Campus Services

Campus Safety recommends these safety tips to protect yourself and your property:

Room safety: 

• Always lock your room door.
• If you have anything valuable, keep it in a safe place and out of sight.
• Don't prop open outside doors. If you see a door open, be sure to shut it.
• Never loan out your keys.
• Report lost keys immediately.
• Report suspicious people immediately.

Protecting Yourself:
• Always be aware of your surroundings. Be alert.
• Familiarize yourself with the location of emergency phones.
• Stick to well-lighted and busy areas. Avoid dark areas.
• When traveling at night, travel in groups. If you must travel alone, call CSO to escort you.
• Never accept a ride from a stranger.
• Never offer rides to strangers.
• Keep your automobile locked at all times.
• Do not park in unsafe or dimly lit areas.
• When walking to your vehicle or dorm room, have your keys readily in hand.
• Always check the back seat of your car before getting in.
• When using the ATM, be sure to have someone with you.

Protecting Your Property:
• Never leave personal items unattended.
• Put your name on your belongings, books, calculators, etc.
• Keep anything valuable out of sight.

Personal Safety Tips:

• Be alert! Walk with confidence and purpose.
• Be aware of your surrounding - know who's out there and what's going on. Report suspicious persons or vehicles to the proper authorities.
• Don't let alcohol or other drugs cloud your judgment.
• Trust your instincts. If a situation or place makes you feel uncomfortable or uneasy, leave!

Indoors:
• Be wary of isolated spots - apartment laundry rooms, underground garages, parking lots, offices after business hours. Walk with a friend, co-worker, or security guard, particularly at night. On campus you can call Campus Safety 24 hours a day at 618-664-7777 for a safety escort.
• Know your neighbors, so you have someone to call or go to if you're scared. Furthermore identify a person that you trust that you would go to if you were assaulted, raped or burglarized.
• Never prop locked doors open. These doors are locked to protect you and others.

Outdoors:
• Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially at night. Stay in well-traveled, well-lighted areas.
• Wear clothes and shoes that give you freedom of movement.
• Be careful if anyone in a car asks you for directions - if you answer, keep your distance from the car.
• Have your key ready before you reach the door - home, car, or office.
• If you think you're being followed, change direction and head for open stores, restaurants, theaters, or a lighted house.

In Your Car:
• Park in areas that will be well-lighted and well-traveled when you return.
• Always lock your car - when you get in and when you get out.
• Look around your car and in the back seat before you get in.
• If your car breaks down, lift the hood, lock the doors, and turn on your flashers. Use a Cal l Police banner or flares. If someone stops, roll the window down slightly and ask the person to call the police or a tow service.
• Don't hitchhike, ever. Don't pick up a hitchhiker.
• If someone in a car ask for assistance do not get close to the car.
• If a car approaches you and you feel threatened, scream and run in the direction opposite of the one the car is going.
• If you feel you are being followed go to the nearest open business, police department, fire department, or any area where other people will be. Cal l the Police from there.
• If you carry a purse, hold it close to your body.
• Have your key ready to enter your residence or car.

Driving Safety Tips:
• Never pick up hitchhikers.
• When traveling always let someone know your travel logistics, including where you are going, when you are returning, and how someone could contact you in case of an emergency.
• Always keep your car doors locked.
• When parking at night, select a place that will be well-lit when returning to the car.
• Look in back seat and floor board before entering your car.
• When approaching your car in a parking lot, look all around the area for anything that does not look right. If you see anything that looks suspicious near your car, keep going and call the Police as soon as possible. If you can get in your car safely, lock the doors and go somewhere and contact the Police about your suspicions.
• Keep gas above 1/4 tank.
• Whenever possible travel on well lighted streets.
• If you are ever being followed go to the nearest police department, fire department, or open business. If vehicle pulls in behind you and you do not know the individual blow the car horn to attract attention. DO NOT GET OUT OF CAR UNTIL YOU ARE SAFE.
• If your car is being repaired leave only the car keys with the repair shop.
• If you are having car problems and cannot raise the hood, stay in the car and wait for help. If someone stops to help, roll down the window just enough to talk to them and ask them to call a relative, friend, garage or the police for you.

Fire Safety:

Every year college and university students experience a growing number of fire-related emergencies. There are several causes for these fires; however most are due to a general lack of knowledge about fire safety and prevention. Cooking is the leading cause of fire injuries on college campuses, closely followed by careless smoking and arson. Students tampering with fire safety equipment may be fined in accordance with local, state, and federal ordinances.

THE CAUSE...

Many factors contribute to the problem of residence hall fires.
• Improper use of 911 notifications systems delays emergency response.
• Student apathy is prevalent. Many are unaware that fire is a real risk or threat in dorms.
• Evacuation efforts are hindered since fire alarms are often ignored or not taken seriously.
• Building evacuations are delayed due to lack of preparation and pre-planning.
• Vandalized and improperly maintained smoke alarms and fire alarm systems inhibit early detection of fires.
• Misuse of cooking appliances, over-loaded electrical circuits and extension cords increase the risk of fires.

