Why are we getting classroom locks?

The University is installing interior locks on classroom doors for enhanced safety during an active threat, such as an active shooter. This means instructors, students, and others inside a classroom can lock the doors from the inside to protect from an outside threat. 

Why doesn’t my classroom/lab/office have a lock?

We are working to install locks in classrooms across the University, which takes significant time and resources, given the large number of classrooms.  We are prioritizing classrooms in particular, as they are used by the greatest number of students and instructors.

What happens when I push a lockdown button?

When you lift the clear cover of a blue “emergency lockdown” button, an alarm will sound. The alarm will silence when you close the cover.  When you push the emergency lockdown button, the classroom door or doors will automatically lock, preventing them from being opened from the outside, except by emergency responders. Public Safety will be notified. Call 911 to provide details about the situation, and continue to follow all other guidance on how to respond to an active shooter situation.  

Doors can only be unlocked by Public Safety once they have determined it is safe to do so. You can always exit the room.

Because of the variety of building ages and types, not all classrooms will have electronic lockdown buttons. Some will have manual locks that you turn or otherwise engage to lock. The door will display “locked” from the inside. With manual locks, you can also always exit the room.

When should I lock my classroom door?

If you observe an active threat, or get a SAFE-U Alert of a lockdown in your area, lock your classroom door(s). Call 911, and continue to follow all other guidance on how to respond to an active shooter situation.

Do not lock your classroom door for other emergencies, such as weather, fire, or a chemical spill, where people may need to get in and out of the room quickly. Follow the appropriate emergency procedure for your event.

Questions?
Please contact the University of Minnesota Department of Public Safety.