Pottstown Campus YOUR GUIDE TO A SAFE CAMPUS A Message

Pottstown Campus YOUR GUIDE TO A SAFE CAMPUS 2007-08 A Message from our President The College Campus Public Safety Building Name Changes Emergencies on Campus Building Access Student Information College Emergency Closing Information Common Phone Numbers Public Safety Vehicle Regulations & Parking Locations College Communications and Conduct Drug, Alcohol and Weapons Policy Crime Statistics Personal & Property Safety Auto Safety Smoking Policy Sexual Harassment & Assault Bicycling, Skateboarding and Rollerblading Lost and Found Fire Safety Evacuation Procedure Reporting to Public Safety Campus Public Safety: Frequently Asked Questions Keeping our Campus Safe A Message from our President Welcome to Montgomery County Community College! We are very proud of our campus safety record at both of our campuses, in Pottstown, and at Blue Bell. The College has one of the safest records of any college or university in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. That’s because our Trustees, faculty, staff, public safety officers and student leaders understand that ensuring campus safety is a continuous and collaborative effort with shared responsibility. I hope that you find the information in this brochure helpful. Your understanding of what to do in the case of a campus emergency and your following of some common sense safety tips will keep our campuses safe. Your comments for improvement of safety services as well as any student service are always welcome. Feel free to stop by the Public Safety Office or contact Mike Billetta, Director of Administrative Services, to share your ideas and/or concerns. Enjoy your time with us. Sincerely, Karen A. Stout President The College Montgomery County Community College Pottstown Campus is a two-year institution of higher education located in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. The original building location at 101 College Drive, the South Hall, opened in 1996 and has classrooms, science laboratories, a health career suite, a library, a campus bookstore and student support services. In spring 2006, the College expanded its facilities to 16 High Street, the North Hall, which includes state-of-the-art classrooms, an art gallery, art studios, and student support services, the Verizon Foundation Center for Excellence in Workforce Education and Training and a University Center. The College offers a large variety of degree and certificate programs, along with 30 plus partnership agreements with other universities and colleges. The College has an approximate enrollment of over 2000 full-time and part-time credit students and over 1500 non-credit students in day and evening courses during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Since Montgomery County Community College’s West Campus is a commuter institution, no housing is provided for enrolled students. Guide to Safe Campus Page 2 of 13 Campus Public Safety The Public Safety staff at Pottstown Campus consists of unarmed security officers and a site security supervisor. The officers undergo an extensive training program before joining the staff and receive additional on-campus training when hired. All officers must complete CPR, AED and First Aid training. The Public Safety Office is located at 101 College Drive, South Hall, in Room 129. All incidents involving public safety should be reported to and handled by the Public Safety Office. Non-criminal acts are referred to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs. The Director of Administrative Services is responsible for the supervision of the Public Safety Staff. The Pottstown and PA State Police are summoned to the campus to assist when necessary, including perpetrating arrest. Students, faculty, staff and visitors are encouraged to report any crime, unusual or suspicious incidents to the Public Safety Office in the event of an incident or an emergency. For issues which are not an emergency Campus Public Safety can be contacted by dialing extension 1822. Also, several emergency phones are located throughout the campus, inside and outside the campus buildings. The telephone operator and the emergency phone lines have direct radio contact with the Public Safety staff. Regular patrols of the campus facilities and grounds are conducted by the Public Safety staff and include ongoing observation of safety conditions. Everyone is empowered to report problems concerning campus lighting, walkway conditions and other potential safety issues, both inside and outside of the campus buildings. The appropriate personnel will be contacted so that corrective measures may be taken. Implemented in 2007, is the Emergency Notification System for receiving security and safety concerns as well as weather related closings, on cell phones. To sign up for this service, please refer to www.mc3.edu/txt/ . Building Name Changes Please note that the West Campus building names will be changing. The new names will