Housing: Emergencies

Your safety is our top priority. Take a few minutes to learn what to do in an emergency before one happens. The steps below are written for students living in PJC residence halls and follow the college’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). In any emergency, call PJC Campus Police at 903-782-0399 or dial 911.

Save These Numbers Now PJC Campus Police: 903-782-0399  ·  Emergencies: 911 Director of Student Life (after hours): Kenneth Webb — 903-517-0112 (cell) / 903-782-0433 (office) Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988  ·  Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741

In Case of Fire

Quick steps in your room

• Close the window.
• Close the door.
• Leave the building by the nearest exit.

Remember C.A.R.E.

If you see smoke or flames and it is safe to act:

• Contain the fire by closing all doors as you leave.
• Activate the nearest fire-alarm pull station (located near building exits).
• Report the fire by calling PJC Campus Police or 911.
• Evacuate (in most cases it is best to evacuate rather than fight the fire).

As you evacuate

• Proceed to the nearest exit and close doors behind you.
• In a multi-story building, DO NOT use elevators — use the stairways.
• If there is smoke, stay below the smoke line; get down and crawl to a clear area or stairwell.
• Before opening a closed door, feel it with the back of your hand; if it is cool, open carefully and proceed.
• Move to an assembly area at least 100–300 feet from the building and account for the people in your area.
• If your clothing catches fire: STOP, DROP, and ROLL.
• If you are trapped, move toward a window, stay low, and wave clothing or an item to signal for help; do not break the window unless your life is in danger or you are instructed to.
• DO NOT re-enter the building until authorities say it is safe.

Fire-Drill Procedure (When the Alarm Sounds)

• Leave the wall or overhead light on.
• Close and lock the room door if time permits.
• Walk quickly and quietly via the stairwells.
• Remain outside until signaled to return.

Severe Weather & Tornadoes

Quick step in your room

• Go to the nearest bathroom or interior closet.

During a tornado warning (indoors)

• Seek refuge in your hall’s designated shelter area (see “Know Your Hall” below).
• Go to the center of a small interior room or hallway on the lowest level, away from windows, doors, and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
• Avoid large rooms with wide-span roofs, such as gymnasiums.
• If you can’t reach a shelter area, take cover in a doorway or under a sturdy desk or table and cover your head and neck.
• Stay away from glass, windows, shelves, and heavy equipment; watch for falling objects.
• DO NOT use elevators. Stay under cover until the tornado passes, then use caution exiting and watch for downed power lines and debris.
• Do not re-enter buildings until they are declared safe by Facility Services or PJC staff.

Thunderstorms & flooding

• Thunderstorm: When thunder roars, go indoors. Move to a shelter area, stay away from windows and electrical equipment.
• Flood: Move to higher ground or a higher floor; never drive, walk, or swim through floodwater. Turn around — don’t drown. It takes only six inches of moving water to sweep you off your feet.

Watch vs. Warning

• A WATCH means conditions are favorable for severe weather — stay alert.
• A WARNING means severe weather is happening or imminent — take shelter now.

Know Your Hall: Shelter & Assembly Points

Learn these two locations for your residence hall as soon as you move in — where to shelter for severe weather, and where to gather after a fire evacuation. Ask your Resident Supervisor if you are unsure.

Residence Hall	Severe-Weather Shelter Area	Fire Evacuation Assembly Point
Hatcher Hall	Bathrooms	Parking lot between Hatcher & Thompson
Thompson Hall	Bathrooms	Parking lot between Hatcher & Thompson
South Campus	Bathrooms	Parking lot behind the building

Lockdown & Active-Threat Response

If there is a threat of violence on or near campus, PJC will issue instructions through DragonAlerts and staff. PJC uses these standard response terms — learn what each one means:

• Hold — Clear the halls and stay in your room or a designated area until the all-clear is given.
• Secure — A threat is outside. Come inside, and outside doors are locked. Continue activities indoors.
• Lockdown — A threat is inside the building. Lock or barricade the room, turn off lights, stay silent and out of sight.
• Shelter-in-Place — Used for severe weather or a chemical hazard when evacuation isn’t safe. Move to an interior space and stay until cleared.

