Emergency Information + Preparedness

Building – Address

Dan and Ada Rice Center – 5500 College Road
Sports Complex – 5506 College Road
Scholl Hall – 5520 College Road
Lownik Hall – 5550 College Road
Krasa Student Center – 5560 College Road
Grounds Garage – 5570 College Road
Coal Ben/Power House – 5580 College Road
Neff Welcome Center – 5700 College Road
Kindlon Hall – 5702 College Road
Birck Hall – 5704 College Road
Parking Garage – 5720 College Road
Goodwin Hall – 5730 College Road

Residence Hall/Apartment – Address

Neuzil Hall (Closed) – 5510 College Road
Jaeger Hall – 5540 College Road
Founders’ Woods Clubhouse – 5600 College Road
Founders’ Woods Becker Hall – 5610 College Road
Founders’ Woods Roman Hall – 5620 College Road
Founders’ Woods Anderson Hall – 5630 College Road
Founders’ Woods Kucera Hall – 5640 College Road
Founders’ Woods Valentine Hall – 5650 College Road
Founders’ Woods Thomas Hall – 5660 College Road
Ondrak Hall – 5710 College Road

Building Evacuation

Benedictine University has posted evacuation maps in each classroom and office on campus. These maps are intended to provide many different options for escape during an emergency.

In Case of Emergency

• Remain calm and don’t panic
• Provide assistance to those around you, if needed
• Proceed to the nearest exit
• Meet at the buildings preliminary designated evacuation assembly area

What to do if outside during a building evacuation:

• Do not enter the building being evacuated.
• Get to the designated evacuation assembly area for the building being evacuated.
• Listen for specific directions.
• Do not re-enter a building until an authorized person has given the “All clear.”

What to do if inside during a building evacuation:

• In the event of an alarm, such as a fire alarm or an evacuation announcement, leave the building quickly and safely using the nearest exit.
• Aid those needing assistance.
• When evacuating the building, leave your belongings in the classroom or office.  Stopping to collect them only delays your evacuation and could cause others to potentially be harmed.
• In case of fire, do not use elevators.
• If there is a mobility impaired individual still in the building, notify the first responders on-scene of their location.
• Once outside, proceed to the evacuation assembly area.
• Listen for specific directions.
• Do not re-enter a building until an authorized person has given the “all clear.”

Evacuation of the mobility restricted and mobility impaired:

Mobility Restricted Individuals

Mobility restricted individuals are those with disabilities that might impede rapid building evacuation. Examples include those who are blind or deaf, or whose mobility is restricted by use of walkers or crutches. Assistance can be provided by guiding them to the refuge area in the stairwell. Proceed out of the building notifying the building captain, Emergency Response and Recovery Team, or first responders on-scene of the person’s location.

Mobility Impaired Individuals

Mobility impaired individuals are those with disabilities that require the use of wheelchairs.  To assist those individuals:

• Move the impaired individual to the refuge area in the stairwell and proceed out of the building. Report the person’s location to the building captain, Emergency Response and Recovery Team, or first responders on-scene.
• If the hazard becomes life-threatening, move the individual into a room and close the door. Report the person’s location to the building captain, Emergency Response and Recovery Team or first responders on-scene.

Campus Evacuation

Should it become necessary to evacuate the entire campus, the decision to implement these procedures rests with the Chief of University Police. In situations requiring immediate action, the police or Fire department in Lisle can also order a local area evacuation.

In all cases when the decision has been made to evacuate, the following procedures will be followed:

• The campus will be evacuated in stages, beginning with the areas that are in the immediate vicinity of the threat.
• Other areas may then be evacuated, depending on the nature of the threat.
• Do not re-enter a building until an authorized person has given the “all clear”.
• In all cases, evacuees would be directed away from the vicinity of the threat. Click Here to View the Campus Evacuation Map

Violence in the workplace or classroom can have many sources. It may be a current or former disgruntled employee or student. It may be an angry customer, spouse or relative of an employee or student. The violence could range from a random act such as robbery or a hate crime to the discipline or firing of an employee or an academic dispute between an instructor and student.

The following guidelines are designed to reduce the likelihood of workplace or classroom violence and provide information for all employees to use as methods of prevention and intervention of violence.

• If possible, call 911 from campus or cell phones when there is an imminent threat to life. When appropriate, students, staff and faculty should report threatening activities to the University Police by dialing x6122.
• Notify those around you.
• Try to flee or hide if not directly confronted.
• If confronted, remain calm, speak calmly and clearly and attempt to establish personal rapport with the offender.
• Do not challenge, bargain or make promises you cannot keep with the person.
• Let the person have his or her say.
• Listen attentively.
• If it can be done safely, clear the area of other personnel and students.
• Take shelter in place if you are unable to evacuate the building safely.
• Do not sound the fire alarm to evacuate the building. Persons may be placed in harm’s way when they are attempting to evacuate the building.

While violent crime is rare on college and university campuses, recent local and national events have brought into focus the need to prepare for violent situations. No single plan can assure ultimate safety or address every eventuality.