be phased in over the 2007-2008 school year. The changes are as follows: 101 College Drive will be renamed the South Hall, 16 High Street will be renamed the North Hall and 140 College Drive will be renamed the Schuylkill Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center. The addresses will remain the same. Guide to Safe Campus Page 3 of 13 Emergencies on Campus The Use of Emergency Phones: To use the Yellow Emergency Communicator Boxes - Press the red button and release it. You will be connected to the emergency phone system. When the conversation is finished, press red button and release it again – this will disconnect the call. The black button is to activate the phone, as to communicate with the Public Safety Office in a non-emergency. To use the Internal Emergency Phones – Pick up the receiver and you will be connected to the emergency phone system. Locations of Emergency Phone/Communicator Boxes: At 101 College Drive, South Hall: • In Classrooms: o Classroom Telephones- Press the Emergency Button or Dial 1913 and it will automatically connect you to the College Switchboard Operator or a Public Safety Officer within 4 rings. Ground Floor (inside the garage foyer): o Emergency Phone- Next to the stairwell and near the elevators First Floor (inside the building): o Emergency Phone- Outside Health Career Suite - Room 124 o Emergency Phone- Across from Library near Room 152 Second Floor (inside the building): o Emergency Phone- In the lobby area, next to the elevators. East Parking Lot (outside): o Emergency Communicator Box (yellow)- mounted on a pole with a red light at top which is lit at night; located at the outer parking lot near the Septa Bus Stop. West Parking Lot (outside): o Emergency Communicator Box (yellow)- mounted on a pole with a red light at top which is lit at night; located at the outer parking lot near the Manatawny Creek. At the Main Entrance (outside): o Emergency Communicator Box (yellow)- mounted on wall. Inside the Elevator Cars: o On the bottom of the button control panel to the left behind the small door with the phone handle icon, push the “TO CALL" button. This will connect you to the emergency phone system. • • • • • • • Guide to Safe Campus Page 4 of 13 At 16 High Street, North Hall*: At the Main Entrance (outside) o Emergency Communicator Box (yellow)- mounted on the wall. • In Classrooms: o Classroom Telephones- Press the Emergency Button or Dial 1913 and it will automatically connect you to the College Switchboard Operator or a Public Safety Officer within 4 rings. *There are no elevators currently in service at the High Street building. • When walking around the campus, try to make a mental note of the exact locations of the emergency phones. From a non-emergency College Phone - dial 1913. From a pay or cell phone - dial 610-718-1913. • If there is an Emergency, Describe the event as exactly as possible: o Give the exact location. o Please give your name and don’t hang up until the operator has all the needed information. o In a medical emergency, try to have someone stay with the patient until help arrives. Don’t move the patient unless his/her life is in danger in the existing location. The operator will notify appropriate parties by phone and/or by two way radio. o All medical emergencies are transported to a local hospital (generally Pottstown Memorial Medical Center). • Location of Automatic External Defibrillators (AED’s) o At 101 College Drive, South Hall – First Floor, Next to Campus Bookstore. o At 16 High Street, North Hall – First Floor, Inside Main Entrance Lobby next to receptionist area. Contacting Campus Public Safety for Non-Emergency Assistance/Information Information Public Safety ON CAMPUS DIAL "0" 1822 OFF CAMPUS DIAL 610-718-1800 610-718-1822 Guide to Safe Campus Page 5 of 13 Building Access The North and South Halls are generally open to the public from 7:00 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday. On the weekend, the South Hall is open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. For any special events scheduled on campus, at times other than the above listed hours, the Public Safety Officers will open the required areas and secure the facilities at the conclusion of the activity. Student Information Please refer to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) for access to Student Information, www.mc3.edu/policy/sa/privacy.htm . College Emergency Closing Information The policy of the College is not to cancel classes unless absolutely necessary. In the event classes are cancelled due to weather conditions or for other emergency situations, cancellation will be announced on the below listed radio stations with the following code numbers: Pottstown Campus DAY CLASS CANCELLATION – 395 NIGHT CLASS CANCELLATION – 2395 KYW – 1060 AM WPAZ – 1370 AM WNPV – 1440 AM Please listen carefully for your College campus cancellation. There may be times when the Blue Bell Campus has cancelled events/classes and the Pottstown