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CMSV 333 Security and Personal Safety Measures | Student/Faculty

Policy Name: Security and Personal Safety Measures | Student/Faculty

The security and personal safety of all Mount Saint Vincent PA students and faculty is taken very seriously by the College and program administration. All students and faculty should feel safe and secure at all times while on campus or at an assigned clinical rotation. It is the policy of the University of Mount Saint Vincent Master of Science Physician Assistant Program to maintain a safe work and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students, providing appropriate security and personal safety in all locations where instruction occurs. If, at any time, the student does not feel safe or secure at a clinical site for any reason, please contact the clinical preceptor at your clinical site, as well as the clinical coordinator and program director immediately.

Campus Security
The Office of Campus Safety and Security operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Security personnel are available to assist employees who may need an escort to their car or office. Security should be contacted any time an unusual person or situation is encountered.

In the event that they are the subject of or witness to a criminal incident on campus or in the immediate area of the College, members of the campus community are encouraged to report the crime immediately to the security staff of the College, or to the municipal police agencies that are responsible for our area. Crimes can be reported on a voluntary and confidential basis. This can be accomplished by calling one of the phone numbers listed below or by calling 911 directly. Campus safety and security obtains from the relevant police department a complete and accurate account of the crime and provides that information to the administration as quickly as possible. Depending on the severity of the incident, the administration may hold meetings to clarify the report to the College community.

In the event of a serious violent felony on the campus, the 50th Precinct will be notified as soon as practical, but no later than 24 hours after the incident. A timely warning sent via the Send Word Now notification system will be issued by the director for campus safety and security, or designee, to apprise members of the community of an emergency or dangerous situation that could affect the safety of the College. The Send Word Now notification system will notify all registered users by telephone, text message, and/or email with the pertinent information. Advisory notices will be disseminated via the College email system and posted on digital signage on campus, when appropriate, to convey accurate accounts of incidents and relevant preventive measures that can be taken by the community. When appropriate, meetings with the director for campus safety and security, administrators, staff, and students will be held to provide up-to-date information on the direction and scope of the police investigations.

Any criminal activity on campus can also be reported to the following:

  • 263rd Street Security Booth | (718) 405-3434 and (718) 548-2116
  • Director of Campus Safety and Security | (718) 405-3722
  • Dean of Students | (718) 405-3253
  • Assistant Dean of Students | (718) 405-3225

Send Word Now
The College has an emergency notification system in place, it’s called: Send Word Now. This automatic notification program has proven very helpful in campus situations across the country when emergency messages were needed. Employees are required to enroll and provide their personal information (home and cell phone numbers, personal email addresses, etc.) In case of the need for emergency notification, a message will come from: Mount Saint Vincent Alert System [swnalert@sendwordnow.com]

If you have any questions, please contact the Computer Services Help Desk at (718) 405-3340.

Security Emergency Call Boxes
Three 24-hour Emergency Call Boxes can be used to contact security personnel stationed at the 263rd Street Security Booth. The call boxes are at the following locations on campus (a blue light and sign are above each box to assist in locating them after dark):

  • Call Box #1 | Villa Lot (West Side)
  • Call Box #2 | Rear of Science Hall
  • Call Box #3 | 261st Street entrance to Marillac Lot

Red-Colored Emergency Phones
There are also red-colored emergency call phones located at the lobby of Founders Hall, the entrances of Marillac Hall, Spellman Hall, Alumnae/Mastronardi Halls, Seton Hall, Aquino Hall, and the Peter Jay Sharp Athletic and Recreation Center.

To use, open the box lid and push the ‘call’ button (with the exception of the call phone at Founders, that you have to dial extension 3434). The phone will be answered by the officer at the security booth. State your location and the problem, and the security supervisor will be directed to respond at once to your location.

Security Personnel
From 12 a.m. to 7 a.m., seven days a week, security personnel equipped with a portable radio system are assigned to the main lobbies of all residence halls. Security officers on motor and/or foot patrol also respond to any report of criminal activity. If requested, escorts for students are provided by security officers to assure their safety.

Missing Student Notification Procedure
Every student has the option of registering a confidential contact person. If a student who is missing has such a person listed, this person will be contacted within 24 hours to ascertain if they can provide information regarding the location of the missing student. The confidential contact information will be maintained by the College and made available to campus security and law enforcement personnel to assist in the investigation. Law enforcement will be notified within 24 hours that a student is reported missing. The parent or guardian of a student less than 18 years of age and not emancipated will also be notified within 24 hours that a student is reported to be missing.

When a student is missing from a residence hall, it will be reported immediately to campus safety and security directly or through the Office of the Dean of Students or any other campus authority. After a preliminary investigation, if the student is not located, the 50th Precinct will be notified as soon as practical, but no later than 24 hours after the initial report. The 50th Precinct will respond to conduct an investigation into the whereabouts of the student. Campus authorities will cooperate and assist in the investigation.

