Twin Cities: Fire Safety Report and Statistics

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus has 15 on campus facilities for student housing. Housing & Residential Life operates all traditional residence halls and apartment-style living halls and manages the leases of the West Bank Townhomes. The Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative is owned by the University of Minnesota, but managed by a student-run co-op.

Traditional Residence Halls

17th Ave Hall
326 17th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414

Bailey Hall
1458 Cleveland Ave, St. Paul, MN 55108

Centennial
614 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Comstock
210 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Frontier
701 Fulton St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Middlebrook
412 22nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Pioneer
615 Fulton St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Sanford
1122 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Territorial
417 Walnut St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Apartments

Keeler
317 17th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Radius
701 15th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Note: Starting August 1, 2025 the University of Minnesota only controls certain rooms within Radius Apartments, not the entire building.

Roy Wilkins Hall
1212 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Mark G. Yudof Hall
220 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Townhomes

West Bank Townhouses
520-528 22nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55454

Student Co-Op

Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative
1250 Fifield Ave, Falcon Heights, MN 55108

Fires should be reported immediately to the Minneapolis or St. Paul Fire Department by contacting 911.

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.

Housing Facility - To report an extinguished fire:

17th Ave - 612-624-1700
Bailey Hall - 612-624-0700
Centennial Hall - 612-625-4452
Comstock Hall - 612-624-1995
Frontier Hall - 612-624-9999
Middlebrook Hall - 612-625-0536
Pioneer Hall - 612-626-3333
Sanford Hall - 612-624-2526
Territorial Hall - 612-625-0971
Wilkins Hall - 612-624-0044
Yudof Hall - 612-625-8786
Keeler - 612-301-1001
Radius - 612-301-1622
Commonwealth Terrace - 612-624-2994
West Bank Townhomes - 612-624-2994

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.

Starting August 1, 2025 the University of Minnesota only controls certain rooms within Radius Apartments, not the entire building.

Student Housing Facilities Operated by Housing & Residential Life

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.

Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative (CTC)

Electrical Appliances

Space heaters are not permitted. Space heaters pose a risk of fire and are not permitted to be used or stored in a resident’s unit without Management’s consent. If a resident is having difficulty keeping an apartment at a comfortable temperature, contact Management.

Additional appliances/equipment such as, but not limited to dishwasher, freezer, refrigerator of any size, air conditioner, electric water cooler; require registration and additional monthly energy usage charges. The installation and use of additional appliances must be registered at the Management office, prior to installation, and use.

Smoking

CTC is a smoke-free living environment. There is NO smoking of any substance allowed on the complex. Resident and Resident’s guests are to refrain from smoking any substance or using or inhaling from any device, e-cigarette, or "vaping" that simulates smoking in the Apartment or anywhere in or on the Complex (including while in vehicles or Complex grounds) and to report to Agent any violation of the no smoking policy. This policy is in effect for all residents and their visitors, and guests. If you or your guests violate the policy; a first and final warning with a $50 violation fine will be assessed. The second violation is automatic eviction.

Open Flames

CTC does not have a policy regarding open flames in this facility.

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, Housing and Residential Life has special programming regarding fire safety during Safety Week. Each hall operated by Housing and Residential Life has fire safety presentations and residents are provided materials outlining actions to be taken in case of a fire.

Each hall operated by Housing and Residential Life 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.

Starting August 1, 2025 the University of Minnesota only controls certain rooms within Radius Apartments, not the entire building.

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

Starting August 1, 2025 the University of Minnesota only controls certain rooms within Radius Apartments, not the entire building.

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

Starting August 1, 2025 the University of Minnesota only controls certain rooms within Radius Apartments, not the entire building.

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, 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.

University of Minnesota
Police Department
Transportation & Safety Building
505 Washington Ave SE 
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612-624-COPS (2677)

Housing & Residential Life Central Office
Comstock Hall- East
210 Delaware St SE
Minneapolis, MN 554455
612-624-2994

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 of Minnesota Police Department as soon as possible and no longer than 24 hours after they are believed to be missing.

If a report of a possible missing person is made to a Housing & 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, Housing & Residential Life staff will contact UMPD to report a possible missing person. The director of Housing & Residential Life or designee will also notify the following University offices: Vice President for University Services; Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Services; and Vice President for Student Affairs.

UMPD 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 Housing & 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 Housing & Residential Life or designee will notify the individual(s) identified on the missing student’s Resident Information Card (for students 18 and over) or the parent/guardian (for students under the age of 18) that the student is believed to be missing.