University offices are generally open weekdays from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Classes begin at 8:30 a.m., and evening classes are in session until 10:05 p.m. Buildings are generally open by 7:30 a.m. and are secured by 10:30 p.m.
There are 11 residence halls and three apartment complexes on campus. All residence halls are locked 24 hours a day. Residents are supplied with an ID card to enter their residence hall and must utilize an intercom/telephone system to allow visitors to enter. Residents are supplied an ID card or a front door key for access to their residence hall or apartment building. All visitors must be escorted at all times by their host. Students are also responsible for the behavior of their guests throughout the campus. To ensure safety, please do not prop open doors or allow unfamiliar individuals to enter the building. The apartments are secured 24 hours a day. Suspicious individuals should be reported to the police.
The Office of Residential Life also employs student resident assistant staff members at the two off-campus housing facilities and has a resident staff member at the off-campus apartment complexes.
Escort Service
The University Police Department offers a free escort service 24 hours a day to all members of the University community. The escort service may be provided by a police officer or safety officer on foot, or by police vehicle. For your protection, you are encouraged to utilize this service. This service is available on the main campus as well as at the University Bluffs.
When a resident of the University Bluffs cannot locate a parking spot onsite and is concerned for their safety, or for any other non-emergency safety concern, they can contact the Monmouth University Police Department at 732-571-4444 or ext. 4444 to request a police escort to and/or from their vehicle to their apartment. In the event of an emergency, they should call 911.
Fire and Safety
The University has a Supervisor of Electric, Fire, and Safety Systems who conducts, with the assistance of the three full-time Fire and Safety Technicians, safety inspections of all areas on campus. In addition, a University fire and safety committee meets regularly to address a variety of safety issues on campus. The University Police reports all noted conditions to the Department of Facilities Management for corrective action.
The University is in full compliance with the regulations set forth in the New Jersey Dormitory Safety Trust Fund Act of 2000. All residential halls and campus apartments have sprinklers and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors installed. University police, along with fire and safety personnel, conduct four fire drills per year in all buildings on and off campus and in off-campus residence facilities. In addition, University officials have an excellent relationship with the local fire marshals and welcome their input. All fire safety systems are inspected and tested annually by an outside vendor to ensure continued compliance.
All members of the University community are reminded that intentionally causing a fire alarm to activate wherein no fire condition is present is an indictable offense under the State of New Jersey Criminal Justice Code. All persons found to have perpetrated this crime, as with all other crimes on campus, will be arrested by the Monmouth University Police Department and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In addition, students may be charged under the Student Code of Conduct. The police department maintains a fire log at dispatch that can be reviewed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All members of the University community are also reminded that all fires must be reported to the University Police Department. The police will then contact the appropriate fire and other emergency personnel needed.
On-Campus Student Housing Facility Fire Safety Systems
In order to provide safe and secure student housing, an understanding of the Residential Life Facility Fire Safety System is critical. The following procedure shall address the fire protection equipment in Monmouth University’s Campus Residence Halls.
All University Residence Halls feature the following fire protection equipment:
- Fire alarm systems are centrally monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All fire alarm devices in University Residence Halls (smoke detectors, CO detectors, heat detectors, pull stations, flow detectors, etc.) are “addressable” (i.e., the fire alarm panels can pinpoint the specific location of each device and send that information to the central monitoring station).
- Smoke detectors in all student living areas.
- Combination horn/strobe light fire alarms in all common areas requiring audible devices.
- Horn/strobe light fire alarms in all ADA-compliant bedrooms.
- Fire-suppression sprinklers in all student living areas.
- Rated fire doors with self-closing devices throughout the buildings.
- CO detectors in all areas with appliances that combust fuels (e.g., boiler rooms, furnace closets, kitchens, etc.).
- Fire alarm pull stations in all common areas.
- Emergency lighting to illuminate building egresses in the event that power is lost.
- Fire extinguishers in building common areas.
Apartment-style residence halls (Maplewood Hall, the Garden Apartments, and the Great Lawn Apartments) have fire extinguishers inside each apartment, located in the common living space near the apartment’s kitchen. Additionally, the Garden and Great Lawn Apartments have fire alarm pull stations within the student apartments near each kitchen.
Residence halls that have centrally handled air systems (Oakwood and Redwood Halls) feature:
- Smoke detectors in the central-air-handling duct work.
- Smoke dampers in air-handling ducts and fan motor relays to shut off air circulation in the event of a fire.
- Magnetic hold-open devices that allow fire doors in building hallways to automatically close when the fire alarm system is activated.
Hesse Hall and Oakwood Hall incorporate a voice alarm system with speakers located in each student sleeping area.
Fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers, and exit signs, required by the state, are for the protection of all residents. Tampering with fire equipment or setting off a false fire alarm is an offense under state law. Deliberately causing a fire is a crime. A student will be subject to disciplinary action and/or arrest if found tampering with fire equipment, falsely setting off the alarm system, or intentionally causing a fire. The above noted violations will also be handled through the University judicial process.
