Morris: Fire Safety Report and Statistics

The University of Minnesota Morris has seven on campus facilities for student housing, six traditional residence halls and one apartment-style residence hall.

Traditional Residence Halls

Blakely Hall
600 East 4th Street, Morris, MN 56267

Clayton A. Gay Hall
600 East 4th Street, Morris, MN 56267

David C. Johnson Independence Hall
643 East 2nd Street, Morris, MN 56267

Green Prairie Community
600 East 4th Street, Morris, MN 56267

Pine Hall
600 East 1st Street, Morris, MN 56267

Spooner Hall
600 East 6th Street, Morris, MN 56267

Apartments

On-Campus Apartments
600 East 4th Street, Morris, MN 56267

Active fires should be reported immediately to the Morris Fire Department by contacting 911.

The following phone numbers should only be used to report fires which have already been extinguished.

University of Minnesota Morris Public Safety
6 Behmler Hall
Morris, MN 56267
320-287-1601

Office of Residential Life 
74 Gay Hall
Morris, MN 56267
320-589-6475

Electrical Appliances

Residents may use electrical appliances in residence halls and the apartments 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. Residents may use the items listed above in designated kitchen or utility areas only. Residents are not allowed to use space heaters. However, in some situations, approved space heaters may be issued temporarily by ORL.

The residence hall rooms are not wired to support the use of large electrical appliances (air conditioners or large fridges). Major appliances, including air conditioners or portable dishwasher units, are not permitted in any hall.
Students may bring one (1) refrigerator per residence hall room. The refrigerators must be 4.4 cubic feet or smaller. 

All appliances brought to campus must be in good working order. 

Extension cords must be UL approved. 

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 or utility areas where appliance outlets are provided. 

Smoking

To create a healthier, cleaner, and more inclusive environment for everyone, smoking any substance is not permitted in resident rooms or apartments, on apartment patios, apartment balconies, and/or public areas within residence halls and apartments. This includes electronic cigarettes, vaporizers and tobacco, hookahs or any smoking paraphernalia that has the potential for an open flame.

Open Flames

For the safety of all students living in the halls and apartments, 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. Residence life staff will not store these items for you. 

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.

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

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!

Each September, the Office of Residential Life offers fire safety programming. Each hall has a fire safety presentation and informs residents of actions to be taken in case of a fire.

Each residence hall has evacuation procedures on-site. These procedures are covered yearly with residents and are practiced each year in scheduled fire safety drills.

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.

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

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

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

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.

In the case of a missing student resident, individuals should notify the University of Minnesota Morris Department of Public Safety, the Office of Residential Life, or the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. 

University of Minnesota Morris Department of Public Safety
6 Behmler Hall
Morris, MN 56267
320-287-1601

Office of Residential Life 
74 Gay Hall
Morris, MN 56267
320-589-6475

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
309 Behmler Hall
Morris, MN 56267
320-589-6013

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 University of Minnesota Morris Public Safety as soon as possible.

If a report of a possible missing person is made to a Residential Life staff member or to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, UMN Morris Public Safety will be contacted immediately. Cooperative efforts to locate the student resident may include:

• 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).
• Public Safety will gather all essential information about the student resident from the reporting person(s) and other individuals who may provide information that will assist with the investigation.
• No later than 24 hours after determining that a University housing student is missing, the Chief Law Enforcement Officer 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.