Emergency Information
Friday, April 13, 2012 – Operations return to normal after smoke reported at Harrill Hall
12:57 p.m. – Fire officials have cleared from Harrill Hall and operations have returned to normal.
12:00 p.m. – Fire officials continue to monitor the situation at Harrill Residence Hall. The residence hall is currently undergoing renovations and is not occupied by students.
9:59 a.m. – Preliminary reports indicate that sparks from welding as part of the residence hall renovation project contacted insulation, which produced a large amount of smoke. Fire departments remain on the scene as a precautionary measure. Emergency management officials ask that everyone continue to avoid the area.
9:24 a.m. – University Police has received a report of smoke in Harrill Residence Hall. The Cullowhee Fire Department is on scene assessing the area. Please avoid the area at this time. – WCU Communication Center
In the event of an emergency, this page will provide the most current information on the nature of the emergency and the university’s response to the situation. If you have questions, please call 828-227-7327.
Emergency Phone Numbers
On-campus: dial 8911
Off-campus: dial 911
University Police: 828-227-7301
WCU has a range of strategies in place to promote a safe environment and respond to emergencies as part of the institution’s emergency preparedness efforts. Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to an emergency on WCU’s emergency preparedness Web site.
Register to receive WCU emergency notifications
CatTracker is a system that allows students, faculty, staff and parents to receive a message in case of emergency. Messages can be sent to e-mail, cell phone or home phone. Sign up for CatTracker today!
A siren sound alert means that there is an emergency on campus, a potentially dangerous condition, or impending threat. You should check here or tune into the University radio station WWCU-FM (90.5 FM) and listen for information and/or instructions. Emergencies would be a person with a gun, flooding, a large building fire with toxic smoke or a chemical release into the air, a HAZMAT incident, or the approach of severe weather.
The sirens must be tested at regular intervals. The University tests the siren system at noon on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
When there is a threat of criminal violence or an emergency, it may be necessary for you to shelter-in-place, to enhance your safety by remaining in your facility. Follow these instructions when notified of an incident that requires you to shelter-in-place.
Winter weather that causes hazardous driving conditions, and forecasts for such weather, can result in weather-related schedule changes being implemented at Western Carolina University. Check out the weather-related announcements Web site for more information about weather conditions.