In addition, each resident is responsible for being familiar with the location of exits, fire extinguishers, and alarm pull stations. Residential Life staff will be happy to provide additional information or assistance in this area.
Candles and Open Flames
No candles are permitted in any campus or University-sponsored facility. Items that require an open flame to operate, or that produce heat ( Bunsen burners, lighted candles, incense, indoor and outdoor grills, etc.), are not allowed in residents’ rooms or adjacent to any University building. Unburned candles may not be used for
decorative purposes.
Monmouth University List of Exceptions Regarding Open Flames
- Lighted candles shall be permitted for ceremonies, religious functions, cultural events, or honorary groups provided students have the approval of the Monmouth University Chief of Police.
- Lit candles shall never be left unsupervised.
- Candles shall be securely fixed in sturdy, approved candle holders or glass enclosures (e.g., hurricane lamps, etc.).
- Open flames used in assembly areas holding more than 50 people shall require approval of the Chief of the Monmouth University Police and be in compliance with the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Life Safety Code 101/13.72.
- Any open flames utilized by Facilities Management personnel in furtherance of their assigned duties.
- Food service operations, such as portable cooking equipment, shall be placed on a non-combustive surface.
- Laboratories are excluded from this policy, but extreme care should be exercised to ensure safe operations.
- Tailgating at sporting events. However, the Monmouth University Police and/or representatives of local or state jurisdictions have the authority to stop or prevent unsafe acts or conditions.
- Bonfires, with the prior approval of the West Long Branch Fire Marshall and Chief of Monmouth University Police.
- Open flame barbecue grills or propane tank barbecues for specific University events, such as Homecoming, with the necessary University approvals.
- The storage of propane or barbecue grills in any University-owned or -sponsored housing for students is strictly prohibited.
- The storage of propane or barbecue grills inside a University building requires the approval of the Monmouth University Police Captain, and shall comply with NFPA 58.
- Pyrotechnic and open flame devices for special effects with the approval of the Monmouth University Police Captain.
Consideration shall only be given for areas in which there are fire sprinklers.
Refrigerators and Appliances
Owned or rented refrigerators must be of a compact size, UL approved, and not in excess of 3.2 cubic feet. Only one refrigerator per resident is allowed. In triple rooms, a maximum of two refrigerators is permitted. Any exceptions must be approved by the area coordinator. Refrigerators may not be stored in closets or other areas that do not provide adequate ventilation. Extension cords are prohibited for use with refrigerators.
All appliances used for food preparation (e.g., hot plates, hot pots, toaster ovens, microwave ovens, popcorn poppers, etc.), with the exception of leased micro-fridge units and Keurig-type (single-serve) coffee makers are prohibited in the residence halls. In addition, halogen lamps (floor or desk) are not permitted. Possession or use of these appliances in the residence halls will result in an administrative fine and confiscation of the appliance. These appliances are considered a serious fire hazard since they draw more electricity than the buildings can provide.
Flammable Items
Items that are flammable, such as hazardous fuels, liquids, or objects (e.g., gasoline, kerosene, fireworks, propane tanks, turpentine, or other art supplies, etc.) are prohibited.
Hoverboards
Hoverboards or similar devices are prohibited in all residential facilities owned or operated by the University. Hoverboards may be used on campus but cannot be charged in any facility of the University.
Fire Education and Training
It is Monmouth University policy to strive to provide and maintain safe conditions and to follow operating practices that safeguard all students, employees, and visitors. The purpose of Fire Safety Training is to provide a safe environment. The goals of the training are to:
- Encourage safe practices and living habits throughout the University community;
- Reduce the threat of injury to faculty, staff, students, and visitors;
- Reduce the risk to property; and
- Mitigate injuries to persons and damage to property in the event of a fire.
The Training
- The University police along with the University Office of Compliance shall coordinate/conduct fire drills for all residential halls (in conjunction with Residential Life Staff) and academic buildings. Fire drills will be conducted twice a semester.
- Annual fire training for Residential Assistants shall be conducted in conjunction with the Monmouth University Office of Compliance.
Smoking on University Property
- Smoking is permitted on the grounds of the campus; however, smokers must be at least 25 feet away from building entrances or air intake systems. Smoking inside campus buildings is not permitted.
- The University urges due consideration for others and compliance with safety measures while smoking.
- Outside groups who utilize University facilities are required to comply with this policy.
- Individuals wishing to smoke are required to stand at least 25 feet from the building entrance and are required to utilize appropriate receptacles to discard cigarettes.
- Smoking, for purposes of this policy, shall be defined as the burning of, inhaling from, exhaling the smoke from, or the possession of a lighted cigar, pipe, or any other matter or substance that contains tobacco or any other matter that can be smoked, or the inhaling or exhaling of smoke or vapor from a hookah or an electronic smoking device (e-cigarette).
- Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against individuals who do not comply with this policy.