CSU is a campus of 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students seeking degrees from the university’s 19 different departments. CSU’s main campus is located on 130 acres in Central City. The university has a marine biology research station on Columbia Bay (Gish Island). The university has six branch campuses—Tower Beach in Stramford County, Zurich in Green County, Clifton in Kane County, Jamestown in Granite County, Stockville in Pine County, and Kent in Grand County.

CSU has 525 full-time and 160 part-time faculty members. Students come from 48 States and from 15 foreign countries. There are 651 international students. Typically, 58% of the students are female and 42% are male. CSU is a selective admissions university that has 29 master’s degree programs and five post master’s degree programs. CSU employs 1,550 local citizens and, through spending, sustains more than 12,000 individuals in the Columbia area.

Campus safety and security is provided by the university’s police department. Its mission is to provide a safe environment through sensitive, measured approaches to all situations requiring police assistance in support of the mission of the university and Student Affairs. University police officers are sworn peace officers of the State of Columbia. These officers have full police authority to include the carrying of concealed weapons, effecting arrests on and off campus, and investigating campus related crimes to include the entire State of Columbia. The department employs approximately 40 officers and operates 24 hours a day throughout the year.

The university has a full-service Facilities Management Services department that maintains all major utilities on campus (electric, gas and water) and employs a skilled trades staff that can handle most maintenance and repairs in-house. They are also responsible for landscaping and maintain campus roads and walkways. For capital projects they have an architect/civil engineer on staff. Custodial Services also reports up through facilities, but those members are contracted employees from McGillicutty Facilities Services, LLC.

Roughly one-half of the students live on campus in 14 residence hall, 8 fraternity houses, and 6 sorority houses. The remaining students are commuters who live in the Liberty County/Central City area.

CSU is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1-A. The CSU Warhawks field teams in nine men’s and women’s sports, including women’s basketball under Coach McLaughlin. The Warhawks are the NCAA Division 1-A champions.

Location on Map

Name

Stories

Department or Use

Address

1

JC Miller Hall

4

Physics3565 30th Street

2

Student Union

4

Student Activities3580 30th Street

3

Alden

4

Library3620 30th Street

4

Memorial Auditorium

1

Cultural Events3580 31st Street

6

Bunsen Hall

4

Chemistry3765 29th Street

8

Brown Hall

4

Math2945 MM Street

10

Young Hall

4

Psychology/Biology3760 30th Street

12

Meyer Hall

4

Computer Center2940 LL Street

14

Martin Hall

4

Engineering3745 30th Street

16

Laye Hall

2

Infirmary3045 MM Street

18

Meehan Hall

4

Political Science3740 31st Street

20

Cassidy Hall

4

Business3040 LL Street

21

Smith Hall

4

English3085 LL Street

22

Mager Hall

4

Education3600 31st Street

23

Barbee Hall

4

Geology3005 LL Street

24

Vogel Hall

4

Art3645 30th Street

25

Fowler Communications

6

Journalism Communications (WCSU TV and Radio)3080 JJ Street

26

CSU Chapel

4

Religious Services3000 JJ Street

27

Barrymore Hall

4

Theater/Dance2980 JJ Street

28

Walters Hall

4

Philosophy/Sociology2900 JJ Street

29

Harris Hall

4

Administration3605 29th Street

30

Cleese Hall

4

Foreign Language2905 LL Street

31

Willie Nelson Auditorium

4

Music2985 LL Street

38

Hogan Hall

3

Health and Recreation Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)2860 JJ Street

