Hutchinson Community College: Ensuring a Safe and Secure Campus Environment

Hutchinson Community College (HutchCC), a public community college located in Hutchinson, Kansas, is dedicated to fostering a safe and secure environment for all its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. With a history tracing back to its establishment in 1928, HutchCC has evolved significantly, most recently known as Hutchinson Community College and Area Vocational School from 1993 to 2012. Today, the institution, whose main campus is situated at 1300 North Plum, endeavors to provide a comprehensive educational experience that prioritizes the well-being of its community. This commitment is underscored by detailed policies and procedures designed to prevent crime, ensure swift and effective reporting, and maintain a secure campus.

The Shared Responsibility of Campus Safety

At Hutchinson Community College, the philosophy of campus safety and security is rooted in the understanding that it is a shared responsibility. Every member of the campus community, along with any visitors, is encouraged to maintain a high level of situational awareness. This means being alert to one's surroundings and exercising reason and caution in all daily activities while on campus property. This proactive approach to personal protection from crime is actively supported by HutchCC Campus Security personnel, who collaborate with students and employees to create the safest possible environment.

Campus Security Personnel are a vital component of the college's safety infrastructure. They are available around the clock, 24 hours a day, and can be reached by dialing (620) 665-3379 or by using the internal extension 3379 from any HutchCC telephone. For those with inquiries regarding campus safety and security, the Campus Security Office is the primary point of contact. Located at 516 E. 14th Street, the office serves as a hub for safety-related services. While the Campus Security Office observes recognized holidays and may be closed on those days, after-hours security can still be accessed by visiting the office at 516 E. 14th Street or by calling the designated security number.

Campus Security's Role: Assistance, Observation, and Support

The security philosophy of HutchCC is centered on providing assistance, observation, and support. It is crucial to understand the specific role and limitations of Campus Security personnel. These individuals are not sworn law enforcement officials and do not carry firearms, which means they do not possess the authority to make arrests. Their primary function is to patrol campus buildings and properties, offering security-related services and acting as a visible deterrent to criminal activity.

Despite not being law enforcement, the Campus Security Office maintains a highly professional and effective working relationship with state and local law enforcement agencies that have jurisdictional authority over all HutchCC locations. These collaborations are fostered through regular communication between agency administrators and frequent interactions between line officers and investigators who cooperate on specific cases. This ensures a coordinated and comprehensive approach to safety.

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It is important to note that Campus Security's regular patrols and on-site services are primarily focused on the Main Campus. While HutchCC-McPherson, HutchCC-Newton, and HutchCC-South are integral parts of the college's educational offerings, they do not receive the same level of routine security presence. However, all other HutchCC-owned or controlled properties within the Hutchinson city limits are patrolled, with the exception of indoor baseball and softball facilities.

Empowering Individuals: Protecting Yourself from Campus Crime

Hutchinson Community College strongly emphasizes the importance of individual preparedness and awareness in preventing criminal activity and assault. The college provides a wealth of information and practical advice to help community members protect themselves.

Essential Contact Information

In any emergency or when witnessing criminal activity, the first and most critical step is to call 911. This ensures immediate response from trained emergency services. Equally important is to know and have readily accessible the emergency phone number for Campus Safety: (620) 665-3379. It is highly recommended to program this number into personal mobile phones for quick access. Furthermore, all students and employees are urged to ensure they have subscribed to the HutchCC Emergency Alert System (EAS) through their DragonZone account profile. This system provides timely notifications of critical incidents and emergencies.

General Campus Safety Tips

A proactive approach to safety involves several key practices:

Familiarize yourself with the campus layout: Knowing the campus well, including exits and accessible areas, can be crucial in an emergency.
Stay alert to your surroundings: Be aware of the people and activities around you. It is advisable to avoid walking while engrossed in electronic devices, as this can significantly reduce situational awareness and make individuals more vulnerable.
Keep your phone charged: A charged phone is essential for communication in emergencies.
Plan the safest route: Before traveling across campus, consider the safest path, opting for well-lighted pathways and sidewalks whenever possible.
Share your schedule: Inform family members or trusted friends about your course schedule and provide them with your phone number. This can be helpful if you need to be reached or if someone needs to check on your whereabouts.
Navigate at night with caution: During nighttime hours, always stick to well-lighted areas. Avoid shortcuts through isolated areas or alleyways.
Travel in groups: Whenever possible, especially at night, travel with others. Going out alone can increase risk.
Inform others of your plans: Let a friend or roommate know your destination and expected return time.
Secure personal belongings: Carry your purse close to your body with a firm grip. For wallets, use an inside coat pocket or a front pant pocket to deter pickpocketing. Consider using a backpack for books or carrying them in a bag that can be easily dropped or thrown if necessary for self-defense.
Keep keys separate: Store your keys apart from your purse or backpack to prevent simultaneous loss. Never loan your keys to others.
Respond to suspicion: If you suspect you are being followed, walk or run to an occupied building or an area with a visible presence of people. Be prepared to call Campus Safety or local law enforcement, or to yell or scream for help if necessary.
"See Something… Say Something!": This vital principle encourages reporting anything that appears suspicious. If you observe something that looks out of the ordinary, contact Campus Safety and clearly explain the situation. Even if you are unsure whether something is truly suspicious, but it doesn't "feel right," it is prudent to trust your instincts and report it.

Residence Hall Safety Tips

For students residing in campus housing, specific safety measures are paramount:

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Always lock your door: This applies even when you are sleeping or just stepping out briefly down the hall.
Control access to your living space: Do not allow strangers to enter your room or building. Only open your door if you can positively identify the person seeking entry. Never prop open doors to allow unescorted visitors into the residence hall.
Report maintenance issues: Immediately report any malfunctioning locks, doors, or windows to the residence life staff.
Inform others of absences: If you plan to be away overnight or for an extended period, inform your roommate or a trusted friend.
Utilize personal safes: Use the individual room safe provided to secure valuables. Avoid leaving identification, keys, wallets, debit/credit cards, or other valuables in plain view.
Build community: Get to know your Residence Assistant (RA), other residence life staff, and your neighbors. A strong community network enhances safety.

Office Safety Tips

For those working in offices on campus, safety awareness extends to the workplace:

Know emergency locations: Regularly review the locations of important safety features such as emergency exits, fire extinguishers, AED devices, and severe weather shelters.
Be prepared for difficult interactions: Have a plan for contacting Campus Safety if a customer, student, or visitor becomes angry. Ensure your desk phone or cell phone is programmed with the Campus Safety number. If an incident escalates to violence or poses a danger to yourself or others, contact local law enforcement immediately.

Motor Vehicle Safety Tips

Personal vehicles on campus also require attention to safety:

Keep vehicles locked: Always ensure your vehicle is locked, even when briefly unattended.
Secure valuables: Keep all items, especially valuables, out of sight within your vehicle.
Park in well-lighted areas: Choose parking locations that are well-illuminated to deter theft and improve visibility.

Comprehensive Reporting Procedures for Crimes and Emergencies

Hutchinson Community College has established clear procedures for reporting crimes and emergencies across its various locations to ensure a prompt and effective response.

Main Campus Reporting

For any emergency, criminal action, or suspected criminal activity observed on or near the Main Campus, the immediate protocol is to first contact local law enforcement by dialing 911. Following this, it is essential to report the incident to Campus Security at (620) 665-3379. This dual reporting ensures that both emergency services and campus authorities are aware and can coordinate their responses.

Reporting at Other HutchCC Locations

The reporting procedures are tailored to each specific location:

HutchCC-McPherson: Any emergency, criminal action, or suspected criminal activity observed on or near the HutchCC-McPherson location should be immediately reported to local law enforcement by dialing 911.
HutchCC-Newton: Similarly, any emergency, criminal action, or suspected criminal activity observed on or near the HutchCC-Newton location should be immediately reported to local law enforcement by dialing 911.
HutchCC-South: For any emergency, criminal action, or suspected criminal activity observed on or near the HutchCC-South location, the directive is to immediately report to local law enforcement by dialing 911.

Off-Campus Incidents

For any off-campus emergency, criminal action, or suspected criminal activity, the protocol remains the same: immediately report to local law enforcement by dialing 911. The College acknowledges that it does not regularly monitor or record criminal activity of students engaged in off-campus locations through local law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, the College does not officially recognize any student organizations with off-campus housing facilities.

Voluntary Confidential Crime Reporting: The TIPS Portal

Hutchinson Community College understands that not all individuals may wish to report an incident through official law enforcement channels. For those who desire to report a crime or other concern voluntarily and confidentially to the College, including Campus Security, the HutchCC online reporting portal, known as TIPS, is available. The TIPS reporting portal is specifically designed for non-emergency reporting situations. It can be accessed via the TIPS button or icon, which is conveniently located in the footer of the College's public homepage, on the "Campus Safety & Compliance" webpage, or through a dedicated URL that is disseminated to students and employees each semester via the Announcements tab within DragonZone.

The Importance of Prompt and Accurate Reporting

HutchCC is firmly committed to supporting a violence-free campus. The prevention, deterrence, and response to violence are considered matters of utmost importance. Campus Security personnel actively encourage the prompt reporting of all crimes and suspicious activities. This encouragement is amplified through various printed and online safety-related materials provided to students and employees, as well as through targeted training sessions.

Reporting Without Law Enforcement Involvement

In instances where a crime victim does not wish to report to law enforcement authorities, a report can still be made to Campus Security at (620) 665-3379 or to a Campus Security Authority (CSA). A CSA is defined as any college official with significant responsibility for student and campus activity, a campus security officer, or individuals designated to receive crime reports. This ensures that even if a victim chooses not to involve external law enforcement, their experience is still documented and can be addressed by the College.

