Emergencies & Safety Tips

For emergencies—fires, bomb scares, or any other emergency situations—students should notify University Police and/or a Departmental staff member immediately.

EMERGENGY: Call University Police 318-274-2222.

Fire Safety

Familiarize yourself with the exit procedures for your room. If a fire alarm is sounded, remain calm but leave the building as quickly as possible. Fire drills are conducted each semester. However, anytime the alarm sounds, the resident should leave the building and carry out the following procedures:

Procedures
If a fire starts in your room, please call a Campus Living Staff member or University Police at 318-274-2219 or 2222 (if needed), or the Office of Campus Living & Housing at 318-274-2504. University Police will call the Fire Department (if needed), if a fire alarm is sounded, DO NOT open the door until you:

  1. Check for smoke seepage around the door cracks.
  2. Feel the door surface. If it is hot, don’t open it. If the door seems cool, cautiously open.
  3. Check to see if it is safe. If safe, close all doors and windows behind you and proceed rapidly to a clear exit.
  4. Secure the cracks around the door using sheets, pieces of clothing, or whatever is handy. This can block deadly heat and smoke.
  5. Open the windows slightly. This will let in fresh air and let out bad air.
  6. Hang a sheet out the window to signal rescuers. If you are trying to escape through a smoke-filled room or corridor, proceed as follows:
    1. Wear hard-soled shoes.
    2. Place a wet towel or other wet cloth over your head and face. Breathing through the wet towel will help to cool the air and filter out much of the smoke.
    3. Take short breaths, breathing through your nose. Avoid gulping large amounts of smoke.
    4. Cover your body with something that can easily be discarded if it catches fire.

Heat and smoke rises; and dangerous fire gases settle to the floor, thus. You should move quickly in a crouching position to the nearest clear exit.

ALWAYS TRY TO REMAIN CALM, NEVER RE-ENTER A BURNING BUILDING TO TRY TO SAVE YOUR PERSONAL POSSESSIONS.

Smoke Detectors

Each residence hall room is equipped with a smoke detector. Periodically, residence hall staff members and licensed technicians will test the smoke detectors to insure they are functioning properly. If there is a problem with the smoke detector in your room, please notify a residence hall staff member immediately. Do not tamper with the smoke detector or any fire prevention equipment at any time. Students who tamper with fire prevention equipment are referred to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and are subject to fines and penalties as mandated by the State Fire Marshal and may be recommended for removal from University housing.

Medical Emergencies

If a medical emergency occurs from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday, the Campus Living Staff member will call University Police to transport the student to Foster-Johnson Health Center. If a medical emergency occurs at any other time the Campus Living Staff member will call University Police and have the student transported to Northern Louisiana Medical Center. Try to verify a medical history. Get student’s home phone number and address.

Call the Office of Campus Living & Housing  at 318-274-2504

Mental

Call the Counseling Center Monday-Thursday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Fridays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for anyone that you feel may be experiencing emotional problems at 318-274-3338. During all other times, call University Police at 318-274-2219 or 2222.

Death

In the event a student or non-student is found dead in the residence hall, you should:

  • Call University Police at 318-274-2219 or 2222
  • Notify Campus Living & Housing staff
  • Do not attempt to contact/notify the resident’s family nor the media

Severe Weather & Tornadoes

In the event a tornado is reported or sighted, all persons within the Residence Halls should move to a safe area. Action should be taken to prevent personal injury from falling objects or flying debris. Building basements, inner hallways, enclosed stairwells or lobbies (without glass) are suggested areas of safety.

*1st floor residents, move to the 1st floor hallways

Bomb Threats

If you receive a bomb threat or any other type of threatening telephone call, you should remember the following:

  1. Remain "calm".
  2. Attempt to identify background noise such as traffic sounds, machinery running or voices which may assist in determining the location of the caller.
  3. Attempt to identify caller’s voice. Is it female or male, high or low pitch, heavy or light accent or no accent at all?
  4. If bomb threat, ask what TIME the bomb is scheduled to detonate, the location of the device, and the REASON for the placement of the bomb.
  5. Write down the above details for Grambling State University Police and, above all,
  6. DO NOT HANG UP THE TELEPHONE.
  7. Notify the appropriate supervisor.
  8. Notify the Grambling State University Police Department at (318) 274-2222.

Safety Tips

          1. Lock your door whenever you leave your room, no matter how short the time. It only takes a few seconds for your belongings to disappear. The same rule applies whenever you or your
               roommate are sleeping or even taking short trips to the restroom.

          2. Do not leave notes on your door or dry erase board stating that no one is home.

          3. Report missing keys or broken locks to the Key Service Office.

          4. Notify GSUPD in the event of unauthorized room entry. 

          5. Do not put your room numbers on room keys. 

          6. Do not allow anyone you don’t know into a residence hall. Report all suspicious persons and vehicles to GSUPD.

          7. Don’t loan your key or give your combination to anyone, even friends.

          8. Don't let unfamiliar people into your room.

          9. Call GSUPD IMMEDIATELY if you see strangers loitering in or around the dorms.

 

SECURITY

Grambling State University has its' own 24 hour police department, available to assist you with any concern or issue. The following are general highlights:

  1. For the security of the residents in your hall, report any key loss to a departmental staff member immediately. Periodic key checks are conducted.
  2. Visitors of the opposite sex must enter through the hall's front entrance and must be escorted at all times.
  3. Report doors left open, doors not securing properly, and unescorted visitors inside the building to a staff member or University Police.
  4. If you are locked out of your room, you must have proper identification for staff to verify your room occupancy. If your identification is in your locked room, the staff member may enter the room and retrieve the identification for verification purposes.
  5. Work cooperatively with our department and the University Police to ensure the safety of your “home away from home”.

Click here for printable PDF
To report an incident to the housing office, please complete the incident report form.