TONER STUDENT CENTER 103 – Ext. 1703
General Information
Saint Mary’s University Department of Campus Safety makes every effort to ensure and maintain a safe and comfortable living environment for all persons associated with the campus. Campus Safety personnel are available 24 hours a day to assist in emergencies, provide campus escorts, and enforce regulations detailed in the Online Handbookand parking policy. They also patrol all administrative and residence halls to maintain security at all times. Anyone needing immediate assistance should contact the switchboard by dialing “511” from any on-campus phone.
All students are encouraged to exercise safety by locking personal living areas and reporting strangers to Campus Safety or hall staff. When appropriate, Campus Safety personnel will request a valid student I.D. from the person(s) in question. This procedure is a safety measure that minimizes illegal access to areas on campus and deters potential problems from developing. Please note: Campus Safety personnel will not unlock any secured area on campus without the permission of the person overseeing that area (i.e., computer center, post office, living area etc.).
Campus Escorts
For added safety, an on-campus escort service is available every day, dusk until dawn, Monday through Friday and throughout the weekend. Contact the Department of Campus Safety at Ext. 1703 to request a ride or to receive more information.
Theft Reports
Whenever a theft occurs, it is extremely important to notify a university administrator as soon as possible in order for an investigation to begin. Campus Safety personnel are trained to ask appropriate questions and to suggest how to prevent future criminal mishaps from occurring.
Saint Mary’s University is not responsible for the loss of personal property. Locking your door and keeping bags and backpacks with you is the best way to prevent theft.
Disruptive Sports Activities
Hitting golf balls on campus is not allowed because of the risk it presents to public safety, property damage, and of lawn mowing equipment.
Sports and other disruptive activities are never allowed in hallways or lounges of residence halls. This includes the use of all athletic equipment. Out of consideration to those traveling between buildings in the plaza, and out of the high risk for window breakage in surrounding buildings, sports may not be played in the plaza area. Riding scooters, rollerblading, biking and skateboarding are not permitted in the hallways or lobbies of any building on campus. As necessary, hall staff members may decide to confiscate inappropriate items and/or equipment.
Weekend Shuttle
The City of Winona, Winona State University and Saint Mary’s University work together on a weekend shuttle system to provide a safe and convenient way for students to get to and from downtown Winona and their respective campuses.
Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act
In September of each year Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota provides a campus security report to all students and employees. This report is in compliance with the Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act of 1990. It states information regarding campus security policies and safety programs. The report also lists the number of serious crimes that occur on the campus and discloses the number of arrests for liquor law violations, drug abuse violations and weapons possessions. Additional information is available by contacting the vice president for student development.
Parking Ticket Appeals
All appeals must be made in writing within 10 days of issuance of the parking citation. Once a decision of the appeal is made the student will be contacted via e-mail. For more information please refer to the Parking Policy available at the Office of Campus Safety.
Campus Crime Statistics
Campus Crime Statistics are available to anyone interested in reviewing them. These statistics are available on the Campus Safety website and in the Office of Campus Safety.
Authorized Entry of Rooms
Campus Safety officers who enter rooms will identify themselves to the occupants. If someone attempts to enter your room without identifying themselves, or identifies themselves as “Campus Safety” but does not have a uniform or badge, do not let them in, and call “511” for emergency assistance.
Campus Safety officers are authorized to enter any university space, including student residence rooms, and may conduct searches and may seize evidence or property as outlined below:
- Officers may enter and search rooms or offices if the student, staff, or faculty member consents to the search of his or her room or office.
- Officers may enter and search any vehicle on campus if an officer has a reasonable suspicion to believe that the vehicle has been involved in a crime. An officer may also enter a vehicle to ascertain ownership of the vehicle for the purposes of notifying the owner of a parking-related situation.
- Officers may conduct a search of a room or office, as stated in the Online Handbook, if there is a reasonable suspicion that a violation of a university rule has been or is being conducted within the room or office.
- Officers may enter and search a room if demanding circumstances exist where the life safety of an individual or the property of the university may be at risk.
Fire Safety
Fire Safety Equipment
Person(s) with the intention to abuse fire equipment can seriously jeopardize the safety of the community. It is university policy that no individuals tamper with smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, or other emergency equipment. Tampering with fire safety equipment carries a criminal penalty of $700.00 and/or 90 days in jail and will also result in the imposition of a university sanction.
Fire Alarm Procedure
A fire can occur at any time of the day or night and can be extremely dangerous, therefore, it is very important to act appropriately whenever an alarm is sounded. The following outlines a procedure that is designed to expedite evacuation of the alarmed building, thus minimizing serious accidents:
- If an alarm is activated, everyone must leave the building immediately!
- Close doors behind you in order to prevent the spread of fire.
- Everyone should move quickly and gather at least 50 feet from the building which will provide unblocked passageways for emergency personnel.
- Campus Safety personnel will arrive shortly to check rooms/offices and will ensure complete vacancy of the alarmed building. They will also identify the cause of the alarm and notify the fire department.
- When the fire department arrives, it will implement appropriate action in order to ensure that the safety of the community is regained.
- Once the alarm has been deactivated, re-entry into the building will be permitted.
Campus Parking Regulations
General Information
The ability to park and drive on campus is a privilege, extended by the university, to persons who demonstrate a valid need to park and drive on campus. This privilege can and will be revoked for abuse or repetitive violations. The campus roadways and parking system are used on a constant basis by the community and visitors. Pedestrian traffic and roadway safety are a primary concern of the university. The Department of Campus Safety has created several traffic and parking regulations that all drivers are expected to follow. Below are highlights of the current parking and traffic policies. A copy of parking regulations may be obtained at the campus safety desk in the Toner Student Center.
Parking Permits
In order to regulate vehicle traffic, all motorized vehicles are required to display a current permit. Permits are issued online via webtools following these steps:
- Go to webtools.smumn.edu
- Under the “Financial” column on the right hand side, click on “Parking Tickets/Parking Registration” and submit your ID number.
- Scroll down to “Register a Vehicle” on the left hand side of the page.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and enter your vehicle information.
Parking permits are billed directly to your student account. Parking permits are processed by the Office of Campus Safety and are sent to your campus mailbox within 1 to 2 business days.
Resident Student Parking
There are a number of designated parking lots and stalls that are available for student vehicles. The following lists some of these lots: east of Performance Center, west of Saint Joseph’s Hall, south of Saint Edward’s Hall, west of Watters Hall, east side of the Ice Arena and the New Village and Ek Family Village lots. Due to the high volume of traffic on campus, drivers are encouraged to leave their vehicles at home whenever possible.
Commuter Student Parking
Commuter students are assigned to a specific lot. Because of the increasing number of commuter students, there are times when the commuter lot is full. When the brown lot is full, commuters must park in the day lot near the baseball field.
Faculty and Staff Parking
There are a number of parking lots and spaces designated for faculty and staff on campus. The following lots are for faculty/staff parking ONLY: east of Hoffman Hall, Chapel Row, north of La Salle Hall, east of Heffron Hall, and the north side of Gostomski Fieldhouse. In addition to these lots there
are a number of faculty/staff spots in lots around campus.
Traffic Enforcement
Individuals who park vehicles illegally will be ticketed, towed, and/or wheel-cuffed. Campus Safety personnel reserves the right to enter a vehicle to ascertain its ownership or to confiscate illegal objects. Drivers are expected to stop their vehicle if indicated to do so by Campus Safety officers. Repeated traffic violations will result in the suspension and/or revocation of driving privileges on campus.
Drunk driving is a serious concern in today’s society. The university does not tolerate nor condone driving while under the influence of any substance. Campus Safety officers work with the Winona Police to stop and arrest drivers they believe to be driving under the influence. If arrested for DUI while on campus, a driver will have his or her driving privileges suspended.
Appeals of Traffic/Parking Violations
SMU community members who wish to appeal a parking ticket must do so within two business days of receiving the ticket. All appeals must be made in e-mail form to studentdev@smumn.edu. Appeals attempted after two business days from the issue date of the ticket will not be considered and must be paid in full to the Student Services windows.
Academic Breaks
All vehicles left on campus over break must be parked in Saint Yon’s Hall lot. Owners of vehicles remaining on campus are responsible for moving their vehicles in accordance with the snow removal policy. All unregistered vehicles will be towed at owner’s expense.
Snow Removal Policy
During the winter months all parking lots on campus are completely cleared of snow after a snowfall.
Snow removal procedures are outlined in a snow removal handout distributed in October.
Special Circumstances
• When a vehicle cannot be moved due to mechanical problems, it is the owner’s responsibility to make arrangements to move the vehicle. Vehicles that are not moved will be towed to the lower road during a snow emergency and assessed a $50.00 snow removal ticket.
• Students who must leave their vehicle for more than 24 hours must notify Campus Safety. Students must register their vehicle and park where they are instructed. Vehicles not moved are subject to towing.
• Faculty and staff anticipating leaving their vehicles for more than 24 hours must notify Campus Safety and park in Chapel Row (narrow strip between Saint Thomas More Chapel and Adducci Science Center).
• The snow removal policy will be enforced seven days a week during the winter months. Vehicle owners will NOT be reminded to move their vehicles.
• Student vehicles are not allowed in faculty staff parking lots after 1:00 a.m. seven days a week from November 1 to April 1. Vehicles left in faculty staff lots will be ticketed. If it snows, those vehicles will be ticketed and towed.
Snow Phone
Call Ext. 1600, then dial 51 to receive accurate information on whether or not the snow removal policy is currently in effect. Students who live off-campus will be responsible for checking as to whether or not the snow removal policy is in effect. An off-campus student may dial 457-1600 to receive the information.
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