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Safety

The University Residences' management team considers the safety and security of residents a top priority. To encourage a safe environment, University Residences utilizes a number of security measures. Your judgment often determines whether or not an incident is an emergency. All students are encouraged to sign up for the university's emergency warning notification system, PURDUE ALERT.

If you consider a situation to be an emergency, then it is an emergency. If you have an emergency situation, dial "911.” An on-campus phone will connect to Purdue Police/Fire. A cell phone will connect to the county emergency center, which can then be routed to Purdue Police/Fire Departments. University Police and Fire Departments are staffed 24 hours a day for your assistance and protection. This service is provided seven days a week on a year-round basis.

Everyone must help maintain the safety and security of the residences. You need to be alert to potentially unsafe situations and take preventive actions. To report an incident, please talk with University Residences Staff, visit the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities website, or contact Purdue Police.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

ACCIDENTS

Contact the nearest staff member or the main office for assistance. Staff will arrange ambulance transportation and other needed help. Dial 9-1-1 from any campus telephone for immediate contact with the Purdue Police. 

BOMB THREATS

An intermittent signal on the fire alarm system indicates a bomb threat has been received for the building. Residents may elect to leave the building or remain while a search is made. If the signal becomes continuous, the building must be totally evacuated. 

FIRE OR EXPLOSION

Activate the nearest fire alarm to cause evacuation of the building. Report location of the fire if possible to a staff member or the main office. Follow fire procedures posted in your room. Fire drills are conducted once a semester in each building and all residents are expected to comply with the conditions of the fire drill. 

TORNADO WARNING

Activation of a continuous siren indicates that a tornado may be in the immediate vicinity. You should immediately seek cover and proceed to the lower areas away from windows. More protection is usually afforded if one remains next to inside support walls or under heavy furniture. All food service will cease immediately. Slightly open the windows in your student room. The sirens are tested the first Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. 

UNAUTHORIZED GROUP ACTION

Although the temptation to watch the action outside is great, close and lock your windows, close the draperies and then stay away from window areas. Refrain from calling out windows or throwing items out. Such actions only call attention to you and may result in damage to your room and neighboring rooms, or risk personal injury to a resident from broken glass. 

UTILITIES FAILURE

Notify your resident assistant (RA) or the main office because some utility failures may be limited to only one or two rooms. In more widespread failures, use a flashlight. 

SAFETY PRACTICES

IN THE RESIDENCES

Maintaining a safe environment is every resident's responsibility. Actions that jeopardize the safety of other residents include but are not limited to the following and are explained in more detail on the University Residences Policies webpage and the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities webpage. 

Consumption of alcohol or illicit drugs, possession of a weapon, discharging fire extinguishers when there is no fire, propping doors open that should be closed or locked, removing screens from windows, or any form of vandalism.

These actions will result in judicial proceedings. 

BUILDING ACCESS

Each residence hall is equipped with a card reader access device that will unlock the exterior door after hours. Residents will use their Purdue Identification card, “swipe” the door access device card reader to unlock the exterior door of their assigned hall (excludes Hilltop Apartments and UR Boiler Apartments). Also, there is a night access clerk stationed at the main office of each residence hall to monitor residents and their escorted guests who enter the building after hours.

CONFRONT STRANGERS

Ask unescorted strangers why they are in the residence. If you feel uncomfortable doing this, ask an RA or another staff member to intervene. If you feel there is an immediate threat, call 911.

IDENTIFY PERSONAL ITEMS

Mark your personal items and keep an inventory of your property. 

KEEP YOUR KEY AND PURDUE UNIVERSITY IDENTIFICATION (PUID)

Never lend your key or PUID out to anyone. Doing so is a conduct policy violation. Lock your room anytime you leave and while sleeping.

Visit your hall office if you lose your key or ID to obtain loaners and hear options about replacements. 

LOCK DOORS

Locking your door is the easiest and most effective way to prevent unwanted visitors from entering your room. Also, don't prop open locked outside doors that allow entrance into the building.

REPORT SAFETY-RELATED MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS

Please report all security and safety-related problems directly to Resident Assistants, Facilities staff, or the main office. Examples include broken windows, faulty doors, lock problems, missing screens, and fire safety equipment. Work orders can be submitted via the Fix It website, but work orders are only monitored during business hours. 

REPORT CRIMES IMMEDIATELY

If you are the victim of any crime or witness one in progress, report this to the Purdue University Police Department immediately! Never think that any crime is too small or too insignificant. You should also report all criminal activity to a Residential Life staff member so that he or she can take action to protect the welfare and property of other residents.

