2.3-2 Safety

Our dormitory security system is designed to maintain safety and security for all residents. Doors with automatic locking mechanisms are set on computerized timers to prevent unwarranted access to various buildings on campus. All students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to avoid propping doors for any length of time. Care should be taken in keeping all doors and windows locked. Video cameras are located in various public areas around campus as a means of providing an added layer of safety, but should not be depended on for maintaining daily security. Students are encouraged to keep watch over their own belongings, lock dorm rooms and vehicles, and use common sense to protect against theft or harm. Students should not hesitate to call the Moberly Police Department (660-263-0346) or 911.

Room keys are given at the beginning of the semester and should be protected carefully and returned to the RD’s at the end of the semester or before permanently leaving campus. Replacement keys cost $25. Please contact your RD for a replacement key when needed. ID cards which allow access into the dorm halls need to be carefully protected as well. If a student ID is lost or damaged, they will be charged $25.00 unless it is determined that the damage was no fault of the student. To replace an ID, see student accounts first.

Please follow these guidelines for safety and security:

  • Keep the lobby doors locked from curfew through 6:00 a.m.;
  • Never prop a secure door open;
  • Never leave a first-floor window unsecured;
  • Keep your room locked at all times when no one is in the room; Central is not responsible for articles missing from a room; Renters’ insurance is recommended for all residents; Central’s insurance does not cover theft of personal items from a room;
  • Be aware of potential “tailgaters”. Look around to make sure that no one has followed you onto campus at night or is waiting to follow you into the residence hall lobby or onto a floor;
  • Travel in groups around campus and walking trails at night;
  • Notify an RD, RDA, or RA if you see something or sense that someone or something is not right or may represent a potential safety and security risk. If you see something?–Say something!
  • Keep your windows covered when changing clothes;
  • Never compromise security by inviting an unauthorized guest into the residence hall;
  • Immediately notify a Residence Director or Resident Assistant of health concerns or contagious illnesses; Such matters will be addressed with the student’s and campus community’s best interest in mind;
  • Notify RA, RDA, or RD if the keycard door is not working properly, or if doors are propped

2.3–2.a. Inclement Weather

The College is located near one of the emergency tornado sirens for the city of Moberly. This siren is tested on the first Wednesday of each month at 11:00 am. In case of a weather emergency, students in the residence halls should move to the first floor or to their closets. Students may find information about current weather situations and how to receive weather alerts via text messages by visiting http://www.weather.gov

In case of a fire, all occupants should exit the building in an orderly manner as quickly as possible, closing all doors behind them. Central maintains a Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan in conjunction with Randolph County to promote sound public policy designed to protect citizens, critical facilities, infrastructure, private property, and the environment from natural hazards.

The front lawn serves as the campus reporting area in the case of a natural crisis.

2.3–2.b. Armed Intruder

Given the occurrence of violence and shootings in schools, churches, and other public gathering places, Central’s safety and security initiatives include implementation of the A.L.I.C.E. program (Alert, Lock Down, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate). Incoming freshmen and transfer students will receive training in A.L.I.C.E. by law enforcement during Saints Seminar at the beginning of the semester.

In the event of a violent intruder on our campus, College personnel will do their best to respond to the incident by Alerting the campus and police, Locking in place if appropriate, Informing the campus, Countering the attack, and Evacuating as possible. While we pray that Central will never have to respond to such an event, we prepare by informing and training staff and students of some options that may make a difference if such an event were to take place.

In order to respond quickly to a violent intruder event, the following responses are recommended-When there is an active shooter on campus, students and staff may:

  • Evacuate
  • Secure in Place
  • Prepare to Fight
  • Fight
  • Report
  • Provide First Aid
  • Rally at Rally Point

Each situation may dictate one or more of these options. Changing situations may dictate changing responses.

2.3-2.c. Scenarios & Response Options

This information outlines the campus crisis suggested responses. When you can EVACUATE the building:

  • Trust your instincts!
  • If you can evacuate, DO IT! GET OUT OF THE BUILDING and away from danger.
  • Exit through whatever way is available. Avoid long hallways. Break windows if necessary.
  • Run away from the building as quickly as possible.
  • Call 911 and report all known facts.
  • Alert others using a 2-way radio.
  • Gather at the designated RALLY POINT.

