A “lockdown” is a temporary sheltering technique utilized to limit civilian exposure to imminent threat of violence.  A lockdown will be made only if there is a serious risk of danger to staff, faculty and students.  The general purpose of a lockdown is to convert a building into a large “Safe Room.”  The decision to initiate building lockdown procedures may be at the discretion of University officials or in response to a request by local law enforcement officials. 

Responsibilities of Public Safety

In the event of a situation requiring the initiation of building lockdown procedures, Public Safety Officers will perform the following tasks to the extent possible:

• Declare and initiate the lockdown directive;
• Activate appropriate emergency notification systems;
• Immediately respond to the scene;
• Contact and coordinate with the Chicago Police Department;
• Provide security for the scene;
• Advise Facility Operations staff to switch to the Public Safety radio channel;
• Lock and secure perimeter building doors with assistance from Facility Operations staff, custodians and maintenance personnel as needed;
• Post pre-printed signs on all lobby doors; and
• Attempt to discourage building occupants from exiting the building.

Lockdown involving a Traditional Residence Halls

During a lockdown involving a traditional residence hall, all Resident Education staff in the residence hall are to report to a pre-determined area to assist with lockdown and communications, as follows:

• Lock and secure perimeter building doors and, if possible, electronically disable student access cards;
• Post signs on all doors indicating that the building is locked down and that no one will be permitted to enter;
• Evacuate the lobby desk;
• Notify building occupants of the lockdown; and
• Discourage students from exiting the building.