Cal Poly — San Luis Obispo - University Housing — Student Affairs Division
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SAFETY FIRST Emphasizing Personal Safety to residence hall students is important to University Housing staff. Here is a glimpse of services, programs, and activities sponsored by the Cal Poly University Housing Department that helps educate students aboutPersonal Safety. Staff Each hall is staffed with a Coordinator of Student Development who is a professional staff member. A Coordinator of Student Development is available to respond to emergency situations on a 24-hour-a-day basis. Each hall also has a team of Resident Advisors who are student leaders who educate students and help build communities within each residence hall environment. Resident Advisors complete a minimum of three nightly rounds of each residence hall building and check on safety issues such as locked doors, unusual situations, problems, etc. |
Residence Hall Front Desks are staffed until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 12 midnight on weekends. Desk staff are to be alert to the happenings of the hall and serve as a resource for students. University Housing staff work cooperatively with University Police in the implementation of a Residence Hall Resource Officer Program. The Residence Hall Resource Officer assists in the education of students regarding safety issues, by being available for consultation to students and providing police follow-up on relative residence hall issues. Literature/Handouts Each residence hall displays a comprehensive bulletin board during Fall Quarter outlining specific personal safety facts. Information about locking doors, walking alone at night, etc. is reviewed on this bulletin board. Each student receives a wallet-sized phone card describing the escort service available on campus when they move into the residence halls. Students are encouraged not to walk alone. Each student receives a flyer in their mailbox the first week of classes of Fall Quarter defining sexual assault and discussing preventative measures. Parents/supporters are each sent a discussion guide during the summer encouraging them to talk with their student about alcohol issues, safety issues, and other college adjustment issues. Each student is given a Residence Hall Handbook. This Handbook contains information about safety and security. Educational Programs Each residence hall hosts a personal safety workshop during the first two weeks of classes of Fall Quarter. Students who live in the halls are required to attend the personal safety workshop. The workshops are presented by Police Officers from the Cal Poly Public Safety Department. Each residence hall hosts a fire safety workshop during the first two weeks of school. A member of the Fire Section of the Cal Poly Public Safety Department presents these workshops. Throughout the year, residence halls sponsor additional programming on issues of personal safety. Topics include model mugging, sexual assault awareness, "Take Back the Night," etc. Fire Safety Each residence hall room is equipped with a smoke/heat detector. Tampering with detectors is a violation of the law. While residence hall fire drills are conducted on a quarterly basis, fire safety procedures are an ongoing teaching process through various forms of communication such as the students' residence hall handbook, flyers, and residence hall programming. In addition, a state fire marshal conducts random monthly inspections and formal inspections twice a year. Other All doors to the residence halls are locked 24/7 Students who live in the halls can enter the building by using their room keys. |
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INDIVIDUAL RESIDENT PREPAREDNESS FOR EARTHQUAKE, SEVERE WEATHER, OR |
BackgroundIn the event of an emergency situation, whether it be earthquake, severe weather, or some other form of disaster, everyone should be prepared as best they can to be self-sufficient for a short period of time. Services that we take for granted on a daily basis may not be available and for those who are prepared, the crisis can be less severe. Among the services which may suffer potential disruptions are the delivery of utilities; such as, electricity, water, gas, electronic financial transactions, health care, and transportation. These potential disruptions may create emergency situations that can be mitigated with some advance individual preparedness planning. The Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) encourages California residents to be prepared for emergencies such as earthquakes and severe weather. Begin PreparationsWhile some problems may become evident immediately, others may take a little longer to have an impact. OES suggests that all living environments be prepared to be self-sufficient (able to live without running water, electricity and/or gas, telephone and assistance from safety devices) for three to seven days. The best place to start is by examining your needs. Try to imagine how an emergency may impact your safety and well-being. How would you function if heating or electrical services were disrupted? What appliances can you function without for several days at a time? Do you keep enough money to cover immediate expenses in case ATM machines do not work? Does your car have enough gas in the tank to function for days at a time without stopping to refill? Suggested PreparationsWaterResidents should consider storing some drinking water. One gallon of water per person per day is recommended. Purchase store-bought water in sound plastic containers. These containers are available in various sizes. Review your storage space and then buy appropriately. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break. FoodResidents are advised to have some non-perishable food on hand such as dry and canned goods ( soups, juices, milk, granola bars, beef jerkey, and ready-to-eat food items). Campus Dining also keeps a minimum of three days worth of food and beverages in case of emergency. Heating and LightingThe University has generators on campus, but the demands on these generators could be high and could limit the amount available to the residential area. Residents should have plenty of blankets and warm clothing in case of a power failure. Keep a flashlight, with fresh batteries, on hand and be sure to have extra batteries available. Health/Medical/DentalIt is always a good idea to maintain copy of health, medical, and dental records for yourself. Keep an extra supply of prescriptions and medications or other medical supplies. Residents with special needs, such as those with disabilities, may wish to ask several friends or Residential Life staff to check on them in case of an emergency or other problems. Show them how to operate any special equipment you use and where you keep your emergency supplies. BankingCash—Be prepared for possible disruptions of electrical power. Have some extra cash on hand in case computer-controlled electronic transactions involving ATM cards, credit cards, and the like cannot be processed. You should have already purchased your emergency supplies before an emergency. The amount of cash you keep on hand should be based on your needs. Remember that keeping large amounts of cash could make you vulnerable to theft. Please use discretion and common sense when making this decision. Keep cash in a safe place and withdraw money from your bank in small amounts. Credit and Debit Cards—Be prepared to pay in cash or by check during an emergency situation. Be sure to save receipts. Finance—Keep a paper record of all holdings, loan balances, and transactions. CommunicationsThe campus telephone system will operate for one or two hours after a power failure. Cellular telephone systems may be operational without electricity, but should not be depended on. Residents should make the inability to use their telephone part of their emergency preparedness plan. Also, before an emergency takes place, you may want to form an 'emergency phone tree' with family and/or friends. TransportationMake sure the gas tank in your car is at least half full at all times. Consider alternate transportation such as public transportation or a bicycle in case there are disruptions in the delivery of gasoline. Storing gasoline in the residence hall is prohibited since it can be extremely hazardous. Emergency ServicesUniversity Police Department, Campus Emergency Services, and 911 services are normally available. In case of an emergency, the EOC is activated to act as a command center to handle emergencies. In such an event, tune your radio to local stations 920 AM, 1400 AM, or 98.1 FM in San Luis Obispo. SummaryPrepare NOW for an emergency!Cal Poly's PlanThe University's goal is to be prepared in case of an emergency. However, during an emergency, residents need to seek guidance from their RA and/or CSD.Suggested Emergency Preparedness Web SitesCalifornia Governor's Office of Emergency Services Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) The American Red Cross Cal Poly University |
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Cal Poly University Police | updated 8.11.2005 | |