Campus Safety and Transportation

Campus Safety Overview

Our Campus Safety department works tirelessly to provide a safe environment where our students can explore, grow, and take artistic risks. Some of our safety processes include:

• A Welcome Center with a gated entrance that is staffed by safety personnel 24/7 and monitors every vehicle entering campus, including distinguishing employees from guests with employees using RFID technology for entrance into campus.
• A comprehensive emergency warning system and site emergency plan, including outdoor speakers that can be heard across campus no matter where you student may be.
• The ability to monitor and track all 911 calls made on campus, including those placed from cell phones.
• Emergency procedures are posted in each cabin and building for evacuation and emergencies.
• Safety drills that occur within 48 hours of the arrival of your student, making sure they know what to do in case of fire, severe weather, a lockdown, and a lost swimmer.
• Certified lifeguards at all designated swimming areas.
• A 10-minute swim test for all students who wish to swim in deep water or participate in boating. This test allows the swimmer to demonstrate proficiency in two strokes, endurance while treading water, and the ability to put on a life jacket in deep water.
• At least 26 safety officers comprise three daily shifts for 24/7 presence, with nearly 35% of campus safety staff holding previous law enforcement positions.
• Comprehensive background checks are performed on all faculty, staff, board members, and volunteers.
• We facilitate lockdown drills in coordination with local law enforcement and first responders throughout the calendar year. We do conduct a one in the summer, making Interlochen Arts Camp one of the few camps in the nation to test and practice lockdown drills and establishes us as a leader in this process.
• Regular meetings with state and local law enforcement to help train the campus community, including emergency simulations.
• Security checkpoints and metal detectors for all patrons attending commercial concerts in Kresge Auditorium.
• Crossing guards to assist students who may need to cross the highway.
• A formal mutual aid agreement with the Traverse City Area Public Schools, which means we can utilize their services and facilities to care for our students off-campus should the need arise.
• 24-hour medical facilities on campus.
• 24-hour campus roving by our Campus Safety department and additional evening roving by our residence life staffs.
• 130+ security cameras creating recordings that are monitored by campus safety.

Emergency Procedures

Accidents

Report any accidents immediately to a cabin counselor, faculty, or staff member who can assist with the problem. In the event no adult is present, call the switchboard operator (by dialing 0) on a campus phone. The operator will then contact Health Services, Campus Safety, or another appropriate source for assistance. In serious situations, call 911 directly from any campus phone or cellular phone. If a cellular phone is used, make sure to provide the specific location of the incident.

Fire

Students should learn the location of the pull stations in case of a fire emergency. In case of a fire, pull the fire alarm and leave the building by the closest exit. Students should assemble at the pre-designated area until the staff or faculty in charge give instructions. The adult in charge will give the "all clear" when the situation has been determined to be safe by the Fire Department. Once the Fire Department declares the scene to be safe, or an adult has checked the building completely, the adult will direct the students to return to the building.

Tornado / Severe Weather

If thunder and/or lightning are present, all students should immediately seek shelter in the nearest building and remain inside until an adult states that the severe weather has passed. Severe weather or tornado watches indicate that weather conditions are favorable for the development of more severe conditions. Evacuation locations are clearly posted in each Camp building and in each cabin.

Tornado/Severe Weather WATCH: An administrator will make the decision if and when our campus community will be notified of a "watch." If the decision is made to notify the community, an administrator will designate someone to do so. All persons notified shall be prepared to institute the "take cover" procedure described below. A watch does not constitute immediate danger, but to stay alert for the development of more severe weather.

Tornado/Severe Weather WARNING: A “warning” indicates that a tornado has been sighted and everyone should take cover immediately. Campus Safety and the switchboard operator will be notified when a tornado warning is in effect. Students, faculty, and staff will be notified via electronic means, campus telephones, public address system, and/or verbally. The Storm Evacuation Plan on the following page describes appropriate courses of action.

Storm Evacuation Plan

The Take Cover Signal is a two-minute steady blast siren, followed by an announcement via the Informacast broadcast system. The All-Clear Signal is a 30-second siren blast, followed by one minute of silence and another 30-second siren blast.

• Stay clear of windows, draw curtains, move to a north or east wall, take cover under desk, tables, etc.

Lightning

• When lightning is present, everyone should remain indoors.

Designated Areas Of Cover

Every classroom, building, and cabin has a clearly posted evacuation plan identifying the nearest designated area of cover. If you are outdoors when severe weather threatens, proceed immediately to the nearest designated area of cover or follow the directions of Interlochen faculty or staff.

Lockdown Procedure

Lockdown information includes drill vs. actual emergency language and directions, as well as process instructions. In addition to email and person-to-person contact, audio warning tones and verbal announcements will come through the office/classroom telephones and the Informacast public address speakers.

What you will hear IN A DRILL: “Attention please...this is a drill. Please follow lockdown procedures...this is a drill, please lock down now. This is a drill.” (Repeat)

What you will hear IN AN ACTUAL EMERGENCY: “Attention please...Lock down now. This is an emergency. Please lock down now. Follow your lock down procedures. Lock down now.” (Repeat)  

Immediately Seek Shelter and Secure the Room

1. Get and keep everyone inside (classroom, office, stage, studio, restroom, closet, etc.).
2. Close and lock all doors.
3. Close and lock windows; close blinds.
4. Turn off lights.

When Room Is Secure

1. Move to an area of the room that is out of the line of sight; get under cover.
2. Stay low and silent.
3. Limit the use of cell phones.
4. If possible, communicate any unusual activity by phone to Campus Safety 231.276.7575.
5. Remain in place until the door is unlocked from the outside. Do not open the door for anyone!
6. Once you get the “All Clear” announcement, follow the instructions given in the announcement. The announcement may tell you to resume normal activities or to return to your housing division.

Student Transportation

The Student Travel Office works with students, parents, airlines, and the institution in coordinating student travel to and from Interlochen's campus. To request an airport pickup or dropbox, please fill out the appropriate form in the Education Community.

Please note the following information about transportation and fees:

• Transportation generally requests a minimum of 72 hours notice. They will not accept any requests with less than 24 hours notice.
• Transportation Fees:
  • Medical Round Trip: Traverse City - $29.00
  • Cherry Capital Airport and Bus Terminal
    • Camp Arrival - $15.00
    • Camp Departure - $15.00
    • Unscheduled arrival or departure student - $16.00
  • Parent or Hotel Guest, Each Way - $29.00
  • No Shows or Late Notice (Less than 48 hours) - $35.00
     

Transportation questions may be directed to: 231.276.7303.