Non-emergency Preparedness

Lockout assistance & key usage policy

If you need lockout assistance, see below how to get help. You must present positive identification (student ID or driver’s license) before or immediately after entering your room. Under no circumstances will a student be admitted to a room other than his or her own.

Residence halls

A lockout service (key or ID) is provided for resident assistants for a minimal charge of $10. This fee will be billed to your student account.  If you are locked out, please report to the front desk for instructions on being let back into your room. When a Residence Life staff member is unavailable in your hall, you must wait for the return of staff or roommates.

Apartments and sorority housing

A lockout service (key or ID) is provided by Campus Security (918-631-5555) for a minimal charge of $10. This fee will be billed to your student account.

Excessive lock-outs: If a resident locked out more than three (3) times in a semester, they must present their key in order to avoid a required lock change.

Key duplication: It is unlawful for any student to duplicate a university key. University keys issued to residents may not be loaned, given, or shared with any non-resident.

Key loss: As a security measure, locks on student rooms/apartments are always changed if a key is lost, misplaced, or stolen. Lock change fees are assessed to students who lost their key.

• Residence halls: Contact your Front Desk in your area to initiate the lock change and related billing. The charge for a lock change is $85 and will be automatically billed to your student account. Once a lock change has been completed, your new keys will be available from your Front Desk (your roommate/ suitemates are responsible for turning in their old keys and picking up the new ones. You are not authorized to pick up any keys for anyone other than yourself. After hours, contact the RA on Duty to pick up your key.
• Apartments: Come to the Norman Village Clubhouse with your student ID or other official ID to initiate the lock change and related billing. You can also check out the spare key until the lock has been changed. The lock change fee of $85 will be automatically billed to your student account. New keys for the apartments may be picked up in the Norman Village. If residents do not return keys when checking out, a lock change will be ordered, and charges will be assessed for a lock change and improper checkout.

Occasionally, a resident will have an emergency maintenance problem. An emergency is defined as a situation where a maintenance repair or some attention is essential to maintain the health and safety of the resident as well as to protect the building and its property. Examples of emergency situations:

• No water (hot or cold)
• Frozen/burst pipes flooding unit
• Gas smell
• No heat (only when temperature is below 40 degrees)
• No air conditioning (only when temperature is above 90 degrees)
• Power loss to entire room or apartment
• Locks not working properly
• Broken window in which someone could gain entrance

Emergency maintenance procedures

If an emergency maintenance situation arises after office hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., the resident should contact the Security dispatcher for assistance (918-631-5555).

After hours maintenance non-emergencies

Below are examples of situations that are not actual emergencies but can be considered a major discomfort to the resident. Please report the problem immediately. If residents desire to accept financial responsibility for overtime contract work, a reasonable effort will be made to engage an approved source. Non-emergency situations:

• No hot water
• Toilet stopped up (shut off the water at toilets)
• Refrigerator not working
• Partial power loss
• Stove/oven not working
• Laundry room issue

Campus bicycle regulations

• Cyclists must yield to pedestrians.
• All bicycles brought to campus must be registered. Stop by Parking and Card Services to register your bike.
• Bikes may be parked inside student rooms and apartments or outside at racks.
• Bikes may not be parked in such a way that they constitute a hazard or interfere with emergency access.

Cycling safety

The TU Rider Network (TURN) encourages all cyclists to follow important safety rules and regulations.
Ride Safely and Share the Road:

• Protect your brain. Wear a properly fitted helmet with the strap fastened.
• Conduct routine maintenance and repairs.
• Obey traffic laws. Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers.
• Ride on roads in the direction of traffic flow and obey all traffic signs and signals. Avoid riding on sidewalks.
• Pass pedestrians, other cyclists, and motor vehicles on the left. Never pass on the right or between lanes.
• Ride as far to the right as is safe, but don’t be afraid to take the lane when the lane is too narrow for a bicyclist and a motor vehicle to share side by side.
• Don’t ride beside more than one other cyclist. Ride single file on two-lane roads. Never cross the centerline.
• Be predictable. Use hand signals to indicate turns, slowing, and stopping. Avoid weaving in and out of moving and parked vehicles. Make eye contact with motorists, other cyclists, and pedestrians.
• Be visible. Wear bright clothing during the day and white clothing at night. Bicycles ridden at night must have a white front light and a red rear reflector. A red rear light is recommended.
• Don’t bike distracted. Put away your phone and earbuds.

