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About Residence Hall Safety

What if I forget my TigerCard, and I'm locked out of my hall?

Exterior residence hall doors automatically lock after 11 p.m. each evening. If you are out after 11 p.m. and forget your ID, you may call your roommate or another resident from the exterior call box/emergency phone located outside each residence hall by dialing 9, then a local phone number or 1 then the last four digits of your student staff member's room phone number. If you cannot reach a hall resident, call MUPD for assistance from that same callbox.

What if I lose my ID?

It is very important that you are in possession of your MU Student ID Card at all times. NEVER lend it to anyone (even a friend) or leave it lying around due to the potential for theft. Your ID is a precious commodity!

If you lose your TigerCard or think it has been stolen, report the loss immediately to MUPD and to the ID Office in the Student Center. Once you report the TigerCard as stolen or missing, the features to your missing card (door access, EZ Charge, student charge, etc.) will be terminated. You will need to purchase a new TigerCard from the ID Office for a nominal fee and make sure all your previous features are reset.

What if I get locked out of my room?

Roommates should come to an agreement on locking their room door. Residential Life recommends locking the room door and carrying your key with you at all times, even if you plan to leave the room for just a moment. Often, students who are in the bathroom are accidentally locked out of their rooms when their roommates leave for class.

If you live in Center, College Avenue, Defoe-Graham, Dogwood, Galena, Hatch, Hawthorn, McDavid, North, Schurz or South, you will have electronic locks, where your TigerCard serves as your room key. When you arrive, you must have your TigerCard ready to be encoded. To encode your card, you will likely need to know the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number.

In all other halls, if you are locked out of your room, go to the front desk, and request a lock-out key. This key must be returned to the desk as soon as you unlock your door. After three instances of needing a lock-out key, residents will be charged $10 for each additional use.

What if I lose my room key?

If you or your roommate lose your room key, you must report the loss to the front desk immediately. You will be issued a temporary key until maintenance staff can change the room door lock and issue two new keys-- approximately a $60 charge (charge varies according to the hall and room). The core replacement is a required procedure to keep you and your possessions safe. Under no circumstances may a residence hall room key be duplicated.

How can I keep my bike safe?

You may store your bike in any of the bike racks on campus. Several racks are near the residence halls.

For security purposes, all students with bikes are required to register them with MUPD to satisfy a Columbia City ordinance. There is no charge to register, but failing to do so makes it less likely your bicycle will be returned if it is stolen or removed for improper storage.

We recommend you lock your bike to a bike rack with a U-lock through the frame AND a tire. Chain locks or locks around tires can result in a stolen or damaged bike.

Locking your bike to any other surface besides a bike rack (trees, handrails, street signs, etc.) will result in a fine and removal by MUPD.

How can I protect my personal belongings from theft?

First, keep your room door locked at all times, especially when you're sleeping. Second, create a detailed, itemized list of the valuables in your room. Include brand names, model/serial numbers for electronics, original receipts and photos of your possessions. Keep the list and photos in a safe, secure place. If you are a victim of theft, this information will help MUPD identify your belongings if they are recovered. MUPD has an engraver that can be checked out for student use if you want to engrave your information on valuable items.

New students often are unaware that books are a valuable commodity on campus because they can be returned to the University Bookstore (receipt required) or sold to a private bookstore for cash. Keep track of your books and backpack at all times, and NEVER leave books unattended in study areas, such as lounges or the library. Keep your books and receipts separate. Books are especially vulnerable to theft during the first few weeks of school and Finals Week.

Is it safe to walk on campus at night?

We recommend students use common sense when walking around campus at night. Always walk with a friend on well-lit, well-traveled paths. If you are by yourself and need to return to the hall, call your roommate or see if a couple friends could meet you and return with you. If you are walking and feel you are in danger or something doesn't seem right, find an Emergency Phone (located across campus and identifiable by the blue light), and call MUPD. Give them your location and where you are headed, and an officer will be dispatched to your location.

For MU crime statistics and more information, visit the MUPD Web site.

Are there any self-defense courses available?

MUPD offers many personal safety courses, including Rape Aggression Defense (RAD), Personal Safety, Robbery Prevention, Alcohol Awareness, Drug Awareness and more. For more information about these programs, visit the MUPD Web site.

