Missouri State University - West Plains

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Campus Safety 

Preparation

Annual Safety Report and Crime Statistics

Missouri State University-West Plains, in compliance with Part II of the Federal Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990, publishes an annual Safety Report. It provides applicants, students, and employees with the University safety policies, resources, and crime statistics. Copies are available online at http://www.wp.missouristate.edu/studentlife/ or by contacting the Office of Student Life and Development at (417) 255-7233.

Campus Lighting

Campus lighting is monitored daily by Evening Safety officers, Custodial Services staff, and members of the Campus Safety & Parking Committee. Outages are reported immediately and promptly repaired. Members of the campus community may report lighting problems to the Office of Business Services or to Custodial Services.

Chemical and Biology Supplies

Faculty members maintain inventories of chemical and biology supplies stored at the campus for educational purposes. Revised inventories are provided annually to the West Plains Fire Chief, Chief of Police, and Emergency Management Officer.

Crime Reporting

Any individual on the West Plains Campus who is a victim of or observes any criminal activity should report the incident immediately to the West Plains Police Department, 911 or 256-2244, and to either the Office of Student Services (255-7225) or the Office of Business Services (255-7260). For evening assistance at the campus, call 257-9078 to access University personnel. It is necessary to dial “9” first, if dialing from a campus telephone.

Education and Training

The Campus Safety & Parking Committee coordinates safety-related training opportunities (e.g., fire extinguisher use, first aid, etc.) for members of the campus community.

Fire Drills

Missouri State – West Plains conducts fire drills annually in the campus residence hall and periodically for the entire campus. The campus exercise is held in conjunction with the National Fire Prevention Week. In the event of inclement weather, the exercise is rescheduled to another date.

Hostile Persons

In the event a hostile person is encountered, persons should use their judgment by immediately contacting their supervisor, the Dean of Student Services, the West Plains Police Department, or by dialing 911. Individuals should not place themselves in danger, but remove themselves from the location/situation if needed.

Guidelines in the Event of Hostile Intruder(s)

The best deterrent to campus hostility is observation. Please help promote a campus culture of watchfulness. If you know of or observe anything unusual—anything you believe to be related to criminal activity or that has even the remote potential to lead to life threatening behavior—please report it to a person of authority.

The guidelines described below cannot cover every possible situation that might occur, but they provide guidance that could reduce the scope of a campus crisis.

Hostile Intruder(s) on the Campus Grounds of the University

When a hostile person(s) is actively causing death or serious physical injury or the threat of imminent death or serious physical injury to person(s) on the Missouri State University-West Plains grounds, the University recommends that the following guidelines be implemented:

  • Run away from the threat if you can, as fast as you can. Do not run in a straight line. Use vehicles, bushes, trees and other objects to block yourself from the view of the intruder(s).
  • If you can get away from the immediate area of danger, summon help and warn others.
  • If you decide to hide, take into consideration the area in which you are hiding. Will I be found here? Is this really a good spot to remain hidden?
  • If the person(s) are causing death or serious physical injury to others and you are unable to run or hide you may choose to play dead if other victims are around you.
  • Your last option, if you are caught in an open area in a building, may be to fight back. This is dangerous, but depending on your situation, this could be your last option.
  • If you are caught by the intruder(s) and are not going to fight back, obey all commands and don’t look the intruder(s) in the eyes.
  • Once the police arrive, obey all commands. This may involve you being handcuffed or made to put your hands in the air. This is done for safety reasons and once circumstances are evaluated by the police, they will give you further directions.

Hostile Intruder(s) in a Classroom or other University Building

When a hostile person(s) is actively causing death or serious bodily injury or the threat of imminent death or serious bodily injury to person(s) within a Missouri State University-West Plains building, the University recommends the following guidelines be implemented.