Campus has not, or vice versa. Please refer to the home page on the college’s web site at www.mc3.edu for cancellation updates. Day Classes – Are those which start before 3:00 p.m. When the announcement is made that the College will be "opening one hour late", the day will begin at 9:00 a.m. For example: o Any class with a start time before 9:00 a.m. would be cancelled. o All classes beginning after 9:00 a.m. would be on schedule. o Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday classes that meet from 8:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. will be cancelled, and the day will begin with the 10:00 a.m. class. o In the event of a two-hour delay, classes before and after 10:00 a.m. are affected under the same guidelines. Evening Classes – Are those which start at or after 3:30 p.m. Every attempt will be made to announce the cancellation of evening classes before 2:00 p.m. Off-Campus Classes – Off-campus classes are subject to the guidelines governing both the cancellation of events at Pottstown Campus and the closing of the particular off campus sites. Guide to Safe Campus Page 6 of 13 COMMON PHONE NUMBERS EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS ON CAMPUS DIAL OFF CAMPUS DIAL 1913 610-718-1913 Other Campus Numbers: Academic Affairs Administrative Services / Facilities Office Admissions Campus Bookstore Continuing Ed & Workforce Development ON CAMPUS DIAL 1892 1828 1850 2017 or 1829 1861 1906 1822 1944 1905 1800 1847 OFF CAMPUS DIAL 610-718-1892 610-718-1828 610-718-1850 610-718-1829 610-718-1861 610-718-1906 610-718-1822 610-718-1944 610-718-1905 610-718-1800 610-718-1847 Counseling/Advising/ Student Success Center Public Safety - Non-emergency Registration Student Affairs Switchboard Operator Vice President – Pottstown Campus Public Safety Vehicle Regulations & Parking Locations All vehicles on campus must be registered with the college. Parking permits may be obtained from the Public Safety Office in Room 129 at 101 College Drive, South Hall. The completed Parking Decal Application must be presented with the vehicle’s owner registration card. Decals must be in plain view, affixed to the vehicle’s left, rear bumper, or displayed from the rear view mirror using a hang tag. Parking decal permits are valid at both of the College’s campuses. Student parking is permitted in the general parking areas of 101 College Drive’s, South Hall, East, West and South lot’s, at 140 College Drive, located across the street of the College Drive location, and at 16 High Street, North Hall. Also, 3 hour parking is available along High Street and free parking in the Carousel parking lot located on West High Street, a short distance from the 16 High Street building. All lots can be accessed from either campus via the pedestrian underpass. Student parking is not permitted in gated lots, designated visitor spaces, or in any space designated for disabled parking or restricted use without appropriate authorization. All approved parking spaces are marked with white lines perpendicular to concrete curbing. Parallel parking is not permitted. Parking at the ends of parking lanes or on the grass anywhere on campus is prohibited. If you are a disabled driver or are seeking temporary disabled parking status, due to injury, please see the Public Safety Office for a Disabled Parking Application. Guide to Safe Campus Page 7 of 13 For students using 101 College Drive, South Hall, and 16 High Street, North Hall, additional public student parking is available at: The following locations are closest to 101 College Drive, South Hall: Students must have a College Public Safety parking permit displayed on their vehicle when parking in these off-campus lots. • • 140 College Drive, Schuylkill Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center- (the former “PECO” building) located east of the College Drive building. The Municipal Parking Lot- Metered parking, located on Hanover Street behind the AAA building. These parking spaces are patrolled by the Pottstown Police Department, who will issue parking violations for unauthorized vehicles or illegally parked vehicles. The following locations are closest to 16 High Street, North Hall: Students must have a College Public Safety parking permit displayed on their vehicle when parking in these off-campus lots. These parking spaces are patrolled by the Pottstown Police Department, who will issue parking violations for unauthorized vehicles or illegally parked vehicles. • • The Carousel Parking Lot- located on West High Street. High Street- street parking, there is a 3 hour time limit when parking in these spaces. Faculty/staff- may park in designated faculty/staff parking areas. They may not park in restricted areas, such as Disabled Parking, without a current PA State Disabled Parking Placard/License Plate or a College issued disabled parking hangtag. Motorcycle- parking is provided for: At 101 College Drive, South Hall, in the West parking lot; At 16 High Street, North