Safety and Security

The residence hall and Northern View apartments community is home to thousands of students. It is important for you and other residents to be safe and secure in your communities, all community members must be actively involved in creating a safe and secure environment, to ensure all students can focus on academic success and building lasting friendships.

Changes to Operations

Federal, state and local guidance may require adaptations to university policies, procedures and schedules as the pandemic shifts. Housing and Residential Services will also adapt to guidance and will communicate to students if/when changes to our policies, procedures and operations are necessary to ensure that we can provide for the safest community living situations for our students.

Building and Lobby Security

The main entrance and all outside doors to each building are secured. Proper identification of all residents will be required to gain entry to the building. In addition to main desk staff, Access Control attendants help monitor resident and guest entries into the residence halls during the evening hours. Residents who do not have proper identification may be documented and this information could be used through the student conduct process. It is each resident's responsibility to help maintain a safe and secure environment.

• Persons are not permitted to prop open community access doors or exterior doors.
• Current residents must show their NIU OneCard to gain entrance into their residence hall and present their NIU OneCard at the front desk.
• Residents are required to show proper identification to Housing and Residential Services staff when entering a building and upon reasonable request. Without proper identification, residents and guests may be asked to leave the building.
• Video recording may occur in some areas of the residence halls.
• Guests to the residence halls that are not NIU students will be asked to show a valid photo id to be properly registered as a guest.
• Guests who do not show identification upon request can be instructed to leave the premises immediately and arrested for trespass for non-compliance.

Room and Apartment Security

• Residents are expected to lock their doors and always carry their keys (if applicable) and NIU OneCard with them.
• When a door lock mechanism is broken or not working properly, students are expected to report this immediately to their community front desk.
• Residents of Grant C and D Towers, New Hall (Patterson) and Gilbert Hall should not hang things from the inside door handle of any door that has a proximity reader on it (room doors and New Hall (Patterson) cluster doors) as this will drain the battery on the lock.
• Engaging in acts that may endanger the safety of others (blocking a person in a room, dangerous "pranks," etc.) is prohibited.

Appropriate Window Usage

• Entry and/or exit from residence hall windows is prohibited.
• No window coverings may be placed directly over the windows, except for the blinds or drapes provided. Aluminum foil, cardboard, tape, newspaper, computer paper, garbage bags, contact paper, posters, flags, etc., may not be used to cover windows.
• No object should be thrown, released or dropped from the window.
• Do not remove window screens.
• Windows should be closed when residents are not in the room or during harsh weather conditions. Residents are responsible for damage to the room or personal property caused by an open window (ex. pipes freezing). The damage and cleaning costs may not necessarily be limited to a single room, hallway, or floor.
• Do not hang or place anything on windowsills or ledges.

Your Keys and NIU OneCard

Do not:

• Give possession of your room key to another person.
• Give possession of your NIU OneCard to another person.
• Have possession of a residence hall room key not issued to you by the university.
• Allow your room key or NIU OneCard to be duplicated or modified.
• Use a key or NIU OneCard to gain entry to a floor/building other than your current building or residence.

Getting Locked Out

If a resident is locked out of their room or cluster:

• A resident may request a loaner key or temporary Onecard at the front desk of their residence hall/apartment complex. The key/card may be kept a maximum of one hour as a loaner key/card. If the key or card is kept past one hour, it will be reclassified as a "temporary key or Onecard". A $5 charge will apply for temporary keys and cards when not returned in the first hour.
• Staff will confirm a resident's identity using a picture ID or OneCard before issuing a loaner key or temporary Onecard.
• Residents are provided four loaner transactions as a courtesy when loaners are returned within the first hour. Upon the fifth time and beyond, the resident will be charged for each subsequently issued loaner key or Onecard at $10 per transaction.
• Residents who lock themselves out between the hours of 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. are subject to a $25 inconvenience charge.

Temporarily Lost or Misplaced Key or NIU OneCard

Residents have seven days from the date and time of temporary key or card checkout to return the temporary key or door access card back to their residence hall/apartment complex front desk

If a resident does not return the temporary key within the allotted seven days, they will be charged for a key core change to their room door. Any lockout charge associated with the current temporary key will be waived if a recore (lock change) is initiated.

If a resident does not return the temporary door access card within the seven days, they will be charged $10 for the replacement temporary card. These charges are in addition to any charges assessed by the OneCard office related to replacement of a student's OneCard.

Bent or Broken Key/OneCard

There is no charge for bent or broken keys, but residents must return all parts of the key to their front desk or charges will be accrued. Learn about replacement charges for a damaged NIU OneCard.

Dropping Keys or NIU OneCard Down Elevator Shaft

When a student requests a loaner key/card due to the item falling down an elevator shaft there is a process to try and recover the item. However, the student will incur a fee for the search. There is no guarantee that elevator personnel will find a resident's keys or OneCard during a search; however, charges for looking in the elevator shaft still apply.

