Security

The College operates in an open environment during regular hours of College-sponsored activities. The College attempts at all times to provide adequate security and safety for guests and staff. Uniformed security personnel are on campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Access to College buildings after normal hours is limited to a controlled area. Safety and security are continually considered during any maintenance of campus facilities.

Criminal actions or other emergencies should be reported immediately to the security person on duty in the Buildings and Grounds Department, either in person (Room 1C16), by telephone (ext. 331), or through the College switchboard operator in the first floor Information Center (ext. 0). Call boxes are strategically located in parking areas and on the first floor to facilitate emergency response, and an emergency telephone is located in each classroom.

Emergencies receive prompt attention, and other security reports are handled expeditiously. The Lee County Sheriff's Department, Illinois State Police, and appropriate College personnel (including evening administrators) are available for assistance or follow-through as appropriate.

The College works closely with the Lee County Sheriff's Department and the Illinois State Police regarding law enforcement policies. Campus security personnel are primarily responsible for providing security for College physical assets, general safety for guests and staff, and liaison service for prompt reporting of emergencies and required law enforcement assistance as they arise.

Various student services programs and materials include information designed to inform students and staff about campus security policies and procedures, crime prevention, responsible safety and security practices by individuals, and drug or alcohol abuse educational programs. Staff receive updates periodically through standard campus communications vehicles and in-service sessions.

Board of Trustees Policy 624.01 restricts the possession, use and sale of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs in accordance with Illinois law. Copies of Board policies are available form the President's Office (Room 3K24, ext. 303). This information is also provided to students through College publications (such as the Student Handbook) in accordance with applicable federal laws.

Various student services programs and materials and personnel notifications and training materials are designed to inform students and staff about prevention of sex offenses and procedures to follow when a sex offense occurs. If a sex offense occurs, it, like any other crime, should be reported to a campus security authority as listed previously in the report.

It is important to preserve evidence for the proof of a criminal offense. A student has the option to notify appropriate law enforcement authorities; College security personnel will assist the student in notifying these authorities if requested.

On-campus counselors are available for discussion of educational, personal, social and career concerns. Off-campus counseling and mental health services for victims of sex offenses are available in the general community. The College will change a victim's academic situations after an alleged sex offense, if such change is requested by the victim and is reasonably available.

Board of Trustees Policies 616.01, 617.01, 618.01, 619.01, 620.01, 621.01 and 622.01 include procedures for campus disciplinary action in cases of an alleged sex offense. The accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during a disciplinary proceeding. Both the accuser and the accused must be informed of theoutcome of any institutional disciplinary proceeding brought alleging a sex offense, to consist of the College's determination with respect to the alleged sex offense and any sanction that is imposed against the accused. Sanctions may include any of those listed in Policy 616.01 Part IV.

Public information about sex offenders living in the district may be accessed at the Illinois State Police website, http://samnet.isp.state.il.us/ispso2/sex_offenders/index.asp.

The following crimes or offenses have been reported to the College or to local police agencies:

Any questions or suggestions regarding campus security should be addressed to the Director of Buildings and Grounds (Room 1C16, ext. 299) or to the Vice President of College Services (Room 3K28, ext. 290). Input from all campus constituencies is welcome and encouraged.