REPORTING SEXUALLY-BASED CRIMES AND HARASSMENT

Victims of sexual assault, stalking, relationship violence, or other sexual crimes can receive assistance by contacting the Purdue University Police Department. Individuals may also consult a Residential Life staff member to learn about university resources. For confidential assistance a person may visit Counseling & Psychological Services or The Center for Advocacy, Response & Education. Individuals may also get assistance in reporting options, supportive measures, and investigations through the Office for Civil Rights.

SECURE PARKED CARS

Lock your doors and roll up your windows when parking your car. Keep valuables, especially book bags, laptops, airpods, and other electronic equipment out of sight.

STAY ALERT

Campus safety and security are everyone's responsibility. Your fellow residents depend on you to help keep their home safe. Our campus is only as safe as we make it. Do your part to keep Purdue secure. If you have any questions about safety and security in the University Residences or on campus, please contact your RA, residence management, club officers, or the Purdue University Police Department for more information. The PUPD site also contains yearly statistics about crimes reported on the West Lafayette campus.

WALKING ON CAMPUS

Although every effort is made to keep Purdue's campus a safe place, it is advisable to take simple precautions for your protection. When walking on or off campus at night, go with a friend. If you cannot walk with a friend, the Purdue Police Department offers a Safe Walk Program. that provides students with an escort by a member of the Purdue Student Security Patrol (PPSP). These escorts are available upon request to and from University Residences, academic campus, Chauncey Hill, and other locations near campus. To request an escort, call 765-449-SAFE (7233).

If you are walking on the West Lafayette campus at night and an emergency should arise, there are many Emergency Telephone System (ETS) boxes located on campus. The boxes are painted bright yellow or dark blue and are illuminated with a blue light at night. When you walk on campus at night, even with friends, stay on well-lit paths. Some areas of West Lafayette between the central campus and the University Residences are dark, but there are well-lit, visible routes you can choose. An extra minute or two of walking time offers you more protection.

Students on the Indianapolis campus are encouraged to download the SafeZone application, which is a wireless option that provides an easy and consistent way to receive help. Other resources to promote safety on the Indianapolis campus can be found here.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

FIRE

  1. Activate the alarm and evacuate the building.
  2. Call 911 from a safe location or use an emergency call box.

MEDICAL EMERGENCY

  1. Call 911 or use emergency call box and report incident.
  2. Do not move the patient unless safety dictates.
  3. If trained:
    • Use pressure to stop bleeding.
    • Provide basic life support as needed.

TORNADO

  1. Avoid automobiles and open areas.
  2. Move to a basement or corridor.
  3. Stay away from windows.

Do not call 911 unless you require emergency assistance.

CRIME AND VIOLENT BEHAVIOR

In Progress Incidents:

  1. Protect yourself first.
  2. Call 911

Give your name and location. The dispatcher should be told that the incident is in progress.

PSYCHOLOGICAL CRISIS

If the situation becomes violent or life threatening, call 911
Counseling and Psychological Services, 494-7707
Employee Assistance Program, 494-7707
Crisis Center, 742-0244

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

This is a pattern of coercive behaviors in which one person attempts to subdue or control the behavior of another through threats or the actual use of physical violence, sexual assault, intimidation, verbal, emotional, or psychological abuse. This can range from mildly abusive to extremely violent, life-threatening behavior. These behaviors can occur within a relationship or family setting. In the United States, domestic violence is not sanctioned as a private family manner.

Academic and family responsibilities in unfamiliar surroundings far from friends and family often cause strains on the relationships of domestic and international students. Sometimes that strain can lead to domestic violence. Should this occur, help is available:

Counseling and Psychological Services, 494-6995
Dean of Students, 494-8698
International Student and Scholars, 494-5770
Purdue University Police Department, 494-8221

BOMB THREATS

Call 911 or use an emergency call box and report incident.

If a suspicious object is observed:

  1. Don't touch it!
  2. Evacuate the area.

EXPLOSIONS

  1. Take cover.
  2. Call 911.
  3. Assist the injured.

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SPILL/RELEASE

  1. Call 911 or use an emergency call box and report incident.
  2. Secure the area.
  3. Assist the injured.
  4. Evacuate if necessary.

SHELTER IN PLACE

  1. Stay inside a building.
  2. Seek inside shelter if outside.
  3. Seal off openings to your room if possible.

EARTHQUAKE

  1. Take Cover
  2. Call 911 or use an emergency call box if emergency assistance is necessary.
  3. Evacuate if alarm sounds or if told to do so by emergency personnel.

UTILITY FAILURE

  1. Remain calm
  2. Do not call the University Police Department for information concerning utility failures unless you have an emergency.
  3. Please call the Community Center front desk at 765-494-2090.
  4. If you discover a gas leak, call the University Police Department at (765) 494-8221.
  5. Call 911 if you are injured or require emergency assistance.