Bike storage

Bicycle storage is permitted in your room and in designated parking areas around your building. Please limit the storage of your bicycle to the bicycle racks only.

The University of Tulsa prohibits the use, possession, or storage of electronic skateboards including self-balancing boards, hoverboards, Segways, Skywalkers, and similar devices in all university buildings and on-campus housing facilities.

The University of Tulsa pet policy is outlined separately from students requesting a reasonable accommodation to have a assistance animal in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or an assistance animal in compliance with the Fair Housing Act (FHA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504).  Students seeking a reasonable accommodation for assistance animal in campus housing must request a reasonable accommodation by contacting the Center for Student Academic Support and completing the appropriate paperwork as outline by Center for Student Academic Support.

Click this link for the complete Service and Assistance Animal Guidelines.

UTulsa students take care of themselves and take care of one another. CaneCares is a simple online tool for you to communicate any concerns or observations you may want to share about a friend, a neighbor, or your community. CaneCares reports are read by UTulsa staff members trained to assist in many ways. CaneCares provides a convenient way for you to step in and make sure a fellow student gets the help that they may need.

Please note that CaneCares reports are not intended for emergency situations.  If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance in real-time, call 911 or contact Campus Security at (918) 631-5555.

Medical care/injuries

The Alexander Student Health Center (x2241) provides care and treatment of minor illnesses and emergencies for all full-time students who have a health record on file at the center. Students may be referred to a local physician for more serious health problems requiring treatment that exceeds the center’s capabilities. The center also strives to provide health education and preventative medicine. In case of major emergencies, students are referred to Hillcrest Medical Center, 1120 South Utica, 918-579-1000. When the Alexander Student Health Center is closed (during the summer and vacation periods) and immediate attention is required, emergency cases should be taken directly to Hillcrest’s Emergency Room. Hospital and ambulance services are at the student’s expense. For EMSA ambulance service, phone 918-596-3010 or dial 911. Please contact a Residence Life Staff member any time emergency healthcare is needed. The Office of Housing & Dining Services will not decide on whether to transport a student or not to a hospital, this decision is made by the student and EMSA.

The University of Tulsa has opted out of the EMSAcare Ambulance Program, and this is noted in the Housing License terms and conditions. As a resident, you may consider that typical ambulance ride can cost around $1300 or more, and may want to elect to participate in the program. The open election/enrollment period is (August 1- August 31 each year). For more information about the program and to enroll during the open election period, visit www.emsaonline.com.

Or you can contact:
Utilities Services – 918-596-9511
Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
www.cityoftulsa.org

Preventing fires and staying safe

Stay familiar with fire safety equipment and steps to follow in the event of a fire in your apartment or residence hall room. Read more here.

Fire and emergency equipment

Fire alarms and fire extinguishers are located on each floor of the residence halls and the sorority houses. If abused or removed, this equipment will not be available in the event of fire, thereby endangering many lives. If anyone is found tampering with or improperly using alarms, extinguishers, hoses, sprinkler heads, or fire equipment of any form, student conduct and/or legal action will be taken. In addition, improper use of fire doors will lead to student conduct action.

False alarm

Pulling a false fire alarm or tampering with fire or alarm equipment (including smoke detectors in rooms) will automatically result in a minimum $250 fine plus damages and other appropriate student conduct sanctions. Repeated offenses with fire-related equipment could result in additional fines and removal from housing. In addition to university sanctions, offenders may face $500 in civil fines and up to six months in jail. For further information, refer to RHA Bill 921, passed by RHA in spring 1992 and approved by Housing & Dining Services. Apartment residents are encouraged to take safety precautions such as testing smoke detectors and keeping a small fire extinguisher near kitchen areas. Tampering with any fire equipment is strictly prohibited.

Fire safety equipment

The following provides important information about University Housing’s fire safety equipment and safety practices and specific steps that student residents should follow to help maintain a safe living environment. Fire extinguishers are located throughout the residence halls and sorority housing. Proper use of fire extinguishers within extinguisher limits and by trained individuals is optional but should not be attempted until building alarm is activated and people are evacuated.

