Campus Safety

Campus Safety & Security
Saint Gertrude Hall 21
24 Hour Security Officer on Duty
814-886-6327

The primary responsibility of the Safety & Security Department is to provide protection for College persons and property associated with the College. Security officers are on-duty 24 hours a day. If an officer is not in the office, he/she can be reached at 814-886-6327, or by contacting the Switchboard Operator at 814-886-4131. You may also use the blue-lighted phones in the parking lots or a courtesy phone inside the buildings.
The Safety & Security Department is comprised of a Director, six full-time Officers and three part-time Officers. All Safety & Security employees’ maintain certification in First Aid, CPR and AED. Security Officers have a variety of training and professional experiences ranging from crisis management, medical training, selfdefense techniques, hazardous chemical response and fire safety. The Campus Safety & Security Department cooperates with Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement maintaining a good working relationship, especially with the Cresson Township Police Department.
Mount Aloysius College makes every reasonable effort to provide a safe environment for students, employees and visitors. Each person utilizing facilities and equipment is expected to exercise proper safety procedures and report accidents, equipment failures, equipment destruction and facility problems to the Safety & Security Department. The Safety & Security Department maintains two bulletin boards, one in St. Gertrude Hall and one in the Main Building, with current information of crime statistics and programs offered and reviewed for updates at least monthly. The “Campus Alert” text message system, email system, voicemail system, internet site and portal page are used for any emergency mass notifications and done as needed.

Resources and Services

• The Security Department has tools to open locked cars, jumper packs for dead batteries and an air tank for flat tires.
• The Lost and Found Department is located in the Safety & Security Office. Any unclaimed item after a period of thirty days will be disposed of.
• A Campus Escort Service is available to any visitor, student, faculty or staff member. Officers will gladly provide an escort, when available, at anytime. In order to request this service, please call 814-886-6327. Escorts are offered for someone arriving or departing campus when it is dark out or during inclement weather or for anyone with a temporary or permanent disability.
• Safety & Security works to assure safe and secure conditions in campus facilities and grounds, including monitoring that foliage is trimmed, entrances are unobstructed and campus lighting is in good working order. College community members are encouraged to make Safety & Security aware of potential safety concerns on campus.

Procedures for Reporting Crimes and Other Emergencies

The Safety & Security Department works closely with the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Director of Residence Life to provide easy access for reporting any activity violating College regulations, any crime or any emergency occurring oncampus. During regular business hours, crimes and emergencies may be reported to the Campus Safety & Security Department on-duty Officer, Residence Life Department or the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. After regular hours, (9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday) incidents should be reported to the on-duty Safety & Security personnel or, in cases involving resident student emergencies, the Residence Life staff member on duty This same procedures shall be followed to request timely warning notifications and statistics disclosures.

When to Call Campus Security

• If you are the victim of a crime.
• If you observe a criminal act.
• If you observe or are involved in a vehicle accident.
• If you or someone you know becomes injured or seriously ill.
• If you see a suspicious person in a residence hall, parking lot or other location.
• To express a safety concern; i.e. burned out exterior light, propped doors, use of candles, etc.
• To report the use, sale or possession of illegal drugs, including alcohol.
• To report the possession of any type of firearm or weapon.

Always call the Safety & Security Department when you are unsure whether an occurrence should be reported.

Who May Call Campus Security

Any student, staff member of the College or visitor may contact the Security Department to report a crime or safety concern. Certain other campus employees who have significant responsibility for student and campus = activities are mandated to contact the Security Department when they learn of a crime. Departments who routinely contact the officer on duty include Residence Life, Student Activities, Athletics and all faculty members. Those not obligated to report information concerning a crime include the Director of Counseling and members of Campus Ministry who work with victims on a confidential basis. The Counseling Director and members of Campus Ministry may report criminal activity anonymously without the identity of the victim ever being known. Victims of crime may also report an incident to the Security Department without providing their identity.
The officer on duty addresses reports of crime and medical emergencies immediately. The officer will respond to your complaint and meet with you to provide whatever assistance is necessary. Officers will investigate all reported crime and work with the victim/s to identify those responsible. The investigating officer will remain in contact with the victim throughout the investigation until the case is closed. Should the responsible person be identified, the victim may choose to have the suspect arrested.
The Department will work with the victim to facilitate the prosecution. Mount Aloysius College will work with all victims of crime by modifying housing or  lass schedule upon request, when reasonably possible. The commission of any crime will not be tolerated at Mount Aloysius College.

Access to Campus Residences and Other Facilities

Access to the College by automobile is limited to one entrance after approximately 10:00 p.m. daily. The Library and West lots are well lit at night and blue light courtesy phones are available at the student parking lots. Residence hall exit/entrance doors are locked 24/7. Entrance doors are accessible by residents and designated staff via card access or key. Campus offices, athletic and academic buildings have open access during their hours of operation. The hours of operation vary by function and assigned use. Building intrusion alarms are set by Security at various times. Locked building access is controlled by Security and available to authorized persons by calling 814-886 6327. All visitors to the residence halls are to be escorted by a resident student host which will be responsible for access.

