Student Safety Information

Welcome to Northwestern Michigan College. The Campus Safety Department has assembled a few suggestions, based on frequently asked questions. Please read them carefully. They may save you time, money, and help prevent a disaster.

Contacting Campus Safety:

• The Campus Security Department has two numbers: 231-883-9099, and 231-995-1111. It is located in the Campus Services Building behind Oak Parking Lot.
• For life threatening EMERGENCIES or in-progress crimes, call 9-1-1.
• For incidents or circumstances that require IMMEDIATE or URGENT assistance, you should call the dispatcher at 231-995-1111 (ext 5-1111 from a campus phone) or 883-9099. Explain the incident or question to the dispatcher. The dispatcher will contact an officer to respond as necessary.
• The number for Campus Security is 231-995-1111 or 231-883-9099. This number rings at the Facilities office. There is a number for the Campus Security Manager: 231-995-1939 (or ext 5-1939 from a campus phone). This number should be used for routine questions or requests. You can leave a message and you will be called back when the message is retrieved.

Emergency Communications:

NMC uses a variety of methods to communicate with students, faculty, staff and guests in the event of emergency, including:

• E-mails to student and staff accounts
• Announcements on campus monitors
• Broadcast messages to all computers
• Text-messages. Students and employees can opt in to receive emergency text messages, as well as text messages about campus closures, through NMC Self Service.

Parking:

• Come early to class. During peak times, all the close parking lots will be full.
• Read the signs at the entrance of the parking lots. Some lots are restricted to special needs, apartment residents, and staff parking only.
• Permits are required during day classes. They should be placed around your rearview mirror.
• Permits may be obtained from the Cashier's Office and the Welcome Center. Please obtain a permit to avoid a parking citation. Lost permits may be purchased at $10.00.
• When parking, make sure your car is completely within a marked parking stall, and do not leave valuables in plain view in your car. Do not drive onto the campus walkways.

Campus Security and Safety:

• Don't leave your valuables unattended, even for a minute. It only takes a moment for someone to take your wallet, purse, or laptop computer. If you use a locker room, do not leave valuables in your locker. Thieves use bolt cutters. Leave any valuables that you do not need for class in your vehicle trunk or at home.
• If walking at night is a concern to you, consider making friends in class and walk as a group. Campus Safety provides escort services for those who request.
• Your family can call Campus Safety to attempt to contact you in the event of a family emergency. Give a copy of your class schedule to your family members so they can locate you on campus if they need you.
• Notify your family if you change your routine, so they don't worry about you and unnecessarily report you as a missing person.
• If you are a high school student taking college classes, be aware you are in an "adult environment" here at the college. You or your parents may wish to contact Campus Safety for more information.
• Carry a small pocket flashlight for increased visibility to your car or other destination point.

Injuries:

- If you are injured during class, contact your instructor immediately. The instructor is required to complete an injury report. If you are injured on campus, not during a class, you may call Campus Safety at 883-9099. If you choose, you may go to the campus Health Center.

Disaster Preparedness:

• Take a moment NOW to locate the following:
• All exits
• At least 2 ways out of the classroom/building.
• Emergency phones / Payphones/Campus Phones. Campus Phones can be used to call 911.
• If you have a cell phone, program police numbers in NOW, before you need them.
• Fire Extinguisher (if available)
• First Aid kit (in laboratory classrooms)
• Ask Instructor for a meeting location in the event of an evacuation/emergency.
• Carry a small pocket flashlight .

Power Outages:

• A power outage can occur at any time. Be prepared and carry a flashlight, even if you attend day classes. Some rooms have no windows or ambient light.
• Some classes can continue if there is ambient light. If there is not enough light, instructors should wait 15 minutes for power to restore before dismissing the class. Instructors should take roll before dismissing class, and assist in coordinating students to go in groups to their cars if it's dark.
• The emergency lighting in buildings is designed to light the way to the exit.
• Use caution when walking or driving during a power outage.

Behavior:

• Be aware of the rules regarding student conduct, as well as the drug, alcohol, animal, skateboard, and harassment policies. No smoking in, or within 20 feet of any building entrances or windows. Behavior that is disruptive to the learning environment, or offensive to others, may lead to disciplinary action. Criminal statutes are enforced.
• NMC subscribes to and conforms to the Drug-free Workplace Act and the Drug-free Schools and Campuses Act. Individuals who illegally possess, use or supply prohibited drugs within the campus community do so knowing that they risk action by the appropriate civil authorities.
• The college is opposed to the illegal or irresponsible use of alcohol, and expects it students to obey the college's regulations and the local, state and federal laws concerning the possession, use or distribution of alcoholic substances.
• NMC has an established policy concerning sexual assault and sexual harassment. The college prohibits sexual assault by a student, faculty member or staff member against any student, faculty member or staff member, or visitor on property owned or rented by NMC or in the setting of any program sponsored by NMC. The college's policy on sexual harassment is available on the website.

Please contact Campus Security if you have questions or comments on this handout.