When you are unable to evacuate the building AND your door opens to the inside of the room:

  • Trust your instincts!
  • Take shelter in the nearest office, room, or closet.
  • Lock & barricade the door with anything available (desks, chairs, etc.). Keep the shooter(s) out of your area.
  • Tie down the door, if possible, with a belt attached to the door handle.
  • Cover any windows that may be in the doors.
  • Look for alternative escape routes (windows, additional doors in the area you are sheltered in, etc.).
  • Call 911.
  • Alert others using a 2-way radio.
  • Set your cell phone to vibrate or be silent.
  • Stay low to the ground and remain as quiet as possible.
  • Breathe to manage your fear–focus your mind on your plan to survive
  • DO NOT answer the door for anyone. Law enforcement will enter the room after the incident is over.
  • You may have to take the offensive if the shooter(s) enters your area. Gather weapons (pens, pencils, books, laptops, chairs, etc.) and mentally prepare your counterattack.
  • Position yourself in the room in a location that will allow for the element of surprise if the shooter(s) enters.
  • Plan to survive:
    • Obtain weapons (books, pens, pencils, laptops, chairs, etc.).
    • Counterattack as the suspect(s) enters your area. Distract and SWARM.
    • Play dead if you are injured and not able to flee or fight.

When you are unable to evacuate the building AND your door opens to the hallway (outside the room):

  • Trust your instincts!
  • Close and lock the door, if possible.
  • Barricade the door with anything possible (desks, chairs, bags, etc.).
  • Tie down the door, if possible, with a belt attached to the door handle.
  • Cover any windows that may be in the doors.
  • Look for alternate escape routes(windows, additional doors in the area you are sheltered in, etc.).
  • Call 911.
  • Alert others by using a 2-way radio.
  • Set your cell phone to vibrate or be silent.
  • Breathe to manage your fear–focus your mind on your plan to survive.
  • Position yourself in the room in a location that will allow for the element of surprise if the shooter(s) enters.
  • Plan to survive:
    • Obtain weapons (books, pens, pencils, laptops, chairs, etc.).
    • Counterattack as the suspect(s) enters your area. Distract and SWARM.
    • Play dead if you are injured and not able to flee or fight.

When you must evacuate the area where a shooter(s) is active:

  • Trust your instincts!
  • Run Option:
    • Run in a zig-zag pattern.
    • Cover your head with a bag, books, or other items that would offer some level of protection.
    • Do not stop running until you are well clear of the building.
  • Window Option:
    • Consider if a fall from the window will kill you.
    • Break the window, if necessary.
    • Make an improvised rope out of clothing, belts, or any item that can be used to limit the distance of a fall.
    • Hang by your hands from the window ledge before dropping.
    • Attempt to fall into shrubs, mulch, or grass to decrease the potential for injury.
    • Gather at the Rally Point.

When you cannot escape, but a shooter(s) is in your room:

  • Trust your instincts!
  • Options:
  • RUN
  • FIGHT
    • Throw anything available at the shooter(s), aiming at the face to distract his/her aim.
    • Attack in a group (SWARM).
    • Use all available weapons to attack and secure the shooter(s)–anything can be a weapon.
    • Grab the shooter’s extremities (arms, legs, head);take them to the ground; use body weight to secure them.
    • “Fight Dirty” to survive–bite, kick, gouge eyes, apply pressure, etc.
    • Continue to fight until shooter is no longer a threat.
    • Separate weapon from the shooter

    • Cover with a trash can and secure by one person lying on ground with both arms holding the trashcan.

    • If the group evacuates the room, carry the trash can with the weapon inside the trash can.

    • Announce to law enforcement that there is a gun in the trash upon exiting the building or approaching law enforcement in the building.

  • PLAY DEAD-As a last resort, if you are injured and not able to flee or fight.

When you have incapacitated the shooter(s):

  • Call 911 and advise law enforcement the shooter(s) is down.
  • Provide your location and stay on the line if possible.
  • Alert others by using a 2-way radio.
  • Secure the suspect (belts, body weight, etc.).
    • Remove any weapons away from the shooter but DO NOT HOLD THE WEAPON.
    • Cover the weapon with a trash can & secure it by one person lying on the ground with both arms holding the trash can.
    • If the group evacuates the room, carry the trash can with the weapon inside the trash can.
    • Announce to law enforcement that there is a gun in the trash upon exiting the building or approaching law enforcement in the building.
  • DO NOT RUN from the room if the shooter(s) is incapacitated. Help will be there very soon.
  • RAISE YOUR HANDS and DROP TO YOUR KNEES when law enforcement officers appear. Do not appear threatening to law enforcement officers.
  • Provide first aid to others in the room as needed