling sessions, positive psychology programs, stress and sleep management programs and more to ensure every student’s positive experience on campus.

• Prevention
• Center for Healthy Minds
• UHS Counseling Services – Offers counseling services for students to get help with relationships, substance abuse, mental health, and general personal problems

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You may find more specialized healthcare services on campus related to a number of medical-related topics. UHS Sexual Health Clinic provides screening, diagnosis, and treatment of most Sexually Transmitted Diseases. You may also find counseling on STI spread prevention, HIV infection, emergency contraception and sexual assault.

• UHS Sexual Health Clinic – Provides free screening and low-cost treatment of sexually transmitted infections
• HIV Post-Exposure Prevention – Emergency care for those at high risk of becoming infected with HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.

Visit University Health Services to schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional and find out more about health services on campus.

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Close living settings, like residence halls, can be places where viruses and bacteria spread easily from person-to-person. There are steps you can take to protect yourself and the people around you while reducing the spread of illness. Vaccination is an easy and effective way for students to keep feeling healthy while protecting others. UHS offers vaccines for flu, mpox, meningitis B, and many others. While flu vaccines are offered for free, other vaccines are offered for a cost. For more information on staying well, and when to seek care at UHS, check out the tips below.

Appointments at UHS are available on a scheduled basis.  UHS does not accept walk-in patients.  A limited number of appointments are released daily for web-booking.  If you are unable to find an appointment online, please call UHS at 608-265-560 for assistance with scheduling.  You may be connected with a nurse who can provide evidence-based advice on how to care for yourself at home, schedule you an appointment at UHS, or refer you to a local urgent care or emergency department, based on your symptoms.

Keeping clean

• Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer frequently, especially after using the bathroom, before eating, and when you’re feeling sick.
• Wipe down frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, and counters with disinfectant spray or wipes.
• Wash or replace your bedding once a week and after illness or new intimate encounters.

Avoid sharing personal items

• Keep your drinks, utensils, and hygiene items, like toothbrushes and makeup, to yourself. Make sure to keep items personal and clean to prevent the spread of illness.
• Avoid kissing, close contact, or sexual activity with people who are sick.

Stay home and rest if you are feeling sick

• For respiratory symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion), please wear a mask around others if you are unable to stay home. Test for COVID-19 and/or influenza with a home test.  If you test positive, follow the isolation-in-place guidelines [provide link].
• If you have questions about recovering at home or when to seek care, call University Health Services (UHS) at 608-265-5600 to speak with a nurse.

When to Seek Emergency Care

Seek immediate care if you experience any of the following serious symptoms:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on your skin tone

Specific Illness Symptoms and Actions

You may receive messages from UHS or Dane County Public Health if you have been identified as a close contact of someone with a confirmed communicable disease.  It is very important to respond to those messages to provide timely treatment and limit further spread of the diseases.

• Mpox: Mpox is a rash that starts as small red spots that turn into bumps and blisters, fever chills, and fatigue. While waiting for results, stay home and isolate yourself. If positive, follow guidance from your healthcare provider.
• Mononucleosis – mono: Mono symptoms are sore throat, extreme fatigue, swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Schedule an appointment with UHS primary care. Follow the provider’s guidance for rest and recovery if you’re diagnosed with mono.
• Meningitis B symptoms (fever, stiff neck, confusion, and/or light sensitivity): This is a medical emergency. Seek medical care at the emergency department or urgent care. Seek immediate care by scheduling an appointment with UHS primary care. If you test positive, follow your healthcare provider’s guidance for treatment.
• Pertussis (runny or stuffed-up nose, fever, and persistent/violent coughing fits): Call UHS at 608-265-5600 to speak with a nurse. Contact UHS if you have these symptoms, even if you have received a pertussis vaccination in the past.  Follow the provider’s advice, including any advice regarding isolation.

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