Emergency Notifications

The College “Alert” text message system, email system, phone, voicemail system, internet site and portal page are used for emergency mass notification. Mass notification will be done in a timely manner upon the confirmation of a significant emergency or a dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health and safety of students or employees, unless the notification at that time will compromise efforts to contain the emergency. Emergency response and evacuation procedure information is located on the orange sign in each room on-campus and the evacuation signs in the hallways. A complete campus emergency plan is located on the campus intranet at: https://portal.mtaloy.edu/priv/policies/Emergency%20portal%20December%2008.doc
Mount Aloysius College tests the emergency plans at least annually by conducting drills. The emergency mass notification procedures are tested by using the same procedures for campus weather delays and cancellations which happens at least once a year. Small samples of telephone numbers are used for testing from the spring through the fall.

Weather Related Cancellations and Delays

There are certain times when classes may be cancelled or delayed due to inclement weather. Please sign up for MAC text message alerts or check the college website, call the switchboard at 814-886-4131, or tune into the local radio and television stations to determine if a cancellation or delay has taken place.

False Fire Alarms

False alarms endanger lives and inconvenience many people. A false fire alarm is a criminal offense punishable by a $10,000 fine and/or five years imprisonment. Civil authorities will be immediately notified to deal with offenders. Students will also be subject to the campus conduct system.

Fire Alarm Procedures

When a fire alarm sounds, everyone must leave the building. However, if the door IS HOT:

• Stay in the room.
• Seal door with a towel or other item.
• Stay by an open window and indicate your location to others outside.
• Put a towel, blanket, sheet or piece of clothing outside the window to signal fire department personnel of your location.

If the door IS NOT HOT:

• Close windows.
• Open the blinds.
• Do not touch light switches.
• Carry a wet towel for heat and smoke protection.
• Close door/leave unlocked.
• Proceed to nearest exit.
• Report to Cosgrave Center for head count.

Misuse of Equipment

Other fire equipment including fire extinguishers, hoses and alarm boxes must not be tampered with or misused. A fine of $200 plus damages will be assessed to any individual or group held in violation. Students will also be subject to the campus conduct system.

Student ID Cards

ID cards are available at the Security Department located in St. Gertrude Hall, Room 21 or by calling the Security Office at 814-886-6327. The cards are valid for the entire time you are a student. Initial ID cards are free and replacement cards are available for $25.00.

Vehicle Information

All students’ vehicles including part-time, weekend, and evening students must obtain a parking permit from Safety & Security. On-campus parking is available to Mount Aloysius students. However, these spaces are only available if everyone cooperates and abides by the regulations set forth in the parking program. All studentsm may only use student parking lots 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14 between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Specific areas assigned to resident students for overnight parking are enforced 11:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. The campus map further identifies the designated student parking lots.

Special Note:

Students must park in student designated areas when on-campus and are not allowed to park in front of the Main Building (lot 1) at any time. Parking privileges may be revoked if an individual deliberately attempts to deceive the College regarding the ownership of a vehicle or accumulation of ten or more points due to parking illegally. The Safety & Security Office is authorized to tow a vehicle at the owner’s expense. Anyone who uses their vehicle to transport contraband onto campus also risks losing the privilege of having a vehicle on campus premises. Fire Department regulations do not permit parking in any fire lane on-campus.
A vehicle parked on-campus is at the risk of the owner. Mount Aloysius assumes no responsibility for damages, thefts, accidents, or other incidents involving student vehicles. All vehicles must be registered by the end of the first week of each academic semester. Vehicles can be registered in the Security Office during orientation or thereafter. The vehicle registration card or a copy of the card must be shown to the officer for each vehicle when registering. A fee of $25 is payable at the time of registration. Replacement cost of a permit is $5. Inquire at the Security Department for registering multiple vehicles.
The Safety & Security Department will issue special one-day permits in emergency situations. Safety & Security must be notified immediately, either in person or by note left at the Safety & Security department relating the description, location and license plate of the unregistered vehicle. Students with special needs regarding parking must contact the Director of Safety & Security to discuss their specific circumstances.

• Students (non-resident) wishing to leave a vehicle on campus overnight must fill out an overnight request form at the Safety & Security Department to avoid a ticket.
• Students are not permitted to leave disabled vehicles on campus property.
• Students are not permitted to leave vehicles on campus over break periods.
• Unattended vehicles left on-campus without prior authorization from Safety & Security will be considered abandoned and will be towed at the owner’s expense.
• Residents will be assigned parking areas at the beginning of each semester

Parking Fines

All violations will be assigned points as outlined in the table below:

All parking fines are $20 except for handicap parking violations which are $25. All fine costs double if not paid within thirty (30) days of issuance. Unpaid fines may be automatically applied to your college bill and a hold may be placed on your account. If ten or more points are accumulated, parking privileges will be revoked for the remainder of the academic year. All points are deleted at the end of each academic year. The ticket may be appealed to the Parking Appeal Board. The appeal form must be submitted in writing to the Security Department within five days after the date of violation. The appeal form may be obtained on the MAC portal page or at the Safety & Security department.

Fines can only be paid in the Controller’s Office during regular business hours.