Housing Safety

Campus residents are responsible for reading emergency/evacuation procedures posted in the corridors of each hall, knowing locations of exit stairwells and doors, planning more than one exit route and not tampering with fire safety equipment in their rooms or throughout the building. If a resident becomes temporarily injured during the year, they need to notify the RA and the building coordinator and ask to be placed on the “Evacuation Assistance List.” Tampering with life safety equipment is a felony and is taken extremely seriously. Tampering of any kind could result in a fine and/or imprisonment and dismissal from campus housing.

When you hear your building’s fire alarm, always assume it indicates an emergency, never assume a false alarm. Then, immediately exit the building, close your room door and assemble at the appropriate meeting place(s) outside designated by your hall staff. Do not open doors if the door knob is hot to the touch or if you cannot get out of your room because of a reported disability – stay in room and call 334-4444 (Campus Police). First, inform authorities of your location. Campus Police are able to respond quicker and communicate more effectively with Greensboro emergency personnel. However, if you are unable to call Campus Police, please call 911 immediately. Use stairways to exit. Never use elevators during an emergency evacuation. If smoke is encountered, crawl on floor where air is cleaner.

If smoke or fire is present, pull the nearest alarm station. Close your room door(s), and most important thing to do is to get out of the building. Call 334-4444 (Campus Police). (See above explanation for this). Never attempt to fight or put out a fire.

Inform staff or the authorities of the exact location of fire or smoke. If you are trapped by smoke or fire, sometimes it is safer to stay in place. If all exits are blocked, go back to your room or unit and close the door(s). Don’t jump! The fire department will rescue you. Call the Campus Police at 334-4444 and report that you are trapped in your room. Keep the door(s) closed: seal cracks under the door with a wet towel or clothes. Signal for help: Hang an object from the window (a bed sheet, jacket, or shirt) to attract the fire department’s attention.

Some of the common causes of fires in residence halls are arson, candles, incense, smoking, overloaded electrical outlets, extension cords, cooking equipment and halogen lamps, which are all illegal and therefore in violation of UNCG policy.

Keep exits and stairwells clear and unobstructed at all times. Report any fire safety issues to the residence hall staff. You should report damaged or suspected malfunctioning equipment to Housing and Residence Life Maintenance Department using a FIX Work Request.

These Fire Emergency Procedures were developed as an operational document to insure that all university personnel follow the same guidelines in the event of a fire. The primary consideration in the event of a fire will be the life safety of the building occupants. Secondary considerations will be made for the protection of property In the event of a fire emergency, all university personnel are to completely evacuate the building(s) involved and take instructions from the University Police on the scene. 

When the Greensboro Fire Department arrives they will have primary responsibility, and the University Police will assist them with crowd control and limiting access, as required. Failure to obey public safety officials at the scene of an emergency is a violation of NC Law and this policy.

Winter Weather Hotline

During the winter season, we can experience a variety of winter weather conditions such as snow, sleet, and freezing rain around campus. These conditions may lead to delays, closures, slick walkways and other concerns. A comprehensive plan is in place to address these concerns, to ensure that primary campus routes and buildings are made accessible as quickly and safely as possible. However, following some winter weather events, there may be newly discovered areas of concern that have not been cleared or areas that have refrozen due to weather conditions.

• To report a winter weather-related concern or ask a related question, contact the winter weather hotline (available 24 hours a day during winter weather): Phone: 336.256.8639 or email: BeReady@uncg.edu.
• For all information regarding Adverse Weather Announcements, please visit Spartan Safe.

PREPARE FOR SEVERE WEATHER

Get Informed!

Visit Spartan Safe to find out how you will be notified during emergencies that impact the campus community.

Watch v. Warning

Watch: Means conditions are favorable for severe weather (winter weather, thunderstorms, tornadoes, etc…). Monitor the weather and be prepared to take immediate action.
Warning: Means that severe weather has been detected and there is imminent danger. Monitor the weather and take immediate action.

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

During a thunderstorm, remember the 30/30 rule: Go indoors if you see lightning and cannot count to 30 before you hear thunder. Remain indoors for at least 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.

Turn Around, Don’t Drown!

Never drive across a flooded roadway.

If you have questions or would like to request more information about severe weather, please contact the UNCG Office of Emergency Management.
Phone: 336.506.8632
Email: BeReady@uncg.edu

SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION

Severe weather can occur throughout the year in North Carolina with little or no advanced warning; and has the potential to adversely impact the UNCG community. The peak season, however, for severe weather in North Carolina is March through May. In the event severe weather does strike the UNCG community, you should be prepared to take action and know what to do.

Each residence hall has a designated severe weather shelter location where you can take shelter during severe weather events, such as a tornado. Most residence halls have a green sign that indicates a severe weather shelter location. You should locate these areas in your building now, before severe weather occurs.

