Last week's evacuation of several apartment blocks at the Russell Park housing complex provides a reminder of the resources available to the campus community to cope with emergencies and other upsetting experiences, campus officials said.

"Everyone responds to these things in different ways," said Diana Davis, interim director of Counseling and Psychological Services, or CAPS. "If students are upset about it or feel they would like to talk to a mental health professional, they're invited come into CAPS." 

Counseling is also available to faculty, staff and their families through the Academic and Staff Assistance Program.

Five apartment blocks were evacuated while UC Davis police, the Yolo County Bomb Squad and other agencies removed materials from an apartment after a small explosion in the early morning hours of Thursday, Jan. 17. The evacuation ended early the next morning.

David Snyder, a junior specialist in a campus chemistry lab, is due for arraignment this Thursday (Jan. 24) in Yolo County Superior Court on explosives and firearms charges. See separate story.

Alerts via WarnMe and social media

The UC Davis WarnMe system alerts you by text message, phone and email about emergencies that might cause disruptions on campus. Check and update your contact information on the WarnMe website.

WarnMe messages will usually refer you to the campus home page for more detailed information. Updates are posted there and on the News & Information page.

If you use social media, follow @ucdavisnews on Twitter and the campus Facebook page for regular updates. The campus emergency status line, (530) 752-4000, will provide recorded information.

Reporting an emergency or concern

For immediate fire, police or medical emergencies, call 911 (9-911 from campus phones). Nonemergency numbers are: UC Davis police, (530) 752-1727; city of Davis police, (530) 747-5400.

Campus residents, in residence halls and apartments, are advised to call campus police in case of emergency. Students with concerns about fellow students, on or off campus, can contact Student Housing at (530) 752-1736), Student Judicial Affairs at (530) 752-1128) or the Police Department, any of which can refer cases to the Student Crisis Response Team which meets regularly to discuss help for troubled students. Dorm residents can also talk to their resident advisers about any worries or concerns.

To report a nonurgent concern to campus Environmental Health and Safety, call (530) 752-1493.

Counseling services for students

Counseling and Psychological Services offers a variety of counseling services at no charge to registered students. Counseling is available by appointment, or on a drop-in basis at 219 North Hall for urgent care during business hours. To make an appointment, call (530) 752-0871.

Counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (530) 752-0871.

Faculty and staff with concerns about students who appear distressed can also call (530) 752-0871 for advice. A booklet, "Responding to Distressed or Distressing Students," is available online.

Counseling for faculty and staff

Counseling and advice services are available to faculty and staff and their immediate families through the Academic and Staff Assistance Program. Services are free and confidential. ASAP staff deal with both work-related and personal concerns, and can help if you are concerned about friends, colleagues or co-workers.

The ASAP office is at 112 A St., Davis. To schedule an appointment, call (530) 752-2727 or contact the office manager, Sharon Ree, slree@ucdavis.edu, or the director, Beth Cohen, bacohen@ucdavis.edu.