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Public Safety

The purpose of the Public Safety website is not emergency notification. This information resource is about preparation for and response to safety, health, and weather emergencies.

In the event of any emergency on campus, dial 911.

 

911 to contact local law enforcement and other emergency response personnel
411 on a campus phone or 419-574-3861 from an off-campus telephone to reach the Department of Public Safety

 

Welcome Center: Dial 0 on a campus courtesy telephone

Emergency Response at Lourdes

The Lourdes community and the general public will be notified and receive updates via:

  • A message via campus phones
  • A message on the Lourdes homepage
  • A text message to your mobile phone and email using the LourdesALERT system
  • A text message to additional phone numbers that you designate through the LourdesALERT text messaging system
  • Notification via on-the-ground public safety personnel

The general public will be informed through the following methods:

  • Information in the media
  • Updates on the Lourdes homepage

During an emergency, Lourdes’ goal is to communicate first with those most immediately affected; people who need to evacuate or seek medical treatment, for example.

Public Safety at Lourdes

Lourdes contracts with Continental Security for coverage on campus 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week. Lourdes works closely with local law enforcement agencies and state and county law enforcement, as well as with municipal fire departments, to ensure a quick, timely response to emergencies on campus.

Lourdes’ 411 service operates all day, every day, to respond quickly to any and all emergency situations. Security cameras are posted throughout campus buildings and security personnel respond to all incidents on campus. Lourdes has agreements with the Sylvania Police Department to provide back-up assistance in times of need. The Sylvania Fire Department respond to fire and health emergencies on campus as well.

In addition, the Sylvania police patrol the campus on a routine basis.

Together we can continue to keep Lourdes a safe campus and ensure that when emergencies or accidents happen, their impact is minimized and a return to normal activity will occur as quickly as possible.

View the 2023 Campus Security And Fire Report

Title IX: Sexual Misconduct Policy

Emergency Scenarios & Situations

Below are some basic steps to respond to a variety of emergency situations.

ACTIVE SHOOTER

If you are in a building when a shooting occurs, take the following steps:

  • If it is safe to do so, leave the building and get away from the incident
  • If you can’t leave, lock and/or barricade all doors
  • Close blinds and block windows
  • Stay away from doors and windows
  • Stay low/behind available heavy objects
  • Turn off lights, radios, and computer monitors
  • Keep yourself out of sight
  • Silence all cell phones
  • Call 911 to provide your location, report any injuries, or provide a description of the assailant(s) (e.g., name, number of suspects, gender, race, clothing, physical features, type of weapon(s)
  • Call 411 from a campus phone or notify security personnel
  • Call 419-574-3861 from a non-campus phone or notify security personnel
  • Remain in the secured area until you are certain that the shooter(s) is contained by law enforcement
  • Do not attempt to rescue anyone if it will further endanger the persons within the secured area
  • When in doubt, remain within the secured area. Check for LourdesALERT text messages
  • If you encounter police officers, raise your hands and follow their commands immediately and completely. They may not know who the shooter is

BOMB THREAT

A bomb threat may be discovered accidentally or by having an individual notify you of the threat. The person aware of the threat should not attempt to evacuate the entire building, but initially focus on gathering as much information as possible. The majority of bomb threats are false in nature and are intended to elicit a response from the building occupants.

If a written bomb threat is received:

  • Ensure the document is handled by as few people as possible
  • Turn the document over to local law enforcement as soon as possible
  • If the threat is received via e-mail or voice-mail, save the message and notify a member of Administrative Council immediately

If a telephoned bomb threat is received:

  • Remain calm and attempt to ask a nearby person to notify a member of Administrative Council. Speak slowly, be polite and respectful of the caller to learn more about their plans
  • Pay attention to the phone display, if possible, and record the information on the phone window
    Keep the caller on the line as long as possible and attempt to gather as much information as possible
  • Make note of distinctive sounds, patterns and noises that may indicate who, or where the caller is
  • Attempt to obtain information on why there is a bomb, where it is, how and when it will detonate
    Immediately after the caller hangs up, notify a member of Administrative Council

A member of Administrative Council will make an informed decision on the need to evacuate a building or the entire campus or the need to lockdown a building away from the threat.

