The Davis campus is pivoting to remote instruction at nighttime, starting today (May 2) as a temporary modification, approved and mandated by the Executive Council of the Davis Division of the Academic Senate earlier this afternoon.

NEWS CONFERENCE

Chancellor Gary S. May, Police Chief Joe Farrow and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Pablo Reguerín gave updates on campus safety at a news conference today (May 2).

“Out of an abundance of caution, UC Davis is transitioning to emergency remote instruction for all courses ending after 6 p.m.,” Distinguished Professor Ahmet Palazoglu, chair of the Davis Division, reported after the special meeting. Later in the afternoon, the senate posted Guidelines for Instructional Continuity Beginning May 2.

In addition, the campus is urging organizers of nighttime events to strongly consider going remote as well, or rescheduling. If neither of these is an option, organizers should advise their attendees to sign up for WarnMe and to have a transportation plan — i.e., do not walk or travel alone.

The campus will continue with extra security and expanded Safe Ride service, which will now include vans and drivers from the Davis Police Department. Safe Rides are free for all students, faculty and staff.

The campus Police Department is calling in Members in Black Private Security for a second night and has called for backup from other UC police departments. Officials are compiling a list of venues — such as Shields Library and the Activities and Recreation Center — where activities are taking place, so patrols can be assigned.

Emergency officials also are looking into temporary lighting for even greater visibility in high-traffic areas. And, in a previously planned project, the campus added exterior cameras in certain locations.

Staff, faculty and students who wish to drive to and from campus: Transportation Services will forego enforcement (except in restricted spaces) from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m., allowing people to park for free.

The actions come after a third stabbing in the city of Davis in the last week, two of them fatal, with the latest victim hospitalized after being attacked overnight Monday near Second and L streets.

Getting home at night

Earlier Monday night, the campus Police Department added its own personnel and vans to its Safe Ride service and moved up by two hours the start time for rides from campus to off-campus locations in the city of Davis. Rides from campus into the city are now available from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Other Safe Ride services are unchanged: Transportation from one campus location to another starts at 5 p.m. and VIP wheelchair transportation is available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For Safe Rides: Call 530-754-COPS (2677) or use the TransLoc App (you can download it for free). Police recommend using the app and have posted instructions on how to use it.

Unitrans buses begin their last runs anywhere from 8:10 to 10:35 p.m. Monday through Thursday (the campus-city bus service does not have night service on Fridays, except during finals week), and due to a lingering shortage of drivers, is unable to extend those hours. However, Yolobus provides late-night options on Route 42A/B, departing the Memorial Union Terminal at the following times weekdays:

• Route 42A toward Woodland — 10:20, 11:05 and 11:50 p.m.
• Route 42B toward Sacramento — 10:38 p.m.

Be vigilant

These tips from the campus safety officials bear repeating:

• Use UC Davis Police Safe Rides by calling 530-754-COPS (2677) or using the TransLoc App.
• Try not to travel alone.
• Always try to vary your routes to and from work or school.
• Be aware of location and situation that will make you vulnerable to crime, especially in darkness. Indeed, these two crimes occurred in darkness in parks.
• Avoid people and situations that make you nervous — Trust Your Instincts!
• Stay in well-lighted areas as much as possible.
• Walk confidently and at a steady pace, making eye contact with people when walking. Do not use headphones.
• If you ever feel you or others are in danger, call 911.

Also take note of the campus's network of 21 “blue light” emergency call boxes throughout the campus, including the Arboretum.

Other resources

• Students — Aggie Mental Health
• Faculty and staff — Academic and Staff Assistance program, or ASAP

WARNME AND AGGIE ALERT

UC Davis is keeping the campus community abreast of the current safety situation via Aggie Alert and WarnMe messages, which are sent automatically to staff, faculty and student @ucdavis.edu email addresses, and to smartphones and other devices belonging to the same people, provided they insert their numbers into the system.

People without @ucdavis.edu email accounts are welcome to opt in to receive these messages via text. To sign up for Davis campus WarnMe and Aggie Alert messages, text “UCDAlerts” to 888777. Additional information about this service is available online.