ELEVATOR SHAFT SEARCHES

• Scheduled Elevator Shaft Search (typically scheduled near the beginning of the month): Residents must check out a temporary key or door access card, which is issued for seven days and will be charged the temporary key/card fee if applicable. There is no charge for elevator personnel to search for keys during scheduled pit search times.
• Immediate Elevator Shaft Search
  (Mon. - Fri. 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.): Residents are charged the current labor rate for elevator personnel to check pit during non-scheduled dates. Minimum of $80 and subject to overtime charges when work extends beyond the regular workday. (Elevator personnel will not come in nights/weekends to search for keys.)

Permanently Lost or Stolen OneCard

If an NIU OneCard is permanently lost or stolen, a OneCard may be requested from the NIU OneCard Office during regular business hours. If the OneCard is lost or stolen during non-business hours, it should be suspended immediately to prevent any possible misuse. Residents are responsible for reporting the lost or stolen card immediately.

Temporary door access cards are issued free of charge up to four times a semester. There is a $5 charge for each additional card. Temporary door access cards are issued for a maximum of seven days. There is a $10 charge for any misplaced or unreturned temporary door access card. When a temporary door access card is issued, it suspends the use of the student's lost OneCard.

Suspending a OneCard:

1. Online: Suspend the OneCard on Blackboard. Login to Blackboard and click the "MyOneCard" tab. Residents must also go to the front desk in their residence hall to arrange for staff to suspend door access on their lost or stolen card.
2. Contact the NIU Police at 815-753-1212 during OneCard non-business hours. Note that NIU Police will not suspend door access if the resident lives in Grant C or D Towers, New Residence Hall, or Gilbert Hall. The resident must go to the front desk in their residence hall to arrange for staff to suspend door access on a lost or stolen card.

Room Entry and Room Inspection

Residence halls and Northern View apartments are the property of the State of Illinois under the control of the NIU Board of Trustees. It is the policy of the university to ensure students' privacy in their residence hall rooms and university-operated apartments consistent with its basic responsibilities to fulfill its educational functions and to conduct its day-to-day operations. The responsibilities of the university require the reservation of a reasonable right of entry into student residence to assure proper upkeep, paint and repair to provide for the health and safety of residents; and/or to investigate when a reasonable cause exists to believe that a violation of Housing Handbook or other University regulations is occurring in student residence.

Room Inspection by Residence Hall Staff

Residence hall staff will enter student rooms for room inspection under the following circumstances:

• In connection with routinely scheduled room and apartment inspections as provided in the housing contract.
  • To ascertain damage or conditions potentially harmful to the safety of a university residence hall or apartment and the health of residents.
  • During university breaks and at other times to be determined by the hall management staff.
  • As a part of scheduled semester safety inspections, residence hall staff will check for safety hazards including:
    • Non-polarized extension cords
    • Non-UL approved equipment
    • Power strips or multiple outlets without circuit breakers
    • Multiple power cords connected to each other
    • Improperly installed microwave/refrigerator/freezer units
    • Unapproved electrical appliances
    • Use of non-metal trash cans
    • Decorations inconsistent with fire safety guidelines, etc.
    • Clearly observable room damage
    • Unauthorized furnishings
    • Obvious violations of university policy
    • Candles with burned wicks
    • Tampering with fire safety devices, i.e., smoke detector
    • Excessive levels of trash that could lead to pest concerns, or other health and safety issues.
• Repairs and Inspections by Physical Plant, Environmental Health and Safety and Department of Information Technology Technicians.

Residents are not authorized to refuse repairs or core changes. Physical Plant workers and technicians from the Division of Information Technology do not need permission to enter rooms; however, efforts will be made to notify a resident before and/or after entry.

• Housing and Residential Services Facilities staff may enter rooms for the following conditions.
  • Facility-related issues
  • Room inspection
  • Coordination of repairs and safety issues
  • Furniture inventory
  • To recover university property that has been removed (without permission) from an assigned location
• Entry by residence hall staff for purposes other than room inspection. Residence hall staff may enter a room:
  • When there is a clear or apparent emergency, such as a fire, serious illness or injury, or when persons or property are in danger.
  • When a member of the residence hall staff has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of residence hall or other university regulations is occurring in that room.
  • At the request or invitation of the resident of the room. Residence hall staff may not enter a room without knocking (except under the circumstances stated previously) and may not enter to search the resident's belongings not in plain view.
• Entry by outside contractors/non-NIU personnel

NIU contracts out for certain services such as pest control, appliance repair, etc. and permits contracted personnel to enter student rooms for contracted services when services are needed. Every effort is made to restrict the beginning of routine repair work to 9:00 a.m.

