Safety and Security

The residence hall community is home to thousands of students. It is important for residents to be safe and secure in the residence halls. All community members must be actively involved with creating a safe and secure environment, so all students can focus on academic success and building lasting friendships.

Confidentiality of Student Records

Directory information pertaining to students of Northern Illinois University is never knowingly provided to any requester for a commercial purpose. The Registration and Records Office at Northern Illinois University strictly adheres to the policies governing students’ education records under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 as amended in 1998. Registration and Records maintains a strict policy of releasing student information to only University officials who have a legitimate, university-related educational or administrative interest and need to review an education record in order to fulfill their professional responsibility. Any individual who does not want the foregoing information publicly disclosed shall so inform the Director of Registration and Records, Williston Hall 220, in writing. Please note that students must be currently enrolled to request nondisclosure of their directory information. If you request that no directory information be released, any business you wish to conduct at NIU must be done in person with proper identification. Information will not be provided to you over the phone or via e-mail. For more information about protecting your information and records contact the Office of Registration and Records.

Building and Lobby Security

Residents must not prop open floor doors or outside doors.
The main entrance and all outside doors to each building are secured from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. each night. During this time, exterior doors will be locked, building access will be restricted, and proper identification of all residents and their guests will be required. In addition to front desk staff, Access Control will also provide security during the night.
At certain times, such as during University breaks and special events, the main entrances may remain locked 24 hours a day.

Room Security

Residents are expected to lock their rooms and carry their keys with them whenever they are not in their rooms.
Engaging in acts that may endanger the safety of others (e.g., pennying/blocking a person in a room, dangerous “pranks,” etc.) is prohibited.

Appropriate Window Usage

Entry and/or exit from residence hall windows is prohibited.
No object should be thrown, released, or dropped from the window.
Window screens are not to be removed.
Windows should be closed when residents are not in the room or during harsh weather conditions. Residents are responsible for damage to the room or personal property caused by an open window. The damage and cleaning costs may not necessarily be limited to a single room, hallway, or floor.
Nothing (including antennas, food, or cables) is to be hung from or placed on window sills or ledges.

Misuse of Keys

Residents shall not:

Relinquish possession of one’s room key to another person.
Have possession of a residence hall room key not issued by the University.
Allow one’s room key to be duplicated or modified.
Use a key to gain entry to a floor other than one’s current building or residence.

Lost or Stolen Key

If residents are locked out of their rooms:

They may request a loan key at the main desk – the key may be kept a maximum of 1 hour as a loan key. If the key is kept past one hour, it will be reclassified as a "temporary key" and a $30 charge will apply.
Staff will confirm a resident’s identity using a picture ID or OneCard before issuing a key.
After the first courtesy transaction, residents are charged whether they are issued a replacement key or escorted to their rooms. If residents are locked out four or more times, they may be referred to a staff member for consultation and disciplinary sanctions may be assessed.

Temporarily Lost or Misplaced Key

If residents are loked out of their rooms:

A resident has seven days from the date and time of key checkout to return the temporary key. If the resident does not return the temporary key within the allotted seven days, the resident is charged for a key core change.
On the second temporary key checkout and thereafter, the resident may be referred to a staff member and possible disciplinary sanctions may be assessed.

Annual Lockout Charges and Referrals:

1st time only- no charge
2nd time - $10.00
3rd time - $20.00
4th time and thereafter – $30.00 for each loss and referral to staff, possible disciplinary sanctions

Temporary Key Charges and Referrals:

1st time - $30.00
2nd time and thereafter - $30.00 and referral to staff, possible disciplinary sanctions.

Bent or Broken Key

No Charge

Dropping Key(s) Down Elevator Shaft

There is no guarantee that elevator personnel will find your keys during the search; however, charges for looking in the elevator shaft still apply.

Labor Costs

Scheduled elevator Shaft Search
(typically scheduled near beginning of the month):
Residents must check out a temporary key, which is issued for seven days, and will be charged the temporary key fee. There is no charge for elevator personnel to search for keys as searches will be done during scheduled pit search times.

Immediate Elevator Shaft Search
(Mon. – Fri. 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.):
Resident is charged current labor rate for elevator personnel to check pit during non-scheduled dates. Minimum of $55.42 and subject to overtime charges when work extends beyond regular workday.

