Campus Security Handbook

INTRODUCTION
The Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990, requires all institutions of higher education to collect and distribute information about crime on campus and ways to prevent it. The intent of this publication is to provide you with knowledge of and what you can do in case you become a victim.
Because safety is a basic concern for all, we are committed to having a safe campus. Only on a safe campus will learning truly occur in a meaningful way.
SECURITY MEASURES
Reporting Criminal Acts and Other Emergencies:
Emergencies - If you are the victim or witness to a crime on campus, or if there is an emergency, dial "0" from any campus telephone to reach the College Information Center for the Jackson Campus and dial “7001” to reach the switchboard for the Macon Campus or come to the front desk at the Macon Campus. Other off-campus locations should notify local law enforcement.
Other Criminal Acts - Notify the following:
Jackson Campus
 
Jackson County Sheriff - The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is located in the Balsam Center on the first floor. The Campus Resource Officer on duty can be reached by calling extensions 4294 or 0 from any campus telephone. The Campus Resource Officer will come to the scene of the incident and a report will be made. This report may become critical if subsequent actions are necessary.
During non-business hours call the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 586-8901.
Vice President for Instruction and Student Services - In the event an emergency has been reported, the Campus Resource Officer will notify the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services (located 3rd floor of Bradford Hall, telephone ext. 4308) if the victim or the accused is a student.
Macon Campus
Macon Campus Receptionist – The receptionist is located on the main floor at the front desk. The receptionist or front desk may be reached by calling extension 7001 from any campus telephone. The receptionist will contact the Macon County Sheriff and a law enforcement officer will come to the scene of the incident and a report will be made. This report may become critical if subsequent actions are necessary.
During non-business hours call the Macon County Sheriff’s Office at 524-2811.
Vice President for Macon Campus and Development - In the event an emergency has been reported, the Vice President will be notified if the victim or the accused is a student. The Vice President’s office is located on the main floor in the faculty office suite, telephone extension 7018. 
Other Locations
  • Cashiers Center – Jackson County Sheriff – 586-8901 and Center Director
  • Cherokee Center – Cherokee Tribal Police – 497-4131 and Center Director
  • Macon Annex - Macon County Sheriff – 524-2811 and Center Director
  • Public Safety Training Center - Macon County Sheriff – 524-2811 and Center Director
  • Swain Center - Swain County Sheriff – 488-4844 and Center Director

Regardless of which employee is notified, the college will respond to such incidents or emergencies by taking full and complete statements from all individuals involved. The particulars of the incident will determine whether further actions will be taken---including campus discipline or criminal charges.

Access to Campus Facilities:

Hours - Most campus offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Classroom buildings are open from 7:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m., Monday-Thursday and 7:30 a.m.. - 4:00 p.m. on Friday. When an office or facility is clearly closed, it is against college policy for anyone other than employees of the college to gain access. Students who enter closed facilities will be disciplined. Non-students who enter closed facilities will be treated as trespassers, and Campus Resource Officers or law enforcement officials will be notified.

Guests/Visitors - Guests and visitors are welcome on campus; however, guests may not interrupt classes for any reason. Prospective students should arrange for a tour through Student Services located in the Balsam Center for the Jackson Campus and in Room 206 for the Macon Campus.

Outside Groups - Outside groups who want to use college facilities may make arrangements to do so through the Extension Education office, located in Founders Hall, telephone extension 4321 for the Jackson Campus and through the receptionist, located at the front desk, telephone extension 7001 for the Macon Campus.

Jackson Campus - Southwestern Community College employees have the obligation to enforce all college policies and regulations regarding safety and security. Jackson County Sheriff Campus Resource Officers have the obligation to enforce the statutes of the state of North Carolina. In the performance of their duties, college employees are permitted to ask for identification. Campus Resource Officers may ask for identification and detain students. It is always in the student's best interest to cooperate, even if the student feels that he/she has done nothing wrong. Failure to cooperate may lead to serious disciplinary consequences. Many matters that are violations by law may and will be handled on campus. Campus traffic violations are an example.