Hall, in the North Hall parking lot next to building Visitors- on official college business are entitled to park in visitor parking areas and also in student parking lots, but must register with the public safety office. Disabled Parking- The Disabled Parking Procedures and the College and/or State Application forms and are available at the Public Safety Office and on the College’s website at www.mc3.edu/sa/health/disabled-park-proc.htm . The campus speed limit is 5 m.p.h. The public safety staff reserves the right to enforce the campus rules and regulations through issuance of monetary sanctions (tickets). Guide to Safe Campus Page 8 of 13 Appeals Process for Parking Violations (steps 1-6) If you receive a parking violation (ticket) while on campus, you may appeal it, either written or verbally. The following procedures must be followed: 1. The Traffic Appeal Form can be obtained in the Public Safety Office, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Complete the form concisely, explaining the circumstances around the violation, and submit it to the Public Safety Office with your ticket (except for parking violations issued by the Pottstown Police Department – see Item # 5 below). Appeals must be received in the Public Safety Office by the twelfth day after the date of the violation. Appeals filed after that time will not be reviewed. If the traffic appeal is verbal, the Public Safety Office will assign a date, time and location for you to appear before the Traffic Appeals Committee. You will have five (5) minutes to explain the circumstances of the violation. You are expected to conduct yourself in a responsible manner during the proceedings. Should you fail to appear, your appeal will be processed as a written appeal. All decisions of the committee are final. The Public Safety Office will notify you of the committee’s decision by mail. • NOTE: Parking violations issued by the Pottstown Police Department are handled through the Pottstown District Justice. The Traffic Appeals Committee is comprised of the following representations: a. Two students b. One faculty member c. One support staff member d. One administrator 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. College Communications and Conduct The Student Handbook/Calendar is a major source of information for students and includes the Code of Conduct and procedures for disciplinary action. The Code of Conduct is also available from the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Public Safety Office and is posted on the College’s website. College Policy: Drugs, Alcohol, and Weapons The possession, use and sale of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs, or the possession of weapons on campus is prohibited. Any member of the College community consuming or using alcohol, illegal drugs, or possessing weapons will be turned over to the local authorities for prosecution and will be referred to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs for disciplinary action. Guide to Safe Campus Page 9 of 13 Information regarding campus crime statistics is available upon request from the Public Safety Office or by accessing the Public Safety Link at www.mc3.edu/af/safety/safety.htm and clicking on the Clery Act. General Tips: Personal & Property Safety • If you are studying on campus at night, use populated areas such as the Library, the Learning Assistance Lab, or the Student Lounge. Stay in well lit areas. Carry a whistle or other personal alarm system. Employees should let Public Safety know when they are working off hours. When possible, use the buddy system and walk together after dark. If you have a personal safety concern, day or evening, contact Public Safety. If you are in possession of a Protection from Abuse Order and request to officially notify the College⎯contact Public Safety. Don't leave your valuables, purses and backpacks unattended. If you would like an escort to your vehicle, contact Public Safety for an officer to assist you. • • • • • Auto Safety • • Drive safely and within the 5 M.P.H. speed limits throughout campus. Keep your car locked and all valuables out of sight. If your car breaks down on campus, contact Public Safety. Vehicles left on campus without notifying the college may be towed at the owner’s expense. Register your vehicle with Public Safety and display current MCCC Parking Decal on the left side of vehicle’s rear bumper or on a hangtag from rearview mirror. • Smoking Policy The College’s CLEAN AIR policy prohibits smoking on Campus beginning September 5th, 2007. Please refer to the policy at www.mc3.edu/policy/adm/smoke.htm . Guide to Safe Campus Page 10 of 13 Sexual Harassment & Assault Sexual harassment differs from sexual assault in that no one is physically abused. Depending on the circumstances, examples of harassment include: repeated and unwanted romantic advances, discussions of a sexual nature, abusive language aimed at a particular sex, the telling of lewd jokes, or unwanted