Emergency Procedures

In event of any emergency in a residence hall—fire, illness, accident, etc.—notify Safety and Security at 217-464-8888.

Fire

Review the emergency fire evacuation information provided by your Resident Assistant.   Whenever a fire alarm sounds in any residence hall, you are required to evacuate the building immediately. Failure to evacuate is a violation of the Millikin University Student Handbook and subjects you to a possible fine and/or student conduct action. Every attempt should be made to close and lock your door and turn off your lights. You are encouraged to carry a towel to protect your face. State fire laws prohibit the use of elevators for fire evacuation.

When the fire alarm sounds:

·         close your windows

·         open drapes

·         leave lights on

·         close your room door (unlocked)

·         calmly proceed to the nearest exit and leave the building

·         do not re-enter the building until instructed to do so by a staff member

False alarms and genuine fire alarms are indistinguishable. Therefore, students should follow the fire procedures whenever the alarm sounds. Failure to evacuate appropriately may result in injury and will result in student conduct action.

Tornado

Tornado watch – When atmospheric conditions are such that severe weather or a tornado could develop, a tornado watch is in effect. Stay indoors, stay alert for warning sirens, and listen to weather, radio, TV and/or internet site for updates on the weather situation.

Tornado warning – When a funnel cloud has been sighted in the area or when radar indicates that there is a possibility of a tornado forming, a tornado warning is in effect. In the instance of a tornado warning, sirens will be sounded for three to five minutes with a solid blast.

When notified that a tornado has been sighted in this area:

• close room windows
• close drapes
• leave room and close door (unlocked)
• move to the basement. If there is no basement, sit in the corridor away from windows on the lowest floor of the building. (Hall staff will provide specific safe locations for each building)
• listen to a transistor radio for weather information.
• do not re-enter room until danger is past and the “all clear” is provided by a staff member.
• When the “all-clear” is announced, you may return to other areas of the hall. (The sirens will not be used to announce the “all-clear.” This information will be phoned in and broadcasted on the radio.)  The tornado sirens are tested at 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month.

Hall Security Guidelines

As a student attending Millikin University, you are extended the privilege of self-regulated hours to enter and leave your residence hall. Residence hall security ultimately depends on the responsible actions of each resident. Security begins with you. Your room door should be locked at all times. Do not prop open stairwell or outside doors.  To allow ONLY residents of the building and their invited guests in the halls, all entrances will be locked at all times. Each resident will be issued. Your Millikin student I.D. serves as your hall entry key. Your guests will also have self-regulated hours. You will be responsible for your guests (i.e., informing them of hall and University policies and regulations). Your guests will be admitted to the residence hall only if accompanied by you or a resident of that particular living unit. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in charges being filed with the Office of Residence Life and subsequent student conduct action. 

Buildings Locked

All residence hall entrances will be locked at all times. The loss keys will result in the cost associated with re-coring the room and possibly the building. Cost ranges from as low as $30.00 and could cost as much as $3000.00 to re-core the entire building. Please be certain the doors remain secure after entering or leaving. Propping doors open may result in a fine. Please be security conscious.

Reporting of Thefts

You should report all thefts, regardless of value, as soon as possible to residence hall staff. You may go to SAFETY AND SECURITY in person to complete the report or call SAFETY AND SECURITY at 217-464-8888.

Your Student ID Card

Your student identification card is a card with your picture on it and identifies you as a currently enrolled student.  You will use your ID card for meals in the cafeteria and at other dining outlets.  You will also need your card to access the university library, campus computer labs, the DISC, and a host of other services. You should carry it with you at all times while you are on campus. Your card also serves as the entrance key to your residence hall and/or floor.

Replacement procedures

• You must immediately report the loss of your ID card to Safety and Security at 217-464-8888 to protect yourself and your community.
  
• The report of a lost card means the account is deactivated and no longer valid. It will remain invalid until the card is reported as found or until a replacement card is acquired.
  
• There is a $15 replacement charge for a lost ID, which is billed to the student’s University account. The replacement process takes about five minutes.
• There is no charge for re-validating a lost card if it is found before a replacement ID card is made.
• The University is not responsible for flex dollars lost or used when a card has been lost.

Smoke Detectors/Sprinkler System

Weapons

Weapons, explosives, or other hazardous objects are strictly prohibited to insure the safety of our students.  Weapons prohibited by this regulation shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

• All handguns, rifles, and shotguns;

• All longbows, crossbows, and arrows;

• All knives having a blade length of three inches or more

• All BB guns, pellet guns, air/CO2 guns, or blow guns;

• All fireworks;

• All explosives, laboratory chemicals, dangerous compounds, gunpowder, firearm ammunition, and flammable petroleum fuels;

• Any martial arts weapons, e.g., numb chucks and throwing stars; and

• Any item used as a weapon in the commission of a crime;

All other Residence Hall Policies & Procedures

Please see the Residence Life Website or the “Everything you need to know about Living at Millikin” publication for these standards.