The University of Lynchburg is located in a quiet but thriving city of approximately 80,000residents. Lynchburg is the principal city of the Metropolitan Statistical Area of Lynchburg, located near the geographic center of Virginia. With a population of approximately 263,000 people, Lynchburg’s MSA is the fifth largest in Virginia. As in any city, threats can arise from people and circumstances external to the University. Remember, the campus is walkable from any direction at any time. While nearby off-campus areas may seem like extensions of the campus, they may not be as secure, especially at night.
University buildings, except residential facilities, are unlocked and open to students, employees,
contractors, visitors, and guests Monday–Friday, including nighttime class and event times. Campus grounds and facilities are frequently and freely accessed by members of the general public attending athletic competitions, presentations, and other events offered to the community.
In general, University academic buildings and administrative office areas are locked after classes or daily usage hours end. Nonresidential facilities may be open for authorized purposes, such as presentations and performances, academic projects, and meetings.
Exterior access to the living areas of all residence halls (Freer, Hundley, Montgomery, Shackelford, Tate, and Westover Halls) and Peaksview Hall apartments are locked 24 hours a day. From 10 a.m. to midnight, all undergraduate students’ ID cards allow them access to all residence halls and Peaksview Hall. After midnight, only residents of a particular building may access that building using their ID cards. University policy stipulates that a visitor who is not a resident of the building must be admitted and escorted by a building resident. During winter, spring, and summer breaks, all student ID cards are deactivated, unless special permission for
residential access is given by the Office of Housing and Residence Life. Other campus housing (Westwood apartments, houses, and townhouses) is locked and unlocked via keys issued to the assigned residents. Members of the University community and guests may visit students in campus housing per the University’s visitation policy.
The University of Lynchburg Graduate Health Sciences Building, located at 300 Monticello Ave., houses the Doctor of Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant graduate programs. Entrance to the Graduate Health Sciences Building is controlled by card access. Campus Safety and Security officers regularly patrol the facility daily. Surveillance cameras are located throughout the interior of the Health Sciences facility and on the exterior. The hard-wired fire alarm system in the Health Sciences facility reports directly to the Office of Campus Safety and Security, located on the main campus at 1501 Lakeside Drive. University of Lynchburg Campus Safety and Security officers respond to fire alarm activations at the Health Sciences facility. In the event of an emergency at the Health Sciences facility, students, employees, and visitors should contact Campus Safety and Security at 434.544.5555, or via the LiveSafe app.
The University of Lynchburg’s Claytor Nature Center is a non-enclosed, 470-acre research center located in Bedford County, Virginia, approximately 25 miles from the Lynchburg campus. CNC facilities include an education and research center, pavilion, retreat center, observatory, and research gardens. CNC is available for use only by University of Lynchburg employees, students, and guests. A University representative is generally available on-site for programs and classes. However, University security officers do not patrol the CNC grounds or facilities. In the event of an emergency at CNC, one should call Bedford County emergency services (911 if the caller is present at CNC; 540.586.7827 in non-emergency situations).