  • Ensure that other entities on campus are appraised of the threat and actions are being taken
  • Contact local law enforcement and request that they send appropriate personnel to campus
  • Follow the directions of local law enforcement, or other assigned agencies which will be in charge of directing the response to the threat

Local law enforcement will initiate a search of campus buildings with appropriate law enforcement and security personnel as needed.

Allow re-entry only after an “all clear” is given.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS:

  • Call 911: Emergency (Fire, Police, or Ambulance)
  • Call 411: Campus Security (campus phone)
  • Call 419-574-3861: Campus Security (off-campus phone)

BOMB THREAT INFORMATION CHECKLIST

Questions to Ask:

  • When is the bomb going to explode?
  • Where is it right now?
  • What does it look like?
  • What kind of bomb is it?
  • What will cause it to explode?
  • Did you place the bomb?
  • Why did you do it?
  • What is your name?
  • What is your address?

Caller Information:

  • Exact wording of threat
  • Gender of caller
  • Age of caller
  • Race of caller
  • Length of call
  • Date and time call was taken
  • Any additional notes

Caller’s voice:

  • Is voice familiar and who does it sound like?
  • What best describes the caller’s voice? i.e., calm, angry, excited, slow, rapid, soft, loud, laughing, crying, normal, distinct, slurred, nasal, stuttering, lisp, raspy, deep, rugged, clearing throat, deep breathing, cracked voice, disguised, accent

Background sounds:

  • Street noises, animal noises, clear, static, music, house noises, motor, factory, office, other voices

Threat language:

  • Well-spoken or educated, incoherent, foul, irrational/threats, taped, message being read

CHEMICAL, RADIOACTIVE OR BIOLOGICAL SPILL

In the event of a spill, take the following steps:

  • Call 911: Emergency (Fire, Police, or Ambulance)
  • Call 411: Campus Security (campus phone)
  • Call 419-574-3861: Campus Security (off-campus)
  • Warn others nearby of the spill
  • Avoid breathing vapors from the spill
  • Direct potentially contaminated people to stay in a controlled area until they have been cleared of contaminants
  • Isolate and contain the spill. Post or tape off the affected area and establish a controlled entry point to the area
  • Do not allow others into the area, even to retrieve personal belongings
  • Do not spread contaminants. Take off your shoes before walking to other parts of the building
  • Cover wet spills with something absorbent. Cover dry spills with something slightly dampened
  • Discard towels in the garbage. Do not wash contaminants down the drain
  • Use appropriate kit to neutralize and absorb inorganic acids and bases or to absorb spills with vermiculite, dry sand, or diatomaceous earth.
  • Collect and dispose of as chemical waste
  • If spill is flammable, turn off ignition and heat sources. Don’t light burners or turn on switches

CRIMINAL ACTIVITY

If you become aware of criminal activity, take the following steps:

  • Call 911: Emergency (Fire, Police, or Ambulance)
  • Call 411: Campus Security (campus phone)
  • Call 419-574-3861: Campus Security (off-campus)
  • Do not attempt to apprehend or interfere with a criminal
  • Note the criminal’s characteristics: Height, weight, sex, race, age, clothing, weapon (if any), and direction and method of travel
  • If the criminal flees the scene in an automobile, note the license plate, make, model, color, and any other characteristics of the vehicle

FIRE

If you discover a fire, take the following steps:

  • Manually activate the fire alarm
  • Immediately exit the building and close the door(s) behind you
  • Tell others in the area that there is a fire
  • Call 911: Emergency (Fire, Police, or Ambulance)
  • Call 411: Campus Security (campus phone)
  • Call 419-574-3861: Campus Security (off-campus)

