Emergency Information

The University of Portland is committed to comprehensive, real-time communication in the event of a campus emergency including natural disasters, weapons-bearing individuals, and other situations that pose an immediate threat to the security and safety of those on campus.

UP Alert is an automated communication system that simultaneously sends voice and e-mail messages to all students, faculty and staff to notify you in the event of a campus emergency.

The University requests your cooperation to ensure you will receive emergency messages wherever you may be.

Please log on to PilotsUP to register for this service by submitting an emergency non-University email address and cell phone number. Your University email address and office or campus phone number will automatically be included in your contact information.

Your contact information will not be shared or distributed and you will only receive a message alert if an extreme emergency affects the campus.

If you have questions regarding the system, please review our Frequently Asked Questions or contact Campus Safety at campussafety@up.edu or 503.943.7161.

Sign up to receive instant alerts direct to your cell phone and/or email account at PilotsUP.

NOTE: Standard text messaging rates may apply. Check with your cellular provider to verify your text messaging plan and associated costs.

In consideration for your use of the UP Alert system, you agree to: (a) provide true, accurate, current, and complete information about yourself, and (b) maintain and promptly update the Subscription Data to keep it true, accurate, current, and complete. If you provide any information that is untrue, inaccurate, not current or is incomplete, you understand that any notifications sent via the UP Alert Automated Notification System may not reach you.

The contact data you enter will be provided to a third party (Rave Mobile Safety) for purposes of notifying you in the event of an emergency. No personal information other than directory information (as defined in the Bulletin) will be provided to the third party vendor. The third party vendor has agreed that they have no right to use your contact information for any purpose other than notifying you via UP Alert. They do not have rights to sell, disclose or trade your contact information. When required by law (e.g., in compliance with a subpoena or court order) your contact information may be disclosed. Only the individuals employed by the University of Portland and Rave Mobile Safety who must use this information to administer and manage UP Alert will have access to your contact information.

Fire

When fire or smoke is discovered:

• Safely exit the building through the nearest clear exit. Do not use the elevator. Upon exiting the building pull the closest fire alarm pull station if the alarm is not already activated.
• Immediately exit the building and close any doors behind you.
• Contact Campus Safety at 503.943.4444 as soon as you are a safe distance from the building. Do not re-enter the building until told to do so and given the “All Clear” from Campus Safety.

When a fire alarm is activated:

TREAT ALL ALARMS LIKE A REAL EMERGENCY. DO NOT ASSUME IT’S A FALSE ALARM!

1. Follow emergency personnel directions.
2. Walk – do not run – to the nearest exit. Alarm may not sound continuously. If alarm stops, continue to evacuate.
3. Use stairways for exit, do not use elevators. Do not push or crowd, use handrails in stairwells and stay to the right.
4. If willing and able, assist persons with disabilities. 
5. Feel doors top and bottom for heat using the back of your hand. If hot, do not open. If not hot, open door slowly, stand behind and to one side. Be prepared to close quickly if fire is present.
6. Notify emergency personnel if you suspect someone may be trapped in the building.
7. Proceed to the Evacuation Assembly Area and report to your Building Safety Monitor.

Additional Notes:

• After extinguishing a fire, back away. Watch for re-ignition.
• Use fire extinguishers on small fires only – trashcans or smaller.
• Use the appropriate extinguisher for the type of fire.

If trapped in a room:

• Place a cloth material around or under door to prevent smoke from entering.
• Retreat and close as many doors as possible between you and the fire.
• Be prepared to signal from window, but do not break glass unless absolutely necessary.

If caught in smoke:

• Drop to hands and knees, and crawl to exit.
• Hold breath as much as possible.
• Breath shallowly through nose, and use cloth (shirt of jacket, other) as filter.

If forced to advance through flames:

• Hold your breath.
• Move quickly.
• Cover head and hair.
• Keep head down and eyes closed, as much as possible.

If clothing catches fire:

STOP, DROP, ROLL

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Medical Emergency

IF MEDICAL EMERGENCY REQUIRES IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION OR IS LIFE THREATENING, CALL 9-1-1. Call the Campus Safety Office at 503.943.4444.

If poisoning is suspected, contact the Poison Control Center 800.222.1222.

If the medical emergency is not life-threatening, follow the procedures below:

• Call Campus Safety at x4444 and state the nature and location of the emergency.
• Give all pertinent information to the dispatcher:
  • Location
  • Person or persons involved
  • Type of injury
  • Other pertinent information
  • In life-threatening medical emergencies contact 911 first, then call Campus Safety 

Steps to Manage a Seizure

• Ease person to the floor and loosen constricting clothing such as ties. A seizure cannot be stopped, so let it run its course.
• Remove any hard or sharp objects that may injure the person.
• Do not force anything between the teeth. Turn the head to the side for release of saliva.
• Place something under the head for cushion.

Contact Campus Safety at 503.943.4444 from any campus phone.

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Active Shooter / Emergency Lockdown

IN AN ACTIVE SHOOTER EMERGENCY

Make a decision, trust your instincts, and take action to protect yourself to survive the situation.

You generally will have three options:

RUN-HIDE-FIGHT

Run for Safety:

• Have an escape route and plan in mind.
• If you can, and you deem it safe, get out and get to a safe place.
• Leave belongings behind, but take your cell phone if it is handy.
• Help others escape, if possible.
• Prevent others from entering an area where the active shooter may be.
• Call 911 when you are safe.
• Keep hands visible around Law Enforcement.

Hiding in a Safe Place:

• Find a hidden location, or area, out of the shooter’s view.
• Lock the door or block the entry to your hiding place.
• Remain quiet, silence cell phones, and spread out away from other individuals.