Victims of crime retain the right to decline reporting an incident to law enforcement, even if such an offer is made by Campus Security personnel or a CSA. Each individual identified by the College as a CSA is responsible for submitting reportable offenses to Campus Security as they occur throughout the year.

CSAs play a crucial role in the reporting process, focusing on supporting victims and safeguarding the overall campus community. It is important to note that CSAs are not tasked with determining if a crime took place, convincing victims to contact law enforcement, investigating alleged crimes, or apprehending perpetrators.

Designated Campus Security Authorities (CSAs)

In addition to Campus Security personnel, the following College officials are designated as CSAs:

College President
All Vice Presidents
Chief Information Officer
Title IX and Title VI Coordinator
All Directors
All Coordinators
All Department Chairpersons
All Academic Advisors
All Residence Life Staff, including Resident Assistants (RAs)
All Coaches
All Employee Advisors to Student Clubs or Organizations
Members of the Board of Trustees

This list is subject to modification and may not be exhaustive due to ongoing changes in responsibilities and job titles across the various campuses.

Confidential Reporting to Mental Health Counselors

While most individuals identified as CSAs are required to report, HutchCC professional licensed mental health counselors, whose primary responsibility is student care, are encouraged, though not mandated, to discuss reporting options with their clients on a voluntary and confidential basis. This information can be used for inclusion in the College’s annual disclosure of crime statistics.

Individuals who wish to report a crime confidentially, without the information being shared with local law enforcement, Campus Security, or a CSA, may speak voluntarily with one of the HutchCC mental health counselors. These counselors are bound by legally protected confidentiality and are available for assistance during regular business hours. On the Main Campus, they can be found in the Student Success Center (620) 665-3377. Counseling services are also available at the HutchCC-McPherson location (620) 245-0202 and the HutchCC-Newton location (316) 283-7000. While counselors are not physically present at the HutchCC-South, Cosmetology, Davis Hall, Peel Center, or Fire Science buildings, students can access counseling services through the Main Campus. All information shared with HutchCC mental health counselors remains confidential and will not be disclosed without the express written permission of the individual seeking services.

Disclosure of Disciplinary Outcomes to Crime Victims

Hutchinson Community College is committed to transparency and support for victims of certain crimes. When a student or employee reports to the College that they have been a victim of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking within the College’s programs and activities, regardless of whether the offense occurred on or off campus, the College will provide the individual with a written explanation of their rights and options for resolving the allegations. This information is detailed in the HutchCC “Guide on Sexual Misconduct: Campus Policies & Procedures, Victim Services, and Resources.” This document, which is distinct from the College’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, outlines reporting and response procedures and provides links to and summaries of the institution’s related disciplinary procedures. In addition to being distributed campus-wide, this guide is also provided individually to anyone who reports an incident of sexual misconduct to HutchCC. It is also publicly accessible via the HutchCC Campus Safety and Compliance webpage. Similar information is also presented to students and employees within their respective online prevention education training programs.

In accordance with the HutchCC Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination Policy and Procedures (Policy 1089), the Title IX and Title VI Coordinator will simultaneously notify both the reporting party and the responding party in writing of the investigation and the formal resolution outcome concerning incidents of discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, gender-based violence, or the crimes of sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, or domestic violence.

Furthermore, as stipulated by the Student Code of Conduct (Policy 1047), the College will disclose to the alleged victim of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense, the report on the results of any disciplinary proceeding conducted by the College against a student who is the alleged perpetrator of such a crime or offense. In circumstances where the victim is deceased, the College will notify the individual’s emergency contact and/or next of kin of the outcome.

Policies for Securing and Restricting Access to Facilities

Hutchinson Community College maintains clear policies regarding access to its various facilities to ensure security and order.

General Access to Main Campus Facilities

Most non-residential campus facilities located on the Main Campus are open to the public during regular, publicly posted hours of operation, typically from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. If a facility has different operating hours, this information is clearly indicated by a sign posted at its main entrance. Facilities staff members are responsible for regularly locking exterior building doors after evening classes and activities have concluded. On weekdays, these staff members unlock Main Campus exterior building doors and assist specific academic departments by unlocking designated classrooms. For scheduled weekend events and activities, facilities staff unlock the relevant exterior building doors and classrooms and then secure them once the events have concluded.

Access to McPherson and Newton Locations

The HutchCC-McPherson and HutchCC-Newton locations are open to the public during their regular, publicly posted hours of operation. These hours are typically from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm Monday through Thursday and from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Friday. Designated staff members at these locations are responsible for both locking and unlocking exterior building doors to manage access during and after normal operating hours.

Access to HutchCC-South Facilities

The HutchCC-South facilities are not generally open to the public. Their primary purpose is for use by students and employees of the specific programs operating from that location, or by special arrangement. Designated staff members from these specific programs are responsible for securing their respective building(s) by locking and unlocking exterior doors.

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