Campus and Student Safety

UWS Campus Public Safety, in conjunction with a private security company, provides walking patrols seven days a week. UWS Campus Public Safety phones are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week with staff on campus as well as central dispatch for after hours. Our security company is ready and available to respond to and assist in emergency response through the Omnilert system.

While security is a deterrent to crime, even more important is the reporting of any suspicious situation by students, faculty and staff. Please immediately report any type of situation.

There are a number of ways to report an emergency situation:

• Dial 9-1-1 to contact Portland-area emergency responders.
• Anyone can dial 2-1-1 or 503-206-3206 on any office phone to reach the response hotline.

A non-emergency situation:

• To report a non-emergency incident including a robbery or a minor injury, please contact 2-1-1 or 503-206-3206 and file a report on the UWS Safe app.

UWS creates an annual campus security report, in compliance with the Department of Education rules and reporting requirements for campus security as outlined under the Jeanne Clery Act. Compliance includes having training, resources and policies in place in order to create a safe environment. We also strive to ensure transparency in the reporting of crimes.

Download UWS Annual Security Report here.

Daily Crime Log Reports are available on the main campus and can be accessed at any time by submitting a request here.

UWS Safe is the official safety messaging app for all UWS students and employees. Features include emergency contacts, crisis alerts, location services features, in-app tip reporting and much more. Stay connected with UWS campus safety by downloading the UWS Safe app.

Download UWS Safe App

University of Western States campus safety is committed to providing a safe campus in cases of emergency.

EMPLOYEES- Read emergency procedures here.

What is Title IX?

Title IX states:

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. -20 USC 1681 

University of Western States is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination on the basis of sex. The university provides resources and trainings to the campus to address concerns related to discrimination on the basis of sex and sexual harassment, including acts of sexual violence, all of which are forms of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX.

The Title IX Coordinator can answer questions regarding the process of reporting, resources, investigation of complaints of sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, or other potential Title IX violations. The University of Western States Title IX Coordinator is Elena Howells.

Nondiscrimination and Anti-harrassment

UWS Policy 1004 – Nondiscrimination and Anti-harrassment states that University of Western States is committed to maintaining a working and educational environment that values the inherent worth and dignity of every person. In support of this commitment, the university prohibits all discrimination including harassment and retaliation based on such factors as race, religion, color, sex, age, citizenship status, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, disability, veteran status, marital status, legal source of income, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, or any other status protected by law.

UWS Policy 1016 – Title IX Sexual Harassment prohibits sexual and gender-based harassment and sexual violence. Such conduct was previously prohibited under Policy 1004. This policy complies with the new Title IX regulations.

Sexual Misconduct

Sexual misconduct is a type of violence that uses power, control, and/or intimidation to harm another. It includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. It occurs when there is absence of consent. All individuals are protected from sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct is prohibited regardless of the sex of the victim or the harasser.

Sexual misconduct may include nonconsensual sexual contact. However, physical contact is not necessarily a component of nonconsensual sexual contact. Inappropriate communication that is sufficiently severe or pervasive may constitute sexual misconduct. Making photographs, videos, or other visual or auditory recordings of a sexual nature of another person without the person’s consent constitutes sexual misconduct. Similarly, sharing such recordings or other sexually harassing electronic communications without consent is a form of sexual misconduct.

Resources for Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Support

• RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network – the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization)
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
• Oregon Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence

Counseling services are provided free to all UWS students and their families through the WellConnect student assistance program. WellConnect is easy to use and offers referrals and support for various types of counseling to suit your individual needs. Learn more here.

Staff and faculty may contact Human Resources at humanresources@test.uws.edu. All full and part-time, benefitted employees have access to Cascade Employee Assistance Program, which provides confidential counseling for employees and their dependents. Counselors are available 24/7 by calling 800-433-2320.

UWS Resources

WellConnect Student Assistance Program – 866-640-4777
Free and confidential mental health counseling for all UWS students (online and on-campus). Partners with BetterHelp for online counseling or provides referrals for a local-to-you mental health counselor (call to be connected with a local provider). Up to five (5) visits per issue per calendar year. Visits reset on January 1. Call to request additional visits for a separate issue – be sure to say that it’s a new issue and ask them to add visits.

Connected Whole Health Clinic – 971-449-9277
Health care for students and their families – almost all services free of charge.

Campus Safety – 503-206-3206 or via the UWS Safe app
Report safety concerns, request a vehicle escort. For emergencies, call 911.

Student Affairs – 971-449-9264 or email studentsuccess@test.uws.edu
Discuss options for leave or withdrawal, academic accommodations or academic support, such as tutoring or academic coaching.

National Resources

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call or text 988.

Portland Area Resources

211
Call 211 to get connected to local resources. Confidential referrals for finding food, utility assistance, housing resources, health care and more.

Cascadia Health Urgent Walk-In Clinic – 503-963-2575
4212 SE Division, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97206
Free walk-in mental health care and assessment. Referrals to additional services.

Pacific University Psychology and Comprehensive Health Clinic – 503-352-2400
1411 SW Morrison St, Suite 310, Portland, OR 97205
Mental health counseling. Low-cost student rates available.

Portland Vet Center – 1505 NE 122nd Ave, Portland, OR 97230 – 503-688-5361
Free, confidential help for veterans, service members and their families.