What if I need a ride home?

If for any reason you need a ride home, call STRIPES, a student-run, free designated-driver service. STRIPES operates during the academic year Thursday through Saturday nights from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. The number is 442-9672. Student volunteers will take residents home from anywhere in Columbia. STRIPES is a free service from MSA to all MU students who have a valid TigerCard. To volunteer, visit the the STRIPES Web site.

What should I do if the fire alarm goes off?

If the fire alarm goes off, all students must vacate the building and meet at the designated meeting area for the hall, regardless of time of day or weather. See the emergency instructions on the back of your room door for instructions.

Center	WG-6 North (in front of Jones Hall)
College Avenue	Dairy Lawn (north of College Avenue Hall)
Cramer	Open area west of Graham
Defoe-Graham	South side of Student Recreation Complex
Discovery	South end of VA complex (aka south quad)
Dogwood	Grassy area north of Sinclair Nursing School
Excellence	North end of VA complex by Plaza 900
Galena	Grassy area west of Galena
Gillett	West end of Black Culture Center parking lot
Hatch	Grassy area between Eckles and Agricultural Engineering
Hawthorn	Grassy area west of Galena
Johnston	Black Culture Center parking lot
Jones	Adjacent basketball court
Lathrop	WG-6 parking lot closest to Stadium Blvd.
Laws	WG-6 parking lot closest to Maryland Avenue
McDavid	North onto Loeb Lawn
Mark Twain	North of Conley Avenue Parking Garage
Mizzou Quads
Respect
Responsibility
Schurz	East side of the AV-8 parking lot
South	Parking lot outside South
Schurz	East side of the AV-8 parking lot
South	Parking lot outside of South
Stafford	Open area northwest of Midwest Campus Construction
Tiger Diggs
Wolpers	Black Culture Center parking lot

During a fire alarm, students should put on shoes, wear protective clothing and lock their doors on the way out of the building. ALWAYS take the stairs; NEVER take the elevator.

Students must follow directions of staff members during the fire alarm and may return to the hall only after receiving the "all clear" from hall staff and fire department officials.

What if there's a tornado warning for Columbia?

If you hear the sirens, take cover immediately. Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls, particularly those on the south and west sides of the building. Protect your head. In the residence halls, the best protection is in bathrooms with no outside windows, in basements or in hallways of lower floors. Do not leave these protected areas until the danger has passed. If possible, turn on a portable radio to obtain more information. As always, follow the instructions of hall staff.

At noon on the first Wednesday of every month, the City of Columbia tests the city-wide tornado sirens for 2-3 minutes.

Where should I go in the event of an earthquake?

During the shaking, keep calm.

IF INDOORS: Stay indoors unless you are in immediate personal danger. Take cover under a desk or table, or brace yourself in a doorway. Stay away from windows. Protect yourself from objects that can fall on you or items that might shatter.

IF OUTDOORS: Move to an open area away from overhead hazards (power lines, falling bricks, glass or trees). Stay away from buildings. Stones, bricks or other objects might fall on you. Stay away from parking lots. Cars might be thrown into you by the force of the earthquake.

AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE: If significant damage is evident, evacuate the building and go to the designated assembly area for your hall. Wear sturdy shoes to protect your feet from broken glass. Do not use the telephone. For information, listen to a battery-powered radio. Do not use the elevators due to possible damage or aftershocks. If you are on campus and there is significant damage, go to your hall's designated assembly location as soon as possible. In the assembly area, check in with the Hall Coordinator (or wait until your name is called), and wait quietly for further instructions. There may be one or more aftershocks. Be prepared for them.

DO NOT LEAVE CAMPUS WITHOUT NOTIFYING RESIDENCE HALL STAFF.

What if there is a threat on campus?

An emergency securing procedure may be in order. Residents will go through an emergency securing drill each semester. Further details regarding Residential Life's safety procedures are available at http://reslife.missouri.edu/safety/.

In addition, a text/voice alert system is available for students and staff so they can be notified about any nearby emergency. For more information about how to prepare for and what to do in the event of an attack on campus, visit MU's Online Emergency Information Center at http://mualert.missouri.edu/.