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Biohazards

Biohazards present risks to both students and their environment. Biohazards include, but are not limited to, blood, vomit, and other bodily fluids. A student who discovers a biohazard in a residence hall should notify an RLO student staff member immediately. RLO staff will ensure that the biohazard is safely cleaned by Building Services staff. Students responsible for biohazards as a result of policy infractions may incur expenses for damage or cleaning charges assessed to Residence Life. Students who use syringes for medical reasons should dispose of used sharps within the appropriate containers.

Building Access

All traditional residence halls have computer-operated card access systems for the exterior entrances. Students are expected to lock their room doors and will assume individual responsibility for their security and safety in the residence halls. All enrolled students have cards that allow access to these residence halls. The college follows specific regulations regarding cards and the access system:

1. Students should report problems with access cards to the CatCard Office (located in the Belk Basement).
2. If a card is lost or stolen, students should immediately contact Campus Police at extension x2178, and then notify CatCard Office at extension x2952. Failure to report theft or loss may result with a student being held responsible for improper use of the card. Students may obtain replacement cards from the CatCard Office for $25.
3. Students are responsible for their own cards. It is a Code of Responsibility violation for students to give their cards to anyone. Students are responsible for abuses connected with giving a card to another student.
4. Audible alarms have been installed at all exterior entrances. When an alarm is activated, one must close the door immediately or Campus Police will be summoned by a silent alarm system. Propping doors open is a Code of Responsibility violation.
5. Students may call Campus Police from one of the red telephones outside of the buildings to summon Police for access to a building. This can be for non-emergency situations.
6. Any tampering with card access readers or other aspects of the access system is a serious offense and will be pursued as a Code of Responsibility violation.
7. No non-Davidson student or staff are allowed access to the residence halls (including, but not limited to, pizza delivery staff, solicitors etc). Students are cautioned to make sure such persons do not "tail-gate" into the residence halls behind them as they enter.

Campus Police

Emergencies
If a student has an emergency and needs immediate police, medical, or fire assistance, they should dial 911. As soon as possible afterwards, the student should contact the student staff member on duty.

Non-Emergencies
When students have a non-emergency problem or concern during normal business hours, they should call Campus Police at x2178. After normal business hours, they may call the Campus Police Duty cell phone at (704) 609-0344. The Police Officer on duty will be able to help.

Fire Safety

The following policies exist for safety purposes. Violations of these policies may include disciplinary action and life safety fines.

Fire Safety Equipment
Fire equipment includes all items designed to limit a fire, prevent a fire, or assist in extinguishing fires or evacuating buildings. This includes lighted exit signs, fire extinguishers, sirens, emergency lighting, smoke detectors, pull handles, and door closers.

• Never tamper with, remove, or place anything over smoke detectors. If there is a question about whether or not a detector is working properly, immediately consult a residential life staff member or campus safety. NEVER REMOVE A SMOKE DETECTOR!
• Do not tamper with or spray fire extinguishers. This will cause the release of a chemical that can set off the building's fire alarm.  Students who notice a used, missing or depleted Fire Extinguisher should contact Campus Police immediately.
• Never hang anything on or near fire suppression sprinklers, which, if broken, release a large amount of water and fire retardant and cause damage to belongings and the building.
• Fire exit doors must remain closed when they are not being used as an exit in an emergency.
• Door closer mechanisms must remain on doors at all times.
• Each residence hall fire alarm pull station has a cover which, when tampered with, sets off a local buzzer. Pulling the fire alarm itself sets off a much louder building-wide alarm.

Any student who deliberately activates the fire alarm or fire prevention equipment (extinguishers) for reasons other than fire prevention, or damages a fire Exit sign in a hallway or corridor will receive an automatic fine of $250.00 and incur any expense for damage or cleaning charges assessed to Residence Life. Furthermore, if a fire alarm is activated under false pretenses, there are potential criminal repercussions. Use of fire alarms or extinguishers or damage to an Exit sign that are not acknowledged by the responsible party will result in a Common Area damage assessment to the hall in question.

