Emergency Information

Emergencies such as an armed intruder, active shooter, severe weather and an outdoor hazardous material release trigger the get in or stay in response.

Hazardous material release/severe weather

• Stay inside in a safe location. Do not exit the building.
• If you are outside, enter the closest building.
• Close doors and stay away from windows.
• Wait for further instructions from authorities.

Armed intruder/active shooter

RUN: If there is a safe way out of the area, then take it. Don't wait if others won’t leave.

• Don't delay to get your belongings.
• Encourage others to evacuate as you leave.
• Contact 9-1-1 or Public Safety when you are safe.
• Follow instructions of law enforcement officers.

HIDE: Your hiding place should be out of the armed intruder's view and provide protection if shots are fired in your direction.

• Lock the door if possible.  If not, block the door with heavy furniture
• Hide behind large items (cabinets, desks)
• Silence cell phones and/or pager and turn off sources of noise (radio, television)
• Stay quiet

FIGHT: Only if your life is in imminent danger and there is no other alternative, attempt to disrupt or incapacitate the intruder by:

• Acting as aggressively as possible toward him/her
• Throwing items or improvising weapons
• Yelling at the intruder
• Committing to your actions

Emergencies such a fire, smoke, bomb threat, and indoor hazardous material release trigger the get out or stay out response.

• Evacuate the building using the nearest available exit.
• Report to the pre-determined meeting area, if assigned.
• Follow instructions from authorities.
• Do not re-enter the building until authorized.

In general, people should move away and/or stay away from the affected area. Emergency responders will provide direction on where to go to be safe.

When a weather-related event is predicted or is happening, Public Safety will take the lead in monitoring and assessing conditions. The following sources are used:

• Monroe County Office of Emergency Management
• National Weather Service
• Town of Henrietta Highway Department
• Local media
• Facilities Management Services (campus condition and transportation)

Conditions that could give rise to RIT implementing a severe weather closure include but are not limited to:

• Public Safety receiving storm data from these four sources of an area-wide “storm warning advisory of no unnecessary travel”
• Monroe County Office of Emergency Management advises “emergency travel only”
• On-campus roadway, parking, walkway, and building conditions not suitable for driving, parking and/or walking

For conditions occurring overnight, an effort will be made to notify the university community by 6 a.m. if a decision has been made to delay opening or close. If the emergency condition lasts for more than one day, a daily announcement will be made.

For conditions occurring during the day, notification regarding closure will be as soon as possible after the decision has been made.

Public Safety, in consultation with Facilities Management Services, will notify the Associate Vice President for Global Risk Management Services regarding current and projected conditions. The Associate Vice President for Global Risk Management Services will make recommendations to the Provost and Sr. Vice President of Academic Affairs, who will decide on the course of action – open as scheduled, delay opening, early closing, or full closure.

The goal is to have the campus clear of a snow fall by 7:30 a.m. to ensure that the RIT community can function with minimal disruption during a snow event. Each snow fall event is treated uniquely based on several variables, including:

• Timing and duration: Snow that falls while the university is in session slows the entire process. Roads are always the top priority for safety purposes, followed by drive lanes in parking lots and walkways throughout the campus. Most of these removal processes are happening simultaneously.
• Amount and type of snow: Up to 4 inches of snow equates to a 6-hour removal cycle. If more than 4 inches of snow falls, or if the snow is excessively heavy and wet, times are prolonged.

Priority

• Roads and access roads are continuously plowed during any snow event.
• Academic parking lots are cleared early to allow early arrivals of employees and done by 7:30 a.m. whenever possible to allow arrivals for 8 a.m. classes and business day start. Handicap parking is first in the process followed by the closest to buildings to the farthest reaches of the parking lots from the buildings.
• Building entrance doors.
• Walks are prioritized by Residences Halls and access from parking lots to academic buildings. Walks to and from the residences to academic buildings fall within this scope.
• Loading docks and access roads to the loading docks are next in line.
• Ramps and wheelchair accessible entrances.

Disability services

There is a disability services van available for students who may have trouble getting to class. If students need transportation or other accommodations, they can visit the Disability Services site or office for the request form. The office is located Room 1150 of the Student Alumni Union (SAU).

RIT students who are experiencing distress or feelings of loss or concern in the aftermath of a natural or environmental disaster are encouraged to contact the following offices for support:

• Counseling and Psychological Services
• International Student Services
• NTID Counseling Services
• Spirituality and Religious Life

The RIT community is filled with individuals ready to respond in the wake of a natural disaster to help those in immediate need and contribute to rebuilding affected communities.

As you consider opportunities to make financial contributions to support relief efforts, review Charity Navigator’s “Tips for Giving in Times of Crisis.” You can also use the “Charity Search” tool to research organizations you are considering for a donation.

In the aftermath of a natural, environmental, and man-made disaster, student groups and members of the RIT community often feel a strong sense of responsibility to support those affected. This drive to help can manifest in various ways, often resulting in on-campus fundraisers and donation drives organized in partnership with local organizations and government agencies to maximize their impact. This collective effort not only aids in the immediate relief and recovery process but also fosters a sense of solidarity and civic duty among students, reinforcing the importance of community support and resilience.

Find out what’s happening on campus

American Red Cross

To ensure blood remains available for those in impacted areas, please consider donating blood and/or platelets. Monthly blood drives are open to all students on campus.

You can donate by visiting the Red Cross website to view upcoming drives and schedule a donation time.

Public Safety provides a variety of security services and prevention programs to the campus community. We encourage everyone to take responsibility for their safety by staying informed of these services and reporting suspicious activity. Although each individual is ultimately responsible for his or her safety, learning and practicing basic safety precautions can enhance one's well-being.

Learn more about RIT Public Safety

How to report a crime

Tigersafe is the official safety app of RIT. RIT Public Safety has worked to develop a unique app that provides students, faculty, and staff with added safety on the RIT campus. The app will send you important safety alerts and provide instant access to campus safety resources.

Learn more about the Tigersafe app

App Store
Google Play

The RIT Student Health Center provides high quality primary health care and education to students in a caring and supportive environment. Health Center staff approach health care from a holistic perspective. Recognizing that good health is an important component of a successful college experience, the Center strives to support students in illness prevention and developing healthy lifestyles.

Learn more about Student Health Center

Counseling and Psychological Services provides confidential and personalized services to meet the mental health needs of currently enrolled, undergraduate and graduate students on the Henrietta campus. 

Learn more about Counseling and Psychological Services

CARES is an after-hours service supporting the RIT community. A group of trained and dedicated volunteers is available 24-hours a day to respond to members of the RIT community that have been impacted by sexual assault, harassment, relationship violence and/or stalking.

Learn more about CARES: After-hours service

24-hour hotline: 585-295-3533

The Environmental Health and Safety Department ensures a safe and healthy living, working, and learning environment for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors while minimizing RIT’s impact on the environment. Our staff provides expert advice in the areas of health and safety, environmental compliance, stewardship, and fire safety. Programs in these areas serve as the framework for environmental, health, and safety training and implementation.

Learn more about Environmental Health and Safety

To promote community standards, the Center for Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution designs and delivers a fair and educationally-based behavioral conduct process as well as policy education and training to the RIT community. We accomplish this by emphasizing accountability, emotional growth, conflict resolution, restorative values, and campus safety.

Learn more about Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution