Programs & Services
The WSU community has access to programs and services to maintain personal safety and the security of property across campus.
On the WSU-Rochester campus, the RCTC Campus Safety staff ensure safety and security measures.
All residence halls are equipped with card readers at the entrances for residents’ security.
And after hours, the academic buildings and other campus buildings require a Warrior ID card for entry as well.
Public areas across campus and residence halls are outfitted 24-hour surveillance cameras.
These cameras are monitored by WSU Security.
Our team of trained professionals are ready to assist whenever you need help with a safety or security concern on campus.
ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) Training prepares individuals and organizations to proactively handle the threat of an aggressive intruder or active shooter event.
These optional trainings are offered through WSU Security, in cooperation with the Winona County Sheriff’s Office, Rochester Community & Technical College (RCTC) Security, and the Winona Police Department.
Training dates will be added and announced over University email.
Each campus building has an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in a prominent location.
Members of the campus community are encouraged to become familiar with their locations.
Free courtesy telephones are located throughout the Winona campus. You can use these phones to:
- Request an escort from Campus Security
- Call 911 for any emergency occurring on or around campus
- Contact Campus Security about any other safety concerns
WSU Security will provide escorts to students, faculty, and staff within a 4-block radius of campus in Winona.
If you would like a walking escort on campus property late at night or a driving escort after the WSU Shuttle Service is no longer running for the evening, please contact Campus Security at 507.457.5555. You can also come to the north or south entrances of Sheehan Hall, press the talk button, and arrange for Security staff to escort you to your destination.
Campus Security provides walking and driving escorts to students, faculty, and staff for safety reasons 24/7. To arrange an escort during daytime hours, it must be for safety-related reasons, and you will need the permission of the on-duty supervisor, Associate Director, or Director of Security.
Students traveling to East Lake Apartments are encouraged to use the WSU Shuttle Service.
Code Blue alarm systems are cylinder-shaped blue poles located throughout the Winona campus.
In an emergency, you can press the alarm button and WSU Security staff will come to your location.
WSU Alert is an emergency notification system (ENS) that provides immediate communication during emergencies that threaten health or safety and severely impact standard campus operations.
WSU Alerts can be delivered via:
- Text message
- Voice call
- University email
- Alertus + app notifications
Phone numbers and email addresses are gathered from student account files and employee profiles.
In addition, you can follow @AlertWinona on Twitter to receive WSU Alert notifications.
Our emergency notification system will also include pop-up WSU Alerts for urgent situations that appear across:
- University-owned laptop and desktop computers
- Campus digital signage displays
Learn more about WSU Alert.
Winona State University does not tolerate sexual misconduct or sexual violence of any kind in any context.
If you or someone you know have experienced sexual assault or other forms of gender-based violence (GBV), you have resources for support.
You have these resources whether or not you choose to pursue disciplinary, criminal, or civil action.
As a member of the WSU community, you play a vital role in promoting safety and protecting property and lives by acting responsibly.
Personal safety is best accomplished as a team effort undertaken by University officials, the community, and you.
Prevention is the best aid to your own personal safety.
For example, you should walk in well-lit areas and use academic buildings during high traffic times.
- When using public transportation
- When driving your car
- Be alert and walk purposefully. Confidence deters attackers.
- Carry a personal alarm.
- If someone follows you, go to a place where there are other people.
- Take a self-defense course. For details on courses available, contact Campus Security at 507.457.5555.
We encourage you to be aware of potential safety hazards at all times.
- Use lighted corridors and sidewalks at night. Avoid secluded or dark places and walk with friends, or call for an escort.
- Be wary of strangers on foot or in cars asking directions— it is better to be rude than to be in trouble.
- When you are socializing, play it smart. One drink too many could make you vulnerable.
- Be alert and pro-active if working after regular business hours.
If you experience or witness an incident, please make a report.
Even if you are not sure what you see is really a crime, call the authorities and let them decide:
- Campus Security: 507.457.5555
- Winona Police Department: 507.457.6302
You could also report suspicious incidents to:
- Your resident assistant (RA)
- Your hall director
- A University staff member