52

Hillel House

2

Visitors3080 MM Street

58

Gravin Medical Tower

6

Medical University3400 31st Street

59

Ground Maintenance

1

Ground MaintenanceJJ Street Between 31st Street & 32nd Street

Table Q.5. Columbia State University Campus Buildings

Location on Map

Name

Stories

Number of Students

Address

5

Casper Hall

6

400

2900 LL Street

7

Robert Hall

6

450

2905 MM Street

9

Monty Hall

6

400

2985 MM Street

11

Bryan Hall

6

450

2980 LL Street

13

Chamberlin Hall

6

400

3000 LL Street

15

Yount Hall

6

450

3005 MM Street

17

Van Deusen Hall

6

400

3085 MM Street

19

Petrak Hall

6

450

3080 LL Street

35

Baker Hall

4

300

2880 II Street

36

Tudor Hall

4

300

3480 29th Street

53

Howard Hall

8

600

3500 32nd Street

54

Williams Hall

8

600

3580 32nd Street

55

Fluman Hall

4

600

3600 32nd Street

56

Schwartz Hall

8

600

3680 32nd Street

Table Q.6. Columbia State University Residential Housing

Location on Map

Name

Stories

Number of Students

Address

37

Alpha Chi Ro

3

75

2880 JJ Street

39

Phi Delta Theta

4

100

2820 JJ Street

42

Theta Chi

3

75

2825 KK Street

43

Sigma Chi

4

100

2865 KK Street

45

Sigma Nu

3

75

2880 KK Street

46

Phi Kappa Psi

3

75

2860 KK Street

47

Lambda Chi Alpha

4

100

2820 KK Street

50

Delta Tau Delta

4

100

2865 LL Street

Table Q.7. Columbia State University Fraternity Housing

Location on Map

Name

Stories

Number of Students

Address

40

Delta Delta Delta

4

100

2800 JJ Street

41

Alpha Delta Pi

3

75

2805 KK Street

44

Sigma Sigma Sigma

4

100

2885 KK Street

48

Chi Omega

4

100

2800 KK Street

49

Phi Mu

3

75

2825 LL Street

51

Delta Gamma

4

100

2885 LL Street

Table Q.8. Columbia State University Sorority Housing

 
 

Location on Map

Name

Address

32

McDonald Stadium3405 29th Street

33

Phillips Field House3400 30th Street

34

Wake House Maintenance3405 30th Street

57

War Memorial3600 30th Street

Table Q.9. Columbia State University Athletic Facilities

 
Columbia State University Map showing building locations and the building stories of each building. Refer to Tables Q.5 through Q.9 for the location on map, name, stories, number of students, and address of each building.
Figure Q.1. Columbia State University Map
 
The CSU Police Department provides 24-hour service to the campus. The police department employs the following staff:

Position

Number of Staff

Chief

1

Administration

4

Investigator

3

Police Officers

19

Security Officers

6

Telecommunicators

7

Table Q.10 Columbia State University Police Department’s Full Time Staff

All police officers are sworn law enforcement officials, and the department works closely with the Central City Police Department (CCPD) and other local law enforcement agencies when appropriate and necessary.

Officers’ expertise include law enforcement, criminal and accident investigation, security patrol and crime prevention, fire safety, environmental health and hazardous materials, homeland security and emergency management practices, defensive driving, parking and traffic control, first aid, and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/ Automatic External Defibrillation (AED). All Public Safety officers are college graduates.

 

The CSU Department of Emergency Management and Operational Continuity (DEMOC) is committed to administering a comprehensive preparedness and emergency management program encompassing the entire University community from students to faculty, to staff and visitors. CSU DEMOC provides the structure to guide the University and its various stakeholders in preparing, preventing, mitigating, responding, and recovering from an emergency or disaster. DEMOC also coordinates the overall effort to integrate and cultivate collaboration between relevant University preparedness initiatives and emergency response programs.

Day to day (non-emergency) duties include: preparing and maintaining the University’s emergency plans in accordance with CSU policy and procedures; ensuring compliance with local, State, and Federal statutes, directives, and standards; assisting campus departments with development of plans for events/incidents; conducting exercises; developing emergency campus response and recovery plans; developing and maintaining campus warning and notification systems; and leading and participating in mitigation and preparedness programs, plans, and projects.

During an emergency or disaster, DEMOC coordinates the CSU’s Emergency Management Team under the direction of the President of the University.

The DEMOC offices and the University’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) are located in the basement of the Fowler Communications Building (see Building 25 on map).

Position

Number of Staff

Director

1

Emergency Planner

1 full & 1 part time staff

Administrative Assistant

1

Table Q.11. Columbia State University Department of Emergency Management

Q.3.3.1. Authority and Responsibilities

The University President shall direct the University’s response to major emergencies or disasters, and may delegate authority to an Emergency Management Team, coordinated by the Department of Emergency Management and Operational Continuity (DEMOC), for implementation of operational responses to critical incidents that impact the University.