If you are trapped during a fire, take the following steps:

  • Wet and place cloth material around and under the door to prevent smoke from entering
  • Close as many doors as possible between you and the fire
  • Be prepared to signal someone outside, but do not break glass until absolutely necessary as smoke may be drawn into the room

If caught in smoke, take the following steps:

  • Drop to the floor and crawl toward an exit
  • Stay as low as possible
  • Take shallow breaths through your nose and use a shirt or towel as a filter

FLOODING

In the event of flooding, take the following steps:

  • If it’s safe to do so, turn off electrical equipment and secure experiments, vital equipment, records, and hazardous material by moving it to higher ground
  • Call 911: Emergency (Fire, Police, or Ambulance)
  • Call 411: Campus Security (campus phone)
  • Call 419-574-3861: Campus Security (off-campus)

MEDICAL EMERGENCY

In the event of a medical emergency, take the following steps:

  • Call 911: Emergency (Fire, Police, or Ambulance)
  • Call 411: Campus Security (campus phone)
  • Call 419-574-3861: Campus Security (off-campus)
  • Do not move the person unless he or she is in danger
  • Avoid leaving the person except to summon help
  • Render first aid or CPR if you are trained and qualified

POWER OUTAGES

In the event of a major campus-wide outage, take the following steps:

  • Remain calm
  • Unplug all electrical equipment, including computers
  • Do not light candles or other flames as they could ignite an explosion
  • If evacuation is required, secure all experiments and shut off research gasses. All chemicals should be stored in their original locations. Fully open fume hoods. If this is not
  • possible or natural ventilation is inadequate, evacuate the laboratory until power is returned.

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

If you notice workplace violence, including intimidation, threats, physical attack and property damage, take the following steps:

  • Call 911: Emergency (Fire, Police, or Ambulance)
  • Call 411: Campus Security (campus phone)
  • Call 419-574-3861: Campus Security (off-campus)
  • Seek cover behind a locked door

 

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

One of Lourdes University’s goals is to ensure the safety of the Lourdes community. We seek to prevent or alleviate any emergency situations. Below is an outline of the types of emergencies that may occur on a college campus.

HEALTH EMERGENCY

A health emergency is the rare situation when something unusual creates the potential for widespread illness or possible death among a group of people.

Examples of health emergencies include:

  • Large outbreak of bacterial meningitis
  • Large food borne outbreak
  • Act of bioterrorism such as an intentional release of anthrax spores
  • Large chemical spill or release that results in multiple injuries
  • Influenza pandemic

Health emergencies, by their nature, are often longer term events than natural disasters, possibly lasting for weeks or months. An influenza pandemic may cause significant reductions in the available workforce and cause disruptions in normal services.

SEVERE WINTER WEATHER

As a general practice, Lourdes does not close unless the health, safety or security of Lourdes personnel and students is seriously brought into question.

If the decision to close Lourdes is made, all official Lourdes notifications will be transmitted via a message on the Lourdes University website homepage, and through the local media (radio and television stations).

WEATHER EMERGENCY

A tornado or severe thunderstorm watch means that conditions are right for severe weather to develop rapidly. If a watch is issued for Lucas County, students and Lourdes representatives should:

  • If possible, monitor the weather through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or a local TV and/or radio station
  • If outdoors, consider moving inside the closest building with safe areas
  • If indoors (such as in offices or laboratories), close windows and blinds, and be ready to move to safe areas
  • Faculty with classes in session should close windows, inform students of their building’s safe areas and be ready to relocate to those areas

A tornado or severe thunderstorm warning means that the severe weather is happening and the situation is dangerous. The National Weather Service will sound the sirens in the event of a tornado warning, but not in the event of other severe storms. Lourdes will communicate tornado and severe weather warnings via the LourdesALERT text messaging system, an email to your Lourdes University email address, phone messages to campus phones, and on the Lourdes University website homepage. When the warning message is received via the National Weather Service or Lourdes, the following steps should be taken:

  • Move students and Lourdes representatives to a safe area immediately. Safe areas include basements or interior hallways on the lowest floor
  • Close classroom, laboratory or office doors and stay away from windows
  • Remain in a safe area until the warning expires or until the all-clear notification has been issued

Lourdes Alert System

LourdesALERT powered by RAVE is a text message system designed to warn students, faculty and staff in the event of an emergency.

