Campus Emergency Procedures

In an evacuation, all students, staff, faculty, and visitors must leave the affected building (or buildings) immediately.  A building evacuation will typically be initiated using the building fire alarm.

1. Use the nearest safe exit, closing office and classroom doors behind you. Walk, do not run
2. If possible, take personal belongings such as keys, purses, and backpacks with you.  You may not be able to return to collect these items in an emergency.  However, do not delay your evacuation or return to a dangerous area in order to gather personal effects.  Personnel working with hazardous chemicals or equipment should ensure the materials are rendered safe before evacuating.
3. Do not use elevators. They may become inoperative, trapping you.
4. If you encounter others who are not evacuating, inform them of the danger, but do not delay your own evacuation.
5. If you encounter persons who need assistance evacuating, you may offer assistance at your own discretion, if you can do so safely. If you cannot assist, immediately notify campus security or the Assembly Area Manager (wearing a fluorescent vest) of their location so emergency responders can assist them.
6. Proceed to your building assembly area and report to your supervisor or instructor.  Do not leave campus until you have been accounted for and released.

Department managers should ensure that all faculty and staff are familiar with evacuation routes and procedures, and know the locations of fire alarm pull stations and evacuation assembly areas.   Instructors should review this information with students at the start of each semester.

In a lockdown, all personnel are to secure themselves in a room, denying entry to their area until authorities determine the building to be safe. Examples of situations which may require lockdown include an active shooter, or sighting of someone with a gun or weapon on campus, a serious crime in progress on campus or in very close proximity, or pursuit of a dangerous suspect by law enforcement personnel.  Lockdown will be initiated by broadcast on the campus public address system, transmitted by telephone, e-mail, or text message, or by a combination of these methods. A lockdown may also be initiated locally, without notification, if dangerous circumstances exist in a particular area which are not yet known to campus authorities.

When the order for a lockdown is given, the following procedures are to be implemented immediately:

If you are in a classroom, laboratory, or office

1. Immediately close and lock the door. If the door cannot be locked, wedge or barricade it in a manner that will prevent it from opening. Once closed, do not open the door for anyone.
2. Turn off lights and close or cover any windows.
3. Move away from doors and windows. Remain out of sight by hiding under or behind furniture or other solid objects. Stay as close to the floor as possible.
4. Silence all cell phones. Call 911 if safe to do so and notify them of the situation and provide any information you have about the incident and any suspects. Tell the emergency operator where you are located, and how many people are with you.
5. Instructors or supervisors should record attendance within the room if possible without attracting attention, by name if possible, but at minimum by making a head count. This will help ensure everyone is accounted for once the situation is resolved.
6. Do not leave the room, unless it becomes unsafe to stay there. Wait quietly in your location until law enforcement and/or campus officials notify you it is safe to leave. This could take several hours, depending on the circumstances.

If you are in hallways or other common areas:

1. Immediately enter an open room and follow the procedure described above. Do not expect people in barricaded rooms to allow you inside. If you cannot find an open room, seek any available object that will provide concealment.
2. Silence cell phones. Call 911 if safe to do so and notify them of the situation and provide any information you have about the incident and any suspects. Tell the emergency operator where you are located, and how many people are with you.
3. Remain in your concealed location until law enforcement and/or campus officials notify you it is safe to leave, unless it becomes unsafe to stay there.

If you are outside of a building:

1.  Hide behind any substantial object: cars, trees, rocks, etc. Stay where you are unless it becomes unsafe.
2. Do not approach the buildings. If you can safely leave the area, do so, keeping obstructions between you and the building(s) as much as possible.
3. Call 911 if safe to do so and notify them of the situation and provide any information you have about the incident and any suspects. Tell the emergency operator where you are located, and if other people are with you.

In all cases, when law enforcement arrives:

• Follow instructions.
• Keep your hands up and visible. Do not point toward people or objects, and do not make sudden movements.
• Stay close to the ground until instructed to stand up.

Following a lockdown, an all-clear signal will be delivered using the same method(s) as the original alert.

A “Shelter in Place” is a modified lockdown in which people may continue to move about inside a building, but it is unsafe to go outdoors.  Examples of situations which might require a Shelter in Place order include severe weather, such as strong thunderstorms, or nearby transportation accidents or fires which release contaminants to the air around campus.  Shelter in Place will be initiated by broadcast on the campus public address system, transmitted by telephone, e-mail, or text message, or by a combination of these methods.

When a Shelter in Place order is given, the following procedures are to be implemented immediately:

If you are inside a building:

• Simply remain indoors until an “All Clear” message is sent.
• Follow directions of campus administration and emergency responders.  Depending on the circumstances which caused the Shelter in Place, other actions may be needed to ensure safety of the campus community  (for example, in severe weather, you may be directed to stay away from exterior windows).
• Do not leave the room, unless it becomes unsafe to stay there. Wait quietly in your location until law enforcement and/or campus officials notify you it is safe to leave. This could take several hours, depending on the circumstances.

If you are outside of a building:

• Get inside the closest building and remain there.