This procedure describes the hours buildings will be open, as well as the responsibilities of the Facilities Management and Planning Department, and the Public Safety Department, for securing buildings and permitting access.
The College must maintain a safe and secure working environment, prevent thefts from buildings, and provide procedures that ensure all college facilities and property are being used for authorized purposes and that proper supervision by appropriate staff members is provided.
These procedures are intended to provide security for all college buildings, facilities, and equipment, and to preserve the safety of individuals while on campus. In addition, the purpose of these procedures is to ensure that college facilities and property are being used for authorized purposes and that proper supervision by appropriate staff members is provided.
Doors open per class and department office schedules, generally opening at 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, except on days of school closure. A department head may exclude specific doors from this procedure in their department by designating a specific area as "closed" in the College online scheduling system, 25Live.
The majority of exterior doors and certain interior doors are electronically controlled by a program jointly managed by Public Safety and Facilities Management and Planning. Facilities Management and Planning Department is responsible for unlocking scheduled classroom doors that do not have electronic access control during regular-schedule days Monday through Friday. Public Safety unlocks scheduled doors that do not have electronic access control on weekends, holidays and after-hours. Public Safety will also respond to requests for office unlocks. On occasions when officers open an office or other sensitive area, officers will verify the identity and authorization of the person requesting access. Such steps will be done in person.
Most buildings lock at 5 pm, or when department offices close, and scheduled activities for that building are over for the day.
Public Spaces and Private Spaces: When exterior doors to a building are unlocked, lobbies and restrooms are generally public spaces. Classrooms, offices, and workspaces are private spaces. Classrooms are for the use of employees, registered students, and invited guests. Outside entities that have reserved a specific space may also use that specific space during the dates and times of their reservation.
After-Hours Access: To prevent unsupervised use of facilities (such as labs and classrooms) after hours and weekends, Public Safety officers will not open any department area for student use unless the activity has been scheduled through 25Live and the designated staff supervisor is present. Any persons requesting building access after-hours or on weekends must be referred to the Public Safety officer on duty. Note: A designated student employee or authorized external facility user will satisfy the requirement of staff presence.
Individual Access Requests: If a Public Safety officer admits any staff member to any area of the College, the Public Safety officer will positively identify the staff member and record this information in the report management system at Public Safety. This information will include who was admitted into what area and the purpose of entry. Public Safety officers will not permit student entry into any department area that is closed or unstaffed, unless that student is an authorized student employee and the College is “open”
Access Control System: Public Safety, in collaboration with Facilities Management and Planning, manages the Access Control System. This system utilizes smart-card technology, proximity antennas, card readers, and electronic remote control and monitoring systems to manage the door functions of exterior doors.
One of the key features of the electronic access control system is that exterior campus doors can be locked remotely.
Other security considerations include the reduction of unauthorized after-hours access, the reduction of the theft of high value assets from the campus, and the safety of employees who may work after-hours.
Emergency Control: The primary considerations for securing the campus exterior doors during an emergency include but are not limited to:
- Active Shooter
- Other violent actor on campus
- Disaster where the threat (such as a gas leak or hazardous material incident) is inside one or more buildings
- Disaster where the threat is attempting to move into a building (riots or other civil disorder, for instance).
When appropriate, Public Safety will escort law enforcement officers and first responders during an emergency and for any other necessary law enforcement activity on campus.