Entry into Resident Rooms by Students

Students, including student employees, may enter the rooms of other residents only at the invitation of, or with written permission of, a resident of that room.

Students are not authorized to be in residence during times not covered by their residence hall contract (e.g., university-designated closure periods).

Entry and/or Search by University Police

Entry and search of residence hall student rooms by university police officers shall be conducted within the boundaries of law. It is the policy of the university that university police officers will neither enter nor search residence hall student rooms under university management except as follows:

• Entry permitted by policy: A university police officer or other agent of the university may enter a room where there is a clear or apparent emergency, such as fire, serious illness or injury, or where danger threatens persons or property.
• Entry permitted by law: A university police officer may enter a room under one or more of the following circumstances:
  • With a warrant for arrest or search.
  • With permission of the resident. If two or more students occupy a room, it shall be understood that, when feasible, permission will be obtained from all residents of the room.
  • In pursuit of an individual who has been observed committing a crime, or if a crime has been committed and the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the occupant committed such crime.
  • When the officer has probable cause for belief that a crime is being committed.
• Search permitted by law: A university police officer may search a room under one or more of the following circumstances:
  • With a search warrant.
  • When it is the area incidental to an arrest.
  • When the officer has probable cause for belief that a crime is being committed.
  • With permission of the resident (or, if more than one, all residents). It is the policy of the university that an officer will explain to the residents their rights to resist such a search.

Electrical Equipment and Appliances

Due to the current residential room electrical configuration, a maximum of 8 amps should be used per electrical outlet in a room.

• Typically, acceptable appliances (UL approved) include computers, gaming systems, TVs, DVD/Blu-Ray players, stereos, razors, fans, etc. Some hairdryers/curling irons/flat irons may require additional power and may need to be used in the public area bathrooms rather than individual resident rooms to avoid tripping circuit breakers.
• Use surge protectors/power strips for all electronics, particularly computers, gaming systems, televisions, DVD/Blu-Ray players, stereo equipment and clock radios. Lightweight extension cords and multiple outlet plugs without surge protectors create a safety hazard and are prohibited.
• Personal routers and/or wireless access points are prohibited. Unmanaged hubs or unmanaged switches may be used to connect more than one device in a room.
• Open-ended heating elements and electrical appliances that may pose a fire hazard, such as hot plates, hot pots, electric or contact grills, small cooking appliances and unauthorized space heaters are prohibited. Electrical appliances with an enclosed heating element are permitted in the halls (i.e., popcorn makers and coffeepots) when used under continual supervision.
• Every room is furnished with a microwave/refrigerator/freezer appliance. Additional microwave ovens and refrigerators are not allowed due to electrical capacity restrictions.
• Personal/room air conditioners may not be brought into the hall or installed in resident rooms.

Prohibited Items

Items that create danger to persons, damage to university property, a fire/safety hazard and/or a public nuisance must not be used, possessed or stored in residence halls and university apartments (including student rooms). These include:

• Firearms, clubs, air guns, any type of ammunition, explosives (including fireworks), knives, or other weapons. Possession and/or use of weapons can lead to immediate removal from university housing.
• Candles, incense, or any object with an open flame or burning ember
• Internal combustion engines, acids, automobile batteries, gasoline, torches, lava lamps and halogen desk lamps.
• Weightlifting equipment.
• Animals, birds, amphibians, or pets of any kind (for more information about service and assistance animals contact the Disability Resource Center at 815-753-1303). Fish are welcome, but the fish tank must be five gallons or less in Gilbert, Grant, Neptune, New Hall (Patterson), or Stevenson and 20 gallons or less in Northern View Community.
• Substances from which potentially offensive/overpowering odors emanate (heavy perfumes, room scents, potpourri, sports/camping equipment, etc.).
• Charcoal and other fire starter materials. Residents may store grills (but not combustible fuels) in their rooms but may not use them indoors. Barbecue grills must be located at least 100 feet from any campus building when in use.
• The use or possession of hoverboards, or any self-balancing transportation devices, are not allowed in the residence halls and apartments. The prohibition covers carrying, charging, or other possession of the devices.
• Possession, use, or sale of illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, narcotics or controlled substances.

Fire Safety

All residents are expected to evacuate the buildings any time the fire alarm sounds, including during drills. Failure to evacuate the building during a fire alarm will result in disciplinary action. Planned fire drills are conducted in each residence hall once per semester. Participation in fire drills is mandatory.

