Resources for Current Residents
Need Assistance from Residence Life?
Contact us!
| Email address: | residencelife@shepherd.edu |
| Phone numbers: | 304-876-5172 |
| Locations: | Miller Hall, Lower Level |
| Hours: | Mondays – Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (Shepherd does close for various reasons. Please check our university calendar if you have questions.) Outside of above hours, please contact after hours number based on building below |
| After Hours: | Potomac Place: 304-671-0547 Shaw: 304-671-2072 Thacher: 304-671-2312 West Woods (the suites): 304-671-6967 Dunlop and Printz (the apartments): 304-671-4606 |
Frequent Questions and Resources
How to apply to live on campus for returning students
How to apply to live on campus for new students
Safety and Security
Main Desk Coverage
Each traditional hall and apartment building has a main desk. The desk serves as a security measure and is open from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday – Wednesday, and from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Thursday – Saturday. The desk is staffed by student employees known as Desk Assistants. Desk Assistants are trained student staff employed by Residence Life. All guests accompanied by a resident of that building are required to stop and register at the desk during hours of operation.
Residents of Dunlop and Printz hall apartments do not need to sign in guests. The hours for the apartments desk is 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday – Wednesday and from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Thursday – Saturday.
Learn More about becoming a Desk Assistant
Community Policing
Residence Life collaborates closely with officers of the Shepherd University Police in responding to and resolving incidents which occur in the residence halls; regular, confidential communication takes place between the two departments. In addition, officers of the Shepherd University Police may make unscheduled visits to residence halls and conduct regular walking tours in and around the exterior of buildings, to ensure no safety or security breaches exist. These rounds also provide officers and residents an opportunity to get to know each other better.
Learn More about Shepherd University Police Department
Theft and Renter’s Insurance
Shepherd University is not responsible for theft, damage, or loss of personal items belonging to residents. To prevent such occurrences, keep your door locked at all times, including when going to use bathroom facilities. It is suggested that residents do not keep large sums of money or expensive items in their rooms. If you do choose to keep such valuables in your room, it is highly recommended that you purchase insurance.
Electronic Lock System
Students use their Rambler for Residence Hall access. For the outside of the buildings, the students must swipe their Ramblers for the front doors to open. On the inside of the buildings, students must dip their Ramblers in to our battery operated locks located on the front of each door to gain access to their rooms/suites/apartments. If you are experiencing problems with your access, please contact a staff member.
Emergency and Evacuation Protcol
Fire Alarm
When the fire alarm sounds in your building proceed to the nearest exit or follow posted emergency exit plans. Proceed to a designated assembly area as indicated by a Residence Life staff member. Keep streets, fire lanes, hydrant areas, and walkways clear for emergency response vehicles and personnel.
Fire Emergency
Residence Life addresses fire safety for its residents through regular maintenance, routine fire drills, and educational programs. Each residence hall conducts regular fire drills for all residents; these drills provide an opportunity to ensure that fire warning systems are functioning properly and that residents know the appropriate evacuation routes. In addition to these fire drills, residence hall staff conduct weekly checks of all fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment, ensuring that these lifesaving tools are fully charged and functional.
In case of fire:
- Sound the alarm. Yell “fire!” repeatedly. As you leave the building, activate the nearest fire alarm pull station.
- Evacuate the building quickly. Use the nearest exit or follow posted emergency exit plans, and proceed to the designated gathering place.
- If the door to your room feels hot, do not open it. Keep the door closed, place wet towels at the bottom of the door, if possible, to prevent smoke from entering. Call 9-911 for help; if the phone system is not working, yell out the window for help. Remain in your room and wait for assistance.
- If the hallway is filled with smoke, drop low to the ground, cover your nose and mouth with a damp cloth if possible, and crawl quickly to the nearest exit. If the smoke is overwhelming or fills the entire hallway, return to and remain in your room, following the procedures above.
- Call 9-1-1 from a safe place for emergency response services. Provide your name, phone number, and exact building location.
- Call the Shepherd University Police at 304-876-5202. The responding officer will be responsible for directing traffic and communicating with fire and ambulance personnel.
- Under no circumstances are residents or staff to reenter the building until the responding Fire Chief or law enforcement officer has indicated that it is safe to do so.
Medical Emergency
For medical or mental health emergencies, students are strongly encouraged to call 911 immediately for emergency transport services, and then notify a residence hall staff member for support. Residence Life staff are trained to follow strict protocols in emergency situations. Due to liability and insurance limitations, please note that providers from the campus Health Services are not able to respond to medical emergencies outside of the Health Services facility. In cases where a student’s life may be in danger, staff of Residence Life or a Shepherd University Police Officer may contact individuals listed on the student’s emergency contact information card. Please note that Shepherd University is not responsible for the costs of any emergency transport services or medical care incurred by a student.
Evacuation Protcols
An evacuation protocol exists in the event that a residence hall must be evacuated for an extended period of time. The evacuations of buildings are rare occurrences, but understanding what each person needs to do provides a mechanism for a smoother transition during an emergency.
The following are things you need to know to assist with a smooth evacuation:
- In any given situation where a building is deemed uninhabitable for an extended period of time by the Director of Facilities, ranking officer of Campus Police, Director of Residence Life and/or Shepherdstown Fire Department member, the occupants/residents will need to be evacuated.
- When a building must be evacuated, follow the directives of campus officials including those from Campus Police, Student Affairs, Residence Life, and Facilities Management. In many cases, the Shepherdstown Fire Department will also be providing directives. The fire department is in charge when on the scene of an incident.
- Report and head directly to the Student Center Storer Ballroom to check in with full-time staff and to receive additional information and directions. You are not required to stay in the Student Center after you have identified yourself and your plans while your building is evacuated.
- The University’s main extension (304-876-5000) will have a brief message notifying callers of the incident and to report to the Student Center Storer Ballroom for updated information and assistance.
- The Student Center will have telephone lines and some staff will have cell phones for students to contact parents/emergency contact, if necessary.
- Should the Dining Hall be evacuated and uninhabitable, food service will be operational in the Student Center only.
- Staff in the Student Center will keep students and others abreast of the situation and students will be notified when the building has been cleared for re-entry.