The program is an enhancement of Lourdes’ overall emergency preparedness plan and will only be used to notify participants of emergency situations, immediate weather alerts and school closings. Students are automatically enrolled in the program with no additional expense.

Please login to the RAVE Mobile Safety site to confirm your contact information and chose your contact preferences. (Note: your cell phone provider may charge a per text message for delivery to your phone if you do not have unlimited text).

You may sign in using your current Lourdes email address and will be prompted to finish the registration process. You may manage your account or chose to opt-out (choosing to opt-out will mean that you do NOT receive emergency notifications via LourdesALERT).  If you have questions about the system or would like to receive an update via email, please contact us.

* Please note that no communication distribution method, including text messaging, is infallible. For that reason, Lourdes uses redundant systems of emergency communication, including telephone, website, email, and person-to person to distribute news and instructions during an emergency.

LOURDESALERT FAQS

Q. If I didn’t enter my phone number during registration, can I go back and enter it at a later time?

Yes. To enter your mobile phone, visit the My Account tab, and click the Add link within the Mobile Contacts module.

Q. How do I change my mobile number?

Visit the My Account tab, and click the Edit link next to the mobile number you would like to change. Enter the new mobile number you want to use in the fields provided, and click Continue. You will then be asked to confirm your mobile phone carrier.

When changing Mobile Contact (1) [your primary mobile number], you will receive a text message containing a 4-digit confirmation code. You must enter this confirmation code within this website to complete the primary mobile phone registration process.

Q. I did not receive the confirmation code text message. What do I do?

Once you enter your mobile phone number on the on the My Account tab, Rave will attempt to send you a text message containing a 4-digit confirmation code. This code is used to verify your wireless number and carrier. Confirmation codes are only sent to your primary mobile number [Mobile Contact (1)].

If you do not receive the confirmation code within a couple of minutes, visit the My Account tab and click the Click here to resend now link. If you still fail to receive the confirmation text message, click the Edit link associated with Mobile Contact (1), and confirm your mobile number and carrier are correct, making any changes necessary.

If you do not receive a confirmation text message after following the steps above, your mobile carrier may be enforcing a premium text messaging block on your account. To remedy this, contact your carrier and ask to have text messages from shortcodes 67283 and 226787 delivered to your mobile device.

If you already have my registration email address, why do you need a preferred email address?

Specifying a preferred email address allows for the delivery of Rave-generated email to addresses other than the one you used when registering for this service. If you frequently use an email account other than the one specified within the registration email field, we recommend you add these addresses as preferred email addresses. Preferred email addresses may be added at any time within the My Account tab under Email Contacts.

Q. How do I change my preferred email address?

Visit the My Account tab. Within the Email Contacts section, click the Edit link. Follow the instructions for entering your new Preferred email address.

How do I opt-out of receiving text messages on my phone?

There are two ways to stop receiving messages on your phone:

  1. Click on the Groups tab and use the Text / Email checkbox options to specify your message delivery preferences.
  2. Text STOP to 67283 or 226787 from your registered mobile phone. You will no longer receive ANY messages from Rave Alert. Use the STOP command with caution, as this will also block delivery of Broadcast Alert messages.

Q. How do I change my password?

Click on the My Account tab. Within the User Profile section, click the Edit link. Instructions for changing your password are provided. In some cases, the organization sponsoring this service manages your password. This will be noted on the User Profile edit page. Where this is the case, please contact your community’s technical support staff to change your password.