Campus Access Policy
During business hours, the College (excluding housing facilities) will be open to students, parents/guardians, employees, contractors, guests, and invitees. During non-business hours, access to the campus grounds by members of the local community is permitted as long as they do not pose a threat to the security requirements of our College and as long as their behavior is in keeping with the academic environment. Guests and invitees are permitted on campus to attend College functions. Individuals entering campus buildings must have a valid reason for their presence, such as conducting College business, neighborhood residents using the Elizabeth Seton Library, or visiting residents during established visitation periods.

The College has one vehicular and pedestrian entrance at West 263rd Street, which is manned by security 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The perimeter of the property is fenced and a gate at West 261st Street can be opened to allow entrance and egress to emergency vehicles.

When open, all residence hall entrances are staffed from 8 p.m. until 7 a.m. by personnel directed by the Office of Housing and Residence Life or the Office of Campus Safety and Security. Every other ingress is locked and alarmed. After 8 p.m., visitors must be signed into any residence hall by the resident host. All visitors must present valid photo identification, such as a driver’s license or college identification card in order to enter. A record of all visitors is maintained at the front desk of each residence hall. Those found in the residence halls not properly registered at the front desk are required to leave immediately.

Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedures
In the event of a significant emergency or situation, that endangers the health or safety of the campus community, the director for campus safety and security or a designee via the Send Word Now notification system will issue a timely warning to the community. Time permitting, the notification will be made after a conferral with the executive staff and emergency personnel. The content of the notification will take into account its effect upon the rendering of assistance to victims and the efforts to mitigate the emergency. The responding campus security personnel will make the initial assessment of the situation, notify and assist the proper emergency authorities, and notify the director for campus safety and security. The Emergency Plan is posted on the College website.

Evacuations
If the evacuation of a building or buildings is necessary, it will be directed and coordinated by the incident commander (director for campus safety and security or the initial responding campus security supervisor) in cooperation with the responding emergency personnel. Send Word Now messages will provide specific directions. If a campus-wide evacuation is deemed necessary, the 261 Street emergency exit will be opened and the evacuees will be directed by either campus security or first responders to one of two short-term relocation sites:

  • The Hebrew Home at Riverdale by RiverSpring Living (located at 5901 Palisade Avenue)
  • Saint Margaret of Cortona School (located at 452 W. 260 Street)

Relocations
If the director for campus safety and security/designee deems relocation necessary after conferral with the emergency management team, all persons will be directed by campus security to one of these locations: Cardinal Hayes Auditorium or Hudson Heights. A command post will be established in the location utilized to maintain communications with first responders.

Shelter-in-Place
A Shelter-in-Place drill is conducted during the fall and spring semesters. Prior notice is given to the Mount community via the college broadcast email system and Send Word Now. When an order to Shelter-in-Place is issued by the director for campus safety and security, the following directions are to be adhered to:

  • Must stop class, work, and business operations.
  • Stay within a secured room and away from windows and doors.
  • Close window blinds and turn off lights, televisions, stereos, etc.
  • Barricade door with furniture if possible.
  • Remain quiet, place cell phones on silent mode.
  • If outdoors, get indoors.
  • Remain sheltered-in-place until directed by first responders and/or campus security.
  • Pedestrian and vehicular traffic will be prevented from entering the campus.

Off-Campus Clinical Site Rotations and Events
Students at all times must be aware of their surroundings while attending off-site clinical rotations or outside events. Students and faculty must develop a sense of developing trouble. Below are some useful tips for all students to adopt when attending outside clinical site rotations and events:

  • Prior to reporting to your assigned clinical site rotation, all students will be updated on the security protocol for that specific site.
  • While at a clinical site, you have the right, if you are driving, to be escorted from your vehicle into the clinical facility to begin your assigned rotation and from the facility to your vehicle and the end of your workday. If a request for an escort was either ignored or refused the student must report this immediately to their assigned preceptor and the program clinical coordinator and program director.

Commuting Utilizing Mass Transit

  • At all times, have your means of travel and your route planned out well in advance.
    • This does not only apply to clinical site rotations but also to off-campus activities you may be attending
  • If utilizing the NYC subway system consider the following recommendations:
    • Prior to entering the subway take note of your surroundings and suspicious individuals that may be standing near or by the entrance.
    • While on a subway platform stand near a group of other individuals if possible (safety in numbers).
    • Stand in the center of the subway platform.
    • Do not enter a darkened station at any cost.
    • If concerned you are being harassed call 911 immediately and speak in a clear voice give your location and wait for NYPD assistance preferably in a crowded area. Do not hesitate to utilize the 911 system.

Uber and Lyft Car Services
When utilizing ride-share services, make sure the vehicle you are entering has same license plate number as the ride-share you requested. Never enter a strange vehicle. If this should occur take note of the vehicle plate number and report this incursion to either campus security or the NYPD immediately.