Crookston: Fire Safety Report and Statistics

Fire Safety Report

In accordance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, institutions with on-campus student housing facilities must publish annually a fire safety report that provides information on campus fire safety practices and standards. The University of Minnesota complies with this regulation by including all mandatory fire safety information as part of this annual report. 

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On Campus Student Housing Facilities

The University of Minnesota Crookston has five on campus facilities for student housing, two traditional residence halls, two are apartment-style residence halls and one suite style living facility.

Traditional Residence Halls

Skyberg Hall
2900 University Ave, Crookston, MN 56716

McCall Hall
2900 University Ave, Crookston, MN 56716
Note: McCall Hall was closed from May 2019 to August 2024 due to mold removal.

Apartments

Centennial Hall
2900 University Ave, Crookston, MN 56716

Evergreen Hall
2900 University Ave, Crookston, MN 56716

Suite Style Living

Heritage Hall
2900 University Ave, Crookston, MN 56716

Reporting Fires

Active fires should be reported immediately to the Crookston Fire Department by contacting 911, extinguished fires can be reported to the Crookston Fire Department non-emergency number 218-281-4584.

Fires which have been extinguished in all other student housing facilities should be reported to the Residence Director of the appropriate hall for inclusion in the Fire log and Fire Safety Report. The following phone numbers should only be used to report fires which have already been extinguished.

Residential Life
1110 Centennial Hall
Crookston, MN 56716
218-281-8531

University Public Safety
1516 Evergreen Hall
Crookston, MN 56716
Office: 218-281-8815
Duty phone: 218-280-4240

On-Campus Student Housing Facility Fire Safety Systems

The chart below summarizes each facility’s fire safety system and the number of fire drills held during the 2024 calendar year.
Crookston On-Campus Student Housing Facilities Fire Alarm Monitoring Full Sprinkler System Smoke Detection Fire Extinguisher Devices Evacuation Plans/ Placards Number of Drills
Skyberg Hall X X X X X 2
McCall Hall X X X X X 2
Centennial Hall X X X X X 2
Evergreen Hall X X X X X 2
Heritage Hall X X X X X 2

Notes on Data

Fire Alarm Monitoring indicates if the fire alarms are monitored at a central location. 

Full Sprinkler System is defined as having sprinklers in both the common areas and individual rooms. Evacuation Plan indicates if a location has evacuation plans for fire evacuation.

Housing Regulations Regarding Portable Electrical Appliances, Smoking, and Open Flames

Electrical Appliances

The residence hall rooms are not wired to support the use of large electrical appliances (air conditioners or large fridges). All appliances brought to campus must be in good working order. Please be sure not to overload the electrical outlets with adapters or extension cords (all extension cords must be UL approved).

Residents may use electrical appliances in Residence Halls if the appliance does not have an open heating element, use grease or cooking oil, or have an open flame. Appliances with automatic turn-off timers are highly encouraged.

Items that are not allowed include, but are not limited to: electric grills, hot plates and toaster ovens. Apartment buildings (University Village, Yudof, Keeler, Radius and Wilkins) may use the items listed above in the designated kitchen area only.

Students may bring one (1) refrigerator per residence hall room. The refrigerators must be 4.3 cubic feet or smaller. Students may also bring one (1) microwave oven per room. The microwave must use no more than 700 watts. Extension cords must be UL approved. No other major appliances, including air conditioners or dishwasher units, are permitted in any hall.

Due to potential for fire, concealed extension cords and multiple outlet adapters are also prohibited. Residents may possess multiple strip outlets that are fused with at least 14-gauge wire, are UL approved, and are grounded.

Cooking

Residence hall rooms are not equipped for students to safely and sanitarily cook. For the safety of all students, cooking is NOT permitted in residence hall rooms. Cooking is permitted only in University-designated kitchen areas (e.g., apartment kitchens in Yudof Hall, Wilkins Hall, University Village, Keeler Apartments, Radius Apartments, or residence hall kitchenettes).

Smoking

To create a healthier, cleaner, and more inclusive environment for everyone, smoking any substance or creating smoke is not permitted anywhere on campus, including in resident rooms or apartments, in any public areas within residence halls and apartments, or on surrounding grounds. This includes electronic cigarettes, vaporizers and tobacco. Smoking and tobacco use is not allowed on the University of Minnesota campus.

Hookahs or any smoking paraphernalia that has the potential for an open flame are not allowed in the residence halls or apartment communities.

