Telephone Change FAQ's

What's going on with the phone number change?

Effective August 1, 2005, the old number to reach UPD Dispatch, "3456", will be changed. Calls to the old number will reach a recording directing them to dial 911 for an emergency, or instructing them to the new business line, 5555, for non-emergency business and special requests such as escorts and motorist assists.

Why the change in numbers right now?

This summer (2005), UPD is carrying out a computerized upgrade of our phone switchboard, replacing 15-year-old technology to prepare for an exciting future of many different high-tech communications including 911 calls to our on-campus cell tower, telephone text inquiries from hearing and speech-impaired students, and cutting-edge Internet-based phone services, also known as Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP). New banks of phone numbers are being set up for these purposes, and a new non-emergency business line will help keep the calls organized and prioritized into emergency and non-emergency groups.

Are you sure we can't keep the old number "3456"?

In addition to meeting the phone line requirements of the technology upgrade, the change in phone numbers is supported by a comprehensive evaluation of our current and future needs. We identified confusion and delays taking place when multiple phone calls on the "3456" line presented a jumbled mixture of emergency and non-emergency situations. There is currently no method to sort or prioritize the emergencies from the non-emergencies without answering each call and interviewing the caller. As a side benefit of changing our number, we are encouraging the campus community to call 911 from a campus phone whenever there appears to be an emergency. If we were to keep the "3456" number active we would continue to receive emergency calls mixed in with non-emergency reports. With this change, we will answer the 911 calls first, and get emergency help on the way the fastest way possible. Finally, the amount of state grant funding we receive is dependent on accurate statistical data of how many 911 emergency calls we handle each month. In case of emergency, dial 911!

Who is paying for this new technology upgrade?

The new technology related to handling telephone traffic is being subsidized by special state funding. About 80% of the costs of this upgrade are being paid for by special funds from Sacramento.

What if I want to place an emergency call to UPD on my cell phone?

The simplest answer is to dial 911. It works everywhere. Locally, all 911 cellular calls are initially screened by a California Highway Patrol dispatcher. The caller must state their location, and the CHP will transfer the call to the appropriate jurisdiction. Campus callers should ask to be connected to University Police.

Additionally, on-campus residents may choose to direct-dial University Police on the following cellular emergency-only phone number: 707-826-5023. Callers using this number must use it only on-campus and remember that (1) they will have to give their specific location to the Dispatcher, and (2) if they are away from the campus they should dial 911 to report an emergency situation to the local authorities.

What if I want to place a TDD/TDY call to UPD?

TDD/TDY refers to "telecommunications device for the deaf". Our old TDD/TDY number 707-826-4665 will remain active until August 15. After that date, TDD/TDY calls can be placed to any of our emergency lines or our business line, 707-826-5555.

So what will be the new number lineup for UPD after August 1, 2005?

EMERGENCIES

Emergencies from any phone (Police, Fire, Medical): 911
On-Campus Resident Cellular Emergency-Only: 707-826-5023

Non Emergency UPD Services

Escorts, motorist assists, questions, make a report call: 707-826-5555
Business Line: 707-826-5555
From a campus phone dial: 5555
Campus Conditions and Advisories: 707-826-INFO (4636)
Parking and Commuter Services: 707-826-3773