If a lockdown is ordered

• Stop what you are doing and get into lockdown immediately; help others do the same.
• Close and lock yourself in a room away from windows and doors; barricade with heavy furniture if needed.
• Turn off lights, close blinds, silence phones and radios, and stay quiet.
• If you can do so safely and quietly, call 911 — give your name, location, and what the incident involves.
• While in lockdown, do not respond to a fire alarm unless you know there is a real fire.
• If you are outside, move away from the threat; leave campus if you can do so safely, or take cover behind a solid object.
• Do not leave or enter a secured area until the “All Clear” is given by PJC or law enforcement.

See something, say something

Report threats, suspicious activity, or concerning behavior to PJC Campus Police at 903-782-0399 (or 911). When you report, give the date, time, and location; a description of the person(s) and any vehicle; and what you saw. Reports can also be referred to the Director of Student Life, Title IX Coordinator, or the Behavior Intervention Team. Retaliation against anyone who reports in good faith is prohibited.

Stay Informed: DragonAlerts

In an emergency or severe weather, PJC sends alerts by text message and email through the Dragon Emergency Alert System. This free service is the fastest way to get official instructions. Be sure your contact information is current and sign up to receive alerts online at getrave.com/login/parisjc.

Medical Emergencies

For a medical emergency in the residence halls, call PJC Campus Police at 903-782-0399 or 911. After hours, residents may also contact the Director of Student Life at 903-517-0112. If someone is injured or becomes ill:

• Remain calm and have someone call Campus Police or 911 while you help.
• Give the location of the incident and, if known, the name and condition of the person.
• DO NOT move the victim unless they are in danger of further injury, and do not leave them except to summon help.
• Render first aid or CPR only if you are trained; have someone flag down Campus Police, EMS, or Fire.
• AEDs are available on campus, and Stop the Bleed guidance is posted; for serious bleeding, apply direct pressure.

Missing Student Notification

As required for on-campus housing under the Higher Education Opportunity Act, PJC has a procedure for responding to reports of a missing residential student.

• Every resident may register a confidential emergency contact with the Director of Student Life and Housing. This person is notified immediately if the student is determined to be missing.
• If a resident under 18 (and not emancipated) is reported missing, the college will also notify the student’s parent or guardian.
• Report a missing student to residence hall staff or PJC Campus Police (903-782-0399). The Director of Student Life or Campus Police will begin the investigation and notify law enforcement and the student’s contact as appropriate.
• Register or update your confidential contact in person with the Director of Student Life during business hours; the information is shared only with authorized officials and law enforcement.

Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Support

Paris Junior College cares deeply about your well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, feeling hopeless, or in emotional distress, help is available — immediately and confidentially.

• Call or text 988 — Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (24/7, free, confidential).
• Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741 (24/7, free, confidential).
• In an emergency, call 911 or PJC Campus Police at 903-782-0111 (Paris campus).
• PJC Counseling Services — free, confidential support for enrolled students through the Advising & Counseling Center at 903-782-0426.

Learn more at parisjc.edu/counseling/suicide-prevention.php.

Sexual Assault Awareness & Title IX

PJC prohibits sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking in all forms. These behaviors violate college policy and may also violate state and federal law. If you experience or witness any of these, you are encouraged to report it as soon as possible — you are not required to report to law enforcement in order to receive campus support, and PJC does not retaliate against anyone who makes a good-faith report.

How to report a Title IX concern

• Title IX Coordinator: Melanie Hatcher, Human Resources Director — 903-782-0304, mhatcher@parisjc.edu, Administration Building (Human Resources Suite).
• Report online: edu/titleix
• In an emergency or to report a crime in progress, call PJC Campus Police at 903-782-0399 or 911.

Your rights as a survivor

• Receive written information about campus and community support services.
• Request changes to academic schedules, housing, campus safety plans, or other protective measures.
• Have your report investigated promptly, fairly, and impartially, and be accompanied by an advisor of your choice in any disciplinary proceeding.
• Receive written notice of the outcome and have your information handled with discretion.

Learn more at parisjc.edu/policies/ix.php.

Learn More

For complete campus emergency procedures — including the full active-threat, hazardous-materials, and shelter-area details — review PJC’s Emergency Operations Plan.