Personal Belongings

• Keep hallways, windows, and stairwells free of trash and personal items in case they need to be used as exit routes. Personal items should never be left in public areas and will be removed by college staff.
• Do not block lights, sprinklers or smoke detectors by hanging items near them or stacking furniture near them.
• Do not burn any flammable items.

Fire Alarm Evacuation / Response

1. A student who discovers a fire in a residence hall, or suspects a fire by the presence of smoke, should vacate the building immediately and then report it to Campus Police by dialing 911 on an outside telephone.
2. If smoke does not activate a detector, students should pull the manual fire alarm located at one of the floor exits.
3. Students should never attempt to extinguish a fire by themselves.
4. In the event of a fire alarm, and even in the case of a false alarm, students must evacuate the building and proceed at least 100 feet from the building to allow access by the Fire Department.
   Students may not re-enter a building until instructed by the Fire Department or Campus Police.
   The Fire Department is not able to clear alarms and allow residents back into the building until all residents have vacated.

Students who fail to leave immediately when the alarm sounds, attempt to hide and/or avoid vacating the building will incur a Code of Responsibility violation and a $50 citation. RAs and HCs review evacuation plans with residents during the first hall meeting and post fire plans on each floor. Students should acquaint themselves with emergency escape routes in each building.

False alarms and intentional fires present a serious danger to residents and firefighters. Students who commit the following violations will face severe penalties:

• Intentionally setting any fire
• Intentionally causing any false fire alarm
• Vandalizing or tampering with any fire alarm or fire protection equipment including sprinklers
• Violating requirements on electrical equipment.

Intentionally causing a false fire alarm is a misdemeanor in North Carolina. Probable sanctions include removal from college housing, suspension from the college, and criminal prosecution. State law provides penalties up to a $500 fine and/or six months imprisonment.

Insurance

The college does not take responsibility for the loss, damage, or theft of any personal property. Students wishing to protect themselves from the possibility of such losses should cover their belongings with the appropriate insurance. Companies that carry car or homeowner's insurance typically offer renter's insurance (an HO-4 type policy). The parents' homeowner's policy frequently covers a student's personal property while at school. Students and their families should investigate these policies before arriving on campus.

Room-to-Room Solicitations

The college does not allow room-to-room solicitation in the residence halls. Students who encounter individuals selling any product, conducting polls, or advertising should immediately notify the student hall staff member, RLO and/or Campus Police. Often these individuals use their "pitch" as an excuse to determine which rooms have valuable property or they may even seek out unlocked and empty rooms while making sales. The College Union Director and the Director of Residence Life must approve solicitors of any kind. RLO will notify student hall staff of any canvassers who have received authorization to access the residence halls.

Students who have off-campus jobs may not pass out an employer's advertisements in the residence halls. Students who pass out flyers or coupons act in the capacity of a business employee, not as a current student. If an employer would like to advertise in the residence halls, he/she must contact RLO and the Director of The Knobloch Student Center.

Room Search Policy

College representatives have the right, but not the obligation, to enter student apartments under reasonable circumstances, including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Inspection: regular maintenance, work order repairs, and health and safety inspections conducted by Physical Plant, Building Services and/or RLO staff. Inspections shall be preceded, if possible, by 24-hour notice to the resident(s).
2. Search: entry into a residential room without notice or search warrant by Campus Police for the purpose of investigating suspected violations of state and federal law; full-time professional staff in Residence Life or the Dean of Students office for the purpose of investigating suspected violations of campus policy and/or state and federal law. With reasonable cause, professional staff in Residence Life or the Dean of Students office may search the room of any resident student. The search may include, but is not limited to, opening drawers and refrigerators, examining furnishings and personal effects, and searching an adjoining bath, kitchen, suite, or apartment room.
3. Emergencies: Campus Police may enter student housing without notice or search warrant to prevent danger to person, property, the building itself or the following:
   •  Incident to and following a lawful arrest
   •  For and in the pursuit of a fleeing dangerous criminal suspect
   •  Under urgent necessity (such as persistent loud screaming)
   •  Necessary to prevent loss of or destruction of an item to be seized

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