Campus Safety and Security
Berea College Public Safety (859-985-3333 or ext. 3333) is the central point of contact for all matters related to the safety of the College community and all issues related to personal security and protection of property.
Berea College has developed policies and procedures, offers educational programs, cooperates with local law enforcement agencies, and supports a Department of Public Safety to enhance the safety and security of its students, employees, and guests. The College recognizes shared responsibility for the welfare of the community and reminds students and employees of their personal responsibility to take prudent precautions and to inform others, especially Public Safety, about known safety hazards or security concerns.
Criminal, threatening, or suspicious activity, as well as injury or serious illness, should be reported promptly by calling Public Safety (ext. 3333).
Public Safety is committed to responding to all emergency and non-emergency concerns before obtaining the assistance from local agencies.
Officers have direct 24-hour radio contact with Berea and Madison County emergency response personnel and can contact other agencies for assistance when conditions necessitate. Telephone ext. 911 is used only for confirmed emergency situations that require the immediate assistance of Berea City Police, Berea Fire Department, and Madison County Ambulance Service. Please use discretion and call only in cases of an emergency. If 911 is dialed in error, please stay on the line and let the operator know that it is not an emergency.
The persons recognized by the institution as Campus Security Authorities (listed below) have a responsibility to report to Public Safety any known reportable crime within 24 hours of becoming aware of the situation. In addition to the Public Safety Director and all professional security staff members, the following are recognized Campus Security Authorities:
- Vice President for Student Life
- Associate Vice President for Student Life
- Associate Dean of Student Life and Campus Life Department Staff
- Residence Hall Student Staff
- Labor Supervisors
- Faculty and staff advisors to clubs and organizations
- Center Directors
- Athletics Director, Coaches, and Athletic Trainers
- CELTS staff and students
- College Deans
- Members of the Administrative Committee
- Director, Student Success & Transition
The Public Safety Director is the person responsible for the proper notification to State Fire Marshall’s Office for all fires and threats of fire.
Public Safety Escorts
Escorts to and from on-campus locations will be given to students, faculty, staff, and visitors for safety concerns, after dark, and for medical reasons. The intent of this service is to provide members of the College community with safe transportation who are either physically unable to traverse the campus or are concerned for their safety. These escorts are only provided to and from locations on Berea College’s Campus and Public Safety Officers do not give escorts to or from off-campus locations.
Safety Escorts
Public Safety will provide escorts for up to two people for safety concerns. These escorts may be provided using carts or patrol vehicles, or a Public Safety Officer may provide a walking escort.
Medical Escorts
Public Safety provides escorts as a service to the community and aids those with physical ailments in traversing the campus, when possible. Public Safety will provide escorts for those with short term injuries for a limited time. Individuals with long-term needs (e.g. physical disabilities, broken ankles, torn ACL, etc.) will need to make arrangements for transportation or parking privileges through Disability Services or Student Life. Specific needs for transportation (inability to get into patrol vehicles or tall carts) should be communicated with Public Safety Dispatch at the time of escort request. Requests for transportation should be made at the time the transportation is needed, and cannot be scheduled ahead of time.
General Information
Public Safety staff responds to all calls for escorts as quickly as possible. It is the responsibility of the caller to be present when the Public Safety Officer arrives. Public Safety reserves the right to deny escorts at their discretion due to callers not being present at officer arrival, disruptive behavior, or abuse of the service.
Safety alerts to campus of potentially threatening situations
When an incident occurs that may have a bearing on the present safety of the campus community, the College, within 24 hours of the first report of the incident, notifies members of the campus community. Information on the type of incident and threat is given, along with recommended prudent safety practices and procedures related to the incident. Information is sent directly to students, faculty, and staff members by the E2 Notification System (text via cell phone), and use of the College e-mail system. Depending on the perceived needs at the time, the school may additionally choose to post written notices in residence halls, distribute information through the College Web site, post information in the Berea College Post Office or notify through the E2 Notification Systems or other appropriate media. The community is urged to heed any advisories issued by the institution and work together in the joint effort of making the campus a safe place to live, work, and learn.
While students are members in the general society and academic community, they are expected to abide by each communities' standards. Berea College makes no attempt to shield its students from consequences of their actions, thus, status as a Berea student does not exempt anyone from local, state, or federal laws. In fact, being a member of an educational institution imposes an additional obligation to abide by all the rules of the institution, as well. Laws and the College’s conduct rules operate independently, though Public Safety and law enforcement agencies work cooperatively. When a crime has been committed, the College is obligated to notify the proper authorities so they may discharge their duty under the law. In such a case, the law does not substitute for Berea College’s rules and the College may pursue its own procedures for adjudicating alleged violations of the College’s conduct rules independent of any legal proceedings. Public Safety reports to the appropriate department on violations of College policies and regulations.
The College produces an annual report of campus crime statistics and security policies and procedures, available at their office on the first floor of Woods-Penniman Hall, or online at http://www.berea.edu/public-safety/campus-information/campuscrimestatistics/. (Also see Residence Hall Living Guide, and the Department of Public Safety).
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