When activated, the mission of the Emergency Management Team shall be to coordinate the University’s response to a critical incident, emergency, or disaster in the safest, most timely, and effective manner possible. The Emergency Management Team is authorized to utilize and commit any available University resources including personnel, facilities, tools, or other assets deemed necessary to minimize the potential for harm or injury to individuals, or to minimize damage to or loss of University assets.

The actions of the Emergency Management Team shall in all instances be guided by the following objectives and principles:

  • Protection of the life and safety of all members of the University community.
  • Containment/mitigation of emergency situations, and assessment of damages.
  • Restoration of routine University operations.

The Emergency Management Team is authorized to make any administrative decisions necessary to accomplish its mission, including but not limited to: declaring a state of emergency, canceling classes, ceasing normal business operations, closing the campus to visitors, initiating mutual aid agreements, contracting for emergency services, or any other actions that may be prudent and necessary to ensure an effective response to the circumstances being confronted.

It is anticipated that as incident management operations progress, the administrative control of the University will incrementally transition from an emergency command structure (ICS) back to normal University organizational structure, policies, procedures, and routines.

Q.3.3.2. Definitions

The University categorizes emergency situations according to the following criteria:

  1. Minor Emergency: Any incident, potential or actual, which will not seriously affect the overall functional capacity of the University (e.g., single person illness, injury, and similar events).
  2. Major Emergency: Any incident, potential or actual, which affects an entire building or buildings, and which disrupts the overall operations of the campus.
  3. Disaster: Any event that seriously impairs or halts the operations of the University, and/or causes major disruption of CSU community routines and operations. Casualties and severe property damage are likely.
Q.3.3.3. Emergency Management Team Composition

Individuals in the following positions may serve on the Emergency Management Team at the direction of the University President: Members of the Senior Management Team, Department Chairs, Department Heads, and Department Directors.

DEMOC shall be responsible for coordinating the membership and actions of CSU’s Emergency Management Team. These responsibilities include holding (at least) monthly coordination meetings, quarterly trainings, and an annual disaster response/preparedness exercise.

All CSU Resident Assistants (RAs) are considered members of the University Emergency Management Team and receive quarterly training from DEMOC. RAs serve as safety wardens within campus housing and have responsibilities such as ensuring students are sheltered in “safe rooms” during severe weather events, supervising evacuations during fire alarms, and accounting for evacuated students.

Q.3.3.4. Initiation of Emergency Response Operations

In a spontaneous emergency, the individual with first knowledge of the event will notify the CSU Police Department dispatcher. The dispatch supervisor will alert the on-call DEMOC staff member who will alert the University President and determine if a full activation of the Emergency Management Team is appropriate. In a spontaneous emergency situation, the CSU Police Department is authorized to initiate any and all available emergency notification systems capable of alerting CSU community members of immediate or imminent danger.

In the event of a pending or projected emergency, the President (or designee), in consultation with DEMOC, may authorize the activation of the Emergency Management Team. The Emergency Management Team shall assemble in the University EOC unless otherwise specified.

When activated, the Emergency Management Team will establish functional task groups as needed to address each of the following critical response components under the direction and supervision of an individual designated as the Incident Commander. Unless otherwise determined by the University President, the Director of DEMOC will act as the Incident Commander during an emergency.

  • Initial Response and Incident Containment Team. (Responsible for initial response to incidents and on scene management through resolution of the incident.) Representation from Facilities Management, Police Department, Student Health Services, and Student Affairs.
  • Communications Team. (Responsible for managing communication processes for internal and external constituents.) Representation from The Office of Communications, Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, and Student Affairs.
  • Community Support Team. (Responsible for identifying and supporting the short and long term needs of students, faculty, staff, and visitors.) Representation from Student Affairs, Human Resources, Counseling, Food Services, Facilities Management, and Police Department.
  • Business Continuation Team. (Responsible for ensuring all essential business operations can be sustained through the emergency period.) Representation from Business and Financial Affairs, Human Resources, Academic Affairs, Institutional Advancement, and The President’s Office.
  • Executive Policy Team. (Responsible for defining policy guidelines and objectives for the working teams. The focus of the group is on ensuring the long term viability of the institution.) Representation from the President’s Office, Provost, Business and Financial Affairs, Board of Trustees, Institutional Advancement, and Academic Affairs.

