Rochester: Public Safety

Student Security Monitor staff have no arrest powers but are trained to determine when police or other first responders should be called.

Student Security Monitors provide security services at 318 Commons, University Square and the Student Life Center during the evening and weekend hours and may provide services during other times at campus facilities as deemed appropriate.

UMR works closely with the Rochester Police Department and applicable law enforcement agencies in order to ensure the safety of the campus community. UMR has not established a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with any law enforcement agency for the investigation of alleged criminal offenses.

UMR does not have any student organizations which own or control non campus property and therefore does not utilize local police agencies to monitor criminal activity of students at non campus property.

The Clery Act requires timely warning notification to the campus community when a reported Clery crime, occurring on University of Minnesota Rochester Clery geography, poses a serious or ongoing threat to public safety. The University issues SAFE-U Advisory Notifications to comply with the timely warning requirement.
SAFE-U Advisory Notifications are designed to give the University community information which may aid in the prevention of similar crimes.

Crimes reported to UMR will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Chancellor’s Office in consultation with key stakeholders to determine if a timely warning is warranted. When it is determined a timely warning is warranted, communications personnel will compose the warning and it will be forwarded to the appropriate person for distribution. 

SAFE-U Advisory Notifications will be electronically distributed to all Rochester Campus students, staff and faculty via the University of Minnesota SAFE-U alert system. 

SAFE-U Advisory Notifications may include the following details (if available):

• Date and time of the incident
• Location
• Type of crime
• Description of the incident
• Apparent connection to previous incidents, if applicable
• Pertinent crime prevention tips

Personally Identifying Information of victims and reporting parties will not be disclosed in a SAFE-U Notification. In instances where personal information is relevant to the crime– for example, in crimes which are motivated by bias the victim’s inclusion in a protected class may be released if this information is not determined to be explicitly personally identifiable.

UMR has communicated with the Rochester Police Department and has requested they inform UMR if they are aware of crimes which have been reported to them which may warrant a timely warning.

If a reported crime constitutes a significant emergency or dangerous situation occurring on campus that involves an immediate threat to the health or safety of the campus community, UMR will follow procedures for issuing a SAFE-U Emergency Notification. More information about SAFE-U Emergency Notifications can be found under the Emergency Response and SAFE-U Emergencies section.

Emergency response operations include coordination of campus and community resources to save lives, protect property, and provide for the continuity of University operations.

The University uses the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as its standard for responding to incidents. University Public Safety officers and supervisors and University administrators who have responsibility during an incident have been trained in NIMS.

When an incident occurs that causes an immediate threat to the campus, the first responders to the scene are usually from Rochester Police Department. Rochester Police Department has been asked to inform the University of Minnesota regarding any situations that are reported to them which may warrant a campus emergency response.

Upon confirmation of an emergency or dangerous situation, the Chancellor’s Office will determine the content of the notification and initiate the appropriate notification system(s). Notification may be delayed if issuing a notification will, in the professional judgment of responsible authorities, compromise efforts to assist a victim or to contain, respond to, or otherwise mitigate the emergency.

The Department of Emergency Management is responsible for the activation of emergency notification systems for incidents of severe weather that create a dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the safety of members of the campus community.

The primary method of emergency notification is the SAFE-U system. When aSAFE-U Emergency notification is activated, it will deliver emergency messaging to all students and employees. The activation of other emergency notification systems will be determined based on the specific circumstances of the emergency. Any additional notification systems activated will be to supplement notifications delivered via SAFE-U Emergency.

SAFE-U Emergency notifications will consist of basic information about the type of emergency or dangerous situation and information on how to avoid danger. Updated information will be disseminated as it becomes available and as time allows or when the immediate threat has been mitigated.

SAFE- U Emergency notifications can be authorized by the following individuals: PSECC, Chancellor’s Office, Director of Communications, Director of Facilities and Operations, or others as designated.

Dissemination of emergency information to the larger community (i.e., parents and residents from surrounding neighborhoods) will take place as time allows. Depending on the nature of the incident, the University could utilize such avenues as the University internet homepage or the media. The first concern of the University will be to disseminate information to those people directly affected by the emergency.

The University of Minnesota Rochester has several methods for communicating important safety information quickly in the event of a significant emergency or dangerous situation that poses an immediate threat to the health and safety of the campus community. The situation will dictate which notification methods are used, in some situations multiple notification systems may be used.