Fire Safety Equipment

• Smoke detectors and sprinkler heads are fire safety equipment and residents are strictly prohibited from:
  • Disconnecting a detector covering.
  • Tampering with the detector or its functioning in any way, including, but not limited, to covering the detector. i.e. with a plastic bag, t-shirt, sock, bowl, etc.
  • Purposely causing an alarm to occur.
  • Hanging objects from or otherwise obstructing the sprinkler head and pipes.
  • Removing sprinkler head cover plates.
• Tampering with fire safety equipment (which includes but is not limited to sprinkler heads, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and pull stations) subjects the violator to a $100 fine, university disciplinary action that may include university probation and additional charges for any resulting repairs and/or cleaning including a $100 charge if city fire trucks are called unnecessarily.
• Disconnecting a smoke detector, failure to report its malfunctioning (including failure to observe that the light is on or not flashing), or other negligence subjects residents of that room not only to Student Conduct charges, but also to civil charges and, in the event of fire, payment for related damages to the building and the persons and property of others.
• If a fire extinguisher is discharged, please let the main desk staff know immediately.

Cooking safety comes with great responsibility in general but especially when living in Northern View Community. If cooking is a new experience for you, or you need to brush up on your safety knowledge please reach out to the Housing and Residential Services Work Request Office (WRO) for training tips and opportunities at wro@niu.edu.

General Cooking Tips

• Be on alert! If you are sleepy or under the influence, refrain from cooking.
• Don't leave your kitchen when you turn on a burner. If you need to leave your kitchen, even for a short period of time, turn off the burner.
• Check your food regularly as you are cooking and set a timer as a reminder that you are cooking.
• Make sure items such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, towels, etc., are away from your stovetop. Don't have any combustible items hanging from your cabinets or stove hood.

Safety Considerations for Cooking with Oil

• Always stay in the kitchen when frying/and or cooking with hot oil on the stovetop.
• Keep an eye on what you fry. If you see wisps of smoke or the oil smells, immediately turn off the burner, cover the pan and/or carefully remove the pan from the burner. Smoke is a danger sign that the oil is too hot.
• Do not cover the pan while you are heating up the oil. Heat the oil slowly to the temperature you need for frying or sautéing.
• Add food gently to the pot or pan so the oil does not splatter.
• Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time. Never throw water on the fire. Remember, there is a fire extinguisher in your apartment.
• If the fire does not go out or you don't feel comfortable sliding a lid over the pan, get everyone out of your apartment and call 911.
• Never pour water over an oil or grease fire. If necessary, use a chemical fire extinguisher.

Emergency Evacuation Assistance

NIU works with local and institutional emergency responders to operate the Premise Alert Program. As part of this program, these groups maintain a list of individuals who may need assistance during an emergency evacuation situation. In order to be added to this list, residents must complete and submit the Premise Alert Program Form. Please direct any questions about this program to the hall director, area coordinator or the assistant director of Hand Residential Services Facilities. Those students who need assistance are shown the appropriate areas of refugee in their residence and staff work with emergency responders to safely evacuate those students when necessary.

Tornado Emergencies

In a tornado or other severe weather emergency, residents may only have minutes (or fewer) to get to safety. Residents should become familiar with the different types of watches and warnings and be prepared to seek shelter when necessary.

• A tornado watch is issued by the Storm Prediction Center when conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorm and tornado development. Residents should remain alert for approaching storms and listen to the radio or television for further developments.
• The National Weather Service issues a tornado warning when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. During a tornado warning, residents should seek shelter in the designated area of their building because a tornado is occurring or could occur at any moment.
• The City of DeKalb has outdoor warning sirens meant to alert people that a tornado has been sighted and that residents should take shelter immediately. While these sirens are very loud, they are intended to alert persons walking outside of the danger and will not be heard in most parts of the buildings. Residents should plan to seek shelter at the start of a tornado warning and not wait until they hear the sirens.
• When seeking shelter during a tornado or other severe weather emergency, residents should move quickly using the stairwells to the designated area. Residents should not use elevators, as they may become trapped if the power goes out. Tornado and severe weather shelter areas are in the following areas of the residence halls:

Tornado and Severe Weather Shelter Areas

Gilbert Hall	The second-floor interior hallways away from glass and the bathrooms and shower areas away from windows
Grant Towers	The basement hallways and under the stairs. If these areas are full, begin filling up the North lower lounge
Neptune Central	The laundry rooms, bathrooms and Trident area for shelter
Neptune East and Neptune West	Take shelter on the first floor in the hallways (away from windows) and bathrooms.
Neptune North	The basement hallway outside the RHA offices and the other basement hallways away from windows.
New Residence Hall (Patterson Complex)	Bathrooms of Community Center and basement of New Hall (Patterson) West and East.
Stevenson Towers	The basement hallways and under the stairs. If these areas are full, begin filling up the North lower lounge.
Northern View Community	First floor residents: go to the restroom, jump in the bathtub and put a mattress over your head. Second and third floor residents: Go under the stairwell on the first floor; if possible, if you know someone on the first floor, knock on the door and ask to use their bathtub/mattress for shelter.

Last updated Aug. 2, 2022