Macon Campus and other college locations – Southwestern Community College employees have the obligation to enforce all college policies and regulations regarding safety and security. College employees are permitted to ask for identification. It is always in the student's best interest to cooperate, even if the student feels that he/she has done nothing wrong. Failure to cooperate may lead to serious disciplinary consequences. The appropriate local law enforcement unit may be contacted in the case of an accident, safety, and/or security issues at the college’s Macon campus.

General Security and Personal Safety Suggestions

A. Definition of Security - Security is safety of people and property.

B. Where you live:

  ·Keep all doors locked, day and night. This is the single best deterrent to the would-be thief.

  ·Do not let strangers in.

  ·Do not leave a door unlocked in anticipation of a family member’s, roommate’s or friend's arrival. Many thefts occur while the occupant is nearby, having left their residence unlocked temporarily.

C. To protect your property:

  ·Lock your door every time you leave.

  ·Engrave expensive equipment and valuables with an ID number.

  ·Do not store your purse in an unlocked desk drawer.

  ·Do not leave your belongings unattended in the library, gym, or student lounge.

D. To protect your vehicle:

  ·Always lock your car and take the keys.

  ·Lock valuables in the trunk.

  ·Park in well-lighted areas.

E. When you park/drive:

  ·Obey the Traffic Code: www.southwesterncc.edu/policies/7.15.htm

  ·Fire lanes must be kept open for emergency vehicles.

  ·"Handicap" parking is reserved for disabled persons.

  ·"Visitor" parking is for off-campus visitors only.

  ·Obey the 20 mph speed limited because all campus roadways are heavily utilized.

  ·When returning to your car, have the keys ready to open the door and check the interior before getting in the car.

  ·Be aware of pedestrians in parking lots and crosswalks.

F. When working in academic buildings:

  ·Avoid working or studying alone at night in a building.

  ·Keep the work area door locked.

  ·Avoid isolated areas and poorly lighted areas that are not in constant use (such as the auditorium and back stage areas).

  ·Be aware of your personal surroundings and report suspicious people to the Campus Resource Officer and or Center Director.

G. Horseplay:

  ·Horseplay on stairways, roadside, or in the parking lot or other potentially dangerous areas may injure others. Use common sense; safety should be the responsibility of everyone.

H. Campus Grounds:

  ·To increase your security on campus grounds, avoid isolated areas and travel with a trusted friend.

I. Winter:

  ·Use caution when traveling or walking on concrete or asphalt surfaces because frozen ground will quickly ice over with a small amount of precipitation.

J. Fire:

  ·Know the location of fire alarms and exits. Never use an elevator during a fire or suspected fire-use the fire exit.

  ·Note the location of the nearest telephone and fire extinguisher in case of an emergency.

K. Assault:

  ·If you are assaulted-scream something definite such as HELP ME! I DON'T KNOW THIS PERSON!

L. Security Information:

  ·Security procedures and practices encourage students and employees to be responsible for their own safety and the safety of others. The college's primary concern is to protect persons first, then property.

M. North Carolina Registered Sex Offender Information:

  ·The North Carolina Registered Sex Offender and Public Information Registry http://ncfindoffender.com/disclaimer.aspx

  • Jackson County Sheriff – 586-8901
  • Macon County Sheriff – 524-2811
  • Swain County Sheriff – 488-4844
  • Cherokee Tribal Police – 497-4131

We ask that you:

· Be aware and alert.

· Be considerate of others (safety is everyone's responsibility)

 

STANDARDS OF STUDENT CONDUCT, DISCIPLINE, APPEAL AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES 

The college reserves the right to maintain a safe and orderly educational environment for students and staff. Therefore, when, in the judgment of college officials, a student's conduct disrupts or threatens to disrupt the college community, appropriated disciplinary action will be taken to restore and protect the sanctity of the community.

