Safety & Security

Room Entry/Search
Safety Checks
Security

Residence Hall Access
Scholarship Hall Access
Jayhawker Towers Access
Stouffer Place and Sunflower Apartments

Emergency

Fire Emergency
Tornado
Gas Smells in Stouffer Place or Sunflower Apartments

Room Entry/Search

Residents in the Department of Student Housing have a right to privacy and are protected against unreasonable searches of their rooms. The Department of Student Housing may enter a resident's room/suite/apartment without notice in emergencies where imminent danger to life, safety, health, or property is reasonably feared. The submission of a Maintenance Request is considered an invitation to enter to perform requested maintenance. In order to maintain an environment that facilitates scholarship of other residents, staff will enter a room to turn off an alarm, stereo, television, or other item that has been left unattended and is causing a disturbance.  Before entering a room, staff will attempt to locate the residents.

Safety Checks

During all vacation periods and occasionally throughout the semester, safety checks are conducted in every room in the residence and scholarship halls as well as every apartment in Jayhawker Towers to ensure that the room/suite/apartment has been left in a safe condition. Notice is posted at least 24 hours in advance. Policy violations in plain view will be documented and disciplinary action will be taken.

Suites in Lewis and Templin Residence Halls, and suites in Margaret and K.K. Amini Scholarship Halls will receive a safety check twice each semester to ensure continued optimal operation and condition of the facility. Residents will receive at least 24 hours notice.

Security

Propping doors open, blocking the fire exits, and obstructing hallways are violations of the fire code and threaten the security of all the residents of the facility. Perimeter doors should never be propped open; guests should be escorted at all times; and security and visitation policies should be followed.

Residence Hall Access

In consideration of and respect for residents' privacy, security, and property, all halls will be secured daily at a minimum between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Residents may enter only through the main entrance during these hours and must present their KU Card. Guests must present photo identification.

Residence hall rooms have locks and each resident is issued a key. The charge for a lost or misplaced key is $50. Residents who are accidentally locked out of their room/suite should go to the front desk with photo identification. A Resident Assistant will open the room. The first "lock-out" is free. Subsequent lock-outs are $20 apiece.

Scholarship Hall Access

Scholarship halls are secured and all exterior doors locked at a minimum between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Residents may choose to have their doors secured for longer periods of time. Residents are able to access the building by using a code. This code should not be shared with non-residents of the hall.

Scholarship hall rooms are equipped with locks and residents are encouraged to lock their door each time they leave the room. The charge for a lost or misplaced key is $50. Residents who are accidentally locked out should find their Scholarship Hall Director or Proctor to open the room.

Jayhawker Towers Access

All Towers are equipped with interior glass doors to provide limited access to the buildings. Residents carry an access key. This key should be carried at all times. A $50 fee is assessed when this key is lost. The limited access doors are locked twenty-four hours a day. Visitors should be met by their host at the door.

In addition, each apartment entrance door has been equipped with deadbolt and chain locks. Residents should deadbolt their apartments each time they leave. Additional locks should not be installed. A $50 fee is charged for misplaced or lost apartment keys. A charge of $100 will be assessed for a complete set of lost keys(including access door key). Residents who are locked out accidentally should request a lockout key from the office during business hours. A photo ID must be left with the office staff and the key may only be checked out for 15 minutes. For after hours lock-out assistance, contact the Jayhawker Towers Residence Life staff.

Stouffer Place and Sunflower Apartments

Each apartment entrance door has been equipped with a deadbolt lock. Residents should deadbolt their apartments each time they leave. Additional locks should not be installed. A $25 fee is charged for misplaced or lost keys. Residents who are locked out accidentally should request a lockout key from the apartment living office during business hours. A photo ID must be left with the office staff and the key may only be checked out for two hours. For after hours lock-out assistance, contact the Residence Life staff.