FIRE AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Greenville College does it's best to provide for the safety and security of each student and employee. Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers have been placed around campus to protect lives and possessions. For one's own safety, please do not remove batteries from smoke detectors or discharge fire extinguishers. Tampering with these safety items is considered a serious offense. The law requires Greenville College to have these fire safety items in place, and the law also covers tampering with fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. Therefore, any person caught tampering with the smoke detectors or fire extinguishers may be handed over to the civil authorities as well as face suspension or dismissal from the college.

Never prop fire and smoke doors open.

Fire escapes and exits are for emergencies only. Individuals may not use fire escapes for any other reason.

Do not block windows (this includes lofts and large pieces of furniture).

FLAMMABLE OBJECTS

Combustibles, gasoline, explosives, or highly flammable chemicals are not permitted in the residence halls. Halogen Lamps, candles, oil lamps, incense, and other open flame objects are not permitted in the residence halls.
Possession of these items in rooms, even if not being used, is prohibited.

Live Christmas trees are not permitted in residence hall rooms or lounges. No electrical lights are permitted on metal trees.

PLANNING

• Know and be familiar with at least two evacuation routes from your building
• Do not block hallways or doors with items
• Never prop fire doors (and close them if you find them propped)
• Take alarms seriously
• Never leave cooking unattended, and follow directions on the package
• Abide by campus fire regulations

IF THERE IS A FIRE

EVACUATE - GET OUT OF THE BUILDING (if able)
• Prior to opening you door feel the handle, do not open it if it is hot
• Open the door cautiously and check for smoke before entering the hallway
• Close the door behind you
• Pull a fire alarm on your way out if able
• Alert others on your way out, but do not delay your exit
• Do not hesitate and proceed directly out of the building
• If smoke is present crawl close to the floor, that's where the most clean air is
• Assist others only if you're physically capable and it does not hinder your exit. Otherwise note their location and advise authorities upon exiting the building

IF YOUR EXIT IS BLOCKED BY HEAVY SMOKE OR FIRE

• Keep your door closed
• Go to a window and signal for help
• Block the bottom of the door with a wet towel (or similar item) to block smoke
• Stay low to the ground to avoid smoke
• Do not jump from windows unless absolutely necessary

Severe Weather Safety:

The City of Greenville has a city-wide warning system for severe weather. Outdoor sirens will sound when a tornado has been reported within Bond County.

Severe weather includes severe thunderstorms, high winds, large hail or tornados. Severe weather watches and warnings are issued by the National Weather Service.

•  A watch means conditions are favorable for the development of severe weather.
•  A warning is issued when severe storms are approaching our area.

Severe weather watches and warning information will be received by monitoring weather alert radios, local television and radio broadcasts. If time permits and individuals are available, the campus community may be alerted to severe weather by verbal messages distributed within the building or through campus-wide email. There are times when no one will be available to provide weather warnings on campus, especially during late afternoons, evenings or weekends. It is everyone's responsibility to monitor weather conditions by listening to a local TV station (KSDK Ch. 5, St. Louis NBC) or radio station (WGEL 101.7 FM), for the most current information.

• When a severe weather watch is issued by the National Weather Service, develop an action plan of how and where to take shelter if a severe storm develops. See the table of recommended Storm Shelter locations. Communicate this plan to others in your area.
• Continually monitor local weather conditions. Check the weather forecast before leaving for field trips or outdoor activities, and have a plan in place for safe shelter and communication if threatening conditions develop.
• Consider preparing the following emergency supplies to take to the storm shelter: a weather alert radio or other battery operated radio, flashlight, keys, purse, backpack, cell phone, and a coat to provide protection from flying glass.
• Listen closely when the National Weather Service issues a severe weather warning. Activate the action plan if Greenville is included in the warning or you hear weather sirens.
• Collect the emergency supplies and go to a safe shelter immediately. Inform others of the warning as you go to the shelter. Stay away from windows, skylights and doors.
• DO NOT use the elevators. Individuals who cannot use the stairs should take shelter on the same floor in a small interior windowless room, such as a restroom or interior office. Offer assistance to individuals with special needs.
• As severe weather approaches, sit facing the wall, and cover your head and face with available protective objects. If possible, get under a sturdy piece of furniture.
• If there is time and it is safe to do so, begin a sign-in sheet in the shelter area (please print). If individuals leave during the storm, ask them to sign out.
• Keep phone lines (and cell phones) available for emergency communication.
• Stay in the building until the storm has passed and the all active warnings have expired. There is no official "all clear" siren or signal.
• Once the storm has past, check others for injuries. Report all injuries to Campus Safety or emergency responders.
• When exiting the building, beware of downed power lines, broken glass and unsafe areas.
• Go to a central area of campus away from storm debris and await assistance.

STORM SHELTERS

The safest shelter areas are small windowless interior rooms or interior corridors on the lowest available floor (preferably the basement). Stay away from windows, skylights and exterior doors.

• Seek shelter on the floor you are on if you are unable to use the stairs. Small windowless rooms, such as restrooms or interior offices, are good choices. Use a buddy system.
• Do not shelter in large spaces such as cafeterias, concourses, auditoriums, theaters or gymnasiums.
• Do not use the elevators during severe weather.