The numbers of individuals assigned to each group and the task priorities established by each group shall be dictated by the nature and scope of the emergency. A Senior Team Member shall be appointed by the DEMOC Director to lead each of the major task groups.

A member of the DEMOC team shall be appointed to serve as a liaison with local government officials, and, when necessary and appropriate, be deployed as the University representative to the Liberty County EOC.

Q.3.3.5. Emergency Communications Systems

Notice of major emergencies on campus or in the immediate vicinity will be communicated by utilizing one or more of the following communication methods:

  • CSU Alert System (see also Section Q.3.5) – Emergency notifications via phones, cell phones, text messages, e-mail, desktop pop-ups, websites, social media, public address and digital signage.
  • Outdoor Warning Sirens – Audible sirens to alert people outdoors of a severe weather condition, or other condition requiring shelter in place protocols.
  • Building Notification Systems – NOAA Weather radios, public address, phone trees, local radio stations.
  • CSU Safety Liaisons – Volunteer staff in each facility who are trained to assist with safety and security programs.

DEMOC and the CSU Police Department are the focal points for reporting emergency conditions at all times and will in most instances be the units responsible for issuing initial emergency alerts utilizing the methods referenced above.

Q.3.3.6. Emergency Telephone Roster

The CSU Police Dispatcher shall have access at all times to emergency telephone numbers for all key personnel.

Q.3.3.7. Crisis Communications Procedure
The Office of Communications is charged with developing and maintaining a comprehensive Crisis Communication Plan to support the needs of the University in times of emergencies.
Q.3.3.8. General Prevention Policy
As a means of reducing the possibility of critical incidents, it is the policy of the University to maintain an aggressive and proactive approach to all safety concerns, which will include, but will not be limited to, training, inspections, and incident review. These efforts will be monitored by the University Safety Committee.
Q.3.3.9. General Emergency Preparedness Policy

It shall be the policy of the University to anticipate emergency situations, and each work unit and facility shall have current emergency response procedures in place to address the special needs of the facility and to protect life and property and ensure the institution’s ability to function effectively.

The Facilities Management Services, Police Department, Residence Life, Student Health Services, and Food Service Departments shall maintain policies and procedures, tools/equipment, and supplies capable of supporting emergency response operations for each of the following emergencies: Fire, Resident Relocation, Severe Weather, Mass Casualty Incidents, Pandemic Illnesses, Armed Assaults, Haz-Mat Incidents, and Community-Wide Disasters.

  Division and Department Heads are charged with responsibility for implementing this policy under the direction of the Director of DEMOC.

Q.3.3.10. Fire Prevention Policy

It shall be the policy of the University to develop systems to eliminate or reduce potential fire hazards throughout the campus. The fire prevention program is designed to protect students, personnel, visitors, and property from fire and combustible products. All items related to fire/life safety shall be in compliance with:

  • Appropriate NFPA codes
  • Central City Buildings and Fire Code
  • Other relevant local, State, and Federal regulations.
Q.3.3.11. Inspections
Safety inspections of all facilities are conducted on an on-going basis. In addition to scheduled maintenance checks to detect problems, unit Supervisors are expected to routinely check for and immediately report any hazards in their workspace.
 
CSU has a signed agreement with the American Red Cross to allow a university building, Hillel House, to be used as a disaster shelter. CSU staff and student volunteers have been trained in Red Cross shelter management practices and will operate this shelter in coordination with the local Red Cross chapter. The university also has 500 cots, 1,000 blankets, and 500 comfort kits stored on campus to support this shelter if needed.

Address

Location

Dormitory Space

Peak Capacity

Contact Person

Hillel House*
MM & 31st Streets

Central City

9,000 sq. ft.

450

Lula Gathers, Manager

Notes: * Shelter has emergency generator power

Table Q.12. Hillel House General Population Shelter

Q.3.5. Columbia State University – Emergency Notification System – Columbia State University Alert

CSU has an emergency notification system, CSU Alert, to communicate official information during an emergency or crisis situation that disrupts normal operation of the campus or threatens the health or safety of members of the campus community.

CSU Alert is available to CSU students, staff, and faculty as an “Opt-out” service. Data is collected via the employee and student information systems. Visitors and other interested parties may opt-in on a voluntary 24 hour self-subscription basis. Users may enter as many devices (i.e., e-mail, phone, cellular phone, etc.) as they would like and may specify the device order in which they would like to be notified.

