Academic Calendar – Fall 2012 - Dakota State University

University Regulations & Policies
Safety and Security
The safety of its students, employees and visitors is a matter of highest priority for the University. The goal of achieving maximum
safety requires the continuous efforts of all persons within the campus community. Part of that effort includes being fully aware of institutional
policies and procedures related to safety and security.
Access - Campus academic buildings (including the Library and general-access computer labs in Beadle Hall, East Hall, Habegar
Science Center and Kennedy Center) are open for use according to the schedule published for each academic term. The facilities of the
Fieldhouse and Trojan Center are also open for use according to a published schedule. Use of computing facilities within these labs
requires the completion of a DSU Computing Privileges form. Administrative buildings such as Heston Hall and the Physical Plant are
usually open only during the announced working hours of the institution.
Access to the four residence halls is restricted to the occupants and their immediate guests. The main door of each residence hall
is locked 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Residents use their University Card to gain access to their hall. In so doing, they may permit
no other person to enter other than a person they know to be also a resident of the hall. The side doors of each hall are to be used only
in case of fire or other emergencies. Persons other than residence hall students are to be escorted by their host during the period of time
they are in the hall. A phone in the hall vestibule (between the outer and inner sets of doors) is available for the visitor to contact the
host upon arrival. Residents are asked to challenge all unescorted strangers and/or report them to hall staff.
Reporting - Each member of the campus community has the responsibility to report actions on the part of any person(s) taking place
on campus which violate either University regulations or local, state or federal law. Dakota State does not have security (law enforcement)
officers. Situations involving crimes which pose an immediate threat to any person should be immediately reported to the Madison
Police Department by calling 911 or 9-911, if utilizing a landline phone located on the DSU campus. All other forms of criminal activity
taking place within a residence hall should be reported immediately to the Resident Director (or Duty RA). For all other portions of the
campus, the matter should be reported directly to the Student Services Center (256-5146).
If a student or employee discovers an apparently unsafe condition on campus, other than in a residence hall, they should immediately
report it to the Physical Plant Office (256-5222) during regular working hours. Information can also be reported to the Night Watchman
by calling 480-3348 between 8:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. Unsafe conditions discovered within a residence hall should be reported to the
Resident Director (or Duty RA).
Actions - Any person encountering an immediate, life-threatening situation on campus should call 911 or 9-911 if utilizing a longline
phone located on the DSU campus and request appropriate assistance. The Lake County dispatcher has direct access to fire, police and
emergency medical personnel. It is essential that the caller provide adequate detail regarding the situation and, if possible, remain on
the phone until help arrives. The general-access computer labs on campus are either equipped with a telephone or there is a telephone
at the Help Desk in the immediate vicinity of the lab.
In the event of a fire or bomb-threat alarm, all persons should immediately cease their activity and vacate the building via the nearest
exit quickly, but without running. During inclement weather and if the situation permits, it is advisable to take along proper clothing as
there may be a sizable time interval before re-entry to the building will be authorized. In the case of a bomb threat, the Dakota Prairie
Playhouse and Conference Center will be swept first in order to provide students and employees an on-campus facility for temporary
shelter. The “all clear” announcement may only be given by the appropriate University official. In the event of a bomb threat, the time
of re-opening of the institution will be carried on KJAM radio and posted at the Playhouse/Conference Center. Each residence hall conducts
a fire drill early in each semester.
When a tornado is reported within the Madison area, the city will sound an alarm (a constant “wail” with a rising and falling intensity).
All persons should go immediately to the basement of their building or to an interior room, avoiding windows and exterior above-ground
walls, and remain until the “all clear” announcement is given.
Taking simple precautions with regard to personal property is strongly advised. Theft does occur on campus and in the Madison
community. Door(s) should be locked each time a person is away from their room/home and when sleeping. Persons should lock their
car at night and never leave valuable items visible inside the vehicle. Keys should be kept in one’s possession at all times. Books and
related materials should be safeguarded during each class day. Persons should engrave their name on their valuable items of property and
record the serial number of each item. Insurance for damaged or stolen items of personal property is not provided by the University. By
keeping a list of credit cards, checking account numbers, etc., a person can quickly notify these entities if a purse or wallet is lost or stolen.
Communication - New students receive information regarding safeguarding themselves and their property during New Student
Orientation. Articles on the subject are carried throughout each semester in the bi-weekly student newspaper, and at least one campuswide
event/activity each semester is directed toward the topic of personal safety. Each of these efforts stresses the necessity for each
person to take responsibility for their own safety and that of the campus community.
A survey of student opinion regarding campus programs, policies, services, etc., including safety and security, is conducted each fall
semester and the results reported in the campus newspaper. Ratings of student satisfaction, together with individual written concerns
and suggestions, are used by campus administrators in the planning of improvements.
In the event a violent crime occurs on campus which is judged by the University to pose a threat to members of the campus community,
the Student Affairs Office has the responsibility to alert all students and employees in as timely a manner as possible. Means available
to the institution to provide such an alert include the Dakota State University campus alert system. This system provides students the
opportunity to establish a priority of methods to contact them. These include; mobile phone, second phone, home phone, business phone,
campus assigned e-mail, secondary e-mail, text message sent to mobile phone and instant messaging. The action taken will depend upon
the particular circumstances of the crime.
Registered Sex Offenders-Federal law requires persons convicted of sex offenses to register with the appropriate law enforcement
agency in their locale. For Lake County, the agency is the Madison Police Department. Any person can view the current list of registered
sex offenders by going to the Department, 116 W. Center Street, and asking to view the list or via the web at the following address: www.
cityofmadisonsd.com.-select City Departments, then Police.
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