The Office of Environmental Health and Safety promotes a culture of shared responsibility by students, faculty, staff, and visitors for a healthy, safe, and environmentally sound community. EHS ensures compliance with University programs and local, state, and federal regulatory requirements.

Student Safety

Excellence in education and research is of primary importance at Southeast Missouri State University and students are integral in the creation and maintenance of a safe environment. They are responsible for ensuring safety in the classroom and housing facilities. These responsibilities include:

• Being familiar with University emergency procedures; 

• Responding appropriately in the event of an emergency; 

• Being familiar with Environmental Health and Safety policies and procedures; 

• Maintaining a safe classroom and housing environment; 

• Knowing the hazards of materials and/or equipment being used; 

• Reporting any unsafe conditions to a faculty member or resident assistant/hall director and/or the Office of Environmental Health and Safety; 

• Participating in all required safety trainings.

Laboratory Safety

The University has the responsibility of ensuring that students are well informed on the physical and chemical hazards of laboratory work. Prior to initiating any laboratory work, students are advised of health hazards and appropriate safety measures by the University's faculty and staff.

Laboratory Assistants and students completing research are required to attend General Laboratory Safety Training provided by EHS and Specific Laboratory Safety Training for the individual lab is provided by the responsible faculty member.

Skateboarding and Sledding

These activities can result in serious injury. The University discourages these activities on campus property, and takes no responsibility for any accidents resulting in injuries or property damage.

Parkour and Free-Running

These activities can result in serious injury. The University discourages these activities on campus property, and takes no responsibility for any accidents resulting in injuries or property damage.

Campus Crime

The Department of Public Safety has information on Campus Crime Statistics, Prevention Programs, and On-Campus Safety.

Municipal Separate Storm System (MS4)

A municipal separate storm system (MS4) is a publicly-owned conveyance or system of conveyances (i.e., ditches, curbs, catch basins, underground pipes, etc.) that is designed or used for collecting or conveying storm water and that discharges to surface waters of the State. To name a few examples, an MS4 can be operated by municipalities, counties, drainage districts, colleges, military bases, or prisons.

Southeast Missouri State University operates a Phase II MS4.  The MS4 is governed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) Comprehensive General Permit for Phase II MS4s.  This permit is required by the MoDNR as mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act of 1972. 

SEMO is in the process of renewing our MS4 Permit.  More information on this renewal can be found on our Environmental Health and Safety Management Site or by contacting EHS.  If you have any questions, concerns, or concerns about the renewal, please contact EHS at ehs@semo.edu by March 27, 2026.