Faculty and Staff Precautionary Tips
and Emergency Procedures

Precautionary Tips:

  • Be aware and alert.
  • Watch for and report unusual circumstances or behaviors such as:
    • People who appear out of place or “casing the area.”
    • People who seem unusually distracted, have a dazed appearance, are openly agitated, nervous or hostile.
    • Packages, backpacks, etc. that seem to have been abandoned or are noticeably out of place.
    • Vehicles that are parked in restricted or unusual areas or appear to have been abandoned.
  • If you notice an individual who seems suspicious:
    • Get a good mental picture of the subject or, if possible, write down a description.
    • Remain calm and try not to agitate the individual.
    • Observe any suspicious packages or bags the person may be carrying.
    • Try to engage in small talk to ease the tension.
  • Do not handle any suspicious packages or items left in your area.
  • Create a special code word for your office that lets people know the police should be called.
  • If receiving a phone call, try to get as much information as possible (especially if a threat is involved).
  • When in doubt on how to handle a suspicious incident, call the MU police at 573-882-7201.
  • Report as much information as you can to the police. They need to know all you can tell them in order to determine the best course of action.
  • Try to remember not to jump to conclusions based on media events, ethnicity, speech, manner of dress, etc.
  • Know the location of the emergency exits in your building and the name and number of your building or hall coordinator.
  • Have a plan in place for contacting your family if an emergency occurs while you’re on campus.
  • Remember it is everyone’s job to keep the University safe.

Emergency Procedures:

In the event of a campus emergency, remain calm. Use common sense and assist others as necessary without endangering yourself.

  • Evacuate buildings immediately if requested by authorities, upon hearing an alarm or when you sense that remaining inside may be dangerous. Your building coordinator can advise you of the evacuation plan.
  • In emergencies, do not use the MU telephone system except to report the emergency situation.
  • Do not use elevators.
  • Do not risk your life or the lives of others by reentering a building to save personal or University property.
  • Do not cross Police barriers without permission.
  • Do not exceed your training or knowledge in attempting to provide first aid.
  • Use your cellular phone as the University phone services may be down or overloaded.
  • Contact a family member or a friend to let them know you’re safe once you have reached a secure location.
  • If an emergency occurs while you are off campus, please do not drive to campus unless advised to do so.
  • Tune in to a local media outlet or this Web site for current information regarding this emergency.