Classroom Preparedness Resources

Faculty and instructors play a critical role in supporting and responding to student safety in classrooms and labs. Whether it’s severe weather, disruptive behavior,  or an evacuation, students rely on their instructors to know what to do in an emergency. Here are some resources to support you. 

Training and education

• Complete training offered through UMNPrepared: Topics in Emergency Preparedness Program.
• Review the Department of Public Safety’s active shooter response guidance.
• Request a safety presentation from the Community Engagement Team.
• Bookmark the HSRM website on your browser for chemical, biological, and radioactive spill procedures and contacts. 
• Complete the new on-demand Mental Health Training to learn skills for supporting the mental health needs of today’s students. 
• Become familiar with the University’s safety resources, which you can find on Safe Campus.

Prevent and respond to misconduct in the classroom 

• Use the Red Folder Toolkit for examples and guidelines to respond to a student in distress.
• The first day of classes is critical to safety. Set clear expectations for classroom behavior and safety procedures to communicate that you will ensure a classroom environment free from disruption.
• Connect with the Student Conflict Resolution Center to discuss how to work through classroom conflicts, or the Office for Community Standards for student conduct code violations. 
• Refer students who you believe may consider causing harm to themselves or others to the Behavioral Consultation Team for a coordinated response across administrative, legal, psychological, and academic expertise.

Other preparedness resources

• Pay attention to SAFE-U Alerts and encourage students to do the same. Alerts are sent via email, phone, and text, depending on individual preferences. Updates are posted on the DPS Safety Notifications webpage.
• Know how to report an emergency or threat. 
  • During an incident, call 911 for immediate assistance. 
  • Report less immediate or not-in-process incidents by calling UMPD’s non-emergency line at 612-624-COPS. 
  • Report non-emergency lab incidents to HSRM at 612-626-6002 or [email protected].
• Send specific questions regarding individual building or classroom preparedness to Health, Safety, and Risk Management at [email protected]. 
• Emergencies can affect the wellbeing of instructors, too. Connect with the Employee Assistance Program for counseling and consultation services if you need them.

Share with students

Consider adding these things to your course syllabus or canvas site.

• Communicate the importance of seeking help, and point students to Boynton Health or Student Counseling Services.
• Share this resource document with students for Twin Cities mental health support.
• Make sure your emergency contact information is up to date in MyU.
• Make any lab specific safety procedures accessible to students, with posters, websites or reference documents.
• Review safety features of your teaching environment (emergency exits, alarms, etc.) and point to sections in the syllabus and Canvas site that refer to safety.