Services, Information & Student Rights

General Information

Saint Mary’s University Department of Campus Safety makes every effort to ensure and maintain a safe and comfortable living environment for all persons associated with the campus. Campus Safety personnel are available 24 hours a day to assist in emergencies, provide campus escorts, and enforce regulations detailed in the student handbook and parking policy. They also patrol all administrative and residence halls to maintain security at all times. Anyone needing immediate assistance should contact the switchboard by dialing “511” from any on-campus phone.

All students are encouraged to exercise safety by locking personal living areas and reporting strangers to Campus Safety or hall staff. When appropriate, Campus Safety personnel will request a valid student I.D. from the person(s) in question. This procedure is a safety measure that minimizes illegal access to areas on campus and deters potential problems from developing. Please note: Campus Safety personnel will not unlock any secured area on campus without the permission of the person overseeing that area (i.e., computer center, post office, living area, etc.).

Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act

In September of each year Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota provides a campus security report to all students and employees. This report is in compliance with the Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act of 1990. It states information regarding campus security policies and safety programs. The report also lists the number of serious crimes that occur on the campus and discloses the number of arrests for liquor law violations, drug abuse violations and weapons possessions. Additional information is available by contacting the Vice President for Student Development.

Campus Crime Statistics

Campus Crime Statistics are available to anyone interested in reviewing them. Requests for this information are handled through the Vice President for Student Development. Additionally, the most currently available crime statistics are also posted on both the Student Development and Campus Safety webpages.

Campus Escorts

For added safety, an on campus escort service is available seven days a week from dusk until dawn. Contact the Department of Campus Safety at ext. 1703 to request a ride or to receive more information.

Theft Reports

Whenever a theft occurs, it is extremely important to notify a university administrator as soon as possible in order for an investigation to begin. Campus Safety personnel are trained to ask appropriate questions and to suggest how to prevent future criminal mishaps from re-occurring.

Saint Mary’s University is not responsible for the loss of personal property. Locking your door and keeping bags and backpacks with you is the best way to prevent theft.

Authorized Entry of Rooms

Campus Safety officers who enter rooms will identify themselves to the occupants. If someone attempts to enter your room without identifying themselves, or identifies themselves as “Campus Safety” but does not have a uniform or badge, do not let them in, and call “511” for emergency assistance.

Campus Safety officers are authorized to enter any university space, including student residence rooms, and may conduct searches and may seize evidence or property as outlined below:

Officers may enter and search rooms or offices if the student, staff, or faculty member consents to the search of his or her room or office.
Officers may enter and search any vehicle on campus if an officer has a reasonable suspicion to believe that the vehicle has been involved in a crime. An officer may also enter a vehicle to ascertain ownership of the vehicle for the purposes of notifying the owner of a parking related situation.
Officers may conduct a search of a room or office, as stated in the Student Handbook, if there is a reasonable suspicion that a violation of a university rule has been or is being conducted within the room or office.
Officers may enter and search a room if demanding circumstances exist where the life safety of an individual or the property of the university may be at risk.

FIRE SAFETY

Fire Safety Equipment

Person(s) with the intention to abuse fire equipment can seriously jeopardize the safety of the community. It is university policy that no individuals tamper with smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, or other emergency equipment. Tampering with fire safety equipment carries a criminal penalty of $700.00 and/or 90 days in jail and will also result in the imposition of a university sanction.

Fire Alarm Procedure

A fire can occur at any time of the day or night and can be extremely dangerous, therefore, it is very important to act appropriately whenever an alarm is sounded. The following outlines a procedure that is designed to expedite evacuation of the alarmed building, thus minimizing serious accidents:

If an alarm is activated, everyone must leave the building immediately!
Close doors behind you in order to prevent the spread of fire.
Everyone should move quickly and gather at least 50 feet from the building which will provide unblocked passageways for emergency personnel.
Campus Safety personnel will arrive shortly to check rooms/offices and will ensure complete vacancy of the alarmed building. They will also identify the cause of the alarm and notify the fire department.
When the fire department arrives, they will implement appropriate action in order to ensure that the safety of the community is regained.
Once the alarm has been deactivated, re-entry into the building will be permitted.

Fire Safety Report

Student Worker Information

Campus Safety of Saint Mary's University supplements its staff during the school year with student workers that have financial aid or work study money. We normally utilize about 15-20 students who work with the assistant director that is on duty. Most of the shifts are evenings with several that are extended hours on the weekends. No student worker is asked to get involved in anything that might turn physical. They mainly act as additional eyes and ears of the assistant director on duty, as well as assist in locking down campus buildings. Work hours are flexible and time off considerations are made for students with school work or studying that needs to be done. Student workers carry radios and wear a uniform shirt and jacket that identifies he or she with Campus Safety. If you have financial aid or work study and have an interest in working with Campus Safety, please stop by our desk located in the Toner Center.

City of Winona Emergency Services

Campus Safety of Saint Mary's University has a positive working relationship with the Winona Police Department, Winona Fire Department, and the Winona Area Ambulance Service.

The Winona Fire Department is staffed with paramedic firefighters and respond to all medical calls with the ambulance service. They are very well trained and their response time to calls is very fast, utilizing two stations, one of them here in the west end of Winona.
Winona area ambulance also has an excellent response time to our campus when called. They staff each rig that is in service with at least one paramedic and an Emergency Medical Technician.
Winona Police Department has been asked to make routine patrols through our campus on a random basis. They are familiar with our campus and respond in a timely manner when they are called for assistance. Fortunately, the need to use their services has been minimal.
For an emergency, all three agencies can be contacted by dialing 9-911 from a campus phone. 911 calls are answered by the Law Enforcement dispatchers who have continual radio and phone contact with Winona Emergency Services.

Campus Safety can be called for emergencies by dialing 511 on all campus phones. This number is monitored and answered 7 days a week, 24 hours per day by the Information Desk. This desk has radio and phone contact with Campus Safety. Campus Safety workers are trained in First Aid and several are trained at the level of First Responder.