Policy: Building Hours in Academic Buildings

UNIVERSITY POLICY                                      

Date Revised: July 2023
Date Effective: January 1, 2016
Responsible University Official(s): Vice Chancellor for Administration & Finance 
Policy Owner: Facilities Management
Policy Contact: Facilities Management

REASON FOR POLICY

The purpose of this policy is to create a University wide policy on the building hours of University Academic Buildings.

SCOPE

This policy applies to all University of Wisconsin-Platteville employees, visiting faculty, students, and contractors. It applies to all facilities owned, leased, or otherwise occupied by the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. 

BACKGROUND

Establish hours of operations for all University Academic Buildings.

DEFINITIONS

Academic Building: All University owned buildings where the primary purpose of that building is for academic instruction. The following buildings are exempt from this policy: the Markee Pioneer Student Center, the Center for the Arts (CFA), Williams Fieldhouse, Karrmann Library, Pioneer Greenhouse, and Ullsvik Hall.  These six buildings employ building access managers who determine building hours based on the building event schedule.   

Academic year: Any time during the months of September through May when the University classes are in session. On University breaks, (Winter, Spring) University Police and Facilities will develop an unlock/lock schedule that balances building security with the campus community needs. 

POLICY STATEMENT

Facilities Management in conjunction with the University Police Department, Risk Management, and the Academic Deans, has established the following hours of operation for all University owned academic buildings.

1. Academic Year:

   1. Monday thru Friday – 7:00AM to 11:00PM

   2. Saturday & Sunday – 7:00AM to 10:00PM

      1. Select buildings will be open at the request of the Registrar’s Office and/or the Academic Dean, with the approval from the Chief of Police or his/her designee.

2. Summer Session:

   1. Monday thru Friday – 7:00AM to 5:00PM

      1. Exceptions can be made with approval from the Chief of Police or his/her designee. Please contact the Registrar’s Office to initiate your request.

   2. Saturday & Sunday – Closed

      1. Select buildings will be open at the request of the Registrar’s Office and/or the Academic Dean, with the approval from the Chief of Police or his/her designee.

3. Legal Holidays – Closed

4. Official University Breaks:

   1. Monday thru Friday – 7:00AM to 5:00PM

      1. Exceptions can be made with approval from the Chief of Police or his/her designee. Please contact the Registrar’s Office to initiate your request.

   2. Saturday & Sunday – Closed

      1. Select buildings will be open at the request of the Registrar’s Office and/or the Academic Dean, with the approval from the Chief of Police or his/her designee.

PROCEDURES

1. Securing academic buildings

   1. Weekdays

      1. Facilities, with the assistance of University Police, will secure the academic buildings by the times described above.

   2. Weekends

      1. University Police will open and secure buildings per the Registrar’s request for room reservations in Ad Astra.

      2. Academic Deans may request certain buildings to be opened during the times described above with the approval of the University Police Department.

         1. For security reasons, all of the Academic Buildings on campus are not opened on the weekends.

      3. Except for events approved and operated by Event Services, Ullsvik Hall will be closed on weekends due to security concerns relating to administrative offices, the Art Gallery, and the University museum.

2. Students in buildings after hours

   1. Student will not be allowed in any Academic Building past the closing hour times described above, with the following exceptions:

      1. The student is working with University Staff/Faculty.

      2. The student has been given permission and receives an after-hours pass by the Department chairs and it has been approved by the University Police Department.

   2. As University staff are securing exits, students still in the building will be advised that the building is closing and they need to exit by the closing hour.

3. Students refusing to leave

   1. Any student that refuses to leave, will be reported to the University Police. University Police will respond and escort the student out of the building.

   2. In the event of an uncooperative student, University Police may issue that student a citation for violating UWS Chapter 18.07(2) “Closing Hours”. 

4. Extended Hours

   1. During final exam week (Fall & Spring), at the request of the Academic Dean, and with the approval of Facilities and University Police, closing hours may be extended for specified buildings.

5. Weekend Room Reservations

   1. Event organizers shall submit their request for room reservations to the Registrar’s Office no later than 12:00 PM on Friday for events occurring that weekend: Saturday and/or Sunday. Requests submitted after 12:00 PM on Friday will be denied, and University Police will not open those rooms. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Position/Office: Facilities Management, Office of Safety and Risk Management, University Police
Responsibilities N/A

CONTACTS

Those designated to receive questions and feedback on the policy.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

None

HISTORY

Policy Approved on January 1, 2016
Policy Reviewed and Updated to new Format: July 2023

SCHEDULED REVIEW 

Policies are reviewed annually.