Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
Missouri State University-West Plains, in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure
of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1092(f),
publishes an annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report includes statistics
for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in
certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by Missouri State University; and
on public property within the campus, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from
the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security,
such as policies concerning alcohol and other drug use, crime prevention, the reporting
of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. Persons may obtain a paper copy of this
report by contacting the Associate Vice-Chancellor for Business and Support Services,
Kellett Hall 201, Missouri State University-West Plains, (417) 255-7258, or by accessing
the following:
Campus Lighting
Campus lighting is monitored daily by evening safety officers, physical plant staff
and members of the Campus Safety & Parking Committee. Outages are reported immediately
and promptly repaired. Members of the campus community may report lighting problems
to the physical plant (via telephone or the online work request system).
Chemical and Biology Supplies
Faculty members maintain inventories of chemical and biology supplies stored at the
campus for educational purposes. Revised inventories are provided annually to the
West Plains Fire Chief, Chief of Police and Emergency Management Officer, as well
as to Environmental Management at the Springfield campus of Missouri State University.
Chemical Inventory Documents:
- Chemical Inventory M202 Current
- Fume Hood Contents M212 Current
- Volatiles M212 Current List
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Crime Reporting
Any individual on the West Plains Campus who is a victim of or observes any criminal
activity should report the incident immediately to the West Plains Police Department,
911 or (417) 256-2244 and to either the office of student services (417) 255-7225
or the business office (417) 255-7260. For evening assistance at the campus, call
(417) 836-5509 to access University personnel. It is necessary to dial '9' first,
if dialing from a campus telephone.
Education and Training
The Campus Safety & Parking Committee coordinates safety-related training opportunities
(e.g., fire extinguisher use, first aid, etc.) for members of the campus community.
Fire Drills
Missouri State-West Plains conducts fire drills annually in the campus residence hall
and periodically for the entire campus. The campus exercise is held in conjunction
with the National Fire Prevention Week. In the event of inclement weather, the exercise
is rescheduled to another date.
Hostile Persons
In the event a hostile person is encountered, persons should use their judgment by
immediately contacting their supervisor, the dean of student services, the West Plains
Police Department or by dialing 911. Individuals should not place themselves in danger
but remove themselves from the location/situation if needed.
Guidelines in the Event of Hostile Intruder(s)
The best deterrent to campus hostility is observation. Please help promote a campus
culture of watchfulness. If you know of or observe anything unusual—anything you believe
to be related to criminal activity or that has even the remote potential to lead to
life threatening behavior—please report it to a person of authority.
The guidelines described below cannot cover every possible situation that might occur
but they provide guidance that could reduce the scope of a campus crisis.
Hostile Intruder(s) on the Campus Grounds of the University
When a hostile person(s) is actively causing death or serious physical injury or the
threat of imminent death or serious physical injury to person(s) on the Missouri State
University-West Plains grounds, the University recommends that the following guidelines
be implemented:
- Run away from the threat if you can, as fast as you can. Do not run in a straight
line. Use vehicles, bushes, trees and other objects to block yourself from the view
of the intruder(s).
- If you can get away from the immediate area of danger, summon help and warn others.
- If you decide to hide, take into consideration the area in which you are hiding. Will
I be found here? Is this really a good spot to remain hidden?
- If the person(s) are causing death or serious physical injury to others and you are
unable to run or hide you may choose to play dead if other victims are around you.
- Your last option, if you are caught in an open area in a building, may be to fight
back. This is dangerous, but depending on your situation, this could be your last
option.
- If you are caught by the intruder(s) and are not going to fight back, obey all commands
and don’t look the intruder(s) in the eyes.
- Once the police arrive, obey all commands. This may involve you being handcuffed or
made to put your hands in the air. This is done for safety reasons and once circumstances
are evaluated by the police, they will give you further directions.
Hostile Intruder(s) in a Classroom or other University Building
When a hostile person(s) is actively causing death or serious bodily injury or the
threat of imminent death or serious bodily injury to person(s) within a Missouri State
University-West Plains building, the University recommends the following guidelines
be implemented.