Open Flames

For the safety of all students living in the halls, it is prohibited to have open flames or other materials that constitute fire hazards on University housing property including candles, candle warmers, incense, or other materials (such as live fresh cut evergreen trees, and wreaths). Any candles or incense found may be confiscated or destroyed.

Housing and Residence life staff will not store these items for you. Motorized vehicles (e.g., mopeds, motorcycles, etc.) may not be brought through or stored within the residence halls/apartments.

Prohibited Lighting

Due to hazardous materials in various lighting devices, and the potential for fire, and chemical safety hazards, the following items are not allowed: halogen lamps, torchiere lamps, neon lighting, black lights, strobe lights, and lava lamps. Lighting fixtures and devices must be UL listed, in good working condition per original manufacturing, and of no greater than 75 watts.

Evacuation in Case of a Fire

In the event of a building alarm, fire departments cannot begin their job until everyone is out of the building. Failing to leave the building puts others at risk. In compliance with Minnesota State Fire Code and state law, everyone is required to leave the building in the event of a building alarm.

  • Upon activation of a fire alarm, immediately proceed to the nearest, safest exit
  • Before opening doors, feel the door; if it is hot do not proceed through the door. If the door is cool, open the door slowly and proceed to nearest, safest exit
  • If on upper floors of a building, do not use elevators, proceed down stairwells to exit, if heavy smoke or fumes are present, use an alternate exit route
  • Exit the building and move a safe distance away from the building
  • In locations managed by Housing & Residential Life, Housing staff will assist exiting residents to a nearby safe location
  • Do not re-enter the building for any reason. Emergency Responders or Housing and Residential Life Staff will notify residents if and when it is safe to return to the building

Steps to Be Taken in Case of Fire

In a fire emergency:

  • Pull the fire alarm if able.
  • Call 911.
  • Remain calm and act quickly.
  • Wear protective clothing such as a coat and shoes and carry a damp towel for use in heavy smoke.
  • Close your room door and windows.
  • Walk in an orderly manner to the nearest exit. Never use an elevator.
  • Move a safe distance away from the building and out of the way of fire department personnel.
  • Remain outside until you are told to return by the staff.

If you think there is a fire in the hallway, feel the door before you open it:

  • If the door does not feel hot, open it slightly, holding your head away and brace the door with your foot.
  • Put your hand across the opening to test the heat of the air.
  • If the door is hot and the hallway unsafe, plug any opening or cracks through which smoke may enter your room using wet towels, sheets, blankets, etc.
  • If smoke does enter the room, open the window for ventilation; break it if sealed.
  • DO NOT JUMP.
  • Make your presence known.
  • Wait for rescue.

In case of minor fire:

  • Pull the fire alarm if able.
  • Call 911.
  • Use a fire extinguisher located in the hallway cabinets or a blanket to smother the fire.
  • Never risk your personal safety!

Fire Safety Education and Training

Each hall has fire safety presentations and residents are provided materials outlining actions to be taken in case of a fire.

Each hall operated Residential Life has evacuations procedures on-site. These procedures are covered yearly with residents and are practiced each year in scheduled fire safety drills.

Planned Fire Safety Improvements

Housing & Residential Life works closely with University code officials to review current systems and plan for future improvements. There are currently no plans deemed necessary for improvements in fire safety systems or procedures.

Fire Statistics

The fire statistics for the 2024, 2023, and 2022 calendar years are provided in the sections that follow. The category and cause of each listed fire follows the classifications used by the Department of Education. The estimated dollar values for damages for events in each facility or complex area are also included. These statistics are reported to the Department of Education annually.

Fires which occurred in dining facilities which are part of the residence hall complexes are entered in the Department of Education website as occurring in one of the residence halls that are physically attached to the dining facility.

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2024 Fire Incidents in University Housing

Traditional Residence Halls

University Housing Unit Total Fires in Each Building Fire Number Category* Cause Injuries Fatalities Value of Property Damage
Skyberg Hall 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
McCall Hall* 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Apartments

University Housing Unit Total Fires in Each Building Fire Number Category* Cause Injuries Fatalities Value of Property Damage
Centennial Hall 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Evergreen Hall 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Suite Style

University Housing Unit Total Fires in Each Building Fire Number Category* Cause Injuries Fatalities Value of Property Damage
Heritage Hall 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

*Note on Data

Fires in the following tables fall into one of three categories: (A) undetermined; (B) accidental; or (C) intentional.

Note that McCall Hall was closed from May 2019 to August 2024 due to mold removal.