Benedictine University is committed to assisting students in need. The Campus Response Evaluation Team (CARE) further supports Benedictine students outside of the student’s immediate peer network. The goals of this team are to identify students who may have academic, social or personal troubles and to direct students to the necessary assistance they may need during their troubles. The intent is to head off any potential violence or disruptive behavior that could occur because of something going on in the student’s life.

Students, staff and faculty can download the Campus Response Evaluation Team referral form. The form asks for contact information, relationship to the student and the specific concerns about the student. You may also contact the Dean of Student Affairs, Marco Masini, by telephone at (630) 829-6006. In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the system is designed to allow referrals to be viewed only by those individuals who have a need to know. The information shared will not become part of the student’s permanent record.

Benedictine University’s Emergency Response and Recovery Team (ERRT) has put together a comprehensive operations plan outlining the procedures in which detailed information would be shared with the campus community.

Statement of Purpose

Benedictine University is committed to the safety of all faculty, staff, students and visitors to our campus. The Emergency Response and Recovery Team (ERRT) have developed the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and the Emergency Response and Recovery Plan (ERRP) with the sole purpose of preparing the University community in the event of an emergency or a disaster. Adherence to these guidelines by the University community will result in the saving of lives, reduction of additional injury and property damage, ability to meet human needs, restoration of essential operations and priority services, and the capability of the University to communicate in a timely manner in the event of an emergency or disaster.

Identification of Hazards

The University is exposed to many hazards (emergency of disaster situations), any of which have the potential to disrupt the campus and/or local community operations: cause physical environmental damage; cause deaths or significant injuries to employees, students or the public; shut down a business; or threaten a facility’s financial standing or public image.  Potential hazards for the University are:

Notification and Warning Process

There is no one communication vehicle that will reach everyone. Therefore, ERRT, through the coordination of the Marketing and Communications Department, will notify the campus population and the general public of major emergencies through a combination of the following University-wide notification systems:

1. AlertWave™ Emergency Notification System: wireless public address/emergency communication/mass notification system located in common areas of all campus buildings that includes speakers, horns, strobe lights and all University phones equipped with speaker phone capability.
2. BenAlert Emergency Notification System.
3. Fire alarms in all campus buildings operated by the University’s on-duty police supervisor. The University adheres to all fire code regulations as established by state law.
4. Broadcast email to @All main campus faculty; @All main campus staff; @All main campus students; @All adjunct faculty with details sent by the public information officer.
5. Broadcast voicemail: delivers a broadcast voicemail with the “Urgent Deliver” option to all users who have a voicemail account. This includes all faculty and staff with an assigned private telephone number and all main office phones.
6. Lightning detection horn: This is manually activated by University Police dispatch after being notified of severe weather conditions by the AccuWeather Skyguard system.
7. The University website notice (https://www.ben.edu) and Emergency Information Web page.
8. Emergency Information Line at (630) 829-6622.
9. The University’s Emergency Notification Phone Tree.
10. Residence Life staff will personally contact each resident student through a variety of means including letters, posters and resident assistants under the supervision of the Office of Residence Life.
11. University Police vehicles equipped with a public address system and emergency lights.
12. Posters and notices on campus buildings.
13. The Benedictine University president issues an email to the internal community and a letter to current and prospective Benedictine parents, alumni and friends of the University that can also be emailed in coordination with the public information officer.
14. ERRT members and their designees assume roles and responsibilities.
15. The electronic sign and campus TV network operated by the Marketing and Communications Department.
16. The Kindlon Hall carillon operated by the chief engineer or, in his absence, his designee can be turned into a public address system, if needed.
17. Student campus leaders: SGA, Candor and other student groups.
18. Via the Emergency Operations Center, ERRT members prepare and distribute fact sheets with definitions, a plan and steps to be taken, including identifying isolation or quarantine areas (health-related incidents).
19. Marketing and Communications will contact the Emergency Closing Center (ECC). (Information is then automatically broadcast to all Chicago area radio and TV stations, the ECC website and email notification system.
20. Cancellations.com, similar to the ECC, above.
21. Statement or press release emailed and faxed to Chicago area media outlets, such as television and radio stations.
22. Press conference for Chicago media outlets.
23. Marketing and Communications will personally speak with all media inquiries via phone or on camera/in person.
24. Marketing and Communications will respond to internal and external comments and questions.
25. Updates will be posted to Facebook and Twitter by Marketing and Communications.
26. Office of Health Services will monitor the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health care websites and stay up to date on information to assist in distribution of medical information (infection control, signs and symptoms, personal protection and numbers to call for assistance) and provide resources to obtain updated information: www.cdc.gov or www.pandemicflu.gov (health-related incidents).
27. Marketing and Communications will communicate educational information and attempt to ease the anxiety of the community (health-related incidents).
28. Marketing and Communications Department will coordinate the release of information with hospitals (health-related incidents).

