On the pages that follow you will find information on a variety of subjects pertaining to life at the University of California's Washington Center and living in Washington DC. The goal is to inform you about what to expect while living and working in Washington and alleviate some of the concerns that you might have.

General Information Information for Students Information for Faculty/Staff Additional Assistance

Building Access Emergency Evacuation Fire Safety Living in Community Nondiscrimination Statement Residential Life Telephones

Building Access

The UC Washington Center has developed a system of building security, which includes a card key for access and a picture identification. This system is in place to help ensure your safety while at the Center. Also, Washington D. C. as the Nation's Capital and a city of global importance is a focus for events, which may require you to prove your right to access the Center and the surrounding neighborhood. Your Center picture identification ensures that you will have this access.

Card Key Access
The front door of the building serves as main access for our residents, faculty, staff and visitors. Center residents will receive a card key upon return of an apartment inventory sheet. The card key provides access to the building's main entrance and floors that are available for your use. Please carry this card with you whenever you leave your apartment.

Under normal circumstances the building is unlocked during the hours of 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. M-F. At all other times you will need your card key to enter the building. The card key is required at all times to use the elevators.

If you have problems with your card key, please contact the Security Desk on the first floor (available 24 hours a day).  If you lose your card key, please notify the Security Desk immediately. There is a charge for replacing lost or damaged cards. Replacement fees can be obtained by contacting the Resident Manager at (202) 974-6215. The card key must be returned upon your final departure from the Center.

All guests to the Center must sign-in at the Security Desk and will be issued a Visitor's ID. The Visitor's ID must be worn in plain sight at all times. (See the Residential Guest Policy for more information about hosting guests). There are areas within the building (including office space on floors 2 and 3) that have limited public hours of access. An appropriately coded card key is required for after hours access to these areas. The UC Washington Center reserves the right to close the building to any non-resident or guest and to ask them to leave the building at any time.

Washington Center Picture Identification Card
A UC Washington Center picture ID is provided to all residents, faculty and staff at the start of their time at the Center. Faculty and staff are required to wear the ID card while in the building. Residents, faculty and staff are required to carry their card key and Washington Center picture ID when leaving the building. The Washington Center picture ID card is required for re-entry into the Center and must be shown to the Security Duty Officer upon re-entry to the building.

There is a replacement charge for damaged or lost picture ID cards. Replacement fees can be obtained by contacting the Resident Manager at (202) 974-6215. The picture ID must be returned upon your final departure from the Center.

Safety Tip
Both the card key and the picture ID have a hole in the top to enable you to hang them on a clip, lanyard or key chain. You are strongly encourage not to hang your card key and picture ID together. In case of loss, your card replacement fees will be double. Moreover the loss of both cards at once may seriously compromise the Center's security system.