In Case of Emergency
The following standards are for the safety of all resident and non-resident students. Violation of these standards is also punishable by local and state law.
Emergency Procedures and Protocols
- In the event of a building evacuation:
- Residents should assemble on the Soccer Field
- In the event of sever weather it is recommended that residents do one of the following:
- Get to the lowest level possible within the residential community
- Get to an interior space away from windows (suite bathroom)
- Go to a stairwell
- If you smell smoke or detect a fire, activate the nearest alarm and call 911 immediately from a safe location.
- Before opening any door, use the back of your hand to see if it is hot. If it is hot, leave it closed and stuff wet towels or clothes in the cracks and open a window.
- If the door is not hot, open it slowly and be prepared to close it quickly if necessary.
- Exit the building cautiously and carry a blanket/towel to protect you.
- Use Stairways, do not use elevators.
- If you see or smell smoke in a hall or stairway, use another exit.
- If you have knowledge of what may have caused a building evacuation, please notify University staff.
- Exit the building immediately by the proper pathway.
- Lock your door and take your key if you are a resident and in your room at the time the alarm sounds.
- Once outside, move to your designated emergency assembly point.
- Do not return to an evacuated building until the all-clear signal is given and permission is explicitly granted by a member of the Housing and Residence Life staff or a Campus Police officer.
- All students must maintain an obstruction-free evacuation route to all exits. The minimum clearance of the route must be 48 inches wide. Students must follow manufacturer guidelines when using power surge strips in order to ensure that they are not overloaded.
- Occupants should follow all safety precautions, including fire safety, and report any violations they observe to their building staff as soon as possible.
- Evacuation is required of all occupants of university buildings whenever an alarm is sounded. Be familiar with emergency evacuation routes from buildings in which you spend time.
- Specific procedures are:
- Failure to evacuate for an alarm is a violation of city and state ordinances and will be treated as a serious violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
- Fire alarms and fire-safety equipment are located in each building to save lives and property. Initiating a false alarm or tampering with fire-safety equipment is a violation of university policy.
- In the event of severe weather all residents should follow all reasonable recommendations
provided by University Housing Staff or Weather personnel. If a tornado or severe
storm warning is issued staff and residents should do the following:
- Keep away from windows. Generally, the lower residents are able to move in the residence hall (floor wise) the better including all building staff. If residents are unable to move to a lower floor, they should move to the inner most room within their residential space (suite bathroom), or stairwell.
- Remain in the building unless instructed to do so. After the danger has passed, building and housing staff will check on residents. Injuries or significant building damage should be reported to Campus Police.