GUIDE FOR SUCCESSFUL LIVING

Section Two ~ Personal Safety

24-Hour Emergency

Please call the 24-hour University Police phone line at 3234 for on-campus police protection and services.  All emergencies should be reported to this office.  The 24-hour emergency number for Cookeville fire, policy and medical assistance is 911.  All calls are monitored to ensure only emergency calls are being made.

Around Campus or in Town

1. Avoid walking alone at night; take a friend if you must go.
2. Look alert; eliminate the potential attacker's element of surprise.
3. 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.
4. Vary your daily patterns; some attackers stalk their victims, knowing just where and when to strike. Keep them confused.
5. Pay attention to your surroundings. Where is the best-lighted route? Where can you run for help if necessary?

Community Policing

Two certified residence hall police officers are employed by the Office of Residential Life, and directly supervised by University Police, to staff these offices and ensure the safety and security of on-campus residence hall occupants and guests.  Officers are on duty seven nights a week, enforcing both university and Residential Life policies.  They keep constant patrol of residence hall lobbies, hallways, grounds and parking areas in and around the residence halls.

Earthquakes

In the event that an earthquake is predicted which may impact the Tennessee Technological University campus, please be aware of the following tips:

• Before an Earthquake Occurs
  1. Keep on hand a flashlight and possibly a portable radio, both with fresh batteries.
  2. Place large and heavy objects on lower shelves.
  3. Bottled goods, glass and other breakables also should not be stored in high places or left where they can slide freely on shelves.
  4. Remove heavy picture frames, mirrors, and other heavy objects over the bed or desk.
• During an Earthquake
  1. First and foremost, stay calm. Think through the consequences of any action you take.
  2. If you are outdoors, stay outdoors; if you are indoors, stay indoors. Most injuries during earthquakes occur as people are entering or leaving buildings.
  3. If you are indoors, take cover under a heavy desk or table, or in doorways, halls, or against inside walls. Stay away from glass.
  4. 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.
  5. 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
  1. Be prepared for additional earthquake shocks called "after shocks." Although most of these are smaller than the main shock, some may be large enough to cause additional damage.
  2. 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.
  3. Check for injuries. Don't attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
  4. Don't smoke. Gas leaks could make a cigarette your last. Don't use candles, matches, or other open flames because of possible gas leaks. Douse all fires. Don't turn on the lights.

Emergency Telephones

Emergency telephones have been installed on campus to enhance safety and security. The emergency phones, identified by a dull, blue light, are activated by pressing the button whether a person speaks into the intercom or not. When a phone is activated the light will flash. University Police officers will know the location of the phone being used and will respond to that location.  Emergency phones can be found in the following locations:

Fire Drills

Each residence hall staff member conducts monthly fire drills to acquaint residents with the proper evacuation procedures in case of an actual fire emergency. The staff will inspect the building to ensure all residents have evacuated. Please 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. Fire drills are conducted to prepare you in case of an emergency. Your cooperation is expected and appreciated.

1. If there is smoke in the room, keep low to the floor.
2. Before passing through any doorway, feel the door. If it is hot, do not open the door.
3. 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.
4. If you cannot leave the room, open the window.
5. To attract the fire department’s attention if you are trapped, wave an object out the window. If there is a phone in your room, call University Police and report you are trapped; give the room number and specific location.
6. If you can leave a room, close all doors behind you as you exit.
7. Go to the nearest exit or stairwell.
8. If the nearest exit is blocked by fire, heat, or smoke, go to an alternate exit.
9. If all exits from a floor are blocked, go back to your room, open the windows, wave something out the window, and shout for help.
10. After evacuating a building, students should proceed to the parking lot area. Emergency apparatus will be maneuvering around the building.
11. Follow the directions of fire, police, and hall personnel.

If You Are Attacked

Report to the University Police and/or your residence hall staff any situation that you feel is dangerous to your health, safety, or well being. This includes physical or verbal abuse, an immediate threat of abuse, and any sexual or racial harassment.

1. Keep your wits about you. Sometimes struggling can save you; sometimes it can antagonize the attacker.
2. Consider passive resistance; talk to your attacker calmly.
3. Report any attack to University Police and to a residence hall staff member immediately by calling 911.
4. Seek medical attention if necessary.

All lobby doors are equipped with an electronic card reader, allowing only those individuals and their registered guests 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 protect your personal property.  Personal items (TV's, VCR's, computers, etc.) can be engraved and registered with the University Police office.