Steps for use of a fire extinguisher

Memorize the acronym for using an extinguisher: “PASS.” It stands for “Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.”

• Make sure the fire extinguisher is upright.
• Remove the plastic tie from handle.
• Pull the pin from the handle.
• Aim the nozzle low, while keeping the extinguisher upright.
• Squeeze the handle. The substance will be released.
• Move in toward the fire, keeping the extinguisher focused on the base of the fire, when you can see that it’s being put out.
• Sweep the extinguisher from side to side until the fire is out.

Fire procedures

When a fire occurs in a residence hall, sorority house, or apartment unit, it is especially life threatening because of the number of people endangered. When a fire alarm or smoke detector is sounded, always take the alarm seriously and assume there is a fire and evacuate immediately with the following procedures. Failure to vacate the building will result in student conduct action as well as a fine of up to $75.

• Immediately evacuate the building via the shortest and safest route following these instructions. Do not use elevators and remain calm.
• Test your door using the back of your hand before opening. If it is warm, do not open! Stay in your room/apartment and wait for emergency personnel to reach you.
• Hang a sheet from your window to identify your location, if your window is able to open. If your door is not warm, evacuate and if the situation allows, put shoes on.
• If you notice smoke, use an alternative escape route.
• Check paths for safety before proceeding and close doors behind you.
• Crawl low if you have to go through smoke.
• Do not use elevators. A fire can disrupt the operation of elevators and trap occupants inside.
• Go to a safe area or to a pre-assigned exterior area for your building.
• If you suspect that someone is missing or trapped, contact the emergency personnel outside the building.
• If you are trapped during a fire emergency, close all doors between you and the fire. Stuff cracks around the doors to keep out smoke. Wait at a safe window and signal/call for help. If you have a phone, call the fire department or 9-1-1 and tell them exactly where you are.
• Stop, drop and roll if your clothing catches fire.
• Do not re-enter the building for any reason until the all clear by Fire Department Personnel.

If you discover a fire

• Leave the fire area and close the door to the area.
• Sound the fire alarm in the residence halls or sorority housing.
• Immediately evacuate the building via the shortest and safest route. Proper use of fire extinguishers within extinguisher limits and by trained individuals is optional but should not be attempted until building alarm is activated and people are evacuated.
• Follow the evacuation procedures.
• From a safe area, call 911.
• Await emergency response personnel at safe location and direct them to the scene.
• If you suspect that someone is missing or trapped, contact the emergency personnel outside the building.
• Follow directions of fire and police personnel and the housing staff.
• Do not re-enter the building for any reason until the all clear by Fire Department Personnel.

Each room/apartment, is equipped with a smoke detector(s). This device is in the housing area to warn residents of smoke or fire. Smoke detectors are very sensitive so avoid spraying hair products or use hair appliances while directly underneath a smoke detector. Never cover or obstruct smoke detectors. Housing/Facilities Management staff will inspect the smoke detector(s) periodically. Apartment residents are urged to test their smoke detectors on a regular basis to ensure they are in working order. Please follow these instructions to test you smoke detector.

• Locate the test button. (Generally, the button is on the faceplate of the detector. However, it may be on the base or flange of the detector in some models.)
• Press the button firmly.
• Listen for the audible alarm emitted when the button is pressed.
• Release test button—the alarm sound should stop immediately. If a detector does not function in this manner, report it immediately to the Facilities Management (918-631-2287). Do not attempt to repair the detector yourself. Sprinkler System All residence halls and apartments are equipped with “wet” fire sprinkler systems. Should the system be activated, an audible alarm will also be heard. Residents must not hang any items from the sprinkler heads or tamper with any fire equipment. Do not obstruct or cover sprinklers or block the sprinkler so water cannot spread out and extinguish fires. Please remember to not handle, touch or damage the sprinkler heads or pipes. All related charges from damage will be billed to those responsible.

If you receive information regarding suspicious behavior, get as much information from the caller as you can. Listen for background noises and voice patterns that might provide clues about the caller’s location. Then, take the following steps:

• Call campus security, ext. 5555.
• Contact a Residence Life Staff member.
• Give your name and the exact information you received. Do not investigate but be alert for unfamiliar objects along exit routes.
• Do not touch anything!
• Begin evacuation of the building only if it is ordered by housing personnel or campus security or as common sense dictates.