2.8.2 Security Awareness and Crime Prevention Programs

One of the goals of the Office of Public Safety is the prevention of crimes. The College's comprehensive crime prevention programs are designed to eliminate or minimize opportunities for crime whenever possible and to encourage students and employees to be responsible for their own security and the security of others acting in partnership with the Office of Public Safety.

2.8.2.1 Maintenance and Security of Campus Facilities

2.8.2.1.1 Access to Buildings and Facilities

Members of the campus community, as well as guests and visitors, have access to most campus buildings and facilities during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, and for limited hours on Saturdays and Sundays when the College is in session (excluding most holidays).

Ithaca College's residence halls are locked 24 hours a day. Students living in each residence hall will access their building using their ID cards. Students will carry their ID card and room key at all times. Guests will use the access phone located at the entry to each building to call the person they are visiting and meet them at the entry to gain access to the building.

2.8.2.1.2 Security Access Telephones

Security access telephones are located outside each residence hall and allow guests, visitors, or delivery persons to call students. Residents are responsible for meeting these people and escorting them while they are in the building. The College prohibits students from propping open residence hall exit doors. Such violations of College policy are referred to the Office of Judicial Affairs for action.

2.8.2.1.3 Residential Life Staff

The Office of Residential Life has a director, associate director, assistant director for operations, coordinator of residential facilities, and a coordinator of housing services. The campus is divided into two residential areas, each managed by an area coordinator. The area coordinators supervise full-time, professional residence directors who live in each residence hall area and supervise trained undergraduate resident assistants who live on each residence hall floor and in each apartment area. Residential life staff are on duty each evening and are available to respond to any problems or emergencies that may arise.

2.8.2.1.4 Lighting and Maintenance

Exterior lighting is an important part of the College's commitment to safety and security. Parking lots, pedestrian walkways, and building exteriors are lighted. A survey of all exterior lighting is conducted at least once each year to assess problems and plan for the future. Members of the campus community are encouraged to report any exterior lighting problems to the Office of Public Safety at 607-274-3333. Exterior doors on non-residential campus buildings are locked and secured each evening by security officers. Security officers also report door and security hardware problems. Members of the College community are encouraged to report such problems to the Office of Public Safety.

Shrubbery, trees, and other vegetation are trimmed on a regular basis to ensure unobstructed lighting on campus.

2.8.2.2 Escort Program

Student Auxiliary Safety Patrol (SASP) members, security officers, and patrol officers are available to accompany any member of the campus community to and from any campus location. To obtain an escort, call the Office of Public Safety (274-3333) from any regular campus telephone or by activating any blue-light or indoor emergency telephone.

2.8.2.3 Blue-Light and Indoor Emergency Telephones

Both exterior (blue-light) and interior emergency telephones link a caller directly with the Office of Public Safety. Their use is discussed in detail in section 2.8.1.5.1.1.

2.8.2.4 Education

The Office of Public Safety sponsors a variety of programs and presentations throughout the year to inform students and employees of campus security procedures and practices and to encourage students and employees to be responsible for their own security and that of others.

2.8.2.4.1 Student Orientation Presentations

A crime prevention presentation is made to all new students during orientation. Brochures and other printed materials are distributed to students at this time.

2.8.2.4.2 Residence Hall Presentations

Crime prevention and fire safety presentations are made regularly to students in the residence halls. Brochures and other materials are distributed at such programs for students' future reference.

2.8.2.4.3 Office of Public Safety Presentations

A number of crime prevention presentations are available to campus groups or organizations through the Office of Public Safety, including:

  • Alcohol Awareness
  • Rape Awareness and Prevention
  • Cashier Emergency Procedures
  • Operation Blue Light
  • Public Safety Orientation
  • Crime Prevention Orientation and Training
2.8.2.4.4 Safety Awareness Committee

The Safety Awareness Committee is a staff, faculty, and student group committed to educating the campus community on various safety issues/topics.

This committee also encourages crime prevention through programming and a variety of publicity strategies.

Last Updated: September 18, 2011