- If possible, faculty should immediately lock or barricade the students and themselves
in the classroom. If possible, lock and/or cover any windows or openings that have
a direct line of sight into the hallway.
- If communication is available, call 911.
- Do not sound the fire alarm. A fire alarm would signal the occupants to evacuate the
building and, thus, place them in potential harm as they attempt to exit the building.
- Stay away from the windows.
- Turn off lights and audio equipment.
- Try to remain as calm as possible.
- Keep everyone together.
- Keep classrooms secure until police arrive and give you directions.
- If you are not in a classroom try to get to a classroom or an office.
- Stay out of open areas and be as quiet as possible.
- If for some reason you are caught in an open area such as a hallway or lounge you
must decide what you are going to do. This is a very crucial time and it can possibly
mean life or death.
- You can try to hide but make sure it is a well-hidden space or you may be found as
the intruder moves through the building looking for victims.
- If you think you can safely make it out of the building by running, then do so. If
you decide to run, do not run in a straight line. Attempt to keep objects such as
desks, cabinets, fixtures, etc. between you and the hostile person(s). Once outside,
do not run in a straight line. Use vehicles, bushes, trees and other objects to block
yourself from the view of the intruder(s). When away from the immediate area of danger,
summon help any way you can and warn others.
- If the person(s) are causing death or serious physical injury to others and you are
unable to run or hide, you may choose to play dead if other victims are around you.
- Your last option if you are caught in an open area in a building may be to fight back.
This is dangerous, but depending on your situation, this could be your last option.
- If you are caught by the intruder(s) and are not going to fight back, obey all commands
and don’t look the intruder(s) in the eyes.
- Once the police arrive, obey all commands. This may involve you being handcuffed,
or keeping your hands in the air. This is done for safety reasons and once circumstances
are evaluated by the police, they will give you further directions to follow.
While this guide refers primarily to classroom buildings, the guidelines are also
relevant to other University buildings on the campus.
Hostile Intruder(s) in a Residence Hall
When a hostile person(s) is actively causing deadly harm or the imminent threat of
deadly harm within the Missouri State University-West Plains residence hall, the University
recommends that the following guidelines be implemented:
- Lock yourself in your room.
- If communication is available, call 911.
- If away from your room, join others in a room that can be locked.
- Do not stay in the open hallway.
- Do not sound the fire alarm. A fire alarm would signal the occupants in the rooms
to evacuate the building and, thus, place them in potential harm as they attempt to
exit.
- Barricade yourself in your room with desks, beds, or anything you can push against
the door.
- Lock the windows and close the blinds.
- Stay away from the windows.
- Turn all lights and audio equipment off.
- Try to stay calm and be as quiet as possible.
- If for some reason you are caught in the open such as hallways or lounge areas, you
must decide what you are going to do. This is a very crucial time and can possibly
mean life or death depending on what actions you take.
- You can try to hide, but make sure it is a well hidden space or you may be found as
the intruder(s) moves through the residence hall looking for more victims.
- If you think you can safely make it out of the building by running, then do so. If
you decide to run, do not run in a straight line. Attempt to keep objects such as
desks, cabinets, fixtures, etc. between you and the hostile person(s). Once outside,
do not run in a straight line. Use vehicles, bushes, trees and other objects to block
yourself from the view of the intruder(s). When away from the immediate area of danger,
summon help any way you can and warn others.
- If the person(s) are causing death or serious physical injury to others and you are
unable to run and hide, you may choose to play dead if other victims are around you.
- The last option you have if you are caught in an open area in the residence hall may
be to fight back. This is dangerous, but depending on your situation this could be
your last option.
- If you are caught by the intruder(s) and are not going to fight back, obey all commands
and don’t look the intruder(s) in the eyes.
- Once the police arrive, obey all commands. This may involve you being handcuffed or
made to put your hands in the air. This is done for safety reasons and once circumstances
are evaluated by the police, they will give you further instructions to follow.
What to do if you are taken hostage:
- Be patient. Time is on your side. Avoid drastic action.
- The initial forty-five (45) minutes are the most dangerous. Follow instructions; be
alert and stay alive. The captor is emotionally unbalanced. Do not make mistakes which
could hazard your well-being.
