Prayer Room - Security Report

Dear University Prayer Room Users

I write this note to you in my capacity as Director of Student Services whose brief includes overseeing the use of the University Prayer Room.

I wish to draw to your attention a recent incident. On Monday 30 July 2007 at 17.45, University Security were advised that three young children had entered the University Prayer Room using the code. When Security arrived at the University Prayer Room the children were running around the room playing. They said their father had sent them there to wait for him. They did not know where he was or how long he would be. On checking the name given by the children, it was apparent that their father was neither a student nor a member of University staff.

This raises a number of serious issues for the University.

• Firstly, there are legal implications related to unaccompanied minors on University premises.
  
• The code for the Prayer Room entrance has been passed to someone who is not a member of the University community and so not entitled to use the University Prayer Room. This could have serious security implications for the University.
• The University Prayer Room is being used for purposes other than prayer.
  

It is important that all users of the University Prayer Room are aware that:

• It is there for University students and staff only. The University will take very seriously incidents where the University Prayer Room is accessed by unauthorised users who may be asked to leave by Security staff.
• Children of students and staff should not be left unaccompanied in the University Prayer Room (or anywhere else on the University Campus).
• The University Prayer Room has been provided for the purposes of Prayer and at special times of the year, social events. It should not be used for any other purpose.

The University Prayer Room is part of the University premises and as such the University has a duty to ensure that its use is appropriate to its initial designated function and that its use is limited to registered Northumbria University students and current staff members only. We also have related duties in connection with health and safety issues with which we must comply.

I would be grateful if you could note the contents of this correspondence and ensure that as a University Prayer Room user you are fully aware of the issues around use of the premises and dissemination of the entrance code.

Shelagh Groves
Director of Student Services
1st August 2007