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Maintaining Residence Hall Safety
- Do not allow people to tailgate you when entering the building.
- Always keep your room door locked. We ask you to check your door whenever you leave your room.
- Propping, unlocking, barring or leaving open an exterior door jeopardizes the safety of all members of the residence hall community.
- Immediately report any missing keys to the front desk and your roommate(s). We reserve the right to change locks and bill residents if keys are lost or misused. Do not loan your key, laundry card, or OneCard to anyone for any reason.
- No person shall possess or duplicate any key or card at any time.
- If you encounter an unauthorized person in the building, contact a staff member or Public Safety immediately.
- The Office of Housing and Residential Life does not insure personel effects of students, or assume responsibility for theft, loss, or damage to students' personal property. It is recommended that students insure their belongings through the parents' homeowners policy or a seperate policy and label all personal items and record serial numbers.
OneCard Identification
Housing facilities are restricted to residents, university employees and registered guests only. Your OneCard ID establishes your affiliation with WSU and is not transferable. Students should not lend their OneCard to another student for any purpose including entry to a building, the purchase of meals, vending items, or other goods that may be charged to the OneCard. If you lose your OneCard, please report it to the OneCard office immediately.
Building and Room Access
The residence hall student living areas are locked 24 hours a day and require your WSU OneCard access for entry. You will receive a room key at move-in and are responsible for keeping it with you at all times. Lost or stolen keys and OneCards should be reported to the front desk immediately.
Residents are able to come and go without restriction 24 hours a day and are not required to leave notice of their whereabouts. Residents are encouraged to inform their roommate or resident assistant whenever leaving the hall for any extended period of time, especially during the night or weekends.
Each resident is issued a room key and an entrance card for their residence hall. Propping, unlocking, barring, or leaving open an exterior door jeopardizes the safety of the members of the hall and encourages intruders to enter. Individuals found propping doors open may be subject to disciplinary action.
Fire Safety
Fire Alarms:
If the fire alarm sounds, all residents must immediately leave the building. Failure to exit in an immediate and orderly fashion may result in disciplinary action and/or the issuance of citations.
Fire Alarm Guidelines:
1. Lock your room door upon exiting the building.
2. Leave the building via the nearest available exit. Always know a secondary means of exit to use in the event your first choice is unattainable.
3. Use the stairwells to evacuate (do not use elevators). Once in the stairwell, check to see that the door is closed and proceed down to the first level.
4. Do not re-enter the facility until advised by the Department of Public Safety.
Fire Evacuation Procedures:
Upon move-in, all residents are supplied with a fire evacuation plan and procedure. The evacuation plan is also posted on the back of your room door as well as in each hallway. Please read this plan and become familiar with your evacuation route. For additional copies of the plan, please contact the Office of Housing and Residential Life or the residence hall director.
All residents must immediately leave the facility when an alarm sounds. Treat all alarms as if they were real. Familiarize yourself with the exits, sounds and procedures for evacuating a building. Get to know your exit routes before there is an emergency. If an alarm sounds, please do the following:
- Put on a coat and hard-soled shoes, quickly.
- Take a towel with you to prevent smoke inhalation.
- Close windows.
- Check your doorknob and door. If either is hot, do not open your door. Exit through a window if applicable or summon help. If the door and doorknob are cool, exit cautiously and close your unlocked door. Take your keys with you.
- Walk quickly and leave the building via the nearest available exit in your area.
- Use the stairwells to evacuate (do not use elevators). Once in the stairwell, check to see that the door is closed and proceed down to the first level. Gather at the emergency gathering point 100 feet away from the building.
- DO NOT re-enter the building until a building staff member, Public Safety or the fire department tells you it is safe to do so.
Failure to exit in an immediate and orderly fashion may result in disciplinary action and/or the issuance of citations.
Fire Safety Equipment/Smoke Detectors/Sprinkler System:
Each student room and all public areas are equipped with smoke detectors and the building is equipped with a sprinkler system.
Tampering with or misuse of the fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers, or any other fire safety equipment is prohibited and subject to prosecution under state law and will be referred to the university judicial office.
Tampering with fire safety equipment places the lives of everyone in danger. Any student found tampering with any fire safety equipment may be subject to immediate suspension from the residence hall as well as legal action and fines.
Fire Prevention:
Most fires are preventable. We ask that all residents comply with the following policies regarding fire prevention:
- Candles, oil lamps, torches and other open flame objects are strictly prohibited
- Keep all furniture, trash and personal items out of hallways
- Keep room decorations and posters to a minimum.
- Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the building.
- Make sure all electrical cords and appliances are in proper working order. All appliances shall bear the Underwriters Laboratories or Factory Mutual certification seal.
- Do not overload electrical outlets. The building staff reserves the right to unplug any device for health and safety reasons.
- Do not prop open stairwell, hallway or fire doors.
- Torchiere-style halogen lamps and bulbs are prohibited in public and student rooms.
- Fire doors, hallways and stairwells must be clear of obstructions at all times.
- Fire doors must be free to close automatically, especially in an emergency and to keep a fire from spreading.
Evacuation Procedure for Students with Disabilities
In the event of an emergency condition within a university facility, the following procedures for people with disabilities must be followed:
- All students with disabilities are advised to remain in their room during any general fire alarm.
- A building staff member will personally call the students to advise them of the situation.
- If it is a false alarm, the student(s) will be notified of such.
- In case of a real emergency, emergency evacuation personnel will personally evacuate each person with disabilities from his/her room.
Severe Weather Procedures
WSU police will notify building staff in the event of severe weather that makes it necessary for staff and students to move to designated shelter areas.
Snow:
WSU will close when severe weather conditions compromise the safety of its students, faculty and staff, both at the university and intransit to or from the university. Severe weather could consist of excessive accumulation of snow during a single snow period and/or prediction of excessive accumulation of snow and excessive or dangerous accumulation of ice.
Closure will be publicized through the university news line (577-5345), WDET-FM (Public Radio 101.9) and by local radio and television stations.
Tornado Warning:
If a tornado warning is issued:
- Proceed to a lower floor level or interior hallway or corridor (center core).
- Seek shelter under sturdy or heavy furniture, tables or desks.
- Avoid elevators, top floors of the building, areas with glass windows or doors, the cafeteria and unsecured objects.
- Assist persons with disabilities to the safest area on the same floor.
- If possible, take a flashlight, radio or cellular telephone with you.
The building staff will advise you when it is safe to return to your floor and/or room.
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