Campus Violence

The University of New England enjoys a safe environment due in large part to a community that considers safety and respect for others' core values. However, our community is not immune to crime. Almost weekly we see examples of violence occurring on other campuses throughout the nation. The below are proven guidelines that could keep you safe if violence occurs on campus. We hope you will take the time to read through these suggestions and contact the Department of Safety and Security with any questions you may have.

• Dial 911 immediately, then ext. 366 for UNE Safety and Security.
• Report as much information regarding the incident as possible:
  • Location
  • Number of individuals involved
  • Injuries
• The Department of Safety and Security will determine what protective actions should be taken.

Campus violence includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Assaults
• Civil disturbances/riots/demonstrations
• Looting
• Protests
• Disruptive and/or threatening behavior
• Presence of a weapon
• Hostile intruder(s) in a non-residence hall
• Hostile intruder(s) in a residence hall
• Hostile intruder(s) on the grounds of the University
• Terrorist activities

Shelter in Place

• Lock all doors and windows; barricade door if no lock is present.
• Turn off lights and any audio equipment.
• Move to a point in the room where you cannot be seen, such as a wall closest to the hallway, under a desk or behind a file cabinet.
• Wait until a recognized UNE official, UNE Safety and Security officer, or police officer gives you permission to come out.

Hostile Intruder In a Non-Residence Hall

When a hostile person is actively causing death or serious bodily injury, or the threat of imminent death or serious bodily injury to person(s) within a building, we recommend the following procedures be implemented. Notification of a hostile person on campus may come from a pre-recorded message on the campus phones, or by runner or email.

 While the policy guide refers primarily to academic buildings, it should be stated that these procedures are also relevant to administrative buildings and other common buildings on the campus:

• Faculty should immediately close the doors to their classrooms. Lock them if possible. Attempt to cover any windows or openings that have a direct line of sight into the hallway.
• If communication is available, call 911. Then call UNE Safety and Security at ext. 366.
• Do not sound fire alarm.  A fire alarm would signal the occupants to evacuate the building and thus place them in potential harm as they attempted to exit.
• Lock windows and close blinds or curtains.
• Stay away from windows.
• Turn off lights and all audio equipment.
• Try to remain as calm as possible.
• Keep everyone together.
• Keep classrooms secure until police arrive and give you directions.
• If you are not in a classroom, try to get to a classroom or office.
• Stay out of open areas and be as quiet as possible.
• If for some reason, you are caught in an open area such as a hallway or lounge, you must decide what you are going to do. This is a very crucial time and can possibly mean life or death. 

Hostile Intruder(s) In a Residence Hall

When a hostile person (s) is actively causing deadly harm or the imminent threat of deadly harm within the residence hall, we recommend the following procedures be implemented:

• Lock yourself in your room.
• If communication is available, call 911.
• If away from your room, join others in a room that can be locked.
• Do not stay in the open hall. 
• Do not sound fire alarm.  A fire alarm would signal the occupants in the rooms to evacuate the building and thus place them in potential harm as they attempted to exit.
• Barricade yourself in your room with desks, beds or anything you can push against the door.
• Lock your window and close blinds or curtains.
• Stay away from windows.
• Turn all lights and audio equipment off.
• Try to stay calm and be as quiet as possible.
• If for some reason you are caught in the open such as hallways and lounge areas, you must decide what you are going to do.  This is a very crucial time and can possibly mean life or death depending on what actions you take.

Hostile Intruder(s) on the grounds of the University

When a hostile person(s) is actively causing death or serious physical injury or the threat of imminent death or serious physical injury to person(s) on the University grounds, we recommend the following procedures be implemented.

• Run away from the threat if you can, as fast as you can.
• Do not run in a straight line.  
• Keep behind vehicles, bushes, trees and anything that could possibly block your view from the hostile person (s) while you are running.
• If you can get away from the immediate area of danger, summon help and warn others.
• If you decide to hide, take into consideration the area in which you are hiding. Will I be found here? Is this really a good spot to remain hidden?
• If the person(s) are causing death or serious physical injury to others and you are unable to run or hide you may choose to play dead if other victims are around you.  
• The last option you have if caught in an open area outside may be to fight back. This is dangerous, but depending upon your situation, this could be your last option. 
• If you are caught by the intruder and are not going to fight back, do not look the intruder in the eyes and obey all commands. 
• Once the police arrive, obey all commands.  This may involve being handcuffed or made to put your hands in the air.  This is done for safety reasons and once circumstances are evaluated by the police, they will give you further directions to follow.

This policy guide cannot cover every possible situation that might occur, but it is a tool that can reduce the number of injuries or deaths if put into action as soon as a situation develops. Time is the most important factor in the optimal management of these types of situations.