Parking

STUDENT PARKING PERMITS

Residential and Commuter students are required to have parking permits. Parking lots are designated and permits are color coordinated to the allowed lots. Parking permits can be obtained from the Public Safety department located by Lourdes Commons at 6557 Brint Rd.

  • Parking permits are $50.00 a semester.
  • Parking permits are to be placed on the outside, back windshield of the vehicle.

FACULTY & STAFF PARKING PERMITS

Faculty & Staff is required to have parking permits for their vehicles. A faculty or staff member may be issued more than one permit for additional registered vehicles. Parking permits can be obtained from the Public Safety department located by Lourdes Commons at 6557 Brint Rd.

Parking permits are to be placed on the outside, back windshield of the vehicle.

PARKING RESTRICTIONS

Parking is prohibited in all fire lanes, driveways, ramps, sidewalks and lawn areas. Faculty, Staff & Students is prohibited from parking in designated visitor parking spaces, the circle in front of Umbria Hall near Duns Scotus Library, Rosary Care Center parking lot and Handicap parking spaces without visible disability parking permit registered to the person driving the vehicle.

PARKING VIOLATIONS AND FINES

Specific Violations (per violation)

  • Failure to register/display permit $25
  • Student vehicle in visitor area $25
  • Improper parking in lined areas $25
  • Parked/driving on sidewalk $25
  • Parked on crosswalk/curb cut $25
  • Reserved space without a permit $25
  • Parked in roadway $25
  • Designated lot violation $25
  • Display of unauthorized, counterfeit or fraudulent permit $25
  • Other improper parking $25
  • Parking in fire lane $25
  • No parking/tow away zone $25
  • Handicapped space $150 (with a maximum up to $250)

Handicap violation may be enforced by Sylvania Police Department

PAYMENT OF FINES

Fines are to be paid to Lourdes University Student Account’s Office within 14 working days after the notice of violation. Failure to pay fines will result in a hold placed on grades and transcripts.

PARKING CITATION APPEALS

  1. To appeal a parking citation you may do so within 5 working days after the notice of violation. The appeal should be submitted in writing to Public Safety.
  2. The written appeal can be dropped off at the Public Safety office, turned into the Welcome Center or sent via email to the parking department email: parking@lourdes.edu
  3. Please make sure to include the citation number along with a name and contact information for notification of the decision.
  4. If the appeal is denied, payment for the fine is to be made within 7 working days of the notice denial.
  5. A student may be permitted to file an appeal after the period specified above with permission of the Director of Public Safety provided good cause is shown that an opportunity to appeal within the prescribed time was not feasible.
  6. An appeal decision is usually made within 5 days of receiving appeal.

VISITOR PARKING & PARKING QUESTIONS

Visitor parking spaces are provided for visitors to the campus. For large events we do have special event parking signs to help indicate where to park. Arrangements can be made for special visitor parking passes if needed by emailing the parking department: parking@lourdes.edu.

Any questions relating to parking can be sent via email to: parking@lourdes.edu or by calling the Public Safety Department at 419-574-3861.

VEHICLE BOOT POLICY

Lourdes University public safety department may boot a vehicle if the following has been violated:

  • Accumulation of unpaid parking tickets at or exceeding $ 200.00
  • Multiple warnings of violations regarding the President’s visitor parking spaces

The boot will be applied to one of the vehicle tires; to have the boot removed driver must contact the public safety department at 419-574-3861.

A fee will be accessed to driver of the vehicle for boot placement and removal, the boot fee is $50.00 and can be applied to the student account or paid in cash to the bursar’s office. The boot fee cannot be waived and payment must be made before the boot is removed.

VEHICLE TOW POLICY

Lourdes University public safety department may tow a vehicle if the following has occurred:

  • Vehicle has been booted for 48 hours without arrangements made for payment.
  • Vehicle has been previously booted due to other violations and will be towed instead of a boot being applied for the second occurrence.
  • Vehicle is parked in non-parking or restricted area and a 24 hour warning of tow has been placed on the vehicle.

