Important Safety Information for Students

In addition to these tips and suggestions, Public Safety has a wealth of information available on their website that we encourage all students to review.

Fire Safety

Fire safety is of critical importance in University residence units. Fire drills will be scheduled once per semester in the residence halls in compliance with state regulations. Residents and guests must vacate the residence unit any time a fire alarm sounds.  Failure to vacate the living unit during a fire drill or fire alarm may result in disciplinary action. Residents are expected to remain outside of the building at a safe distance until permitted to return to the unit by a member of the Residence Life staff, Public Safety, or Greencastle Fire Department.  Resident Assistants will instruct residents at the beginning of the year where to meet in the event of a fire alarm or fire. Additionally, tampering with fire safety equipment is a criminal offense that is subject to prosecution and also will be referred to the University judicial process.

Important Fire Facts

  • Fire spreads quickly. In less than one minute, a small flame can turn into a major fire and within minutes, smoke can fill an entire building.
  • Fire is extremely hot! Fire produces extremely high temperatures; when flames reach eye level, the temperature can be up to 600 degrees.
  • Fire produces dark smoke. Although flames of a fire start bright, the smoke produced by fire is black and can cause complete darkness and be blinding.
  • Fire is deadly. Fire uses up oxygen and produces smoke and poisonous gases that make breathing deadly.

Make a Difference in Fire Prevention

  • Do not possess items prohibited in the university owned residences.
  • Properly discard cigarette butts. Please remember that all residence halls are smoke-free. Smoking should take place at least 40 feet from any entrance or window.
  • Do not overload electrical outlets. Do not trap electrical cords against walls where heat can build.
  • Make sure that your smoke alarm is functioning and has a charged battery. Report smoke alarm malfunctions or battery replacements through Hall Repairs on e-services. 
  • Be aware of all exits in the residence units.
  • Do not leave a kitchen unattended while you are cooking.
  • Take the threat of fire seriously and follow proper procedure when an alarm sounds.

Security

Because residence halls are locked at all times, residents must use their DePauw ID card to gain access to their residence halls. Exterior doors must not be propped at any time. Any unlocked doors should be immediately reported to Public Safety or a Residence Life staff member.

Residents only have access to the residence hall in which they live. Exceptions to this are that residents will have access to Anderson Street Hall during office hours to visit the Residence Life and Housing office (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). Additionally, residents will have access to the outside doors adjacent to the dining facilities and The Den in Longden Hall during dining service hours.

Residents should keep room doors locked at all times for their personal safety and for the security of their belongings. In case of an electrical failure, residence hall entrance doors will lock and not be able to opened with a swipe card. RAs will immediately prop the doors so that residents may enter their building. They will monitor propped doors for safety and security reasons.

Severe Weather

During a potentially serious weather situation, RLCs will ideally pass on information to RAs and AMs, who will pass on information to residents. However, because serious weather conditions can progress rapidly, there may not always be time for this to occur.

In general during serious weather situations, RAs will direct residents to the tunnel, basement, lowest area of the residence hall, or an interior wall if no basement is available. The major concern in the event of a tornado is to protect oneself from breaking glass and falling objects, so residents should stay away from windows.

A tornado watch goes into effect when conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes. In this case, residents should keep close to a radio or television. 

A tornado warning goes into effect when a tornado has been sighted on the ground or in the air. When a tornado warning is in effect, you should seek shelter IMMEDIATELY. Greencastle has an early alert system; the siren indicates that a tornado has been spotted in the immediate area. However, you should not solely rely on this early warning system. If the National Weather Service indicates a warning on the radio or TV, seek shelter immediately.