University Housing & Residential Life

Guide for Successful Living: Personal Safety

› Active Shooter
› Earthquakes
› Fire Safety — Fire Drills/Alarms
› Missing Student Protocol
› Personal Safety
› Severe Weather
› Property Damage and Insurance

24-Hour Emergency

In case of a campus emergency, in addition to your HD and RA staff, the University Police are available 24 hours a day. They may be contacted at 931-372-3234 or 911 from any campus phone. Calling 911 from your cell phone will connect with the Cookeville City Police Department.

You can find more information on what to do in the event of an emergency by visiting the Tennessee Tech's Emergency Operation Plan.

Active Shooter – Critical Incidents

In teaching Response to Critical Incidents, the University Police Department follows the recommendation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation by teaching Run, Hide, or Fight techniques. These techniques and information were chosen for their simplicity and ease of learning but also because no one answer is correct for every individual that maybe on or near our campus in the event of a critical situation such as an active shooter.
Individuals must make the determination of what course of action provides them with the best chance of survival for an incident of this nature.

Run

If possible, evacuate the area and call 911. This option should be chosen if you could evacuate the area without placing yourself in the line of fire from the active shooter(s).

Hide

If evacuation from the area is not an option, then you should hide. Make every effort to stay out of sight and in a locked room. Barricade the doorway with whatever is available; the idea is to make it as difficult as possible for the individual to encounter you.

Fight

Should you have no other option, as a last resort, fight. Remember to be as aggressive as possible. This individual is intent on attempting to take your life. Use whatever you have available as a weapon and stop the threat to you.

Earthquakes

During an earthquake:

Stay calm. Think through the consequences of any action you take.
If you are outdoors, stay outdoors; if you are indoors, stay indoors. Most injuries during earthquakes happen as people are entering or leaving buildings.
If you are indoors, take cover under a heavy desk or table, or in doorways, halls, or against inside walls. Stay away from glass.
If you are outdoors, move away from buildings and utility wire. The greatest danger comes from falling debris just outside of doorways or outer walls. Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops.
If you are in a moving car, stop as soon as you can, but stay in your car. A car may shake violently on its springs, but it is a good place to stay until the shaking stops. When you drive on, watch for hazards created by the quake. Some of these hazards include fallen or falling objects, downed electrical wires, or broken or undermined roadways.

After an Earthquake:

Be prepared for additional earthquake “after-shocks.” Although most of these are smaller than the main shock, some may be large enough to cause additional damage.
Stay out of severely damaged buildings. After-shocks can shake them down. University officials and hall staff will inform you when it is safe to reenter the building.
Check for injuries. Don’t attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
Don’t smoke. Don’t use candles, matches, or other open flames because of possible gas leaks. Douse all fires. Don’t turn on the lights.

Fire Safety: Fire Drills and Alarms

Each residence hall and Tech Village conduct fire drills to acquaint residents with the proper evacuation procedures in case of a fire emergency. The staff will conduct fire drills in accordance with the Department of EHS policies. Occupants should leave the buildings as quickly as possible, and do not return until told to do so. Failure to leave the premises during a fire drill will result in disciplinary action. Cooperation is expected and appreciated.

When you have been alerted by the alarm or the sensation of smoke or fire, please follow these instructions:

Immediately and orderly exit the building.
- Please be sure to dress for the weather and take with you anything that you must have (wallet, purse, phone, etc.); in the case of an actual fire you may not be able to return to your room right away.
Close all doors behind you as you exit.
Go to the nearest exit or stairwell.
If there is smoke in the room, keep low to the floor.
Before passing through any doorway, feel the door. If it is hot, do not open the door.
Before opening a door, brace yourself against the door and open it slightly. If heat or smoke is present, close the door and stay in the room.
If you cannot leave the room or all exits are blocked open the window.
- To attract the fire department's attention if you are trapped, wave an object out the window. Call University police or 911 and report you are trapped; give the room number and specific location.
If the nearest exit is blocked by fire, heat, or smoke go to an alternate exit.
Follow the directions of fire, police, and housing staff personnel.

Missing Student Protocol

The purpose of this protocol statement is to promote the safety and welfare of members of the Tennessee Tech University community through compliance with the requirements of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. See Reporting students as Missing Persons Policy 418 for further detail.

Personal Safety

Around campus or in town:

Avoid walking alone at night; take a friend if you must go.
Look alert; eliminate the potential attacker's element of surprise.
Carry your keys in your hand to avoid fumbling in the dark. Keys carried in your fist, one between each finger, can be used as a weapon.
Vary your daily patterns; some attackers stalk their victims, knowing just where and when to strike.
Pay attention to your surroundings. Where is the best-lit route? Where can you run for help if necessary?

Report to your hall staff or Tennessee Tech police any situation that you feel is dangerous to yours or another resident’s health, safety or wellbeing. This includes physical or verbal abuse, an immediate threat of abuse, and any sexual or racial harassment. If you happen to be assaulted or attacked, you should report the incident to the University police and/or your residence hall staff or call 911.

A few things to keep in mind:

Keep your wits about you. Sometimes struggling can save you; sometimes it can antagonize the attacker.
Consider passive resistance; talk to your attacker calmly.
Seek medical attention if necessary.

Pedestrian Safety

it is unlawful for pedestrians to walk on the adjacent roadway where sidewalks are provided. Pedestrians shall not suddenly leave a curb and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.

Drivers are expected to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing within a crosswalk; however, pedestrians should always look both ways before crossing the street, even in a crosswalk.

Whenever a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk or intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, other vehicles approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.

General Personal Safety Tips

Know your building's emergency evacuation procedures and be familiar with the location of emergency exits and severe weather locations. Do not prop open the exit doors or doors with electronic access.

Always lock your door when you leave and before you go to bed. Before opening your door, remember to look to see who it is through the door “peep hole.” Do not open the door until you know who it is.

General Residential Security

All residents share responsibility for maintaining a safe and secure community. Residents are reminded to refrain from allowing anyone they do not know into the secured areas, and advised to follow these guidelines:

Residents are encouraged to keep his/her door and window(s) locked.
All residents must enter/exit only from the main lobby entrance.
Residents leaving the building through emergency exit doors may be subject to disciplinary action.
Holiday/break period
- Doors and windows should be locked and mini blinds should be open.
- Items of value should not be left in a room.
Guest(s) and visitor(s) may only gain access to student room/apartment/floor when escorted by the resident of the room/apartment.
- The staff will not unlock a room/apartment for anyone other than the resident of the Room/Apartment

Residential Safety and Security Services

Campus Alert System: Campus emergencies, inclement weather notices, crime alerts and other critical information can be sent straight to your mobile phone.

Campus Emergency Phones: Phones with emergency buttons are located at the main entrance of each of the Residence Halls.

Emergency Telephones: Emergency phones are located around campus to offer a direct connection to the university police department’s 24-hour emergency line. Using the phone will automatically let police dispatchers know the caller’s area so that help can be dispatched as soon as possible. These phones, which can be easily identified by their blue lights, should be used for reporting crimes in progress, fires or to request immediate assistance for life-threatening situations.

Electronic Access: All lobby doors and interior residential hall doors are equipped with an electronic card reader, allowing only those individuals and their registered guest(s) into the living areas. Residents who prop open lobby doors and/or allow non-residents to enter a hallway may be subject to disciplinary action.

Operation ID: University police and Residential Life can help you protect your personal property. Personal items (TV, bikes, computer, etc.) can be engraved and registered with the University police office.

Security Cameras: Entrances to lobbies and emergency exits are each equipped with security cameras. While these are not monitored 24/7 they do allow staff to refer to them at any time to review a possible issue.

Sprinklers: All residential areas are integrated with automatic fire safety sprinkler systems.

Severe Weather

For additional information regarding inclement weather and university policies, see the university's Inclement Weather page.

Property Damage and Insurance

State Board of Claims/Injury or Property Damage

If you feel you have suffered either personal injury or property damage due to negligence by a University official or University equipment, there is a process outlined in the Tennessee Codes (TCA-9-9-207) by which you can file a claim. The State Board of Claims will hear the case and decide if the complaint is legitimate. All claims must be properly filed within one year from the date of the damage or injury. Any student who wishes to file such a claim should notify Housing and Residential Life.

Student Personal Property Insurance

The protection of personal property is the individual's responsibility. Students are encouraged to review their parents' homeowner's insurance policies for adequate coverage and to obtain personal renter's insurance.

University Statement on Asbestos

Tennessee Technological University is committed to providing a safe, clean and healthy environment for students, faculty and staff. To accomplish this goal, the University has implemented an ongoing program of campus beautification and renovation of existing structures to include removal of asbestos and other hazardous materials. The University will continue to monitor this situation and plan for renovations.