10/13/26 Leah Ammon #HuskyHome #Move-in #Perks & Rec
Quick Read: What it is: Tailgating means entering a secure residence hall by following an authorized person
- Why it matters: Unescorted, unlogged entries threaten community safety and security and undermine accurate occupancy records needed for emergencies and evacuations.
- How to help: Don't hold doors for others, politely remind people to tap in, and ensure guests are escorted by and wait for a resident host rather than entering on their own.
- If it happens: Don't confront an unauthorized entrant—report it to your RA, RA on-call, or Residence Life; call 911 for immediate safety concerns or UWPD non-emergency (206-685-8973) for less urgent issues.
What is tailgating?
Tailgating is when a person gains access to a secure location by following right behind somebody else who has authorized access. Even if you are authorized to enter a space, if you don’t tap your Husky card when you enter… you’re tailgating!
Why do we need to address tailgating?
Just like you wouldn’t want strangers wandering around your home, we don’t want individuals without authorization entering our communities without supervision. It’s important for ensuring our living communities are comfortable and secure for all our residents. We can only achieve this if we work together. Even though most tailgaters are not malicious, it’s still important that we have an accurate log of who’s in the building. This will help in the event of an emergency or evacuation. It also helps maintain a record of building capacity.
How can I help minimize tailgating?
Avoid holding doors open. If you feel comfortable saying something, remind others that they need to tap their Husky card to enter the building. No green light, no access. Guests may only enter if they are escorted by a building resident and must wait outside until that resident is present.
It may feel awkward, but remember…
It’s not rude to hold the line. It’s keeping your Husky Home—and your residence hall community—safe.
What if somebody enters the building without tapping?
If an unauthorized individual enters the building, you do not need to confront them. Instead, contact your RA, RA on-call, or the Residence Life Office immediately.
If you feel there is an immediate safety concern, please call 911. For less urgent but concerning situations, you can call the UW Police Department non-emergency line at 206-685-8973.
Where can I learn more?
For more information about university policies regarding guests and unauthorized access, please reference:
UW Housing 9-Month Agreement - Section C, Page 18, Guest Policy
Student Code of Conduct - WAC 478-121-163: Unauthorized keys, entry, or use.