St. John's University provides programs for students, parents,
faculty and staff addressing safety issues on campus.
Programs at orientation for first year students and their parents
address fire safety and overall public safety measures on
campus. Residence Assistants (RA’s) and Residence
Directors (RD’S) are well versed in the campus safety programs
available to students and hold a required floor meeting for
residence at the beginning of the fall semester addressing safety
concerns. RA’s and RD’s meet monthly and Public Safety have
been invited to provide additional information and updates at these
floor meetings.
The Department of Public Safety provides an escort service for
students 24 hours a day. Officers are available to escort persons
to and from campus buildings or parking lots or to a car in the
immediate vicinity off campus.
There are emergency phones located throughout the campuses
identified by blue lights. These phones immediately summon
the Department of Public Safety officer on duty when an emergency
issue arises.
All faculty and staff are required to attend an Emergency Response
training program conducted by the Department of Public
Safety. In addition, the campus provides an email and phone
alert system which notifies the campus community of emergency
situations that may impact the campus community. All
community members are urged to sign up for this alert system.
Routine fire drills are conducted in each building on campus once a
semester on all campuses. In addition, all buildings have a
public address system to be used in the case of emergencies.
During student orientation the Department of Public Safety does
a powerpoint presentation on the following topics:
To deter a crime:
Students are given an overview of the security components the
University has in place, they are directed to enter the phone
numbers of Public Safety into their cell phones, and are made aware
of the confidential phone number in case they are apprehensive
about getting involved. Students are shown a picture of the campus
emergency call towers and are given an explanation as to how they
work. They are made aware of the extensive surveillance system and
encouraged to stop by Public Safety to familiarize their self with
the office. Students are also encouraged to seek out Public safety
officers to introduce themselves and to establish a relationship
and comfort level, as the concept of “we are one community and
family” with an obligation to help each other stay safe. Then they
are made aware that they should always be alert, and try to
walk in groups particularly at night, and that they may call Public
Safety at anytime, whether on or off campus for help or
support.
Students should opt in a soon as possible to the Emergency
Notification System , as this is what will prevent panic during an
emergency and limit the false rumors that may spread.
Storm Card and Access Control:
Public Safety describes how the card is the key to both safety
and information. On the back, important resource phone numbers are
listed. Students are asked to take a moment to program the numbers
into their phones. There is a focus then on how to maintain
safety in the resident halls and other locations by using the
access systems. Students are responsible to safeguard their cards .
Access will not be granted without the proper presentation of the
card. Never sign in someone you do not know, or share your
card.