Rider Guide to Safety & Security

Safety & Security Begins With You

The mission of the University of Texas at Dallas's Transportation Services Office is to provide on- and off-campus transit to students, faculty, staff, and visitors that is convenient, cost effective, and safe. Educating yourself about safety and security aboard transit vehicles is important. Always take a few minutes to become more aware of your surroundings. In an emergency, always follow the instructions of the bus operator, police and fire officials. Keep in mind:

Always be alert
Pay attention to suspicious packages, containers and devices
Report emergencies or incidents
Report any suspicious, disruptive or criminal activity to the bus operator, or to UT Dallas Police on 972.883.2331, or call 911
Always report people who act in a disorderly manner or alarm or disturb others, quickly exit the bus after abandoning a package, carry a weapon or suspected weapon.

Code of Conduct for Riders

For the safety and comfort of all riders, UT Dallas expects all riders to obey Federal, State and local laws. All riders are expected to abide by the following regulations that apply to the conduct of a person that may adversely affect others using or operating UT Dallas buses. These regulations are common to public transit systems, including DART.

Prohibited Conduct:

Smoking or using any tobacco product including chewing tobacco on the bus or at a bus shelter;
Consuming any alcoholic beverage or possessing an open container of any alcoholic beverage on the bus;
Eating on the bus;
Engaging in disruptive, disturbing behavior including: loud conversation, profanity or rude insults, operating any electronic device used for sound without an earphone(s) or at a noise level that can be heard by other riders or the bus operator;
Taking any animal onto the bus unless the animal's purpose is to assist a person with a disability, or unless the animal is in training to assist a person with a disability, or unless the animal is secured in a container sufficient to contain the animal;
Carrying or possessing any illegal weapon;
Possessing or transporting any flammable liquid, combustible material or other dangerous substance such as gasoline, kerosene or propane;
Littering;
Spitting;
Vandalizing the bus or property by writing, marking, scribbling, defacing or causing destruction to the bus or property in any manner;
Begging, soliciting or forcing yourself upon another person;
Interfering with or disrupting the operation of the bus.

A rider who violates one or more of these regulations may be asked to exit the bus. Situations in which a rider refuses to leave the bus after being asked to do so will be handled by UT Dallas Police or other appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Student Conduct Guidelines

The University of Texas at Dallas expects all students to obey federal, state and local laws, to comply with the University of Texas System Regents' Rules & Regulations and the UT Dallas Handbook of Operating Procedures, and to observe standards of conduct appropriate for an academic institution and expected in a civil society.

Any student who engages in conduct that violates the Regents' Rules & Regulations, UT System or UT Dallas policies and regulations; defies specific instructions issued by a University or System administrative official or authorized official acting in the course of official duties; violates federal, state, or local laws; or fails to maintain civil conduct, is subject to discipline whether such conduct takes place on or off campus or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct. Chapter 49 of the UT Dallas Handbook of Operating Procedures specifically addresses student conduct issues.

The primary responsibility for maintaining a safe environment on UT Dallas buses rests with the bus operator. When on duty the bus operator acts as an official of UT Dallas. Conduct by a student that results in disruption of the bus service or that distracts the bus operator, and thus creates a safety hazard, will be reported to the UT Dallas Police and the Dean of Students.

Behavior that may have been influenced by a student's mental state or use of drugs or alcoholic beverages shall not in any way limit the responsibility of the student for his or her actions.

What is Disruptive Behavior?

The UT Dallas Handbook of Operating Procedures defines disruptive behavior as "disorderly, lewd, indecent, inappropriate, disruptive, loud, or obscene conduct or behavior that interferes with the orderly functioning of the University or interferes with an individuals pursuit of an education on University-owned or controlled property or during an authorized University class, field trip, seminar, competition, or other meeting or University-related activity on or off University property".