Lost or Stolen OneCard

If your NIU OneCard is lost or stolen, it should be suspended immediately to prevent any possible misusage. A OneCard may be suspended by the following methods:

Online - Suspend your OneCard on Blackboard. Logon to Blackboard and click the "myOneCard" tab.
Call the OneCard ID Office at (815) 753-9569 during regular business hours.
Contact the NIUPolice at (815) 753-1212 during OneCard non-business hours.

Note: If you had TCF Bank/ATM privileges attached to your OneCard, you will need to contact TCF Bank at (815) 753-9363 to have that card function suspended.

To reactivate a suspended OneCard, you must bring it in to the OneCard Office. A OneCard cannot be reactivated online or over the phone. There is no charge to reinstate a recovered OneCard, but there is a $20.00 charge to replace a lost/stolen card.

Temporary cards are available at any Residential Dining unit office and are for use by residence hall students only. The temporary card allows the student to access Huskie Bucks, dining plans, door access, and access to the Recreation Center. Temporary cards are issued free of charge up to twice a semester. There is a $10.00 charge for each additional card. Temporary cards are issued for a maximum of 48 hours. There is a $10.00 charge for any misplaced or unreturned temporary card. When a temporary card is issued, it suspends the use of the student’s lost OneCard.

Room entry/Room Inspection

Residence halls are the property of the State of Illinois under the control of the NIU Board of Trustees. Responsibility for immediate supervision belongs to Northern Illinois University. It is the policy of the University to ensure students’ privacy in their residence hall rooms consistent with its basic responsibilities to fulfill its educational functions and to conduct its day-to-day operations. The responsibilities of the University require the reservation of a reasonable right of entry into student rooms to assure proper upkeep, to paint, to repair, to provide for the health and safety of residents, and/or to investigate when a reasonable cause exists to believe that a violation of residence hall or other University regulations is occurring in student rooms.

Room Inspection by Residence Hall Staff

Residence hall staff will enter student rooms for room inspection under the following circumstances:

In connection with routinely scheduled room inspection as provided in the room contract.

To ascertain damage or conditions potentially harmful to the safety of a University residence hall and the health of residents.
During University breaks and at other times to be determined by the hall management staff.
As a part of scheduled semester safety inspections, residence hall staff will check for safety hazards including:

Non-polarized extension cords
Non-UL approved equipment
Multiple outlets without circuit breakers
Microwave/refrigerator unit installed improperly
Use of non-metal trash cans
Decorations inconsistent with fire safety guidelines, etc.
Clearly observable room damage
Unauthorized furnishings
Obvious violations of University policy
Candles with burned wicks

Repairs and inspections by Physical Plant, Residential Facilities, and Telecommunication Technicians.
Residents are not authorized to refuse repairs or core changes. Physical Plant workers and NIUTEL technicians do not need permission to enter residents’ rooms; however, efforts will be made to notify residents before entry.
Residential facilities may enter rooms for:

Facility-related issues
Room inspection
Coordination of repairs and safety issues
Furniture inventory
To recover University property that has been removed (without permission) from an assigned location
Other tasks as required

Entry by Residence Hall Staff for Purposes Other than Room Inspection

Residence hall staff may enter a room:

When there is a clear or apparent emergency, such as a fire, serious illness or injury, or when persons or property are in danger.
When a member of the residence hall staff has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of residence hall or other University regulations is occurring in that room.
At the request or invitation of the resident of the room. Residence hall staff may not enter a room without knocking (except under the circumstances stated previously) and may not enter to search the resident’s belongings not in plain view.

Entry into Resident Rooms by Other Students

Students may enter the rooms of other residents only at the invitation of, or with written permission of, a resident of that room.

Students are not authorized to be in residence during times not covered by their residence hall contract (e.g., University-designated vacation periods).

Entry and/or Search by University Police

Entry and search of residence hall student rooms by University police officers shall be conducted within the boundaries of law. It is the policy of the University that University police officers will neither enter nor search residence hall student rooms under University management except as follows:

Entry permitted by policy: A University police officer or other agent of the University may enter a room where there is a clear or apparent emergency, such as fire, serious illness or injury, or where danger threatens persons or property.
Entry permitted by law: A University police officer may enter a room under one or more of the following circumstances:

With a warrant for arrest or search.
With permission of the resident. If two or more students occupy a room, it shall be understood that, when feasible, permission will be obtained from all residents of the room.
In pursuit of an individual who has been observed committing a crime, or if a crime has been committed, and the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the occupant committed such crime.
When the officer has probable cause for belief that a crime is being committed.