  • If possible, faculty should immediately lock or barricade the students and themselves in the classroom. If possible, lock and/or cover any windows or openings that have a direct line of sight into the hallway.
  • If communication is available, call 911.
  • Do not sound the fire alarm. A fire alarm would signal the occupants to evacuate the building and, thus, place them in potential harm as they attempt to exit the building.
  • Stay away from the windows.
  • Turn off lights and audio equipment.
  • Try to remain as calm as possible.
  • Keep everyone together.
  • Keep classrooms secure until police arrive and give you directions.
  • If you are not in a classroom, try to get to a classroom or an office.
  • Stay out of open areas and be as quiet as possible.
  • If for some reason you are caught in an open area such as a hallway or lounge, you must decide what you are going to do. This is a very crucial time and it can possibly mean life or death.
    1. You can try to hide, but make sure it is a well-hidden space or you may be found as the intruder moves through the building looking for victims.
    2. If you think you can safely make it out of the building by running, then do so. If you decide to run, do not run in a straight line. Attempt to keep objects such as desks, cabinets, fixtures, etc. between you and the hostile person(s). Once outside, do not run in a straight line. Use vehicles, bushes, trees and other objects to block yourself from the view of the intruder(s). When away from the immediate area of danger, summon help any way you can and warn others.
    3. If the person(s) are causing death or serious physical injury to others and you are unable to run or hide, you may choose to play dead if other victims are around you.
    4. Your last option if you are caught in an open area in a building may be to fight back. This is dangerous, but depending on your situation, this could be your last option.
    5. If you are caught by the intruder(s) and are not going to fight back, obey all commands and don’t look the intruder(s) in the eyes.
    6. Once the police arrive, obey all commands. This may involve you being handcuffed, or keeping your hands in the air. This is done for safety reasons and once circumstances are evaluated by the police, they will give you further directions to follow.
While this guide refers primarily to classroom buildings, the guidelines are also relevant to other University buildings on the campus.

Hostile Intruder(s) in a Residence Hall

When a hostile person(s) is actively causing deadly harm or the imminent threat of deadly harm within the Missouri State University-West Plains residence hall, the University recommends that the following guidelines be implemented:

  • Lock yourself in your room.
  • If communication is available, call 911.
  • If away from your room, join others in a room that can be locked.
  • Do not stay in the open hallway.
  • Do not sound the fire alarm. A fire alarm would signal the occupants in the rooms to evacuate the building and, thus, place them in potential harm as they attempt to exit.
  • Barricade yourself in your room with desks, beds, or anything you can push against the door.
  • Lock the windows and close the blinds.
  • Stay away from the windows.
  • Turn all lights and audio equipment off.
  • Try to stay calm and be as quiet as possible.
  • If for some reason you are caught in the open such as hallways or lounge areas, you must decide what you are going to do. This is a very crucial time and can possibly mean life or death depending on what actions you take.
    1. You can try to hide, but make sure it is a well hidden space or you may be found as the intruder(s) moves through the residence hall looking for more victims.
    2. If you think you can safely make it out of the building by running, then do so. If you decide to run, do not run in a straight line. Attempt to keep objects such as desks, cabinets, fixtures, etc. between you and the hostile person(s). Once outside, do not run in a straight line. Use vehicles, bushes, trees and other objects to block yourself from the view of the intruder(s). When away from the immediate area of danger, summon help any way you can and warn others.
    3. If the person(s) are causing death or serious physical injury to others and you are unable to run and hide, you may choose to play dead if other victims are around you.
    4. The last option you have if you are caught in an open area in the residence hall may be to fight back. This is dangerous, but depending on your situation this could be your last option.
    5. If you are caught by the intruder(s) and are not going to fight back, obey all commands and don’t look the intruder(s) in the eyes.
    6. Once the police arrive, obey all commands. This may involve you being handcuffed or made to put your hands in the air. This is done for safety reasons and once circumstances are evaluated by the police, they will give you further instructions to follow.