Pedestrian Safety

What you, as a student, should know:

1. It is unlawful for pedestrians to walk on the adjacent roadway where sidewalks are provided.
2. Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon half of the roadway the vehicle is traveling on or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway to be in danger.
3. 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.
4. 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.

TTU has taken these steps to ensure pedestrian safety:

1. Three new crosswalks have been added to Dixie Avenue.
2. The speed limit has been decreased to 15 mph.
3. There are new flashing lights at the beginning and end of Dixie Avenue.

Personal Safety Tips

Here are some important tips to protect yourself in the halls, around campus and in town.

1. Lock your door when you leave to keep your valuables safe and when you sleep to keep yourself safe.
2. Know your building's emergency evacuation procedures and be familiar with the location of emergency exits.
3. Follow health and safety regulations in your handbook.
4. Do not prop open the exit doors; if you can get in through a propped door, so can an intruder.
5. Do not open the door until you ask, "Who is it?"

Residents must share responsibility for maintain a safe and secure residential community. Residents should keep their doors and windows locked at all times. All Residents must enter/exit only from the main lobby entrance.

Residents leaving the building through locked security doors may be subject to disciplinary action. During the holiday periods, doors and windows should be securely locked and mini blinds should be open. Items of value should not be left in a room over a holiday period.  All reception areas are open to the public, but living areas remain locked 24 hours a day.  Guest and visitors may gain access to student rooms only when escorted by a resident.  Residents are reminded to refrain from allowing anyone they do not know into the secured areas.

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 the Office of Residential Life.

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.

Student Personal Property Insurance

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

Thunderstorms & Lightning/Severe Weather

One of the most dangerous of all storms is one of the most common. Some thunderstorms can be seen approaching while others hit without warning. It is important to learn and recognize the danger signs and to plan ahead. The danger signs of a thunderstorm include dark towering or threatening clouds and/or distant lightning and thunder.

Thunderstorm Watch
A severe thunderstorm watch is issued by the National Weather Service when the weather conditions are such that a severe thunderstorm (damaging winds 58 mile per hour or more, or hail three-fourths of an inch in diameter or greater) is likely to develop.

Thunderstorm Warning
A severe thunderstorm warning issued when a severe thunderstorm has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.

During a Thunderstorm Warning

1. Go inside for protection IMMEDIATELY.
2. When inside, stay away from windows, water faucets, sinks, and bathtubs.
3. If you are caught outside, STAY AWAY from tall trees, open fields or open water, or small isolated sheds.

Tornadoes/Severe Weather

Tornadoes are nature's most violent storms with winds as high as 200-300 mph.  Although tornadoes are most likely to occur in mid-afternoon, recent tornado activity throughout the state proves they may strike any time, any place.  A tornado often has a dark, thunderstorm cloud from which a whirling funnel-shaped pendant extends to or near the ground.  Rain usually precedes the tornado, frequently with hail and as a heavy downpour.

A tornado watch is given when weather conditions are favorable to the formation of tornadoes, for exampled during severe thunderstorms.  During a tornado watch, keep an eye on the weather and be prepared to take shelter immediately if conditions worsen.

A tornado warning is given when a tornado funnel is sighted, indicated by radar, or is about to strike.  You may only have a few minutes to go to safety.

TTU Police monitor weather warnings.  Upon receipt of warnings for the main campus, a continuous (three-minute) alert will be sounded on the campus emergency warning system.

Your residence hall staff will give you specific instructions through floor meetings.  A tornado drill will be held during the fall and spring semesters due to the increased risk of tornadoes during these seasons.  All residents will be vacated to the basement of their buildings and will remain there until the danger has passed.  Your cooperation during these drills is expected and appreciated.

During a Tornado:

Inside the Residence Hall

1. Evacuate your room and close the door.
2. Proceed to the lowest floor of the building.
3. Remain there until you receive all clear signal from hall staff.
4. If you live on the lowest floor of the building, you may be asked to open your room to residents from the upper floor as space in the hall will be inadequate.
5. Stay away from the windows, desk, beds, etc.
6. A battery operated radio and flashlight would be very helpful. Tune your radio locally to WTTU, 88.5FM, 1400AM, WWRT-Life 16 at 1590AM, WGSQ 94FM.

Outside the Residence Hall

1. If in another building, proceed to the lowest floor and remain there until otherwise notified.
2. If outdoors with no shelter available, lie flat in a nearby ditch and shield your head with your arms.

After a Tornado

1. Listen to your radio for further information and instructions.
2. Use the telephone ONLY for emergencies.
3. Watch out for fallen power lines and stay out of the damaged areas.