The goal of the
Department of Public Safety is to provide a safe learning environment by
working collaboratively with our campus community. This is
accomplished by providing continuous campus patrol, campus shuttles,
safety escorts, crime prevention programs, and parking services. The
Department maintains a 24-hour communication center and uniformed public
safety officers to respond to all reports of accidents, crimes,
suspicious persons, hazards, and other emergencies.
For non-emergencies, please call (415) 422-4201, and for
emergencies, call (415) 422-2911. For other inquiries, call (415)
422-4222. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00
p.m.
Crime Prevention Programs
The Department of Public Safety hosts several rape and crime
prevention workshops throughout the year.
Safety Shuttle Escort
The Department of Public Safety in conjunction with
Associated Students offers a Safety Shuttle Escort program for students,
faculty, and staff. The program is operated by professional drivers
from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
and 6:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday while
school is in session (holidays excluded).
This service is intended to provide a safe means of travel
when no other method is available. Escort requests will be evaluated on a
case-by-cases basis and must fall within the following boundaries:
- North Boundary: California Street
- East Boundary: Divisadero Street
- South Boundary: Fell Street
- West Boundary: 6th Avenue
Acceptable Escort requests include: a residence-to-campus
escort, a campus-to-residence escort, or any campus location-to-campus
location escort. Contact Dispatch Services at (415) 422-4201.
Campus Parking
Public parking is limited on the USF campus and in the
surrounding neighborhood. Commuting students are advised to investigate
alternative forms of transportation, such as public transit and
carpooling. Public Safety can offer students advice on these options.
Parking on campus is only with a permit, which is issued by Public
Safety.
Off-campus USF students may enter the Student Parking
Lottery for full-time and part-time parking permits. The lottery is held
every August for the following academic year. Applications are
available in February and will be accepted until the end of July.
Outside of the lottery, students may also purchase evening, disabled (if
appropriate), and motorcycle parking permits. Daily permits may be
purchased at the visitors gate at either main campus (Golden Gate Avenue
at Kitredge) or Lone Mountain campus.
The City of San Francisco has installed residential parking
permits within an 8-block radius around campus. This limits vehicles
without permits to 2-hour increments during the hours of 8 a.m. to 6
p.m., Monday through Friday. Please contact the San Francisco Department
of Parking and Traffic for information on residential permits at (415)
503-2020.
Local Transportation
San Francisco has a large fleet of buses, trolleys, and
streetcars with an extensive number of routes to transport visitors and
students.
The following bus lines run close to USF, and all go to
Market Street and downtown: No. 5 Fulton, No. 21 Hayes, No. 31 Balboa,
and No. 38 Geary. The fare is $2.00 for the general public; 75 cents for
minors and riders aged 65 and older.
Several companies provide shuttle service to and from San
Francisco International Airport for about $15. The cab fare from San
Francisco International Airport to the University is about $30.
Safety Policies
Animals on Campus
Because of health, damage, and nuisance factors, animals
(including pets) are not permitted in University buildings (except guide
dogs for the blind) and must be kept on a leash at all times while on
campus grounds. For health reasons, those taking animals or pets on
campus are expected to clean up after them. Failure to do so may result
in a citation or fine.
Bicycles on Campus
Bicycle racks are available around campus. It is prohibited
to secure bicycles to anything other than a bike rack.
Personal Property Insurance
The University does not provide personal property insurance
for students. The University does not assume liability directly or
indirectly for loss of or damage to personal property caused by fire,
theft, water or by any other means except to the extent provided by law.
The University is not responsible for personal property left
unattended by students.
A list of additional Public Safety services can be found on
the web at www.usfca.edu/public_safety
