Student Handbook - Campus Safety Rules

Crime Prevention

Crime prevention is everyone’s responsibility. Interested members of the College community can contact the Department for further information, or to schedule presentations. Steps that can be taken to help reduce crime include:

1. Identifying all personal property and turning in an inventory to the Campus Safety Department.
2. Being alert to dangerous situations or suspicious activities. Report them as soon as possible to Campus Safety at 518-388-6911.
3. When calling Campus Safety with a complaint, giving as much information as possible.
4. Keeping residence halls, rooms, and office doors locked.

As with crime prevention, fire prevention is a community responsibility. The Department will make presentations on request. Many residence hall fire safety regulations are listed under the section on the Life Safety Regulations. However, below are a few additional steps that can be taken to prevent fires and fire-related injuries:

1. Immediately evacuate, in an orderly manner, any building you are in when the fire alarm sounds. If you are in your residence hall room, make sure you turn off any lights and lock your door. If there is a fire in your room, make sure you shut your door upon leaving to prevent further fire spread into the hallway.
2. Keep a clear path to your room exit door. A cluttered floor can slow down evacuation and cause injury.
3. Do not burn candles or other decorative devices that contain an open flame. These items are prohibited within residence halls.
4. Do not leave televisions, stereos, electric fans or coffee pots on when your room is unattended.
5. Never tamper with any fire-safety equipment. This equipment is there to protect your life. Report any abuse or malfunctioning equipment to Campus Safety at any time, day or night. Do not attempt to repair safety equipment yourself, especially bedroom smoke detectors.
6. Never overload electrical circuits. The use of extension cords and multiple outlets plugs is prohibited in residence halls. UL rated power strips with a circuit breaker are permitted.
7. Report any suspicious activity or fire safety concerns to Campus Safety and/or your Residential Life Student Staff Member, House Manager, or fraternity/sorority/society fire safety officer.
8. Do not prop open stairway or hallway fire doors. These doors are here to protect you. A propped door can help a fire travel faster, blocking your path of exit. Please help protect your building by not propping fire doors and reporting these incidents to your Residential Life Student Staff Member. Your action may help save a life!

How to Remain Updated about Security Procedures at Union College

A copy of Union College’s Annual Security Report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Union College; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning sexual assault, and other matters.  You can obtain a copy of this report by contacting the Department of Campus Safety or by accessing the following web site: http://www.union.edu/offices/safety/reports/clery/index.php

“The Union College community is advised and updated on fire safety through the publication of an Annual Fire Safety Report which is part of  the Annual Campus Safety Community Report”

In addition, notification is also made to the campus community, as appropriate, on specific threats to campus safety though campus media, the Crime log (printed in the Campus newspaper), posters, and other methods. 

Operation ID

This program is part of the department’s overall crime prevention program. To prevent thefts and help in the recovery of stolen property, the Campus Safety Department urges that you engrave all your valuables and keep an inventory of your property; stickers can be removed but it is much more difficult to obliterate engraved marks that have been located on an obscure place. Note the serial, model, and engraved numbers on the security inventory sheet.

Personal Safety & You

Campus safety and security is a shared responsibility. There are many things that you can do to make the campus community safer. No Campus Safety Department can function effectively without the concerted assistance of the community it serves. If you are careful, your time at Union will be safer. Remember that in most cases, criminals are as successful as you allow them to be. Don't give them a helping hand or become apathetic—it CAN happen to you. Know the protections available to help avoid this!

You can protect yourself by taking steps to decrease your exposure to risks. Being aware of your surroundings and the people around you at all times, using assertive body language to communicate that you are aware and in control.

1. Keep Campus Safety a push button away by putting 518-388-6911 on speed dial on your cell phone.  If something is suspicious, call us and we will eagerly respond.  
2. If you are confronted, it is best to comply with instructions and not resist. 
3. If you are leaving College buildings after dark, try to leave with someone you know & trust, who can walk with you to your destination. 
4. If this is not possible, travel with friends or use the college transportation or walking escort services. 
5. If you must walk alone, do so with confidence. Keep your head up, always alert and shoulders back. Make eye contact with anyone you may be suspicious of. A passerby with honest intentions will not be irritated with you for acting cautiously. Let others know that you are aware of their presence. 
6. If you plan to work in a building after normal hours and are concerned about being alone, let Campus Safety know where you'll be & when you anticipate leaving. 
7. Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you feel uneasy, get out or away from the situation. 
8. Travel only in well-lighted areas. Don't take shortcuts through vacant, wooded, dark areas. Avoid delays in secluded areas; waiting to meet with people, speaking on cell phones, or stopping for any reason can make you a target. 
9. If you think someone is following you, switch direction abruptly. If you still feel uncomfortable, seek an area where there are other people, or find an Emergency Phone (Blue Light Phone) and alert Security. 
10. If you feel threatened, don't be afraid to make a “scene”. Public embarrassment is the least concern when you are in a dangerous situation. 
11. Do not fumble in your purse/pocket for door or car keys: have them ready in your hand before you reach your car/home. 
12. Report any suspicious sounds, activities or behavior that you see to Campus Safety immediately at 911 from a campus phone (for emergencies) or (518) 388-6911 (for non-emergencies). *911 from a cell phone will reach the local police. 
13. Program the Campus Safety number, 518-388-6911, into your cell phone. 
14. To help protect you, there are thirty three cameras on the campus grounds. They cover many of the parking lots and walkways. 
15. There are thirty five exterior Emergency phones (Code Blue and wall mounted phones) located in many areas on campus. You can familiarize yourself with their locations with the aid of the maps at this web address: http://www.union.edu/emergency/code_blue.php. 

http://www.union.edu/emergency/code_blue.php.

By working together we can insure a reasonably safe and secure environment.

Violent Felony Offense Investigations

As required by New York State law, upon receipt of a complaint or report that a violent felony has occurred on campus, the Campus Safety Department will immediately respond, thoroughly investigate, and document a report of their findings. The responding officers will verify the nature of the incident and determine if the incident occurred on the Union College campus or during an off-campus event sponsored by the College. The Campus Safety Department will notify and coordinate further investigation of the criminal incident with the Schenectady Police Department. Victims of crimes, especially violent felony crimes, will be assisted, if requested, in making a report of the incident to the Schenectady Police Department.