814-886-6327
The safety of our students, staff and visitors is our top priority. Campus Police and Safety is dedicated to providing a safe and comfortable environment for our campus community.
Highlights of Campus Safety and Security
Campus Police & Safety Overview
The safety of our students, staff, and campus community is our top priority. Campus Police and Safety is composed of trained professionals that are on campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The Campus Police and Safety team incorporates sworn police officers, security, and student workers.
Officers keep our campus safe using a proactive approach, utilizing vehicle, foot, and bicycle patrols 24 hours a day. We are very proud of our record, which shows the safe environment that is created by our officers.
Campus Police and Safety utilizes technology, student engagement, and services to continue to keep our campus safe.
Emergency Response Information
The Mount Aloysius College Emergency Manual includes information about all hazards response and; operating status parameters; incident priorities and; shelter-in-place and evacuation guidelines; and local contingency and continuity planning requirements. The College conducts emergency response exercises each year, such as table top exercises, field exercises, and tests of the emergency notification systems on campus. These tests are designed to assess and evaluate the emergency plans and capabilities of the College.
Mount Aloysius College Police and Security officers have received training in Incident Command and Responding to Critical Incidents on Campus. When a serious incident occurs that causes an immediate threat to the campus, the first responders to the scene are Campus Police and Safety personnel, Cresson Township Police, Cambria Alliance EMS and the Cresson Volunteer Fire Company. They typically respond and work together to manage the incident. Depending on the nature of the incident, other MAC departments and other local, state or federal agencies could also be involved in responding to the incident.
General information about the emergency response plan and procedures for MAC are publicized each year as part of the institution’s Clery Act compliance efforts, and that information is available on the MAC website. To access log into your MyMAC page and select “MAC Policies – Documents” and then select “Emergency Action Plan”.
An evacuation drill is coordinated by MAC Police and Safety and MAC Residence Life each academic year for all residential facilities. Students learn the locations of the emergency exits in the buildings and are provided guidance about the direction they should travel when exiting each facility for a short-term building evacuation with accountability rally points. Designated locations for long-term evacuations decisions are affected by time of day, location of the building being evacuated, the availability of the various designated emergency gathering locations on campus, and other factors such as the location and nature of the threat. In these cases, MAC Police and Safety and MAC Residence Life staff on the scene will communicate information to students regarding the developing situation or any evacuation status changes.
The purpose of evacuation drills is to prepare building occupants for an organized evacuation in case of a fire or other emergency. At MAC, evacuation drills are used as a way to educate and train occupants on fire safety issues specific to their building. During the drill, occupants ‘practice’ drill procedures and familiarize themselves with the location of exits and the sound of the fire alarm. In addition to educating the occupants of each building about the evacuation procedures during the drills, the process also provides the College an opportunity to test the operation of fire alarm system components. All heat detectors, smoke detectors and fire alarm pull stations are individually tested each summer.
Evacuation drills are monitored by MAC Police and Safety and the Residence Life Department to evaluate egress and behavioral patterns. Reports are prepared by participating departments that identify deficient equipment so that repairs can be made immediately. Recommendations for improvements are also submitted to the appropriate departments/offices for consideration.
Students receive information about evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures during orientation and during other educational sessions that they can participate in throughout the year. The Residence Life Staff members are trained in these procedures as well and act as an on-going resource for the students living in residential facilities.
All rooms on campus have an orange sign located near the door identifying the emergency levels of response. The level of response may be communicated to you in person, via computer, cell phone or telephone. This information along with the physical 9-1-1 address of the room you are in has been placed prominently for your reference during an emergency.
Protective Actions
Protective actions have been summarized and labeled “Emergency Levels of Response” and are posted in all rooms on campus. These levels will be referred to in an emergency in an effort to get out more information in a short message. Everyone can refer to the posted sign in the room they are in to know the proper response.
Evacuation
Evacuation involves the movement away from potential danger to a safer area. The evacuation location is usually determined by the potential danger and the time factor that will allow for safe movement. Some emergency conditions or threats may require the relocation of individuals to an outdoor or off-site location.
- Horizontal and/or Vertical Evacuation: This type of evacuation involves room-to-room movement or floor-to-floor movement within a building to a possible safer location.
- Nearby Evacuation: Nearby evacuation is the swift movement to a safer area away from the immediate threat, much like the relocation to another building on campus. The Primary Location on campus is the Cosgrave Student Center (Dining Hall). If Cosgrave is unavailable, the Secondary location is the Athletic Convocation and Wellness Center (Auxiliary Gym).
- Relocation Evacuation: The coordinated larger scale evacuation to an off-campus location is a relocation evacuation. Although emergency conditions may affect relocation options available, it must be noted that Mount Aloysius College has entered into a reciprocal agreement with Saint Francis University. Each institution has agreed to provide temporary, short-term shelter and food to students and employees affected by an emergency.
Structural stability sheltering
An emergency condition such as a tornado may require the swift movement of individuals inside buildings to the first floor or lowest level. The movement and sheltering area should avoid glass, loose objects that may become projectiles and/or objects overhead. Interior, windowless hallways should be utilized in the event of an onset of a severe, rapid windstorm.
Hazardous material sheltering
A hazardous material incident may require shelter-in-place to limit exposure to a hazardous material or vapors from hazardous materials. Move inside immediately. Move to a location within the building where outside air exchange it limited (away from windows and external doors.) It may be necessary to seal window and door openings. Place as many walls or barriers between you and the outside air. Shut down air exchange units that may be bringing contaminates in from the outside of the building.
Potentially violent situation/threat sheltering
A violent situation or threat of violence may necessitate the discreet, hasty movement to a safe area away from a threat, or locking down the location where you are located to limit accessibility from potential threats. Movement may require alternate, non-typical exit routes and lock down locations may include “hiding places.” If possible, lock the windows and doors to the room. Ensure that others in the room/building do not leave. If possible, Campus Police and Safety personnel will lock the entrance doors to all campus buildings. Do not unlock the door or exit the building until Campus Police and Safety advises or a Campus emergency notification message is received stating that it is safe to exit.
Emergency Response Actions
The Clery Act requires that all allegations are reported publicly via a Timely Warning Notice. The investigation is ongoing regarding an allegation of:
There are currently no alerts.
Stay Connected!