TITLE IX AND CAMPUS SAFETY
It is a top priority to make sure the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School community is healthy and safe. Please go to CORONAVIRUS UPDATE or TITLE IX INFORMATION for more details.
Annual Campus Security and Crime Report
Many of the Law School's safety policies and procedures as well as detailed information about safety and crime activity around its campuses can be found in the Annual Campus Security and Crime Report, which is filed with the U.S. Department of Education.
Reporting Emergencies
Any life-threatening emergency is to be reported to local authorities by dialing 911. All students, faculty and staff are required to immediately report criminal actions or other emergencies which occur on Law School property to the Building Access Control Officer or WMU-Cooley Law School personnel.
A school official will complete the appropriate incident report form to be delivered to the Director of Safety and Environmental Services and others as appropriate. Information concerning victims of a crime or bystanders reporting crimes will generally be kept confidential. You may also speak to Campus Associate Deans, Campus Assistant Deans, the VP of Operations & Finance, or the Associate Dean of Students & Professionalism. Contact information can be retrieved through our directory or by contacting the switchboard operator. Criminal information will be documented through Access Control.
Harassment, Sexual Assault, and Domestic Violence Policies
The law school has a comprehensive plan for addressing reports of Harassment, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Prevention and Response. Read the Harassment, Sexual Assault, and Domestic Violence Policies
Notifications of a Closing, an Emergency or a Disaster
WMU-Cooley has a variety of methods to provide emergency, disaster, and weather closing information to students, employees, and the public.
Hurricane Safety
When the National Weather Service issues a hurricane watch or warning, take the following precautions:
- At least 48 hours before landfall, secure all valuables and important items.
- If the local authorities do not require an evacuation, prepare for possible flooding and wind damage. Avoid areas with windows and doors that lead directly to the outside.
- If the local authorities do require an evacuation, leave area following designated state routes.
- Notify Access Control of any problems.
Local Media
The Associate Deans coordinate notifications to major radio and television stations and other media outlets as warranted in the event of campus closings, emergencies, or disasters. Because circumstances may be unique to each campus, WMU-Cooley students and employees should monitor the following stations:
Lansing:
- WILX-TV 10
- FOX-TV 47
Tampa Bay:
- WTSP TV
- WTVT TV
- WFLA TV & web
- WHNZ Radio
- WGUL
Telephone from WMU-Cooley to Internal Voice Mailboxes
A system-wide message may be placed to the telephone voice mailbox of all WMU-Cooley telephone extensions in appropriate circumstances.
Telephone to WMU-Cooley: The Auto-Attendant
The following telephone numbers may provide a pre-recorded message about weather closings, emergencies or disasters on campus:
- Lansing: (517) 371-5140
- Tampa: (813) 419-5100
Warning Sirens
The National Weather Service warning sirens located in the communities surrounding WMU-Cooley’s campuses will sound in the event of a tornado warning. The sirens are tested on the first Friday or Saturday of most months, at noon or 1:00 pm, depending upon the community.
Building Evacuation Alarms
WMU-Cooley’s buildings have an evacuation alarm, as well as a voice PA system by which instructions can be given by Building Operations and Access Control.
WMU-Cooley Web Site and Cooley Connect Portal
The Law School may post to the public website and to the internal Cooley Connect portal for students and employees pertinent information and instructions in the event of a closing, emergency, or disaster.
E-mail Transmission
A mass e-mail may be sent to the WMU-Cooley campus community with pertinent closing, emergency, or disaster information or instructions.
Text Notification System
WMU-Cooley has a third-party notification system, Blackboard Connect, to send a mass text notification to students and staff. All students and staff should make sure they have properly registered to use this system by signing on to the Blackboard Connect link found on the Cooley Connect portal.
Emergency Response and Evacuation Testing Procedures
WMU-Cooley’s Emergency Procedures designate responsibility for responding to and reporting an emergency. Cooley has a plan for evacuation or sheltering, as the case may be, and for notifying and assisting public service personnel (police, fire, etc.) if an emergency occurs. Designated members of WMU-Cooley’s Operations Department and its Access Control Officers have training on how to implement the evacuation and sheltering plans.
Evacuation and sheltering drills are conducted routinely, typically without prior notice to students, faculty, and staff. All persons inside WMU-Cooley buildings are expected to comply with alarms sounded during drills. Certain Cooley employees and Access Control Officers are assigned specific duties to make sure floors are cleared, the locations of persons with disabilities are noted, and other similar duties.
Your first priority is to make sure you are safe.
Evacuation and Sheltering Procedures
People are responsible for their own safety and should familiarize themselves with the following building evacuation and sheltering procedures and the location of designated shelter areas as posted in each building.
Tornado/Severe Weather Alarm
When a Severe Weather Warning alarm sounds, take the following precautions:
- Do not use elevator.
- Do not attempt to exit the building.
- Evacuate to the nearest designated shelter area.
- Avoid areas with windows and doors that lead directly to the outside.
- If possible, assist people with mobility difficulty.
Fire Alarm
When a fire alarm sounds, take the following precautions:
- Exit the building promptly and in an orderly manner by using the stairways only.
- Once outside the building, move away from building.
- If possible, assist people with mobility difficulty to a fire safe stairwell (not applicable in Tampa).
- Report the location of the individual to the Access Control.
- Do not use elevators in an emergency (not applicable in Tampa).