The Augustana University Department of Campus Safety would rather prevent crime or injury than react to it after the fact. All members of the campus community are encouraged to immediately report any suspicious or criminal activity to Campus Safety.
Members of the campus community are asked to notify the Augustana Department of Campus Safety if they notice any unlocked or propped doors that should be secured. Residence halls are locked 24 hours a day, year round. Key card access is required to gain access to all residence halls. Visitors may gain access by calling residents on phones located outside or in the entry of each residence hall. Augustana Campus Safety officers routinely check residence halls to ensure they remain closed and locked. Other university facilities are checked and locked/unlocked at predetermined times.
Augustana maintains exterior lighting to minimize dark areas used by pedestrians on campus. All facilities on the campus are accessible via sidewalk routes that are well lit. Individuals should avoid dark places that may be the shortest distance between two buildings. Landscaping is trimmed on a regular basis. Campus is routinely inspected for potential areas that may be considered unsafe. Contact the AU Department of Campus Safety to report broken lights or landscaping that may need to be trimmed.
Keep yourself, others and property safe by following the procedures outlined in this section during an emergency situation.
Augustana University believes that sexual misconduct is a violation of not only an individual’s rights and dignity; it is an act that affects the entire campus community. These policies, procedures and resources have been developed with guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Education and its Office of Civil Rights. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., has specific requirements for colleges and universities which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities. Sexual misconduct, as defined by Title IX, is a form of sex discrimination.
For more information, visit augie.edu/sexual-misconduct-policy-procedures.
If a member of the Augustana University community has reason to believe that a student is missing — whether or not the student resides in campus housing — all possible efforts are made to locate the student to determine their state of health and well-being through the collaboration of the Augustana Dean of Student's Office and Department of Campus Safety.
If the student lives in college housing, the AU Department of Campus Safety will secure authorization from the Dean of Student's Office to make a welfare entry into the student's room. If the student lives off campus, the Department of Campus Safety will informally enlist the aid of the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction.
University officials will attempt to determine the student's whereabouts through contact with friends, associates, faculty and/or employers of the student. Whether or not the student has been attending classes, labs, recitals and scheduled organizational or academic meetings, or appearing for scheduled works shifts will be established.
If located, verification of the student's state of health and intention to return to the university is made. When and where appropriate, a referral will be made to Student Health & Counseling Services.
If not located, notification of the student's family within 24 hours of receiving the initial report is made to determine if they know of the whereabouts of the student. If the student lives off campus, appropriate family members or associates are encouraged to make an official missing person report to the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction. The Department of Campus Safety will cooperate, aid and assist the primary investigative agency in all ways possible.
In addition to the primary investigative agency, the Department of Campus Safety will also open an official investigation. Upon closure of the missing person investigation, all parties previously contacted will be advised of the status of the case.
Do not hang up on the caller, and speak calmly. Write down the incoming phone number from caller ID.
In the event of a hazardous material release:
Call 9-1-1.
Do not attempt to clean up the spill unless specifically trained and outfitted to do so.
Turn off all ignition and heat sources.
Cover your mouth with a cloth and try not to inhale gases, fumes or smoke.
Leave the area immediately and keep others away.
Stay upstream, uphill or upwind of the release.
Provide public safety officials with information about the spill, chemical (if known) and the spill area.
Re-enter the building only when an “all clear” is provided by public safety officials.
If advised to shelter-in-place:
Move inside a building immediately.
Close and lock all windows and doors.
Turn off A/C, if possible.
Enter an interior room and seal the room (i.e., doors, windows and vents) with towels, plastic or tape for further protection, if possible.
If you are exposed to a hazardous material:
If you come in contact with a suspicious package(s) or mail:
If you have opened a package containing a unknown substance, powder or threat:
* Place it down immediately.
* If powder spills from the container, DO NOT attempt to clean up.
* Leave the room and close the door as you exit.
* Advise others to avoid the area.
* Move to a location that will minimize exposing others.
* If possible, wash hands with soap and water.
* Call 911.
If the suspicious package is unopened with no leakage, spillage or bleeding:
* Stop. Do not handle.
* Isolate it immediately.
* Do not open, smell or taste.
* Contact the Department of Campus Safety immediately at 605.274.4014. For off-campus locations, dial 9-1-1.