Weather, natural disaster, and security concerns can bring about emergencies in a residence hall(s). Residents in Georgia Tech housing can be assured that the members of the Residence Life and Housing staff, as well as other campus agencies, are working together for emergency preparedness and response.

• Residence Life staff are trained in crisis management and have protocols designed to handle most emergencies, in coordination with Georgia Tech Police, Counseling Center, Dean of Students, and other Atlanta and State agencies.
• All residents have a responsibility to keep their halls secure. Do not prop open doors or allow others to enter a building behind you. More security information is located in "Technically Speaking: The Department of Housing Community and Services Guide".
• Be vigilant and observant of anything or anyone that might be suspicious and call the Georgia Tech Police Department immediately at 404-894-2500. These include: suspicious or unattended packages, containers or vehicles; signs of break-ins or attempted unauthorized entries; unusual odors or substances; fellow residents or any campus community member about whom you have concerns; or people in residence halls and other buildings who you think should not be there.

When alerted to an emergency:

• Students should seek shelter in the closest building. In a residence hall, residents should remain in their room unless instructed otherwise by Institute staff (Housing student staff, Residence Life staff, GTPD, others).
• If evacuation is necessary, residents should evacuate the building using the nearest evacuation route and proceed to the evacuation location listed below for their building. Any larger evacuation will be handled (and announced) by emergency crews (GTPD, Atlanta Police or Fire, GEMA, etc.).
• For tornado warnings only, all residents should relocate away from any rooms with windows and relocate into their bathroom or out in the hallways in the lower levels not adjacent to any windows or exterior facing door.

Residence Hall Evacuation Locations:

If Campus Communication systems are NOT interrupted:

• The Georgia Tech web page (www.gatech.edu) will be used to communicate large-scale decisions (school closing, delays, etc.) and all students should log on frequently for updates.
• The main Georgia Tech phone number (404-894-2000) will provide information regarding campus closings and/or large scale emergencies.
• Email listings have been created whereby Hall Directors can email their staffs and residents with announcements, alerts, updates, etc. Residents should be sure to NOT filter out email from the Department of Housing.
• Georgia Tech Cable Network (GTCN) will be used for announcements and updates. Residents should tune into any channel for these updates as well as WREK Radio (91.1 FM), Atlanta TV or radio stations for greater Atlanta and US information.
• Residents should refrain from increased use of telephones and cell phones. Emergency communication could be delayed if circuits are overloaded.
• Students should sign up for GTENS alerts.

If Campus Communication systems ARE interrupted:

• Student Housing staff have a gathering and communication plan to get information and relay it to residents.
• Residents should wait in their rooms until notified by Housing or other Institute officials to do otherwise.