SAFE-U Emergency Notification

SAFE-U Emergency is the University’s emergency mass notification system. SAFE-U Emergency is used specifically to notify University students and employees of emergencies or dangerous situations which are likely to impact campus as a whole or impact University operations. SAFE-U enables the University to quickly send communications via email, text message, and/or phone messages. Students, faculty, and staff who have provided contact information are automatically registered to receive SAFE-U Emergency communications. Only University of Minnesota students, faculty, staff and those with a legitimate need are registered for SAFE-U Emergency Notifications.

Campus Email

In an emergency situation, campus email may be utilized to communicate important safety information.

Text Messages

University students, staff and faculty can update their profile to include a phone number for SAFE-U text messages.

Social Media

Emergency information may also be communicated on University social media feeds.

Digital Signs

Most digital signs on campus can be updated quickly to include emergency messaging.

Web Announcements

Weather-related closings and other emergency information may be announced on the University of Minnesota Rochester website. 

On-Scene Emergency Personnel

On-scene emergency personnel may be able to provide valuable emergency communication depending upon the emergency situation.

Each building on campus has a Building Emergency Plan. The plan outlines evacuation procedures, assigns specific tasks to building personnel to facilitate building evacuation, designates areas of refuge for those who are unable to safely navigate stairways and assigns a building evacuation assembly point.

Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP) outline the steps critical operating units must take to keep their department running in the event of an emergency. Departments that are deemed "critical operating units" must complete a Continuity of Operations Plan, per the University's Policy.

The campus Emergency Operations Plan is the overall plan that guides University administrators in the event of an emergency. The University is required by the state Homeland Security and Emergency Management agency to have an Emergency Operations Plan.

At the sound of the emergency alarm, it is the responsibility of all building occupants to evacuate immediately and proceed to predetermined assembly points, away from the building.

Building occupants are also responsible for ensuring that their visitors, customers, and contractors in their department follow the evacuation procedure described herein and leave the building along with all other occupants.

Faculty and instructors are responsible for dismissing their classes and directing students to leave the building by the nearest building exit upon hearing the building alarm or being notified of an emergency.

Designated essential personnel needed to continue or shut down critical operations, while an evacuation is underway, are responsible for recognizing and/or determining when to abandon the operation and evacuate themselves.

Whenever you hear the building alarm or are informed of a building emergency:

• Do not panic
• Do not ignore the alarm
• Leave the building immediately, in an orderly fashion
• Do not use elevators
• Classes and meetings in session must be dismissed and students directed to leave
• Follow quickest evacuation route from where you are (see posted floor evacuation diagram/map)
• Do not go back to your office area for any reason
• Proceed to the designated emergency assembly point for your area
• If the designated assembly point/area is unsafe or blocked due to the emergency, proceed to the alternate assembly point
• Report to your Building/Work Area Rep at the assembly point to be checked off as having evacuated safely
• Report any knowledge you may have of missing persons or those located in an Area of Refuge
• Return to the building only after emergency officials or building coordinator give the all-clear signal
• Silencing the Alarm does not mean the emergency is over

In the event of the release of hazardous chemical substances which threaten human health, and the immediate lab needs to evacuate, but other building occupants are safe, please follow the steps below:

• Notify other lab occupants in immediate area
• Everyone who can safely leave, should leave lab away from spill
• While exiting, close double doors leading into other labs
• A lab occupant leaving the lab should immediately call 911 (or head to area of refuge button (near freight elevator on each floor) if applicable
• Notify operator of spill and location
• Operator can remotely activate fire alarm (for some buildings) and send emergency personnel
• Evacuate building according to general evacuation procedures

In the event of a loss of power, water leak or flood, elevator failure or other building emergency:

• Call Facilities and Operations at 507-258-8217 to notify them of the emergency. Call 911 for emergencies with injuries.
• Notify staff that are located near the emergency so they may take appropriate precautions.
• Follow evacuation instructions, if evacuation is necessary.

In the event of notification of severe weather, safely discontinue work and go to the nearest designated safe shelter location.