Search permitted by law: A University police officer may search a room under one or more of the following circumstances:

With a search warrant.
When it is the area incidental to an arrest.
When the officer has probable cause for belief that a crime is being committed.
With permission of the resident (or, if more than one, all residents).

It is the policy of the University that an officer will explain to the residents their rights to resist such a search.

Electrical Equipment and Applicances

Due to the current residential room electrical configuration, a maximum of 8 amps should be used per electrical outlet in a student room.

Typically acceptable appliances (UL approved) include: computers, TVs, CD players, DVD players, stereos, razors, fans, etc. Some hairdryers/curling irons may require additional power and need to be used in the public area bathrooms rather than individual resident rooms to avoid tripping circuit breakers.
Use surge protectors/power strips for all electronics, particularly computers, televisions, DVD players, gaming systems, stereo equipment, and clock radios. Lightweight extension cords and multiple outlet plugs without surge protectors create a safety hazard and are prohibited.
Personal routers and/or wireless access points are prohibited. Unmanaged switches can be used to connect more than one device in a room. If personal wireless routers are detected on the network, ITS will either block the IP or MAC address of the router, or block the entire port in the room. The student will then be contacted by ResTech staff, the NIU Abuse Investigator, or network engineers (depending on the severity and time of day).
Open-ended heating elements and electrical appliances that may pose a fire hazard, such as hot plates, hot pots, electric or contact grills, and space heaters are prohibited. Electrical appliances with an enclosed heating element are permitted in the halls (i.e., popcorn makers) when used under continual supervision.
Every room is furnished with a microwave/refrigerator unit. Other microwave ovens and refrigerators are not allowed.
Personal/room air conditioners may not be brought into the hall or installed in resident rooms.

Prohibited Items

Items that create danger to persons, damage to University property, a fire/safety hazard, and/or a public nuisance must not be used, possessed, or stored in residence halls (including student rooms). These include:

Internal combustion engines, acids, automobile batteries, gasoline, torches, and halogen desk lamps.
Weightlifting equipment.
Musical instruments equipped with amplifiers, and other instruments that carry sound beyond the confines of resident rooms may be used only in designated areas of residence halls.
Animals, birds, amphibians or pets of any kind (exception: qualified service animals for individuals with disabilities). Fish are welcome to live with us.
Substances from which potentially offensive/overpowering odors emanate (heavy perfumes, room scents, potpourri, sports/camping equipment, etc.).
Charcoal and fire starter materials. Residents may store grills (but not combustible fuels) in their rooms, but may not use them indoors. Barbecue grills must be located at least 100 feet from any campus building when in use.
Bicycle racks are available outside of residence halls. Bicycles may not be parked anywhere inside a residence hall except in the resident’s room with the agreement of the resident’s roommate.

Fire Safety

Participation in fire drills is mandatory. Failure to evacuate the building during a fire alarm will result in disciplinary action.

Fire Safety Equipment

Smoke detectors and sprinkler heads are fire safety equipment, and residents are strictly prohibited from:

Disconnecting a detector covering
Tampering with the detector or its functioning in any way.
Purposely causing an alarm to occur.
Hanging objects from or otherwise obstructing the sprinkler head cover plates and pipes.

Tampering with fire safety equipment (which includes but is not limited to sprinkler heads, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and pull stations) subjects the violator to a $50 fine, University disciplinary action, and additional charges for any resulting repairs including a $100 charge if city fire trucks are called unnecessarily.
Residents should test their smoke detectors each month by pushing the button.
Disconnecting a smoke detector, failure to report its malfunctioning (including failure to observe that the light is on or not flashing), or other negligence subjects residents of that room not only to judicial charges but also to civil charges and, in the event of fire, payment for related damages to the building and the persons and property of others.

Residence Hall Smoking Policy

No smoke is allowed, including that created by cigarettes, cigars, pipes, candles, or incense.
Smoking is not permitted inside any residence hall building, including student rooms, hallways, bathrooms, elevators, lounges, dining areas, and other public spaces.
No smoking is permitted within 15 feet of, or next to, any door entrances, windows or vents.