Public safety will contact vehicle tow company ABCO 419-536-6123 located at 701 N. Westwood, Toledo, OH 43607. ABCO will then tow the vehicle to their establishment. Vehicle owner will be responsible to pay ABCO for tow and holding fee, charges are per ABCO and designated by that company. The University has no control over the fee’s and when towed the owner is solely responsible.

Public Safety Handbook

The Department of Public Safety is located at 6657 Brint Road. There is a trained Public Safety Officer available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Contact Information for Public Safety

From campus phone: 419-574-3861 or 411

CALL 911 FOR AN EMERGENCY.

Security:
Seven days a week; 24 hours a day. Call 411 which will be answered by the Security Officer or 419-574-3861 from a non-campus phone.

Welcome Center:
Dial Ext. 0 on a campus courtesy phone.

In the event of an actual emergency on campus, Lourdes University uses multiple methods of emergency notification to inform the Lourdes community.

Lourdes Alert

Lourdes Alert is powered by RAVE mobile safety and gives students the ability to receive email and text message notifications of emergencies on campus. When becoming a Lourdes Student, you automatically enrolled via your Lourdes email address, however, to receive email to your personal email or text messages to your phone you must register further. Text message fees may be charged by your cell phone provider and it is your responsibility to verify if your provider charges.

Register for the Lourdes Alert System

CAMPUS SEX CRIME PREVENTION ACT

In compliance with the Campus Sex Crime Prevention Act of 2000, Lourdes University maintains a list of sex offenders registered with the State who are enrolled, employed, or volunteering at Lourdes. To obtain a list of sex offenders, go to the Lucas County Sheriff’s office sex offender website.

CAMPUS SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS BILL OF RIGHTS

In compliance with the Campus Sexual Assault Victims’ Bill of Rights, which went into effect July 1, 1992, Lourdes University is committed to help prevent sex offenses from occurring. Sexual assault awareness programs are sponsored and information is distributed to educate the campus community regarding this serious issue.

If you are a victim of sexual assault or sex offense, the following procedures should be followed:

  1. Go to a safe place to call for help as soon as possible.
  2. Do not shower, bathe, wash your hands, brush your teeth, change or destroy your clothing, or straighten up the area where the assault occurred. It is important to attempt to preserve all evidence.
  3. Get medical attention as soon as possible.
  4. From a campus telephone, call 911 (emergency), call the Lourdes University security officer at 411 or 419-574-3861 from a non-campus phone or call the Sylvania Police Department at 419-885- 8900.

On-campus services are available to assist victims and to help notify law enforcement authorities and can be reached at:

  • Counseling Services: 419-882-4529 After hours: 419-345-1457
  • 24-hour Public Safety phone number: 419-574-3861

Off-campus services available to assist victims include:

H.O.P.E. Rape Crisis Center
1018 Jefferson Ave.
Toledo, Ohio 43604
419-241-7273

Battered Women’s Shelter Hotline:
419-241-7386 / 1-888-341-7386

Rape Crisis Hotline:
419-241-7273 / 1-866-557-7273

For all Lourdes University on-campus sexual assaults, the case will be investigated through the Title IX Administrator.

TITLE IX: SEXUAL MISCONDUCT POLICY

Lourdes University is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive educational environment for all members of the University community. Consistent with this mission, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681) and the Department of Education’s implementing regulations prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex/gender in the University’s programs and activities. It is important to understand that such discrimination includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. Lourdes is determined to eliminate any such discriminatory conduct, address its effects, and prevent its recurrence.

In light of these commitments, the University has adopted a comprehensive Title IX: Sexual Misconduct Policy.

Review full text of the Title IX Sexual Misconduct Policy

DRUG FREE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES ACT

In compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, Lourdes University notifies all employees, associates and students its statement of policy regarding the possession, use, or sale of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs. Alcohol and other drug education programs are sponsored for students, employees and associates.

Safety Complaint Form

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