touching. Report an incident of harassment and/or assault to the Public Safety Office immediately. Information regarding the college’s sexual assault www.mc3.edu/af/safety/safety.htm#sexassaultprotocol . Information regarding sexual predators www.registeredoffenderslist.org . in the protocol please refer to area can be reached at Bicycling, Skateboarding, and Rollerblading on Campus While on campus, please walk bicycles on walkways and secure them to the bicycle rack in the garage while in class. Bicycling, skateboarding and rollerblading are not permitted on the campus, including the pedestrian underpass connecting the North and South Halls. Lost and Found If you find something that has been lost or left behind, or if you lose something, check with Lost and Found at the Public Safety Office (Room 129) in 101 College Drive, South Hall. Fire Safety In the event of fire, notify a Public Safety Officer immediately by picking up an emergency phone or dialing 1913 on any non-emergency college phone. Do not use the elevators. Use the stairs to exit the building. Evacuation Procedure An Evacuation Route floor plan is posted near the entrance to each classroom and office area. You should become familiar with the route to take if you are instructed to evacuate the building. All stairwells lead to the Ground Floor. Building Marshals have been designated to assist in an evacuation. Most evacuation situations prohibit the use of the elevators. If you require assistance with leaving the building, go to the Area of Rescue designated on the posted Evacuation Route floor plan. A building marshal will assist you. At 101 College Drive, South Hall, – the Area of Rescue is located in the Second Floor Lobby across from the elevators and stairwell. Reporting to Public Safety Please contact Public Safety and report any safety concerns (i.e., campus lights out, hazards, etc.) and any suspicious circumstances; report all accidents, crimes and emergency situations as soon as possible. See "IN AN EMERGENCY" in this brochure. Guide to Safe Campus Page 11 of 13 Frequently Asked Questions about Campus Public Safety Where do I get a Parking Permit? o Parking Permits are available at the South Hall’s Public Safety/Information Office at the main entrance, Room 129 and the North Hall’s Information Desk. You will need your vehicle registration card when you apply. You may apply from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and until 5:00 p.m. on Fridays. Where do I place the permit? o Permits may be placed on the left rear bumper, or on a hang tag suspended from the rear view mirror with the information facing the windshield. Hangtags may be purchased at the Campus Bookstore. Where can I park? o At 101 College Drive, South Hall, & At 16 High Street, North Hall, Student parking is permitted in any lot, East, West, or South. Additional parking is available at 140 College Drive, the Schuylkill Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center, across the street and adjacent to the campus. Student parking is not permitted in gated lots, designated visitor spaces, or in any space designated for disabled parking or restricted use without appropriate authorization. All approved parking spaces are marked with white lines perpendicular to concrete curbing. Parallel parking is not permitted. Parking at the ends of parking lanes or on the grass anywhere on campus is prohibited. What do I do if I have to bring another car on campus? o You can register the car at the Public Safety/Information Office, immediately upon arriving at the campus. This will give you a daily exception. What can I do if my car breaks down on campus? o Notify the Public Safety Office either by picking up one of the emergency phones located throughout the parking lots (red lights on pole) or by dialing 1913 from any college phone inside a building. o The Public Safety office can provide battery starts for drained auto batteries. If you car is in need of mechanical service or towing the Public Safety officer can communicate with local services for you. Information regarding College services, policies and procedures, departmental phone numbers, etc. is available in the Student Success Center – Room 151 at 101 College Drive, South Hall, as well as online at www.mc3.edu/students.html#ci . Guide to Safe Campus Page 12 of 13 Montgomery County Community College is committed to assuring equal opportunity to all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or applicable disability in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendment of 1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other applicable statutes. Inquiries concerning Title IX and/or 504 Compliance or ADA should be referred to: The Director of Equity and Diversity Initiatives, (215) 619-7413, East House, Blue Bell Campus. 16 High Street, North Hall 101 College Drive, South Hall Original 10/2001 Revised 9/2003; 7/2004: 8/22/05; 8/21/06; 5/7/07, 8/02/07 Guide to Safe Campus Page 13 of 13