Faculty, Staff and Students:

Today, we performed a lockdown drill at the Chicago campus to test our preparedness in case of an emergency. Unfortunately, we noticed many did not seem to take this drill seriously or act appropriately and shelter in place during the drill. It is crucial that appropriate actions are taken, even during drills, so you know the proper steps to take in an emergency. We will be repeating these drills until we feel our community confidently responds to emergencies. We take your safety seriously here at National Louis.

The University provides Emergency Information on our website to help guide you on how to handle emergency situations, including our Campus Lockdown procedures. This information is available at www.nl.edu/emergency<http://www.nl.edu/emergency>, and the lockdown procedures are provided below. There are also emergency information procedures posted in each classroom.

At each campus front desk, you will find red, pocket size information cards that contain important Crisis Management Information, emergency phone numbers and steps to take in case of various emergencies. We urge everyone to take one of these cards and carry it with you as a reference.

Please call if you have any questions.

Marty Mickey
(312) 261-3050


Campus Lockdown Procedures

In the case of a campus lockdown, the University phones will serve as a public address (PA) system to broadcast alerts and instructions to anyone within the building. The lockdown alert will be utilized for potential life threatening situations (such as an active shooter) where sheltering in place instead of evacuating provides the highest level of safety.

When the lockdown alert is broadcasted the following will occur:

  *   An audible message will begin stating: "Lockdown alert. Remain in your area. Await further instructions."
  *   The local law enforcement will be alerted to an emergency on campus.

What YOU should do in the event of a lockdown alert:

  *   If you are in a classroom or office area, immediately lock the entry door and turn off the lights. If in a classroom or lab, turn off computer monitors and projectors. Keep students inside, away from windows and take cover if possible.
  *   If the threat is in your immediate area, DO NOT lock the aggressor in your area with you.
  *   If you are out in a common area, seek the nearest secure shelter (i.e., a nearby classroom, office, bathroom, etc.)
  *   Remain in your secured area until further instructions are provided. This may take some time and require patience.
  *   Do not use answer office or classroom phones and silence cell phones while in lockdown.

IMPORTANT: If you are sheltering-in-place in your office, classroom or other areas, it is important that you remain locked down as police pass through the area to investigate and secure the threat. It is also important that you indicate (if possible) to the police non-verbally that your area is secure, and the offender is not in that area.  This will be accomplished by giving the police a "thumbs-up" as they approach your door. If the threat is in your area, do not respond to police. This will signal that there is a potential threat in your area and they will enter the room. If there is not a threat in your area, the police will move to the next area. REMAIN IN LOCKDOWN!

Once the threat has been contained, a police officer accompanied by a school representative will move from area to area to release people from lockdown. Wait for the official release. This may take some time. Please remain in your area as it will be imperative to provide medical assistance if necessary and the police and/or security may need additional information from you regarding the incident.