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Campus Lockdown

I. Purpose

Campus Lockdown is issued when there is an imminent or immediate physical threat on campus, such as the presence of a hostile or armed intruder. The purpose of a Campus Lockdown order is to lock down the campus and have community members in a secure place while law enforcement facilitates to clear the threat. In the event that a situation occurs involving dangerous intruders or other such incidents that could result in harm to individuals, the Campus Lockdown protocol will be put into effect. The Monmouth University Police Department would inform the Community of a Campus Lockdown through the Emergency Notification System

II. Policy

In the event that an emergency situation occurs and it becomes necessary for the University to activate the lockdown procedure, the following actions will be taken:

These procedures are meant to be guidelines to help maximize the safety and well-being of individuals. Specific threats may require additional action or intervention. If you become aware of an imminent or immediate physical threat on campus immediately notify the Monmouth University Police Department.

The Monmouth University Police Department will notify members of the Monmouth University community via the University Emergency Notification System, which serves as the primary method of emergency notification. Additional methods of emergency notification that may be utilized include but are not limited to:

  1. University voice mail
  2. University website
  3. University and other Email 
  4. Police vehicles; public address systems; and megaphones
  5. University electronic signs
  6. Area media outlets

The broadcast notification message will include the term “lockdown” and what actions members of the University community should take.

In the event of a campus lockdown the following actions should be implemented:

  1. If you are in a building:  Lock yourself in the nearest room.
  2. If in a classroom or office:  Immediately lock the classroom or office. 
  3. If you have a cell phone and call your family/friends, advise them that you are in a lockdown and advise them not to come to campus until officials announce it is safe to do so.
  4. If away from your room, join others in a room that can be locked.
  5. Do not stay in the open hall.
  6. Do not sound the 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 attempt to exit.
  7. If in a room: If possible, cover any windows or openings that have a direct line of sight into the hallway.
  8. Keep room secure until police arrive and give you directions.
  9. When and where available lock your window(s) and close blinds or curtains.
  10. Stay away from the window (when possible).
  11. Turn all lights and audio equipment off.
  12. Place cell phones on silent or vibrate.
  13. Individuals outdoors should seek shelter in the nearest building, if the building(s) are secured they should immediately take cover behind the closest point of cover.
  14. All exits and entrances to the University shall be blocked and motorists/pedestrians should be denied access to enter or exit.
  15. Once the police arrive, obey all commands. This may involve you 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.

Do not leave until the ALL CLEAR is received. You will receive an Emergency Notification System Alert from the Monmouth University Police Department giving you the all clear and that there is no further threat to the campus.