Shelter Protocol

In the event one or more of our residence halls are partially or fully inoperable, the following process shall take place:

SHORT-TERM CLOSURE:

If a room, rooms, or the hall will only be inoperable for one to two days, residents affected by the closure will be temporarily located to the other hall’s open beds and/or common areas if feasible. If this is not feasible, students will be relocated to the Wellness Center.
Each resident should assemble an emergency supply kit ahead and bring it to the temporary shelter. Items to bring with you include blankets, a pillow, toiletries, medications, glasses, food, beverages, flashlights and batteries, first aid kit, hand wipes and water. While we will have some supplies available, we ask that everyone prepare an emergency kit.
If the other hall has enough open beds to accommodate the number of residents affected by the closure, students may be permanently relocated to these rooms for the duration of the semester.

LONG-TERM CLOSURE:

If a room, rooms, hall or halls will be inoperable for a period of 3 days or longer, the university will make arrangements with an area hotel for long-term lodging. At least two Residence Hall Assistants shall stay at each hotel as well and will be easily accessible to residents.
A shuttle will be provided to students without personal transportation to these locations. Residents will receive daily updates from the Resident Assistants with any new information and times shuttles will be available that day.
Students and staff that help shuttle fellow residents to and from campus during the building closures shall receive a gas stipend.
When the hall re-opens, students will receive 48 hours from the initial time of notification to check out of their hotel rooms and move back into the residence hall. The university will cover the daily costs of the hotel room and students will be responsible for any additional charges accrued during their stay.

Remember, in times of crisis, it is easy to experience stress and tension. We ask that everyone try to stay calm, be flexible, follow the requests of the Executive Director of Student Life, Resident Assistants, and volunteer to assist others.