Safety in the Residence Halls

Safeguarding your environment.
In this Section

Campus Safety

A number of offices and departments provide physical and mental health-related services to our students, faculty and staff, and work to ensure that our campus and environment are as safe as possible. For more information about these offices, check out the Student Services site. However, the best way to stay safe on campus is to take the proper precautions so that you are prepared in the event of emergencies. Please review the following fire and severe weather safety information or check out our Campus Clery Report.

Fire

Fire alarm systems, smoke detectors and firefighting equipment throughout each building are for student protection and safety. Tampering with or misuse of equipment is strictly prohibited. Each student must promptly evacuate the building for every fire alarm. Violators are subject to civil action and/or University conduct.

In the event of a fire or fire alarm, residents should follow the procedure outlined:

  • Evacuate the building and wait 150 feet away from the building, or on the other side of the street
  • Call 911 and do not assume someone else is doing so
  • Wait until building staff or the fire department give the all clear to reenter the building
Fire Alarm Testing Schedule
Residence Hall Testing Dates and Times
Antrim & Froggatt Second Tuesday of each month between 11:00 AM and noon
CKTO Second Tuesday of each month between 11:00 AM and noon
Fleming | Hovlid Twice a year; during January and July between 10:00 AM and noon
HKMC Second Tuesday of each month between 11:00 AM and noon
JTC Second Monday of each month between 11:00 AM and noon
McCalmont Twice a year; during January and July between 10:00 AM and noon
North Twice a year; during January and July between 10:00 AM and noon
Red Cedar Twice a year; during January and July between 10:00 AM and noon
South Second Tuesday of each month between 11:00 AM and noon
Wigen Second Monday of each month between 11:00 AM and noon

 

Additional Fire Safety Considerations
Avoid highly combustible items such as:
  • Parachutes, flags, fishnets, wall hangings, and products of crepe paper or Styrofoam
  • Natural vegetation of a combustible nature, such as Christmas trees, evergreen boughs, and birch logs
Items not permitted in residence halls:
  • Any open flames (candles, lanterns, incense, and other open flames)
  • Firecrackers and other fireworks
  • Installation of additional electrical wiring
  • Flammable cleaning materials
  • Explosives
Items recommended for residence hall use:
  • Low temperature halogen lights that provide protective bulb covers
  • Electrical power strips with an on/off switch; 15-amp circuit breaker and three-prong plug-in
  • Extension cords six feet in length or less with triple ground plug-ins
Other Recommendations:
  • Do not place wire or extension cords under rugs, over hooks, or any place where they may be subject to wear or mechanical damage
  • Do not tamper with or alter any electrical outlets or light switches
  • To avoid fire damage or injury, student decorations and furnishing must comply with Wisconsin Building Codes. Anything that is deemed to be a fire hazard, must be removed.

Severe Weather

In the event of a tornado or thunderstorm warning, the City of Menomonie has a siren system that will activate and sound for 3 minutes to signal severe weather.  During a severe weather warning, residents should:

  • Take cover in the innermost portions of the lowest floor possible
  • Avoid using elevators
  • Protect yourself by hiding under your loft or mattress
  • Stay away from windows and doorways

Neither the city nor the campus will sound an "all clear" signal when the danger has passed.  Residents are encouraged to utilize a phone app or watch the local radar for weather updates.

Note: The City of Menomonie tests its alarm system on the first Monday of every month (April-October) at 10:00 am.