Everyone wants the Carolina community to be safe and healthy. If you see something – or someone – suspicious, don’t hesitate to call the Department of Public Safety at 911. Likewise, if someone on campus or any University facility poses a threat, call 911 immediately. When you dial 911 from a UNC phone or emergency call box, the call goes directly to UNC public safety. The following list of frequently asked questions provides basic information and includes Web links for more detailed information on each topic.

What should I do about a disruptive student?

Set clear expectations about conduct – stated and in writing – at the beginning of a course.

If a student is disruptive in class, calmly and respectfully ask the student to stop the behavior. You might want to set a meeting to speak to the student outside of class. Calmly share your expectations for classroom conduct and how the student’s behavior is not in line with your expectations. Allow the student to share his/her feelings and perceptions about the conduct. Emphasize to the student that you will have to take disciplinary action if the behavior does not stop.

Terminate the meeting if the student becomes belligerent and explain that you will not continue until the student calms down. Document serious incidents and share with the head of your department or school. You can always call the Dean of Students Office (966-4042) for advice and support.

If the student’s behavior causes you to be concerned for the safety of your class, call 911 for assistance. You will reach the Department of Public Safety.

More information: http://deanofstudents.unc.edu/index.php/crisis-prevention-and-response-mainmenu-79.html

What should I do if someone threatens my class?

If you feel threatened in any way or if someone threatens to harm himself/herself or others in the class, call 911 for assistance immediately. Until help arrives, try to find a quiet place to speak with the person, but do not isolate yourself with that person.

Use a calm, non-confrontational tone and do not make physical contact with the person. Set clear limits regarding the behavior that needs to stop – for example, “I need you to lower your voice so we can talk.” Do not agree or argue with any distorted statements, and avoid defensiveness.

More information: http://deanofstudents.unc.edu/index.php/crisis-prevention-and-response-mainmenu-79.html

If I am concerned about a specific student, who should I call? Am I limited in what I can say by privacy laws?

Your first point of contact should be the Dean of Students Office, 966-4042. You can call at any time of the day or night, and the on-call staff member will put you in touch with the appropriate resource(s).

Federal privacy laws do not prevent you from sharing your concern about a student with the Dean of Students Office, Counseling and Wellness Services or the Office of University Counsel. 

More information: http://deanofstudents.unc.edu/index.php/crisis-prevention-and-response-mainmenu-79.html
http://campushealth.unc.edu/
http://www.unc.edu/depts/legal/

How will I know if there is a campus emergency?

The University plans to communicate any emergency situation in several ways.

  1. The new emergency siren system will sound during an immediate life-threatening situation such as an armed and dangerous person in the area, a major chemical spill or hazard, or a tornado. In an emergency, the siren will sound, followed by a public address announcement providing specific instructions for people outside the buildings.
    • For example, the announcement could say: “Seek shelter inside now. Stay until further notice.”
    • When the emergency is over, a second siren sound and announcement would signal: “All clear. Resume regular activities.”
  2. In conjunction with the sirens, University officials also will send emergency text messages to people inside the buildings who have listed their cell numbers in the campus directory. Anyone who has a UNC Onyen (the campus sign-on name provided to students, staff and faculty) and a cell phone capable of receiving text messages is eligible to receive emergency text messages.

    If you have not provided a cell phone number in your campus directory listing, please do so. Simply go to http://dir.unc.edu/dir/home/uncdir.jsp and click on Update Entry. Enter your Onyen and password, and list your cell phone number in the space for mobile phone. Unless the cell phone is provided and paid for by the University, the number will be treated as confidential information. You can choose whether the entry is public or private.
  3. Any time an emergency arises, people will be directed to this Alert Carolina Web site, which is capable of handling high-volume traffic. University officials will post updates and instructions here. Feel free to check the site whenever you would like current information. When there is no emergency, the site will indicate “no emergency at this time.”
  4. In addition, the University will continue to convey emergency information through campus e-mail messages, Web pages, telephone voice-mail messages, the University Access Channel on local cable television (Cable Channel 4 in Chapel Hill), the Traveler's Information System at 1610 AM, and the Adverse Weather and Emergency Phone Line, 843-1234, for recorded information.

More Information: http://dir.unc.edu/dir/home/uncdir.jsp
http://www.dps.unc.edu/
http://www.unc.edu

What should I do if there is an explosion in a laboratory?

In any emergency, including a laboratory explosion, call 911 to reach the Department of Public Safety.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that individual laboratories have established safety plans, commonly referred to as the OSHA Laboratory Standard. This standard sets forth procedures, equipment, personal protective equipment and work practices capable of protecting employees from health hazards presented by the chemicals used in the laboratory.

The "Laboratory Safety Plan," which must be available to all employees in the lab, is divided into sections, each dealing with a particular aspect of laboratory safety. These include hazardous materials, radioactive materials, x-ray equipment, lasers, biological hazards, recombinant DNA, and the use of hazardous materials in animals.

More information: http://www.ehs.unc.edu/ih/lab/lsp.shtml

What should I do if there is a pandemic?

The University has a Pandemic Flu Assessment Team of campus experts and key response departments to advise officials and communicate any necessary actions. In an outbreak or pandemic, Orange County Health Department and the State of North Carolina have authority to direct public health actions affecting the University, including quarantine.

In the case of a pandemic, the University would use the emergency communications methods outlined above to alert the Carolina community. Any health-related information, including notice that the campus had to be closed, or parts of campus were quarantined, or classes and/or sporting events had to be canceled, would be posted on this Web site. In addition, people would be notified by e-mail, text messages and voice-mail messages. Through these same communication methods, people would be notified when the risk(s) had passed.

More information: http://www.ehs.unc.edu/healthy/fluplans.shtml

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