Safety & Security

Overview

The Department of Student Housing provides policies and procedures to help residents make good decisions about the safety and security of their residential communities. Safety is everyone’s responsibility. The Department of Student Housing expects each member of a residential community to abide by the policies and procedures outlined in the Department of Student Housing Handbook, as well as report any safety and security concerns or policy violations to Department of Student Housing staff.

Room Entry/Search

Residents in Department of Student Housing facilities 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 academic success 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.

All residence hall and scholarship hall suites and Jayhawker Towers apartments will receive a health and safe­ty check once each semester to ensure cleanliness and continued optimal operation and condition of the facility. Residents will receive at least 24 hours notice prior to safety checks being administered.

Security

Propping doors open, blocking the fire exits or fire exit signage, and obstructing hallways threaten the security of all the residents of the facility. Exterior doors should never be propped open; guests should be escorted at all times; and security and visitation policies should be fol­lowed. Security concerns should be reported to Department of Student Housing staff immediately.

Residence Hall Access

In consideration of and respect for residents' privacy, security, and property, all halls are secured and all exterior doors locked 24 hours a day. Residents may enter their assigned residence hall by using their KU Card at designated card reader doors. Each hall’s main entrance is equipped with card readers and can be accessed 24 hours a day. Some halls have additional card reader doors which can be accessed between 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. After 11 p.m., residents may only enter through the main entrance and must present their KU Card. Guests must present photo identification and be escorted at all times by a resident of the hall.

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. Room doors should be kept locked to secure personal belongings.

Scholarship Hall Access

In consideration of and respect for residents’ privacy, security, and property, all Scholarship halls are secured and all exterior doors locked 24 hours a day. Residents are able to access their Scholarship hall by using their KU Card. Visitors should be met by their host at the hall’s main entrance.

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.

Scholarship hall students also have access to the Crawford Community Center during the following times: Sunday-Thursday from noon to 11 p.m.; Friday from noon to 7 p.m.; and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Additional access is available to scholarship hall students upon request.

Jayhawker Towers Access

In consideration of and respect for residents’ privacy, security, and property, all Towers are secured and all interior glass doors locked 24 hours a day. Residents are able to access their Tower by using their KU Card at designated card reader doors. Visitors should be met by their host at the interior glass door and escorted throughout the duration of their stay.

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 and chains should not be installed on the apartment entrance door or on individual room doors within the apartment. A $50 fee is charged for misplaced or lost apartment keys. Residents who are locked out accidentally should request a lock-out 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 Apartment Living office.

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 $50 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 Apartment Living office.

Emergency

In the event of a fire, medical, or other emergency, or if you need the police or ambulance, dial 911. Then call the front desk of your com­plex or the staff member on call. Maintenance emergencies should be reported to a staff member immediately. Examples of maintenance emergencies are broken pipes, water leaks, flooded toilet, broken windows, 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. Evacuate, if possible, and stay clear of the building.

Smoke Detectors

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 immediately.

Tampering with Fire Safety Equipment

Tampering with fire safety equipment or purposely activating a false alarm is a violation of state and local laws. Either can be considered sufficient cause for removal from Department of Student Housing facilities. 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 will result in disciplinary action, possible removal from Department of Student Housing facilities and clean-up charges assessed to 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 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 local media. 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 communicated by hall staff.
• 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 the Apartment Living office 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. Notify staff, and if possible, leave the apartment.