Fight:

• Make a plan with others in the room about what you will do if the shooter enters.
• Make a total commitment to action and act as a team with others.
• Attempt to incapacitate the shooter.
• Do whatever is necessary to survive the situation.
• If possible, and safe to do so, report the location of the assailant

How to interact with law enforcement when they arrive:

• Do not scream, yell, point, or wave your hands; be quiet and compliant.
• Follow instructions.
• Provide the following information to 911 or Law Enforcement:
  • Location of the active shooter(s)
  • Number of shooters
  • Physical description of shooter and possible vehicle involved
  • Number and type of weapons in the possession of shooters
  • Number of potential victims at the location

The priority of the first responders will be to locate and stop the shooter.

Once you have reached a safe location, you will likely be held in that area by law enforcement until the situation is under control and all witnesses have been identified and questioned. Do not leave the area until law enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.

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 Crime in Progress

Do not interfere with:

• Persons committing the crime/ creating the disturbance
• Law Enforcement Authorities that are on the scene.
• If you are the victim of, are involved in, or witness any on-campus violation of the law such as assault, robbery, theft, overt sexual behavior, etc.:

Call UP Campus Safety IMMEDIATELY at x4444 or 503.943.4444 with the following information:

1. Nature of incident, weapons involved
2. Location of incident
3. Description of person(s) involved
4. Location of person(s) involved
5. Your name, location, department, and extension number

Get a good description of the criminal if safe to do so. Note:

• Height
• Name if known
• Weight
• Hat/ Hair/ Bald
• Sex
• Facial Hair
• Color
• Shirt/ Backpack
• Approximate age
• Pants
• Clothing
• Footwear
• Method and direction of travel

If it is a vehicle involved, Licensed Plate, State, Type of Vehicle and Color:

This provides vital information to investigating police officers. Should a criminal leave in a vehicle, bicycle, etc. note the make model, license number (if possible), color, outstanding characteristics, etc.

Remain where you are until police or campus safety officer arrives.

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 Evacuation of persons with disabilities

1. In most cases, evacuation will not be necessary or advisable. Do not evacuate unless instructed to do so by emergency personnel, a fire alarm is activated, or danger is imminent.

2. All persons should proceed toward the nearest safe exit as instructed by emergency personnel. When a person with a disability reaches an obstruction, such as a staircase, he/she should request assistance from others in the area.

3. If assistance is not immediately available, stay in the exit corridor and call for help. If the exit corridor should appear dangerous (smoke, fire), proceed into the stairwell, if possible, and stay at the stairway landing. Close the door behind you to keep smoke out of the stairway. If the stairway should become unsafe, proceed to a safe area away from smoke and fire, closing doors behind you isolates the smoke. Call 9-1-1 or the Campus Safety Office at x4444 and advise the dispatcher of your situation. If in a room with a window, signal rescuers by waving or placing a sign in the window. Do not open the window unless smoke is entering the room. If possible, place a wet cloth material around and under the door to prevent smoke from entering.

4. Persons who cannot speak loudly should carry a whistle or other means of attracting attention and assistance.

CAMPUS CLOSURE GUIDANCE

General guidance regarding UP procedures, notifications, and weather-related schedule changes is provided on this webpage. Information below addresses specific issues that arise when the university is impacted by winter weather.

University Closures

Because University of Portland (UP) is a residential campus with 24/7 operations, we rarely close. In rare circumstances, however, hazardous weather conditions may force cancellation of classes and/or activities for part or all of a day. 

Employees responsible for responding to inclement weather and related cleanup are expected to report to work, provided they can do so safely. Employees in this category should contact their supervisors if they have concerns about safety, related to traveling to campus. Those required to be on campus should use extreme caution outdoors and beware of downed trees or power lines, or other hazards. Avoid walking in and around campus if possible.

The university may remain open while public schools and local childcare centers close due to weather. Supervisors are encouraged to recognize the difficulties this creates for working parents by responding with as much flexibility as the particular work environment allows. Supervisors may permit guardians to make an alternative arrangement or to take work home, if the specific job duties accommodate that arrangement.

Essential Services

Regardless of the cancellation or closure decision, employees who perform essential duties are expected to come to work.  Examples include those who work in Facilities, in residence halls and dining services, in campus safety, and those responsible for snow removal or storm cleanup.   Supervisors of employees who perform essential service work are responsible for communicating attendance expectations in advance and discussing anticipated transportation difficulties.

FOR STUDENTS

CLASSES

• In-person classes will be canceled. Check your syllabus or class communication channels for any alternative plans or instructions.
• Online classes will continue at the instructor’s discretion.

EVENTS/ATHLETICS

• Special events and athletic games held on the UP campus are canceled.

CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT

• Students employed by the university should not come to work.
• Students employed by private businesses on campus, including dining services, should consult with their supervisors.

HOUSING & RESIDENCE HALLS

• Open

DINING

• Reduced operations: Please check the Bon Appetit website. 

CAMPUS SAFETY

• Open

FOR EMPLOYEES

WORK GUIDANCE

• Review the University Closure Policy to determine what a closure means for your position or consult with your supervisor.
• Consult with your supervisor if the campus is open but weather conditions preclude you from coming in.
• After an inclement weather incident, Human Resources will share detailed information on how to report work hours and appropriate leave usage via email and on the Human Resources Website
• Read the annual Inclement Weather Notice.

FACULTY

• In-person classes are canceled.
• Online or hybrid classes may continue at your discretion.
• Encouraged to exercise flexibility with students who are unable to attend class due to circumstances related to the campus closure (i.e. power outage, childcare challenges)