- Do not speak unless spoken to, and then only when necessary. Do not talk down to the
captor who may be in an agitated state. Avoid appearing hostile. Do not look the captor directly in the eyes. Treat the captor like royalty.
- Try to rest. Avoid speculation. Comply with instructions as best as you can. Avoid
arguments. Expect the unexpected.
- Be observant. You may be released or be able to escape. The personal safety of others
may depend on your memory of the situation.
- Be prepared to answer the police on the phone. Be patient. Wait.
- Attempt to establish rapport with the captor. If medication, first aid or restroom
privileges are needed by anyone – say so. The captor, in all probability, does not
want to harm persons held by him or her.
- If the captor tries to cover your head with a bag, sack or other object, it has now
become necessary for you to fake an illness or faint.
Severe Weather Exercises
Missouri State-West Plains conducts at least one severe weather exercise annually.
All students, faculty, staff and campus visitors are asked to participate. The campus
exercise is held in conjunction with the Statewide Annual Severe Weather Exercise.
The City of West Plains also participates. In the event of inclement weather, the
exercise is rescheduled to another date.
Sex Offenders Lists
The Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains a comprehensive listing of registered
sex offenders who reside in the state of Missouri. The web page linked below provides
detailed information, including access to sex offenders lists categorized by name,
county and zip code. Other websites with offenders registries may be accessed through
the Highway Patrol site as well.
Sex Offenders Registries, Missouri State Highway Patrol
Terrorists Acts
In the event of acts of terror, persons should call 911 for assistance.
Vehicle Regulations
Parking permits are required for all University lots, day and evening, for the fall,
spring and summer semesters and intersessions. Parking on University property is a
privilege. Violation of the parking regulations may result in the loss of campus parking
privileges.
Use of the University’s parking lot facilities and/or receipt of a parking permit
constitute consent to and agreement with the University parking regulations and authorizes
University action as described herein.
Finding a legal parking space and displaying a valid permit is the responsibility
of the vehicle owner/operator. Registration of a vehicle and purchase of a parking
permit does not guarantee a space to park. Lack of space is not justification for violation of University parking regulations.
All students, faculty and staff utilizing University parking lots must display a valid
parking tag from the rear-view mirror of their vehicles. A parking tag will be given
to each Missouri State-West Plains student during the first week of classes at business
office. However, if additional tags are needed, they may be purchased from the business
office. Vehicles not displaying a tag will be regarded as being in violation, and
an appropriate ticket will be issued. Other members of the campus community must register
their vehicle(s) with the business office, Cass Hall, and obtain a parking tag. Office
hours are 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The telephone number is (417)
255-7260.
University personnel and students should not use private parking lots, except as permitted.
Vehicles should be parked in University parking lots or on public streets (in compliance
with city ordinances). Vehicles found in violation are subject to being towed at the
parking lot owner's discretion and the vehicle owner’s expense.
Visitor parking spaces are provided for University visitors only, and a visitor’s
permit must be obtained and displayed. Permits are available in the main administrative
offices of each campus building. Students and faculty will receive tickets if vehicles
are parked in a visitor parking space. Handicapped parking is available only for vehicles displaying handicap decals or license plates and valid campus parking
permits.
A ticket may be appealed to the coordinator of student life and development within
fifteen (15) calendar days of the ticket date on a form that is available from the
student services administrative assistant in Lybyer Enhanced Technology Center room
207, from the coordinator of student life and development in Putnam Student Center
or online at the Missouri State University-West Plains website. The coordinator of
student life and development will adjudicate all written appeals and will grant an
appeal when it is clearly justified. The decision of the coordinator of student life
and development will be final unless a second written appeal is submitted to the Parking
Appeals Committee within fifteen (15) days of the coordinator’s decision. The Parking
Appeals Committee will schedule a time and date for the person appealing to appear
before the Parking Appeals Committee and explain their appeal in person.
All fines are due and payable fifteen (15) calendar days from the date of denial of
the last appeal. Any questions about the appeals process should be directed to the
Campus Safety and Parking Committee through the student services administrative assistant
at (417) 255-7225.
