I. Background
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, codified at 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f) et seq. as a part of the Higher Education Act of 1965, is a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose certain timely and annual information about campus crime and security policies. In accordance with this Act, the Volunteer State Community College Campus Police Department in coordination with the Office of Public Relations is responsible for issuing immediate emergency notifications. Emergency notifications are provided to keep the campus community informed about any significant emergency or dangerous situations occurring on campus involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students, employees, and guests. The decision to issue an emergency notification shall be decided based on the confirmation that a dangerous situation or emergency exists or threatens the campus in compliance with the Act and considering all available facts. The college will, without delay, and taking into account the safety of the community, determine the content of the notification and initiate the notification system, unless issuing an emergency notification will, in the professional judgment of responsible authorities, compromise efforts to assist a victim or to contain, respond to, or otherwise mitigate the emergency.
II. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to issue immediate emergency notifications and follow-up information to the campus community when any significant emergency or dangerous situation occurring on campus involves an immediate threat to the health or safety of students, employees, and guests. An immediate emergency notification may only be sent to a segment of the community if the emergency only affects a specific segment.
III. Responsibilities
Upon confirmation that a dangerous situation or emergency exists, considering all available facts, the Chief of Campus Police, the Director of Public Relations, or their designee shall order the issuance of an immediate emergency notification.
IV. Examples of an Emergency or Dangerous Situation
A significant emergency or dangerous situation occurring on campus that involves an immediate threat to the health or safety of students, employees and guests can be but is not limited to incidents such as an active shooter on campus, a hostage situation, a riot, a suspicious package with confirmation of a device, a tornado, a fire/explosion, structural damage to the facility, a biological threat, significant flooding, a gas leak, hazardous materials spill, etc.
V. Dissemination Methods
The campus community will receive immediate emergency notification warnings through emergency text alerts to registered mobile phones and email blasts. The campus public announcement system may also be used if this does not compromise efforts to mitigate the emergency. In addition to these methods, the college website and social media will be used to supplement primary methods of communication. Such warning(s) may include but are not limited to, the date and time of the incident, the incident location, the nature of the incident, appropriate safety tips, as well as available suspect information. Victim information will not be released. Follow-up information will be provided as it becomes available.
VSCC Source: President’s Cabinet, September 29, 2014
