Safety & Emergency Preparedness at Smith

As the country continues to grapple with gun violence, we would like to take this moment to reiterate Smith’s deep commitment to the safety of its community. We are constantly evaluating and improving our services, and an important part of that process is ensuring that every student, faculty and staff member knows how we plan—and how you can prepare—for emergencies.

About Campus Safety

Campus safety is staffed with sworn officers 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. The office is at 126 West Street in the Facilities Management Building. Campus safety can be reached at any time by dialing 5555 from a campus phone, or 413-585-5555 from any cell phone or landline. If you wish to report a crime and your report is neither time-sensitive nor an emergency, you may fill out a witness form online.

Blue Light Emergency Phones

The Department of Campus Safety provides 24-hour emergency telephones for the Smith College community. Emergency telephones are strategically placed in 78 locations on campus, including near the residential houses and parking lots as well as Lamont Bridge, athletic facilities parking lots and all levels of the parking garage. Each emergency phone is a metal box with a luminescent blue light on top, and is clearly visible day and night. These phones are not restricted to emergencies. They can be used to report incidents or suspicious people, to ask for assistance or an escort, or other non-emergency requests. Simply lift the receiver or push the red button on any blue light phone. The phone will signal campus safety automatically and direct someone to you.

Emergency Mass Notification System

The college has an emergency mass notification system that is activated when there is an immediate threat to the campus community. Notifications will be sent via text message, voice message and email. It is imperative that all members of the Smith community keep their emergency contact information updated. To do so, log in to the Smith Portal using your network username and password to add or update information. When the portal page opens, click on BannerWeb, and update your emergency contact information. This allows you to be included most efficiently in emergency broadcasts via the emergency notification system. Full-scale tests of system are conducted and publicized at least annually.

Active Threat Response

Should you be aware of an active threat to campus, notify campus safety if it is safe to do so, or dial 911 to reach local police. “Shelter in place” means to move to a safe place indoors and wait until you are instructed to leave. 

In the face of an active threat, remember the three options recommended by the FBI: run, hide and fight.

RUN

• Have an escape route and plan in mind.
• Keep your hands in plain sight for your safety and the safety of responding police.

HIDE

• Hide in an area, room or closet out of the assailant’s view.
• Lock the doors. If the door cannot be locked, block or wedge the door shut from inside.
• Move away from windows and pull down blinds/shades.
• Leave cell phones on, but turn the volume off so you can continue to receive messages.
• Do not open the door for anyone identifying themselves as a police officer or other rescuer. The police will gain entrance using keys or after an “All Clear” is sent.

FIGHT

• As a last resort, when your life is in danger, FIGHT!
• Any object or substance—such as coffee, chemicals, pens and pencils, or furniture—can be used as a weapon to incapacitate an assailant.

Our community’s safety remains our greatest priority. As an educational institution, Smith is strongest when we work together to teach and learn from one other. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, we encourage you to reach out to us on how we can help serve and protect you best.