Run

• Have an escape route and plan in mind
• Leave your belongings behind
• Keep your hands visible
• Run to a place of refuge, well beyond the norm

Hide

• If running is not possible, hide
• Lock and barricade doors; shut off lights
• Remain silent, yet vigilant
• Avoid huddling together

Fight

• Fighting is a last resort, use only when your life is in imminent danger
• Use improvised weapons
• Attempt to incapacitate the active threat
• There is strength in numbers; work together against the active threat

Call 9-1-1

• Call ONLY if safe and with information about the active threat
• Clarify you are on the University of Minnesota campus and where you are
• Give the location of the active threat(s)
• Provide physical description of active threat(s)
• Describe type of weapons held by the active threat(s)
• Notify the dispatcher of victims and their location

How to React When Law Enforcement Arrives:

• Remain calm
• Follow officers’ instructions
• Keep your hands up and out in front of you, assuring your hands are empty
• Keep hands visible at all times
• Avoid making quick movements towards officers such as attempting to hold on to them for safety
• Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling
• Move quickly towards the nearest exit or where directed to by police
• Do not stop to ask officers for help or directions when evacuating

Once in a Safe Place

Once you are in a safe place, DO NOT LEAVE. Emergency responders need to account for everyone. As the event unfolds and is better understood, law enforcement will provide additional instructions as to where you should be or when you will be able to leave. Please be patient. Your safety is our most important concern.

There are three distinct levels of access to buildings, public hours, university hours and restricted hours. Building hours vary according to building use.

Public Hours

During Public Hours, buildings will remain open to everyone in the University community and to the general public. Public Hours will generally coincide with the standard business day of 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. For classroom buildings, Public Hours will generally be 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to accommodate evening classes. 

University Hours

University Hours at UMR typically coincide with Public Hours but may be subject to change. There may be times during the academic year that University Hours are available to the UMR Campus Community outside of normal public hours. 

Restricted Hours

During Restricted Hours, buildings are closed to the general public and to the general University community. Only people who have been granted permission to enter the building are allowed to do so. Typically, the people granted access during Restricted Hours are the people who would logically have permission to enter a building when it is locked; for example, faculty who teach or staff who work in a specific building. 

The University controls and monitors access to its space by using traditional key systems, electronic card reader systems, and intrusion alarm systems. Exterior doors of all University buildings are equipped with electronic card access control systems. 

Campuses, departments and units are required to manage all keys and access control devices held by their employees. Each campus, department or unit has a Department Facilities Representative to enforce this policy at the local level. 

Individuals are prohibited from unauthorized possession, use, duplication and changes to keys or access control devices. Individuals are also prohibited from bracing open doors equipped with access control devices. Violators of this policy will be subject to disciplinary actions for the University or criminal charges where appropriate.

Students, faculty and staff are required to carry their University issued UCard or government issued ID when in University buildings outside of public hours. The UCard or ID must be presented upon request by law enforcement or security personnel, or by a University employee acting within the purview of their job responsibilities. Anyone in a University building that is unable to present their UCard or ID outside of public hours may be asked to leave. Additional restrictions may apply to areas deemed to have a higher security standard.

Access to the residential floors of UMR’s student housing facilities are restricted to residents who possess a key fob or card, and authorized building personnel. No unauthorized person can access residential areas without an assigned key fob or card. 

Residents are required to always escort visitors within residence halls. 

Common areas within UMR spaces within the residence halls are equipped with security cameras that are monitored by the Public Safety Emergency Communications Center at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus or local property managers.

All apartments and individual bedroom doors, and all dorm rooms, have locking mechanisms. Apartment and dorm room doors are always locked and can only be accessed by the tenants of the apartment or dorm room. 

The Rochester Skyway is connected to 318 Commons and the Student Life Center, and allows for comfortable, direct access to other UMR facilities and downtown locales. The Skyway is well-lit at night and open until 12:00 a.m. or 1:00 a.m. and provides a climate controlled and safe alternative to walking outside.

Each night beginning at 8:00 p.m. a Resident Assistant is on duty and available by phone. While on duty the RA will make multiple rounds of the building with additional RA staff available on weekends. 

Student Security Monitors are on duty at residence halls on evenings and weekends during the academic year while credit classes are in session.

Residents of residence halls who have maintenance concerns regarding any building issue should contact Residential Life staff to report their concerns.

Security Monitors and Residential Life staff routinely perform building checks to ensure that equipment relating to safety and security is properly maintained and functioning.

Concerns regarding maintenance concerns or building issues can also be directed to the Facilities and Operations Director.

Facilities and Operations
300 University Square
Rochester, MN 55904
507-258-8217