Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility. All fire alarms should be considered true indications of danger and the building must be evacuated as safely and quickly as possible.
While staff will attempt to alert residents to leave, it is incumbent upon each person to take personal responsibility to exit the building. Staff will indicate when people may safely return inside.
WHAT TO DO WHEN A FIRE ALARM SOUNDS
- Residents and their guests must evacuate the building immediately.
- Feel the door with the back of your hand to test for heat.
- Cover entire body with clothing, if possible, and carry an extra towel to protect face and hair.
- Close the room windows and leave the drapes/blinds open.
- Turn off all lights in the room except the ceiling light.
- Close and lock the door.
- Walk quickly and quietly.
- Leave the building by the nearest exit.
- Once outside the building, move away from the entrances, pair up with your roommate, move to the spot designated for your floor and do not block the street or parking lot.
IF YOU CANNOT LEAVE YOUR ROOM BECAUSE OF INTENSE HEAT OR SMOKE, TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
1. Place a towel at the base of the door to prevent smoke from coming into the room.
2. Hang a sheet out of the room window to indicate that you are there.
3. Call x4600 to give Campus Safety Services your location.
A fire safety program will be conducted in each building during the fall semester.
Additionally, fire drills are conducted in each residence hall each semester. Failing to evacuate the building during an alarm will result in disciplinary action.
The University Heights Fire Marshall inspects each university building on a regular schedule. The Fire Marshall may enter any room without notification to determine if it is in violation of fire safety policies.
Causing a building to go into alarm falsely can carry grave consequences. Students may panic or may ignore the alarm believing it to be false. This may in turn cause students to become injured, overcome by smoke, or to lose their lives. Therefore, the university takes the actions of tampering with fire alarms, smoke detectors, sprinklers, and fire extinguishers which trigger an alarm very seriously.
The following will be considered as sufficient cause for immediate expulsion from the university:
- Intentionally setting a fire of any nature.
The following will be considered as sufficient cause for immediate suspension from the university:
- Pulling a fire alarm.
- Tampering with smoke detectors or sprinkler systems resulting in triggering the alarm system.
The following will be considered as sufficient cause for immediate removal from the residence halls for a designated period of time:
- Misuse of fire extinguishers.
- Setting off fire crackers or similar incendiary devices.
- Tampering with the protective hood on fire alarm pull stations.
- Leaving candles lit and unattended.
- Removing batteries from a room smoke detector.
- Vandalizing exit signs.
Gambling is prohibited.
Guests of residents are permitted to stay overnight in the residence halls provided the guest is of the same sex as the hosting resident. Any guest staying longer than two nights must obtain special permission from the area coordinator.
You are reminded that you are responsible for the actions of your guests and will be held accountable for any damages, loss of property, or behavior that is initiated by your guests. You should accompany your guests at all times while on campus.
Halogen light bulbs can reach extremely high temperatures and have caused fires in some residence halls. They are not permitted in rooms.
Illegal possessions. Use or possession of fireworks, firearms, ammunition, explosives, dangerous chemicals, knives, or weapons of any kind is forbidden in university residences.
Also, motorcycles or other gas driven vehicles, gasoline, butane, and other flammable items, are prohibited.
Incense. Burning incense is prohibited in the residence halls.
Insurance. The university does NOT cover personal property that may be lost or damaged from any cause, including but not limited to fire and flooding. You should check your parent(s)’/guardian(s)’ homeowner’s or renter’s insurance to cover any potential loss. We recommend that you purchase renter’s insurance if your property is not covered.
Kegs and beer balls, empty or full, are prohibited at all times.
Keys should be secured at all times. Keys may not be duplicated, sold or loaned to anyone including friends or roommates and may not be thrown/dropped out of windows for guests to obtain access to the building.
Report lost or stolen keys immediately to the Office of Residence Life. Stolen keys should also be reported to Campus Safety Services. Each lost/stolen key costs sixty five dollars ($65.00). Room locks are changed to protect both current and future residents and their belongings.
Lockouts are handled by the Office of Residence Life and Campus Safety Services.
Should you be locked out of your room between 8:30 a.m. and noon or 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, you may check out a temporary key in the Office of Residence Life. At any other time, your RA or another RA in your building can give you access to your room. If you cannot locate an RA, you may contact Campus Safety Services. They will contact the staff member on duty.
Meal plans are required for everyone living on campus. Options are limited to the six traditional plans offered (10, 10+, 14, 14+, 19, and 19+).
Medical emergencies. The university maintains that students who are 18 years old are adults and, therefore, should take responsibility for their actions and for keeping their parent(s) or guardian(s) informed of events. However, when a student is identified by the university as not competent to manage his/her life, the university reserves the right to contact parent(s) or guardian(s).
Noise is a common problem with so many people living together. It is extremely important to respect your neighbors at all times. Therefore, courtesy hours are always in effect. Quiet hours (sound level confined to one’s room) are in effect from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. Sunday evening through Friday morning, and 1:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. During finals week, quiet hours are in effect 24 hours a day.
Painting is done in the summer through Facilities. Because a great deal of effort is expended in the repainting of student rooms, you are not permitted to paint your room.
Pets are not permitted, with the exception of fish. No tank may exceed 20 gallons.
Propping Building entry doors and fire doors is strictly prohibited.
Roofs and ledges are off limits for the safety of all. You are not permitted to put shoes, food, plants, etc. on ledges.
