UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

Public Safety

Fire Drills Coming In Campus Buildings

rook copyThe public safety office will be conducting fire drills within the first two weeks of the 2016-2017 school year for all academic buildings, according to Jeff Rook, public safety. All are asked to be aware that when the fire alarm is activated in any building, all personnel must evacuate through the nearest and safest exit. If you are in a class setting, please direct all students to leave the building and wait outside, at least 50 feet away from the building. Public safety and Portland Fire Bureau officials will give an “all-clear” before anyone can re-enter the building.
Fire drills are required during each semester by the Portland Fire Bureau. Public safety apologized for any inconvenience they may cause, but thank all students, faculty, and staff for their participation.
For more information contact Rook at rook@up.edu.

Clery Act Information

public safetyTo comply with federal law, specifically the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University is required to report “statistics concerning the occurrence of the following criminal offenses reported to local police agencies, or to any official of the institution who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities: murder, sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and motor vehicle theft,” according to Gerald Gregg, public safety. In 2015, the Violence Against Women Act added dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking to the list of crimes that must be reported. The University must also report any of these offenses that were hate crimes, as well as any other hate crimes that may have resulted in bodily injury or fear of bodily injury.

For the purposes of the Clery Act, the law broadly defines campus security officials as an employee of the institution who “has significant responsibility for student and campus activities.” Pastoral or professional counselors are exempt from reporting these crimes. Yet, in the interest of providing a more complete picture of campus crimes, pastoral and professional counselors may voluntarily share information with security or police to include in the statistics. They do not need to identify the victim.

Employees who are not exempt from reporting and are aware of any crimes that occurred from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015 that were not reported to law enforcement, the health center, Campus Ministry, or public safety must forward that information to Gregg no later than May 13, 2016. Location of the incident must be provided, and date of the incident if possible. A brief description of the incident is needed so it can be properly classified following guidelines established by the FBI Uniform Crime Report program.

For more information contact Gregg at x7161 or gregg@up.edu.

Public Safety Now Receiving Non-emergency Text Messages

text DTIn an effort to make it easier for the University community to reach public safety to make inquiries or provide information, the public safety dispatcher can now receive text messages at any time, day or night. To send a text concerning a non-emergency situation, use the number 971.563.4341. A dispatcher will respond as soon as possible. Please remember that in an emergency situation it is important to call 911 and/or call the public safety emergency number at 503.943.4444.

Please Take Employee Commute Options Survey by March 29

surveyAll full-time employees are asked to complete the Employee Commute Options (ECO) Survey to help keep the University compliant with applicable laws requiring annual surveys of the transportation of UP employees. The ECO Survey is required to be completed every 2 years by the Department of Environmental Quality. This quick survey will help the University understand current commuting options and transportation needs. Thanks in advance for taking a few moments to complete this survey, which is used to help UP build better transportation options for the campus. All who complete the survey by Tuesday, March 29 will be entered into a drawing for one of three Fred Meyer’s gift cards.

The survey is available at this link.

Emergency Lockdown Drill, Thursday, March 17

public safetyOn Thursday, March 17, at approximately 10:15 a.m., the University of Portland will conduct an emergency lockdown drill. All members of the UP community are asked to shelter in place for a short period of time. All will receive notification when the emergency drill begins and will also be notified at the end of the drill. The lockdown drill is part of a regular series of emergency preparedness exercises at the University.

All members of the community are encouraged to review the information on the public safety website regarding active shooter situations, available here. Public Safety also encourages students, faculty, and staff to view this active shooter training video as part of their personal preparedness. A valid UP login is required to view the video.

In preparation for the emergency lockdown drill, make sure that all personal information is updated on the UP Alert webpage, which can be found here.

For more information contact public safety at 7161 or publicsafety@up.edu.

Go Forth, And Hover No More

hoverboardRecent information has revealed that batteries used in hoverboards (also known as Segways, or two-wheel self-propelled scooters) are dangerous and prone to explosion, creating a safety and fire risk, according to Gerald Gregg, public safety. In light of recent fire concerns surrounding hoverboards, the use and possession of hoverboards is prohibited on campus and in all University owned buildings. Those who have purchased hoverboards may be eligible for a full refund due to safety concerns, and should contact retailers for more information.

For more information about the UP policy contact public safety at 7161 or publicsafety@up.edu.

Campus Community Emergency Response Team Training

emergencyThe public safety office is offering its Campus Community Emergency Response Team (CCERT) training to faculty, staff, and students starting Wednesday, January 20. The 8-week course teaches basic emergency response and preparedness steps to make yourself, your family, and your neighborhood a safer place after a disaster. Volunteers are trained by the University’s CCERT trainers and Portland Fire and Rescue to provide emergency disaster assistance on campus and in the immediate surrounding neighborhood. Public Safety offers CCERT classes at no cost to people who live or work at the University of Portland. UP CCERT program participants attend a total of 24 hours of hands-on training.

Register online at this link. Classes take place on Wednesday evenings 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Chiles Center Hall of Fame Room.

For more information contact Jeff Rook at 7161 or rook@up.edu.

Annual Fire Alarm Testing Over Holiday Break

Alarm!150The public safety office will be conducting annual fire alarm system tests throughout campus buildings over the Christmas break. Starting December 14 through January 8, technicians will be working around campus to ensure that fire systems are operating at peak performance levels. From December 22 to January 8 there may be intermittent audible fire alarms in select buildings. Personnel who are in a building during the test do not need to leave as long as the alarm only lasts for a few seconds. Please contact Jeff Rook, public safety, at rook@up.edu for more information.

Earthquake Preparedness, Oregon Shake Out coming Oct. 15 and 17

alertThe University of Portland will participate in the Oregon Shake Out, an earthquake education awareness program and drill where people are asked to drop, cover, and hold on, on Thursday, October 15, at 10:15 a.m. Informational videos are posted on the public safety website at www.up.edu/publicsafety.

The University will also host three events for earthquake preparedness on Saturday, October 17:

  • Disaster Relief Trials, a cargo bike ride across Portland simulating disaster relief supplies being transported around the city, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (http://disasterrelieftrials.com/)
  • Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup CREW is holding a Preparedness Fair for the entire community, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (http://www.crew.org/news-events/calendar/earthquake-info-fair)
  • Regional Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Olympics, a citizen trained responder challenge exercise bringing teams from Oregon and SW Washington, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (https://www.facebook.com/CERTOlympics).

For more information contact Jeff Rook, public safety, at 7161 or publicsafety@up.edu.

Annual Security and Fire Report

_1aPublicSafety150On September 29, 2015, in compliance with the Campus Crime Reporting Act and the amended Higher Education Opportunity Act, the University of Portland’s Annual Security and Fire Report was published and made available to all members of the University community, and to prospective students and employees. The report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on-campus, in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University of Portland, and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. It also includes statistics for fires that occur in residence halls and polices relating to fire safety and preparedness. The report also contains institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies regarding sexual assault, emergency response, and other matters.

Copies of the report are available by contacting public safety at 7161 or by going to this link.