CSU Security

Security Initiatives

Security Checkpoints
Armed Security Guards
Lockdown Procedures
Campus Lighting
Security Cameras
Additional Security Personnel
Immediate Response Information System (IRIS) BUC Alert
Keyless Entry Hall Doors
Security Officer Escort Service
CSU Email
ID Cards
Emergency Telephone Locations
Drug Canines

1. Security Checkpoints: As an additional measure to secure the campus and ensure your safety, we have begun screening all incoming traffic to the campus between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m., seven days a week. Because of this additional security measure, there are several things that you need to be aware of:

• All students should have your CSU Identification Card in your possession at all times.

• All vehicles entering the campus from either entrance between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. will be stopped at the checkpoint.

• Security personnel will be looking for a valid CSU decal and/or a valid CSU I.D. card.

• To assist our security personnel and to expedite the process of entering the campus during these hours, we are asking students to move your decal from the rear window of your vehicle to the windshield driver’s side.

• Visitors (non-students) will not be permitted on-campus after midnight. Exceptions to this policy include CSU students who are being brought back to campus by a non-CSU student. They will be permitted to drop you off at your desired location on-campus and then exit the campus. Also, family members who have a need to gain access may be permitted on-campus if the student is contacted by the security personnel manning the checkpoint.

2. Armed Security Guards: Charleston Southern University has an armed presence on campus 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Security personnel who are armed have been trained and certified through an outside agency that has contracted with CSU to provide services. We regret that we live in a time when this has become necessary, but we have an obligation to do everything within our power to keep you safe and secure.

3. Lockdown Procedures: When a credible threat has been identified, the emergency alert system will be initiated and the campus will be placed on lockdown. When this occurs, the following steps will be taken:

a. All entrances and exits to the campus will be sealed off and no vehicle or pedestrian traffic will be permitted on or off campus for the duration of the lockdown.

b. Simultaneously with the emergency alert, Residence Life personnel will commence a door-to-door notification of every room in the residence halls that a campus emergency is in progress and that all persons should remain in their rooms until further advised.

c. University personnel will be dispatched to every building on campus that is open or occupied and notify the person in charge of that facility that the doors should be locked and no one should be permitted to enter or exit until the all-clear has been sounded.

d. Security personnel will advise any persons outside to immediately seek a safe place to stay for the duration of the crisis.

University personnel, the campus website, and the emergency alert system will be used to provide frequent notification to students, faculty, staff, and parents regarding the status of the emergency. Once the senior official on scene has determined that the threat has been neutralized and the emergency is over, an emergency alert message will be sent to all registered users.

Another door-to-door notification will be accomplished to advise all residential students that the threat is over and they are free to move about at will. The occupants of all buildings previously secured will be advised to resume normal operations. All entrances and exits to the campus will be re-opened.

4. Campus Lighting: CSU has systematically upgraded campus lighting as part of a three-phase strategic initiative. Phases I and II have been completed. Phase III will include improved lighting near the Women’s North residence hall and the Brewer Center.

5. Security Cameras: CSU uses security cameras in various areas of the campus to help protect individuals, as well as to reduce property theft. These cameras are used both outside buildings as well as inside some campus buildings. We are in the process of assessing where additional cameras may need to be located to enhance this effort.

6. Additional Security Personnel: In addition to the normal complement of security personnel on duty, we have placed a permanent security guard in the quads on two shifts from 4 p.m. until midnight and from midnight until 8 a.m. each day. Also, we have assigned our Deputy Director of Security to 2nd shift (4 p.m. – midnight) to provide an additional supervisory presence on campus during those hours.

7. BUC Alert: The University uses an emergency response system to alert students, parents, faculty, and staff when a credible threat has been identified. This is a reminder that all students should register to receive these notifications if you have not already done so. You may register for alerts to be sent to your room phone, your cell phone, your parent’s home phone or cell phone, your email account, or text messages. To register or to update your information, go to My CSU on our website and log in with your CSU Identification # and your PIN.

8. Keyless Entry Hall Doors: All enclosed residence halls (Russell East/West, Women’s North/South) are equipped with security doors for all hallways that require students to have proper authorization to gain access. These keyless entry doors are activated by a computer chip (FOB). All current residents should already have one of these devices. If you need one or have lost yours, please contact the Housing Office at 863-7104.

9. Security Officer Escort Service: CSU offers security escorts for students who many return to campus late at night and find themselves having to walk to their rooms from another parking lot. Other than emergencies, this service is our highest priority in order to provide quick service. If you would like to have an escort, just call 20# from any phone on campus or 553-5896 from your cell to request this service.

10. CSU Email:Every CSU student has been assigned a CSU email account. It is imperative that you check your email frequently. This is how we communicate with you regarding important information, reminders, campus updates and events. It is impossible to be informed if you aren’t checking this account. If you don’t know your CSU email address, please contact Administrative Services at (843) 863-7169.

11. ID Cards: All CSU students are required to have a valid CSU identification card in their possession at all times. We are seeing increasing instances where students who are asked to identify themselves and don’t have their ID card with them. Please be reminded that the Student Handbook states that all students are required to show their ID card to any University official when requested.

12. Emergency Telephone Locations: We have several emergency telephones located throughout the campus. These phones automatically dial our security emergency line when picked up. They are located as follows: Communications Center (by pool), Physics Lab, outside the gym, Wingo Hall parking lot, outside the Hunter Reception Center, Outside Russell West (soccer field side), outside the equipment room at Quad 3, and on the back side of the Library parking lot.

13. Drug Canines: As part of our ongoing drug education program, we periodically use trained drug canines to conduct random room and automobile searches. These searches will be unannounced and on a frequency deemed necessary by security officials.