Remember: When taking shelter, you should always go the lowest, most interior area of a building if time permits. Crouch down and cover you head to protect yourself from flying debris.

Cleaning Chemicals

The use of cleaning chemicals can present a hazard if they are not used correctly. The single most important thing to remember in using them safely is to read the label, follow the directions, and heed the warnings. If you would like additional information, contact the manufacturer (or check the web) for a Material Safety Data Sheet about the product. If you are on campus, many of these are also found on the Office of Safety’s website. 

What, Exactly, Are Bedbugs?

HRL would like to provide students with information to help identify these nuisances should bedbugs ever be suspected here.

Bedbugs are insects that are oval and flat and about the size of an apple seed. Their bites leave white to red welts that are extremely itchy. Typically, they spread in areas where there are high turnovers of guests, such as in hotels or motels. They are most often transported in clothing and luggage from these areas to secondary areas, such as your home or residence hall. 

An excellent and comprehensive resource for learning about bedbugs – what they look like, why they spread, and how the bites appear – is available at the Mayo Clinic website.

If, upon reading this material, you suspect that you may have bedbugs in your residence hall room, please contact your CRL immediately, and you will be provided with a comprehensive list of preparations to take to eliminate them.

Adopt-A-Cop

In an effort to better establish personal relationships between students and campus police officers, the Adopt-A-Cop Program was established. Residence halls are paired with specific officers so that students in each building become familiar with them.

Safety Precautions to Take

Add the UNCG Campus Emergency numbers to your cell phone list and report any suspicious activity. The campus emergency number can be used for any emergency (police/fire/ems). In fact, when on campus, calling that number will typically provide a much faster response time than dialing 911.

• Campus Emergencies, 336.334.4444
• Non-emergency., 336.334.5963
• Campus Safety Escort, 336.334.5963

UNCG has resources to help if you, or a friend, have personal issues or a crisis. You can call:

• Student Health Services, 336.334.5340
• Counseling & Testing Center, 336.334.5874
• Dean of Students Office, 336.334.5514
• Campus Emergencies (for immediate assistance), 336.334.4444

Other precautions you can take:

• Get the Spartan Safe Personal Safety app on your phone.
• Subscribe to SMS text messages.
• Keep your contact information up-to-date in UNCGenie.
• Update your family contact information, including both email addresses and telephone numbers.
• Report safety hazards to the UNCG Office of Safety at 336.334.4357.

Crime Prevention Programs

The UNCG Police Department offers a number of programs intended to prevent crime and encourage safety. Presentations on safety are included in the orientation of incoming students and are held frequently each semester for the benefit of student, staff, faculty, and the surrounding community. We encourage everyone to take an active role in crime prevention and help us make UNCG a safer place.

Partnerships for a Safer Campus is a community policing initiative started by the department aimed at creating cooperative relationships between the various shareholders on campus and the police. These relationships are positive, have mutual trust, focus on open communication and share responsibility for finding workable solutions to community problems.

The Safety Escort Service is coordinated by the UNCG Police Department and is offered to all students Sunday through Friday 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. This is a free service and offers safe passage for faculty, staff and students, who need to traverse the campus after dark. The Student Safety Patrol utilizes 12 student employees to walk with those who express concern about their safety.

The UNCG Police Department, in partnership with the Dean of Students Office and the Office of Housing and Residence Life, would like to share a few safety tips you can use to maintain personal safety while on and off campus.

• Know how to use the Spartan Safe Personal Safety app on your phone.
• Stay alert! Immediately report suspicious person(s) or activity to the UNCG Police (336.334.4444) or call 911 if off campus.
• Use discretion and caution when walking across campus or through isolated areas of campus.
• If you find yourself in danger, start yelling to draw attention to yourself.
• Program emergency numbers in your cell phone: ICE (In Case of an Emergency). Also, update your emergency contact information through UNCGenie.
• Park in a well-lit area and have your keys in hand as you approach your car.
• Don’t walk alone and stay alert: Avoid headphones and other distractions. Ask someone to walk with you or contact UNCG Police for a Safety Escort: 336.334.5963.
• If you are driving and think you are being followed, go to the nearest police or fire station, or somewhere public. DO NOT STOP OR GET OUT OF THE CAR!
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption: Alcohol can impair your judgment and make you a prime target.
• Avoid working or studying alone in a campus building. Communicate with others where/what your plans are so that others know where you will be.

Students who have been victimized or affected by violence can experience fears, anxiety, and memories of painful events. The Counseling and Testing Center staff is available to provide support and assistance in a confidential and affirming environment. We invite you to stop by their office on the second floor of Student Health Services, or contact them at 336.334.5874.

Personal safety is the most powerful tool you have to protect yourself!