Students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with generally accepted standards of scholarship and morality. The purpose of these standards is not to restrict students' rights, but to protect the rights of individuals in their academic pursuits.

The regulations setting forth offenses for which disciplinary proceedings may be initiated include the disciplinary appeals procedure, and the grievance procedure may be found in the Southwestern Community College Handbook.

CRIME STATISTICS

The statistics relating to frequency of major crimes on campus are published annually for the previous year.

Offenses Reported 2007 2008 2009 2010
Murder 0 0 0 0
Sex Offense 0 0 0 0
Robbery 0 0 0 0
Aggravated Assault 1 0 0 0
Burglary 2 0 0 1
Burglary-off campus 0 0 0 0
Motor Vehicle Theft 0 0 0 0
Liquor Law Violation 0 0 0 1
Drug Abuse Violation 0 0 1 3
Weapons Possession 1 0 0 1
Hate Crimes 0 0 0 0

 

VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING AND VIOLENCE PROTECTION ACT OF 2000

The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 requires colleges and universities to inform students and employees how to learn the identity of registered sex offenders on campus. This law contains the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act which became effective October 28, 2002. Sex offender information is compiled by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and posted at http://ncfindoffender.com/. Information about registered sex offenders can also be obtained from the Jackson, Macon, or Swain County Sheriff's Departments.

 

 

DRUG FREE COLLEGE

Southwestern Community College is committed to providing each of its students a drug-free environment in which to attend classes and study. From a safety perspective, the users of drugs and alcohol may impair the well-being of students, interfere with the college educational environment and result in damage of college property. Therefore, it is the policy of Southwestern Community College that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of narcotics, drugs, other controlled substances or alcohol is prohibited on college premises or as part of any college-sponsored activity. Any student violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion and referral for prosecution. The specifics of this policy are located in the Southwestern Community College Student Handbook.

 

 

STATE AND MUNICIPAL LAWS CONCERNING DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

1. Drinking Age:

The legal drinking age in North Carolina is 21. Selling, giving, or serving alcoholic beverage by or to anyone under the age 21 is unlawful. In North Carolina, this law extends to possession of alcoholic beverages to anyone under 21. It is unlawful for any person to misrepresent or misstate his age. This includes the manufacture or use of false identification. Use of altered identification for the purpose of procuring alcoholic is a misdemeanor under NCGS 18B.302(c) and will result in revocation of your N.C. operator's license.

2. Open Container Law:

NCGS 18B-401 (Summary). It is unlawful to have an open container of alcoholic beverage in a vehicle.

3. Drinking, Driving and the Law:

Under the North Carolina law, driving while under the influence (DWI) NCGS 20-138-1, is an offense evidenced by impairment of normal faculties or an unlawful blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or above.

4. Sale or Possession of Illegal Drugs:

It is unlawful to possess illicit drugs, and/or sell or have the intent to sell illicit drugs. NCGS 90-95 makes these violations felonies.

 

TRAFFIC CODE 

Under the provisions of North Carolina Statue 115D-21, the Traffic Code outline in the Southwestern Community College Student Handbook will be enforced at the college.

 

IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Jackson Campus & Cashiers Center

  On-campus Emergency: "0", "4294", or "4260"

  After hours, weekends & holidays (leave message): 339-4000

  Jackson County Dispatch - Instant contact with any enforcement agency, medical, etc. 586-1911

  Jackson County Sheriff – 586-8901 or 911

Macon Campus, Macon Annex, Public Safety Training Center

  Macon Campus Emergency: “7001” or “7018”

  After hours, weekends & holidays (leave message): 369-7331

  Macon County Dispatch - Instant contact with any enforcement agency, medical, etc.:369-3393

  Macon County Sheriff – 524-2811 or 911

Swain Center, Cherokee Center

  Swain County Dispatch – Instant contact with any enforcement agency, medical, etc.: 488-2196

  Swain County Sheriff – 488-4844

  Cherokee Tribal Police and Dispatch – 497-4131

 

Help Numbers