Safety & Security

School Closures

The campus will occasionally close due to inclement weather such as wind storms, snow/ice storms, and the power outages that may result from both. We have a variety of protocols that allow our staff to provide the best possible services to our residents during these scenarios.  In the event that the school closes, RAD staff will remain on site throughout the duration of the storm and/or resulting power outage. There will be a live in Resident Director (RD) on call that will work on communicating with residents about available services and coordinate with Police services to assist with health and safety concerns.   The RD will coordinate with our live-in Residential Maintenance Program (RMs) in order to secure the buildings, clear paths of snow, ice, or storm debris, and to ensure that life safety systems and emergency generators are operational.

 
Communication during school closures: 

When the campus is closed the RAD office will not be open and phones will not be answered.  Emails to residents with updates will be sent if the power is operational.  If possible, staff will also update our Facebook page with important information.

Power Outages - What to expect

In the event of a power outage the residence halls and the Greenery in the CAB have emergency generators.  The main campus boiler which provides RAD with the steam necessary to provide heating and domestic hot water service also operates on emergency power.

Puget Sound Energy supplies our campus with power, for the latest service alerts visit pse.com.

If all generators are operational, this is what students can expect:

• In A-D buildings the generators will provide emergency lighting, fire and smoke detection, heating and domestic hot/cold water.  There will be no electricity.
• Elevators in A building will remain operational. 
• Elevators in B, C, and D buildings will not be operational.
• In our apartments the generators will provide fire and smoke detection, heating and domestic hot/cold water.  There will be no electricity.
• In the MODs there will be no hot water, no heat, and no electricity.  Fire and smoke detection available for 20 hours via backup battery.  
• The Housing Community Center (HCC) also has a generator and will be our emergency staging location.  The HCC will have domestic hot/cold water, heat, internet, and electrical outlets for charging phones and computers.  The laundry facilities will also be operational. If staff are able to safely make it to campus our Corner Store would be open as an optional location to buy food and other necessities. 
• If the roads are accessible the 41 and 48 buses will be running to and from campus, although the bus loop near A building may be on a detour and buses will need to be caught up by Red Square on main campus. 

Campus Food

What to expect at the Greenery during School Closures and/or power outages

The Greenery has an emergency generator and will be able to serve food to the best of their ability.   There will be heat and electrical outlets available in the Greenery for charging phones and computers. Hours of operation will turn over to weekend hours and hot meals will be served twice daily until campus reopens.  The staff that are able to safely make it to campus will prepare a variety of options with the food on hand. In the event of a major storm, options may be limited if delivery trucks are unable to reach campus.

Prepare Yourself

To Prepare yourself for a school closure, power outage, or emergency Residential and Dining Services strongly encourages residents to think about, and prepare for, extended power outages and the possibility of a natural disaster such as an earthquake.  

We encourage residents to assemble an Emergency Supply Kit that will last at least three days containing: 

• Water: three-day supply
• Food: at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food (crackers, peanut butter, canned goods)
• Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Gloves
• Safety Glasses
• First Aid kit
• Extra blankets
• Whistle: to signal for help
• Dust mask or cotton t-shirt: to help filter the air
• Moist towelettes and hygiene supplies: for sanitation
• Compact multi-tool (Leatherman, Gerber, etc.)
• Can opener
• Unique needs: such as medication, eyeglasses
• Garbage bags
• Space saver rain poncho
• Space saver emergency blanket
• Photocopies of credit/ID cards
• Cash
• An ice scraper and snow shovel if you have a car