Emergency

In the event of a fire, medical, or other emergency, or if you need the police and/or ambulance, dial 911. Then call the Complex Director or the front desk of your complex. Maintenance emergencies should be called in to a staff member immediately. Examples of maintenance emergencies are broken pipes, flooded toilet, broken windows in bad weather, broken heaters, and electrical short-circuits.

Fire emergency

Fire Safety Instructions and Evacuation from a fire area
When the fire alarm sounds, every resident is required to leave the building at once using the nearest stairway exit. First feel your door from top to bottom (follow this procedure for all closed doors you encounter).

If the door feels cool:

1. Crouch low and open door slowly. Close door quickly if heavy smoke or fire is present.
2. If visibility permits, take your key and close your door.
3. Leave the building via the stairways. Stay as low as possible if smoky conditions exist (crawl if necessary).
4. If you encounter heavy smoke in a stairwell, go back and use another set of stairs.
5. Never use the elevator during a fire alarm. You may become trapped.
6. Return to the building only when officials tell you it is safe.

If the door feels hot:

1. Do not open the door.
2. If possible, call 911 and report your situation and location. Stay off the phone after calling 911 as fire officials may try to reach you.
3. Wedge wet towels or clothing under the door jam to keep smoke out.
4. Keep a soaked towel over your head.
5. Open window and hang out a bed sheet to call attention to your location. Close window on sheet if necessary to keep smoke from entering in through the window.
6. Stay low until help arrives.

Reporting a Fire

1. In the event of a fire, you should immediately activate a building fire alarm, which alerts building staff and all residents of impending danger.
2. Call 911 to report the fire and notify your complex staff of the location of the fire.
3. Hang up the telephone.
4. Evacuate, if possible, and stay clear of the building.

Smoke Detectors
Required by law, this appliance may save your life. A smoke detector is provided in every room/suite/apartment, and is operated electrically. Individual unit smoke detectors will not activate general complex alarms. In most buildings and Jayhawker Towers, smoke detectors are electrically wired to the building systems and will activate if dislodged. Do not test or tamper with smoke detectors. Stouffer Place residents should not turn off the #1 (or furnace) breaker at any time, as this will shut off the smoke alarm and endanger lives.

Problems with smoke detectors should be reported as soon as possible.

Tampering with Fire Safety Equipment
Tampering with fire safety equipment and/or purposely activating a false alarm are violations of state and local laws. Either can be considered sufficient cause for removal from KU housing facilities. Apartment heat/smoke detectors in Jayhawker Towers that have been tampered with are identified by the master fire alarm system. Smoke alarms and sprinkler heads are considered fire safety equipment and thus should not be tampered with. A fire extinguisher that has been tampered with or unnecessarily discharged could result in disciplinary action and/or a bill for the resident who is responsible.

Tornado

Be alert for these danger signs (generally March through September): severe thunderstorms with frequent lightning; heavy rain; hail; roaring noise; funnel clouds; strong winds; or power failure.

Tornado Watch
The local branch of the National Weather Service will issue a watch bulletin to the local authorities as well as the local media (TV networks and radio stations). A "watch" indicates that conditions are conducive to the development of a tornado.

Tornado Warning
The local branch of the National Weather Service will issue a warning bulletin to the local authorities as well as the local media (TV and radio). A "warning" indicates that a tornado has been sighted or detected by radar and may be approaching. If a tornado warning is issued, or the city warning sirens have been activated, take the following precautions:

• Seek shelter immediately in the lower levels of the building or an internal hallway. Stay away from windows and glass enclosures.
• Use only stairwells.
• Remain in shelter area until the "all clear" is given by local authorities.
• Cooperate fully with hall/complex staff, who have your safety as their first priority.

Gas Smells in Stouffer Place or Sunflower Apartments

Appliances (furnace and water heater) should give trouble-free service if you do not tamper with them. Please call if there is a problem with any appliance in your apartment. Also, if you notice a gas smell in your apartment, do not attempt to locate the source yourself. Open doors and windows; do not smoke; do not turn lights on or off. Call the apartment living office at 864-8305 for assistance. If possible, leave the apartment.