The above may be updated hourly/daily as needed as additional details develop. Details may include general information; warnings/awareness; status of classes/campus/buildings; and specifics related to health-related incidents such as signs/symptoms/protection/prevention, suspected/confirmed cases, isolation/quarantine, etc.

Roles of Students, Faculty and Staff in an Emergency

Every Benedictine University employee and student can potentially play a role in the Campus Emergency Management Plan (EMP).  Perhaps the most critical aspect of the EMP is communication; accurate reports from the scene of an incident are essential to providing adequate emergency services. Similarly, the campus community must receive up-to-date instructions concerning disaster response procedures and news of evolving incidents.

ROLE OF THE STUDENTS

Every student should familiarize themselves with the emergency procedures and evacuation routes in buildings they live in or use frequently. Students should be prepared to assess situations quickly but thoroughly, and use common sense in determining a course of action.  They should evacuate to assembly areas in an orderly manner when an alarm sounds or when emergency personnel direct them to do so.

ROLE OF FACULTY AND STAFF

Every member of the faculty and staff should read and understand the Emergency Response and Recovery Plan, localized department emergency plans, and familiarize themselves with campus emergency procedures and building evacuation routes. Employees should be prepared to assess situations quickly and thoroughly, and use common sense in determining a course of action. They should follow emergency procedures to report fire or other emergencies that require immediate attention, and evacuate to the evacuation assembly areas in an orderly manner. Students see faculty members as leaders, so faculty should be prepared to direct students to assembly areas in the event of an emergency.

Emergency Phone Numbers

In case of an Emergency:

Local Hospitals

</table role=”presentation” >Outpatient/Convenient Care Centers

Emergency Plans

Benedictine University has prepared an Emergency Response and Recovery Plan that includes what to do in an emergency situation. Please click below to download the PDF file.

Lisle Campus – Emergency Procedures

Res Life Fire Safety Brochure – Lisle

Mesa Campus – Emergency Procedures

Res Life Fire Safety Brochure – Mesa

Create your own plan. Be ready!

Benedictine University is committed to the safety of all faculty, staff, students and visitors to our campus. The Emergency Response and Recovery Team (ERRT) has developed the Emergency Operations Plan with the sole purpose of preparing the University community for an emergency or a disaster. Adherence to these guidelines by the University community will result in the saving of lives, reduction of additional injury and property damage, ability to meet human needs, restoration of essential operations and priority services, and the capability of the University to communicate in a timely manner in the event of an emergency or disaster. ERRT comprises key University administrators and staff who are responsible for, preparing for and responding to campus emergencies. Members consist of:

Associate Vice President of Student Life
Associate Provost
Chief of Police
Director of Campus Services
Chief Information Officer
Preclinical Specialist
Director of Human Resources
Director of Sports Complex Operations
Director of Student Health Services
Associate Dean of Student Development
Emergency Preparedness Manager/Safety Specialist
Facility Manager, Athletic Fields
Master of Public Health Disaster Management Representative
Assistant Registrar for Tech Services

The Benedictine University Grounds Department staff will remove snow from the residence halls, Founders’ Woods, general, and faculty and staff parking lots according to the priority level, detailed below. To facilitate snow removal from parking lots, we ask resident students to relocate their cars to the parking garage if two or more inches of snow is expected. The Chief of University Police will notify all students by email when the University determines that snowfall would require students to relocate their vehicles.  Students are expected to anticipate and look for a parking relocation message when snow is in the forecast.

If you observe any sidewalks or areas of unsafe snow conditions during normal business hours, please report them directly to Facility Operations at (630) 829-6420. After hours, please contact University Police at (630) 829-6122. Priorities shift based on activities happening after standard business hours and/or on weekends.

Special attention should be given to walking and driving on campus. Remember that ice and hard-packed snow could be hazardous so safety awareness is important.

These procedures will be followed from Nov. – April 1.

Priority Level 1

Fire Lanes and Access Roads: (night and weekend priority)

1. Main Entry by Birck Hall (BK)
2. Ondrak (Lot D)
3. Back road entrance off Maple Rd.
4. Inner pedestrian road
5. Goodwin Hall (Lot C)
6. Kindlon (Lot E)
7. Scholl/Lownik (Lots G and H)
8. Quad Interior Walk
9. Rice Center/Neuzil (Lot J)
10. Krasa (Lot A)
11. Founders’ Woods (Lot B and walkways)

Priority Level 2

WALKWAYS (Entrances):

HAND ZONE 1                            

1. Ondrak  (front and back entrances)
2. Kindlon (all entrances)
3. Birck (all entrances)
4. Goodwin (all entrances)
5. Jaeger Hall (all sidewalks)
6. Neuzil Hall (all sidewalks)
7. Rice Center (all sidewalks)
8. Scholl (all four entrances)
9. Lownik (north, south and west entrances)
10. Sidewalk along baseball field (east)
11. Krasa (all entrances)
12. Coal Ben (all entrances)

HAND ZONE 2 

1. Powerhouse

Priority Level 3

Sports Complex

1. Main concourse and sidewalks
2. Office level (mezzanine)