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Student Emergency Evacuation and Relocation Procedures

During an emergency, students may be directed to evacuate a building, relocate to another campus facility, leave a portion of campus, or temporarily relocate off campus. The appropriate action will depend on the nature, location, and expected duration of the emergency.

Students should follow instructions provided through CSC ALERT and directions from Campus Safety, Residential Education, law enforcement, fire officials, or other authorized emergency personnel. Emergency instructions take precedence over predetermined assembly points or normal routines.

Be Prepared

Students should take the following steps before an emergency occurs:

  • Confirm that their current mobile telephone number and other contact information are registered with CSC ALERT.
  • Become familiar with evacuation routes and Emergency Assembly Points for their residence hall, classrooms, and other buildings they regularly use.
  • Keep essential prescription medications reasonably available.
  • Maintain a personal emergency contact plan with family members or others they may need to reach.
  • Identify an out-of-area contact who can help relay information if local communications are disrupted.
  • Keep a mobile-phone charger or portable power bank available.
  • Consider maintaining a small emergency bag with essential medication, basic toiletries, weather-appropriate clothing, and other necessary personal items.
  • Contact Accessibility Services, Residential Education, or Campus Safety in advance when assistance may be needed during evacuation or relocation.

During an emergency, use telephone service primarily for urgent communications. Text messages may be more reliable when networks are heavily used.

When an Evacuation Is Ordered

When directed to evacuate:

  • Leave the building or affected area promptly using the nearest safe exit.
  • Do not delay evacuation to retrieve belongings.
  • Use stairs rather than elevators unless emergency responders specifically authorize elevator use.
  • Avoid areas containing smoke, fire, hazardous materials, police activity, or another known danger.
  • Proceed to the Emergency Assembly Point or other relocation location identified in the emergency message.
  • Keep entrances, roads, fire lanes, and emergency access routes clear.
  • Follow accountability or check-in instructions provided by College personnel.
  • Report anyone believed to remain inside or need assistance, including the person’s last known location.
  • Do not re-enter an evacuated building or area until authorized by Campus Safety or emergency responders.

A normal Emergency Assembly Point may be changed because of weather, the location of the hazard, accessibility needs, or emergency-response operations.

Temporary Relocation to Another Campus Facility

An emergency may require students to relocate from a residence hall or other campus building to a temporary location elsewhere on campus.

When an on-campus relocation is directed:

  • Go to the location identified through CSC ALERT or by Campus Safety or Residential Education.
  • Do not assume that a familiar campus facility will be used; the designated location will depend on the emergency.
  • Check in using the accountability process established at the relocation location.
  • Remain with your residence hall or assigned group when practical.
  • Keep your phone available and continue monitoring official College communications.
  • Notify staff of medical, mobility, dietary, communication, or other essential needs.
  • Do not leave the relocation facility without following the established check-out or accountability process.

When time and conditions permit, students may be instructed to bring:

  • Essential prescription medications;
  • A mobile phone and charger;
  • Identification and CSC SmartCard;
  • Weather-appropriate clothing;
  • Basic toiletries;
  • Necessary accessibility or communication equipment; and
  • Other essential personal items identified by the College.

Do not delay an immediate evacuation to collect these items.

Temporary Relocation Away From Campus

When an emergency requires an extended evacuation, the College may arrange transportation and temporary housing for residential students who do not have a safe or practical alternative location.

Commuter students who need emergency transportation or temporary housing assistance should contact Residential Education or follow the process identified in the emergency notification.

Students needing College-arranged transportation or housing must:

  • Register through the process identified by Residential Education.
  • Provide current contact information.
  • Report to the designated transportation location at the assigned time.
  • Check in before boarding College-arranged transportation.
  • Follow baggage, safety, conduct, and accountability instructions.
  • Notify staff of any medical, mobility, dietary, communication, or accessibility needs.
  • Remain at the assigned temporary location unless authorized to leave.
  • Follow instructions regarding return transportation or other arrangements.

Transportation and temporary-housing locations will be selected based on the circumstances and may not be announced until arrangements are confirmed.

Students Making Their Own Arrangements

Students may be permitted to stay with family, friends, or another safe location instead of using College-arranged transportation or housing.

Before leaving, students should follow the accountability or check-out process established by Residential Education and provide:

  • Their intended destination;
  • A reliable telephone number or other means of contact; and
  • Any other information requested for emergency accountability.

Students should notify family members or emergency contacts of their plans when it is safe to do so.

Students should not leave campus independently when doing so would require traveling through a restricted or unsafe area or when College or public-safety officials have directed people to remain in place.

Emergency Communications

During an evacuation or relocation, students should:

  • Read each CSC ALERT message completely.
  • Continue monitoring CSC ALERT, College email, emergency displays, the College website, and instructions from College personnel.
  • Follow updated directions, even when they differ from earlier instructions.
  • Avoid sharing rumors or unverified emergency information.
  • Keep emergency telephone lines available for urgent calls.
  • Wait for an official all-clear or further instruction before returning to campus or an evacuated building.

The College may provide separate information to parents, families, and the broader community when appropriate. Students should communicate their status to family members when they are safe and able to do so.

Assistance

Students who need emergency evacuation, transportation, temporary housing, accessibility, or other assistance should notify Residential Education, Campus Safety, or personnel at the designated assembly or relocation location.

Emergency: Call 9-1-1
Campus Safety: 603-526-3300, available 24 hours a day