2023 Fire Incidents in University Housing

Traditional Residence Halls

University Housing Unit Total Fires in Each Building Fire Number Category* Cause Injuries Fatalities Value of Property Damage
Skyberg Hall 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
McCall Hall* N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Apartments

University Housing Unit Total Fires in Each Building Fire Number Category* Cause Injuries Fatalities Value of Property Damage
Centennial Hall 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Evergreen Hall 1 1 B Electrical 0 0 $0

Suite Style

University Housing Unit Total Fires in Each Building Fire Number Category* Cause Injuries Fatalities Value of Property Damage
Heritage Hall 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

*Note on Data

Fires in the following tables fall into one of three categories: (A) undetermined; (B) accidental; or (C) intentional.

Note that McCall Hall was closed from May 2019 to August 2024 due to mold removal.

2022 Fire Incidents in University Housing

Traditional Residence Halls

University Housing Unit Total Fires in Each Building Fire Number Category* Cause Injuries Fatalities Value of Property Damage
Skyberg Hall 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
McCall Hall* N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Apartments

University Housing Unit Total Fires in Each Building Fire Number Category* Cause Injuries Fatalities Value of Property Damage
Centennial Hall 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Evergreen Hall 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Suite Style

University Housing Unit Total Fires in Each Building Fire Number Category* Cause Injuries Fatalities Value of Property Damage
Heritage Hall 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

*Note on Data

Fires in the following tables fall into one of three categories: (A) undetermined; (B) accidental; or (C) intentional.

Note that McCall Hall was closed from May 2019 to August 2024 due to mold removal.

Housing and Residential Life Missing Person Policy

The Housing & Residential Life Missing Person Policy establishes procedures for the University of Minnesota Crookston’s response to reports of missing students who reside in University owned housing facilities. Under the policy, a student may be considered a “missing person” if the person’s absence is suspiciously different from his/her usual pattern of behavior and/or unusual circumstances may have caused the absence.

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Procedures for Student Designation of Emergency Contact Information

Students aged 18 and above and emancipated minors

Student residents will be given the opportunity online through the Housing & Residential Life (HRL) Resident Information Collection process to designate an individual or individuals to be contacted by the University no more than 24 hours after the time that the student is determined to be missing in accordance with the procedures set forth below. The designation will remain in effect until changed or revoked by the student or at the time the student is no longer a resident of University housing (or under the age of 18).

Students under the age of 18 and not emancipated

Student residents under the age of 18 who are not emancipated are required to provide contact information for a custodial parent or guardian online through the Housing & Residential Life Resident Information Collection process. The University is required to notify a custodial parent or guardian no more than 24 hours after a student is determined to be missing in accordance with the procedures set forth below. The custodial parent or guardian contact information will remain in effect until the student reaches the age of 18 or is no longer a resident of University housing.

This contact information will be registered confidentially, and will be accessible only to authorized campus officials. This information will not be disclosed, except to law enforcement personnel in furtherance of a missing person investigation.

To Report a Missing Student

In the case of a missing student, individuals should notify the University of Minnesota Police Department or Housing & Residential Life staff members. There is no minimum amount of time a student must be missing for to be reported to one of these resources.

Residential Life
1110 Centennial Hall
Crookston, MN 56716
218-281-8531

University Public Safety
1516 Evergreen Hall
Crookston, MN 56716
Office: 218-281-8815
Duty phone: 218-280-4240

Official notification procedures for missing persons

Any individual on campus who has information that a University housing student may be a missing person must notify the University Public Safety as soon as possible. If a report of a possible missing person is made to a Residential Life staff member, the staff member will: 

  • Conduct a life safety/wellness check on the resident,
  • Attempt to make contact via cellular phone, email, or other means,
  • Contact other students who may be aware of the missing person’s whereabouts (e.g., roommate, friends, classmates). 

If the missing person cannot be found within 24 hours, University staff will contact Crookston Police Department to report a possible missing person. University Public Safety will gather all essential information about the University housing student from the reporting person(s) and from the student’s acquaintances (description, clothes last worn, where student might be, who student might be with, vehicle description, information about the physical/mental well-being of the student, an up- to-date photograph, class schedule, card access logs, dining records, video surveillance, etc.).

Appropriate campus staff, such as Residential Life staff, may be notified to aid in the search for the student. No later than 24 hours after determining that a University housing student is missing, the Director of Residential Life or designee will notify the emergency contact (for students 18 and over) or the parent/guardian (for students under the age of 18) that the student is believed to be missing.