Campus is open.
The most up-to-date information on campus conditions and news about weather-related closings will be distributed through CUNY Alert, on the QC homepage, college email, and the college’s Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts, as well as on radio stations WCBS 880AM and WINS 1010 AM, and on TV stations NY1 and WNBC Channel 4.
Emergency Announcement Notifications:
Queens College Website Homepage: There will be a banner on the homepage which gives a campus status update. https://www.qc.cuny.edu.
Queens College Website Emergency Preparedness Page: Visit this page for updates and bookmark it in your browser: https://www.qc.cuny.edu/alert/.
CUNY Alert: New students, faculty, and staff members are auto-enrolled in the CUNY Alert system to receive text, email, and voice alerts. To manage your preferences, log in to CUNYfirst and select the CUNY Alert tile. University employees without access to CUNYfirst and interested parties, such as parents or contractors doing business at CUNY, can set up a guest account to receive CUNY Alert notifications. For more information, go to http://www.cuny.edu/news/alert.html.
Queens College Facebook page: Like our page and sign up for notifications. https://www.facebook.com/QueensCollege.
Twitter: Follow us @QC_News
QCMailer (college-wide emails): Students, faculty, and staff will receive notifications.
Your safety is paramount and we welcome suggestions on improving our communication with you on this and other matters.
Your safety is paramount and we welcome suggestions on improving our communication with you on this and other matters.
Safety First!
The safety of students, faculty, and staff at Queens College is of the highest priority. We monitor weather conditions. In the event of bad storms or other crises, we are ready to work with local and state agencies to coordinate emergency procedures.
To be notified about emergencies or weather-related closings via mobile phone, home phone, and/or email, please sign up for CUNY Alert.
To report suspicious activity or an emergency situation on college grounds, please call Public Safety at 718-997-5912 or activate one of the blue emergency phones throughout the campus.
To share information during an emergency, designated campus officials may use one or more of the following methods of communication:
- QC Homepage
- CUNY Alert
- Queens College’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram accounts
- Radio stations – WCBS 880AM, WINS 1010AM
- TV stations – NY1, WNBC-TV Channel 4
Fire Safety
Open flames are not permitted in campus buildings. This includes candles, incense, burners, sterno pots for cooking, bonfires, etc.
If you are receving food from an outside catering service, please be sure that there are no open flames. Hot plates are recommended.
Preparing for a Tornado
What to do if a tornado strikes
Go to your basement or the lowest point of your residence. If an underground shelter is not available, move to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture.
Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
Stay away from windows.
Get out of automobiles.
Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car; leave it immediately for safe shelter.
If you cannot find shelter, take cover in a ditch or other recessed area and cover your head with your hands. Do NOT take cover under an overpass or bridge.
Be aware of flying debris.
Mobile homes offer little protection from tornadoes. Leave a mobile home and go to the lowest floor of a nearby building or storm shelter.
Avoid places with wide-span roofs, such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, or shopping malls.
Preparing for a Tornado
Designate an area for shelter in the event of a tornado.
Stay tuned to radio stations WCBS 880AM and WINS 1010AM and TV stations NY1 and WNBC-TV Channel 4 for the latest storm information.
If a tornado is imminent, go to the designated shelter area. If you can’t reach that area quickly, move to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Stay away from windows.
After a storm, watch out for fallen power lines and stay away from damaged areas.
If you smell gas or chemical fumes, leave the building immediately. Do not turn on any switches or appliances, including landline or cell phones and flashlights.
Learn Tornado Danger Signs
An approaching cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even if a funnel is not visible.
Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still.
Tornadoes generally occu near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm. It is not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies behind a tornado.
After the Storm
Watch our for fallen power lines and stay away from damaged areas.
Listen to the radio for information and instructions.
Help injured or trapped persons; give first aid when appropriate.
Don’t try to move the seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
If you smell gas, do not turn on any appliances or switches. This includes using phones, flashlights, or a cell phone.
Clean up spilled medicines, bleashes, gasoline, or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the building if you smell gas or chemical fumes.
Take pictures of the damage — both to your home and its contents –for insurance purposes.
Security Reminders
Do not leave pocketbooks, laptops, wallets, and other valuables unattended!
Always be alert and aware of your surroundings. Show a confident attitude.
Keep your doors locked. Do not prop open office doors, keyed bathroom doors, or exit doors (using any type of wedge) as this invites trespassers.
All suspicious activity should be reported immediately to the Campus Public Safety office at 718 997 5911/75912.
Make sure that all exterior doors and emergency exit doors are closed and unobstructed by debris.
Do not lend your keys or QC ID card to anyone. All desk drawers should be locked and secured when not in use.
If you sense that you may be in danger, follow your instinct and try to get out of the situation quickly.
Building Closures
All buildings throughout the campus are generally closed one half hour after the last class session ends.
For your safety, the Kissena Hall 2 entrance doors will be locked at 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. You must use the entrance at Kissena 1 to access the building. Be prepared to show your QC identification card upon entering the building.
24/7 Contact Information
Public Safety 718-997-5911
Public Safety 718-997-5912
The Summit 718-570-0310
Emergency Response Guide
Video: How to Respond to an Active Shooter on Campus
Campus AED Location and Status
Environmental Health & Safety at QC (requires MyQC login)
NYC Office of Emergency Management
MTA (when emergencies affect transportation)
American Red Cross of Greater New York
Aware Prepare – New York State All-Hazard Guide
Queens Borough President’s Office – Emergency Services Information