CSU Alert delivers messages to subscribers on a “best effort” basis to the devices registered by each user.

CSU Alert is a personalized service designed to complement other tools already used by CSU to advise the campus community during crises or emergencies.

Examples of notification media include:

  • Broadcast e-mails to all official university e-mail addresses
  • CSU web site
  • CSU FM Radio Station WCSS 88.9
  • Local news outlets
  • Social Media

CSU Alert emergency notifications provide information regarding the following:

  • Campus evacuation
  • Natural disasters (usually caused by severe weather phenomena).
    • Weather Warnings.
    • Tornadoes.
    • Tropical Storm.
    • Hurricane.
    • Abnormal Tides/Flooding.
    • Storm Surge.
    • Winter Storms, Ice Storms.
    • Earthquake.
  • Human-caused hazards.
    • Intentional.
      • Terrorism.
      • School Shooting.
      • Serious Crime.
    • Accidental.
      • Airborne releases. 
      • Fires.
      • Explosions.
      • Hazardous materials or waste.
      • Building or bridge collapse.
      • Dam or levee failures.
      • Nuclear reactor accidents.
      • Water, gas, or sewer line breaks.Note: This list is not exhaustive.

Note: Effective emergency response requires personal preparedness and planning. CSU encourages individuals to sign up for CSU Alert as just one part of their personal emergency preparedness plans.

Q.3.6. Columbia State University – Campus Assets
CSU has a number of assets that are used day to day by various departments and some that are stored for emergency usage only. During an emergency all assets can be requested by the ICP or EOC.
Asset NumberEquipment DescriptionHP/KWDepartmentComments
001Electric Submersible Pump w/ 100 ft. of 1” hose5 HPFacilities470 GPM @ 15 ft. of head
00220 sections of 10” bike rack Facilities 
003Yale 9.5-ton Forklift Facilities 
004F-550 SD XL Flatbed Dumptruck FacilitiesDiesel
005SAE J1349 Backhoe87 HPFacilitiesAvailable with bucket or forks
0064 rolls of 250’ each plastic snow fencing FacilitiesMetal posts and zip ties to secure fencing kept with fencing
0075T Telescoping Boom Mobile Crane FacilitiesDiesel
00815 kW Generator15 kWFacilitiesTrailer mounted, Diesel
0094-light LED Lighttower6 kWFacilitiesGasoline
01024 Type II Reflective, Folding Barricade Facilities 
011¾ ton 4x4 pick-up truck w/hitch FacilitiesDiesel
012½ ton pick-up truck FacilitiesGasoline
013125 kW Generator125 kWFacilitiesTrailer mounted, Diesel
014Chainsaw w/ 36” bar121.6 ccFacilitiesRequires Stihl MotoMix fuel
015Backpack Blower64.8 ccFacilitiesRequires Stihl MotoMix fuel
016Honda Portable Generator2200 WFacilitiesGasoline, has 500’ 12 gauge extension cord
017¾ ton quad cab pick-up truck FacilitiesGasoline
018¾ ton flatbed pick-up truck FacilitiesDiesel
100800 MHz radio cache (12 radios) Emergency Management 
101Portable Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit Emergency ManagementTrailer mounted. 40,000 Gallon per Day Capacity
1021 Pallet with 500 Meals Ready to Eat Emergency Management 
10350 Battery-crank flashlights Emergency Management 
10412’x12’ Pop-up canopy w/sides Emergency Management 
1052 cases Sandbags (150 per case) Emergency Management 
106Solar Blanket cache (150 blankets) Emergency Management 
107Drip-o-matic 12 cup coffee pot Emergency Management 
108Honda Portable Generator2200 WEmergency ManagementGasoline, has 500’ 12 gauge extension cord
20035 Passenger Bus Parking & Transportation 
20131 Passenger Bus w/wheelchair lift Parking & Transportation 
20215 Passenger Van  Parking & Transportation 
203 1 case of flares (150 count)  Parking & Transportation 
20448 Orange, Reflective Cones (28”) Parking & Transportation 
205Chevy Tahoe w/hitch Parking & Transportation 
2063-Line LED Portable Message Sign Parking & TransportationTrailer mounted. Battery/solar powered