Resources: What to Do if ...

Keep yourself, others and property safe by following the procedures outlined in this section during an emergency situation.

 

You've been in an automobile accident ...
  • Call the Department of Campus Safety at 605.274.4014 if an automobile accident occurs on campus.
  • You will also need to report the accident to the Sioux Falls Police Department. The Campus Safety Officer can also help you make this call.
  • Vehicles involved in an accident should stop and remain at the scene without obstructing traffic more than is necessary. 
  • South Dakota law requires all drivers and front seat passengers be properly restrained with a seat belt when the vehicle is in operation.
You need to report sexual misconduct ...

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 United States 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 further information, please visit the Sexual Misconduct web page.

You need to report a missing person ...

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 Dean of Student's Office and the Department of Campus Safety.

If the student lives in college housing, the 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.

College 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 meetings or academic meetings; or appearing for scheduled works shifts will be established.

If located, verification of the students' state of health and intention to return to the university is made. When and where appropriate, a referral will be made to Student Health and 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.

You need to report a bomb threat ...
  • Do not hang up on the caller and speak calmly. Write down incoming phone number from caller ID.
  • If another person is close by, notify them and tell them to call 9-1-1.
  • Keep the caller on the line.
  • Be polite and ask:
    • Where is the bomb located? (Building, floor, Room, Etc.)
    • When will it go off?
    • What does it look like?
    • What kind of bomb is it?
    • What will make it to explode?
    • Did you place the bomb?
    • Why?
    • What is your name?
  • Attempt to identify characteristics of the caller and their location (age, gender, voice, and background noise).
  • After the call, ensure 911 was notified.
You have a hazardous materials incident ...

In the event of a hazardous material release:

  • Call 911
  • Do not attempt to clean up the spill unless specifically trained and outfitted to do so.
  • Turn off all ignition and heat sources.
  • Cover 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:

  • Call 911.
  • Individuals exposed to hazardous material should avoid contact with others.
  • Remove all contaminated clothing, being sure not to contaminate other areas of your body.
  • Flush with copious amounts of cool water for 15 minutes, being sure not to scrub the chemical on your skin.
  • Exposed persons should receive or seek medical attention.
You need to report a suspicious package ...

If you come in contact with a suspicious package(s) or mail:

Opened Package

If you have opened a package containing a unknown substance, power or threat:

  • Place it down immediately.
  • If powder spills for 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.

Unopened Package

If the suspicious package is unopened with no leakage, spillage or bleeding:

You need to report a theft ...
  • First step: call the Department of Campus Safety at 605.274.4014.
  • If the theft is in progress, call 911 or 8-911 from a campus phone. The dispatcher will obtain brief information such as your name, address, phone number where you can reached, and details about the theft in progress.
  • When you call the Department of Campus Safety an officer will be sent to meet with you to take a report. Calls for service are generally dispatched to an officer as they are received, however calls are prioritized by the urgency of the situation. Because of this prioritization, on rare occasions you may have to wait several minutes for an officer to be available to the take your report.
  • The Department of Campus Safety officer will complete a theft report but a report will also need to be made with the Sioux Falls Police Department. The Campus Safety officer can assist you in making the police report.
You are a hunter and want to hunt on weekends ...
  • Augustana University prohibits guns on campus unless they are carried by police officers.
  • The Department of Campus Safety provides a secure "safe keeping" area for weapons which are brought to campus for "sporting purposes." This safe keeping service is provided for residential students.
  • The person responsible for the weapon should bring the weapon to the Department of Campus Safety, which is located in the Morrison Commons. The weapon(s) should be transported by car to this office as soon as it is brought to campus. (Please do not walk down the sidewalk with your firearm as this may tend to alarm some).
  • The weapon should be unloaded prior to arrival at the Department of Campus Safety. The weapon should also be carried in a closed carrying case. 
  • You will be asked to complete a safe keeping weapons form. Only yourself, or a designated person you list on the safekeeping form, will be allowed to retrieve the weapon.
  • Students are allowed to check-in or retrieve weapons that have been left with the Department of Campus Safety for safekeeping, 24-hours a day.
  • Students may check in more than one weapon and the weapon(s) may be checked in and out, as many times as necessary.
You are responding to an active threat on campus ...

 

Your goal is to create space between yourself and the threat.

  • If you can safely get out of the building, get away as quickly as possible.
  • Always know where the exits are located.

If you can not safely exit, follow these steps.

Run, Hide or Fight

Because active shooter situations only last 10-15 minutes, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with the situation before law enforcement arrives on the scene.

Very quickly, make your best determination of which option of the “Run, Hide or Fight” protocol will provide the greatest degree of security for you.

Run

If the assailant’s location is known and the opportunity to escape is available, flee the area.

  • Have an escape plan in mind.
  • If you are outside near the threat, find cover immediately!
  • DO NOT pull the fire alarm to alert others.
  • Keep your hands empty and visible and follow all instructions from public safety officials

Hide

If you are inside a building and the assailant(s) location is unknown, secure in place and deny access.

  • Lock and/or barricade doors with heavy furniture
  • Stay away from doors and windows
  • Turn off lights
  • Bock windows
  • Turn off radios and computer monitors
  • Keep yourself out of sight (take cover/protection (i.e., concrete wall, thick desks, filing cabinets)
  • Silence cell phones
  • Without jeopardizing safety, call or text 9-1-1 (if you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen)

Fight

As a last resort and only if your life is in immediate danger, defend yourself.

  • Work as a group if possible
  • Improvise weapons
  • Commit to your actions
  • Call 911 when it is safe to do so.

Un-Securing an Area

  • Consider risks before un-securing rooms
  • Remember, the threat may not stop until they are engaged by an outside force
  • Attempts to rescue people should only be attempted if it can be accomplished without further endangering the persons inside a secured area
  • Consider the safety of masses vs. the safety of a few.
  • If doubt exists for the safety of the individuals inside the room, the area should remain secured.

Contact Authorities

  • Call 911 immediately
  • 605.274.4014 DCS (non-emergency line)
  • Be aware that the 911 system will likely be overwhelmed. Program the Augustana DCS line (605.274.4014) into your cell phone.

What to Report

  • Your specific location — building name and office/room number
  • Number of people at your specific location
  • Injuries — number injured, type of injuries
  • Assailant(s) — locations, number of suspects, race/gender, clothing, description, physical features, types of weapons (long gun or hand gun), backpack, shooters identity if known, separate explosions from gunfire, etc.

Police Response

  • Objective is to immediately engage the threat(s)
  • Keep in mind the police will consider everyone a potential threat, keep your hands up in plain view for them to see.
  • Evacuate victims