What to do if you are taken hostage:

  • Be patient. Time is on your side. Avoid drastic action.
  • The initial forty-five (45) minutes are the most dangerous. Follow instructions; be alert and stay alive. The captor is emotionally unbalanced. Do not make mistakes which could hazard your well-being.
  • Do not speak unless spoken to, and then only when necessary. Do not talk down to the captor who may be in an agitated state. Avoid appearing hostile. DO NOT look the captor directly in the eyes. Treat the captor like royalty.
  • Try to rest. Avoid speculation. Comply with instructions as best as you can. Avoid arguments. Expect the unexpected.
  • Be observant. You may be released or be able to escape. The personal safety of others may depend on your memory of the situation.
  • Be prepared to answer the police on the phone. Be patient. Wait.
  • Attempt to establish rapport with the captor. If medication, first aid, or restroom privileges are needed by anyone – say so. The captor, in all probability, does not want to harm persons held by him or her.
  • If the captor tries to cover your head with a bag, sack, or other object, it has now become necessary for you to fake an illness or faint.

Severe Weather Exercises

Missouri State – West Plains conducts at least one severe weather exercise annually. All students, faculty, staff and campus visitors are asked to participate. The campus exercise is held in conjunction with the Statewide Annual Severe Weather Exercise. The City of West Plains also participates. In the event of inclement weather, the exercise is rescheduled to another date.

Sex Offenders Lists

The Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains a comprehensive listing of registered sex offenders who reside in the state of Missouri. The web page linked below provides detailed information, including access to sex offenders lists categorized by name, county, and zip code. Other websites with offenders registries may be accessed through the Highway Patrol site as well.

Sex Offenders Registries, Missouri State Highway Patrol

Terrorists Acts

In the event of acts of terror, persons should call 911 for assistance.

Vehicle Regulations

Parking permits are required for all University lots, day and evening, for the fall, spring and summer semesters and intersessions. Parking on University property is a privilege. Violation of the parking regulations may result in the loss of campus parking privileges.

Use of the University’s parking lot facilities and/or receipt of a parking permit constitute consent to and agreement with the University parking regulations and authorizes University action as described herein.

Finding a legal parking space and displaying a valid permit is the responsibility of the vehicle owner/operator. Registration of a vehicle and purchase of a parking permit does not guarantee a space to park. Lack of space is not justification for violation of university parking regulations.

All students, faculty and staff utilizing University parking lots must display a valid parking tag from the rear-view mirror of their vehicles. A parking tag will be given to each Missouri State – West Plains student during the first week of classes at the Office of

Business Services. However, if additional tags are needed, they may be purchased from the Office of Business Services. Vehicles not displaying a tag will be regarded as being in violation, and an appropriate ticket will be issued. Other members of the campus community must register their vehicle(s) with the Office of Business Services, Looney Hall 204, and obtain a parking tag. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The telephone number is 417-255-7260.

University personnel and students should not use private parking lots, except as permitted. Vehicles should be parked in University parking lots or on public streets (in compliance with city ordinances). Vehicles found in violation are subject to being towed at the parking lot owner's discretion and the vehicle owner’s expense.

Visitor parking spaces are provided for University visitors only, and a visitor’s permit must be obtained and displayed. Permits are available in the main administrative offices of each campus building. Students and faculty will receive tickets if vehicles are parked in a visitor parking space. Handicapped parking is available only for vehicles displaying handicap decals or license plates and valid campus parking permits.

A ticket may be appealed to the Coordinator of Student Life & Development within fifteen (15) calendar days of the ticket date on a form that is available from the Student Services Administrative Secretary on the first floor of Looney Hall, from the Coordinator of Student Life and Development in Putnam Student Center, or online at the Missouri State University-West Plains website. The Coordinator of Student Life and Development will adjudicate all written appeals and will grant an appeal when it is clearly justified. The decision of the Coordinator of Student Life and Development will be final unless a second written appeal is submitted to the Parking Appeals Committee within fifteen (15) days of the Coordinator’s decision. The Parking Appeals Committee will schedule a time and date for the person appealing to appear before the Parking Appeals Committee and explain their appeal in person.

All fines are due and payable fifteen (15) calendar days from the date of denial of the last appeal. Any questions about the appeals process should be directed to the Campus Safety and Parking Committee through the Student Services Administrative Secretary at 417-255-7225.

Complete vehicle and parking regulations may be found on the web at: