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    Residential Life

    Current Residents: Safety


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    Weapon Safety 

    Firearms, ammunition, martial arts weapons, knives, explosives, and other weapons are not allowed in the halls or on the FHSU campus. Please note that this policy includes, but is not limited to: paint ball guns, airsoft guns, blowguns, and wrist rockets/sling shots.

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    Fire Safety 

    According to the State Fire Marshal, the residence halls at FHSU meet the state fire safety codes. Halls are equipped with safety equipment including smoke detectors in each room. If the fire system is activated, everyone in the facility is required to leave immediately and not allowed to reenter the facility until Residence Life Professional Staff gives a clear signal. Any person who misuses fire safety equipment (including smoke detectors and sprinkler systems) will be subject to severe disciplinary action and/or arrest.

    Residents in Residential Life facilities are not allowed to have lit candles, burn incense, or use open heating coil appliances within the residence halls. For safety reasons, toaster ovens electric skillets and electrical grills (e.g. George Foreman grills) are not permitted. What's allowed: blenders, small microwaves (800 watts), or coffee pots.

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    Weather Safety 

    A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form. Be alert to weather conditions and announcements.  A Tornado Warning means that a tornado has been sighted or radar indicates rotation in the clouds. 

    In case of a warning, everyone in the facility is encouraged to move to the basement, first or second levels and away from all windows in the facility.  If you are in the Stadium Place Apartments, you are encouraged to go to your bathtub and place a mattress overhead.  If you are in the Wooster Place Apartments, you are encouraged to go to Wiest Hall.

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    Personal Safety 

    Your personal safety and the protection of your possessions require a joint effort between you and the university. If you have visitors, you are responsible for their actions and must escort them at all times.

    For the security of our residents, Residence Life facilities will be locked for the following hours.
    • Custer Hall: All doors will be locked at 5:30 pm – 6:00 am. Third and fourth floors require card swipe access at all times.
    • McMindes Hall: All doors except the main entrance are locked from 11:00 pm – 6:00 am. Residents will be required to check in to the front desk with a photo ID. Guests must be escorted by a McMindes Hall resident and leave a photo ID with front desk staff until exiting the facility.
    • Tiger Place: All doors will be locked at 11:00 pm – 8:00 am.
    • Wiest Hall: All doors will be locked at 11:00 pm – 8:00 am.

    We advise that you:
    • Familiarize yourself with the emergency procedures in your hall.
    • Keep your room locked if you are not in it.
    • Do not leave unaccompanied guests in your room.
    • Contact your RA, Student Health, or University Police if you need emergency assistance.
    • Use the one-way viewers (peep holes) located in room doors.
    • Do not participate in outdoor sports in the residence halls, i.e., rollerblading, Frisbee, football, bicycling.
    • Follow posted procedures for evacuation during fire alarms or tornadoes.