Security and Safety On-Campus
KHSC-KansasCOM is located within a metropolitan area. KHSC-KansasCOM has instituted certain security measures for student safety, including the utilization of a card access system for all building entrances. Students are encouraged to remain alert and cautious when on-campus, keep personal items out of sight, and keep their vehicles locked at all times.
KHSC-KansasCOM security officers patrol the interior and exterior of campus to prevent and deter crime. They are readily available to help in emergencies, provide security escorts, and render assistance to KHSC-KansasCOM students, faculty, and staff. The department also enforces parking regulations and serves as a repository for lost and found items.
Automated External Defibrillators (AED) are strategically placed on campus and include mobile devices carried by security officers. The security department is charged with maintenance and care of the defibrillators.
Timely Warnings
Timely warnings are notifications to the campus community providing timely and relevant information when certain crimes have occurred in a certain geography. Such warnings are posted any time a situation poses a serious or on-going threat to the campus community. These communications enable members of the community to protect themselves and include information that promotes safety and aids in the prevention of unsafe circumstances. This warning will include pertinent information about the crime that triggered the warning.
Timely warnings will be issued for all reportable Clery Act crimes when:
- The crime occurs within KHSC-KansasCOM's Clery Act geography; and/or
- The crime is reported to campus security authorities or local police agencies; and
- The crime is considered to represent a serious or continuing threat to the campus community.
Clery Act Crimes
Clery Act crimes include the following: murder and non-negligent manslaughter, negligent manslaughter, aggravated assault, arson, burglary, robbery, motor vehicle theft, rape, fondling, incest, statutory rape, liquor law violations, weapons possession, drug abuse violations, hate crimes, domestic violence, and stalking.
Emergency Communication and Notices
Depending on the incident and nature of the threat, KHSC-KansasCOM will use mass notification methods to provide emergency notifications to the campus community.
These methods include the following, but this list is not exhaustive:
- Emails to KHSC-KansasCOM.org accounts;
- Text alerts to cell phones;
- Posting information to the KHSC-KansasCOM website; and/or
- Other methods as appropriate (e.g., media, handouts, phone calls, etc.).
Annual Clery Act Reporting Requirements
In accordance with the Clery Act and the U.S. Department of Education regulations applicable to institutions of higher education participating in federal financial aid programs, KHSC-KansasCOM shall annually publish a security report containing KHSC-KansasCOM’s policies related to safety and security and required crime statistics and distribute the report to all current students and employees. The annual report will be archived with the Chief Financial Officer.
Annual Security Report
In compliance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Education, Kansas Health Science Center (KHSC-KansasCOM) security publishes an annual security report and distributes the document to all students, faculty, and staff. The Campus Security Act requires all institutions of higher education to:
- Publish an annual report by October 1, each year, that contains three years of campus crime statistics and certain campus security policy statements.
- Disclose crime statistics for the campus, public areas immediately adjacent to or running through the campus, and certain non-campus facilities and remote classrooms.
- The statistics must be gathered from Campus Security, local law enforcement, and other KHSC-KansasCOM officials who have “significant responsibility for students and campus activities.”
- Provide “timely warning” notices of those crimes that have occurred and pose an on-going “threat to students and employees”.
- Disclose in a public crime log “any crime that occurred on-campus or within the patrol jurisdiction of Campus Security and is reported to Campus Security.” This log is available upon request in the security office.
Animals On-Campus
Only pre-approved service animals are allowed on-campus. All other animals are not allowed to enter the KHSC-KansasCOM building. Emotional Support Animals are not allowed on-campus. See the Accommodations Policy for more information on service and emotional support animals.
Building Hours and Services
Typical building hours of operation will be 7am to 11pm, Monday through Friday. Weekend hours of operation are 9am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday. Hours may be extended during peak testing times. Those time changes will be communicated directly to students via their KHSC-KansasCOM email.
Building Evacuation Plan
In the event of an emergency requiring evacuation, designated campus officials will begin a floor-by-floor evacuation of each affected building. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors are instructed to leave personal belongings and evacuate the building quickly.
General evacuation guidelines and best practices are outlined below:
- Building management will provide information and instructions via the emergency alert system throughout the building.
- Do not use elevators.
- Do not bring food or drink with you and/or into any stairwell.
- Do not break windows.
- Always stay to the right within the stairwell to allow emergency personnel to pass.
- If applicable, fire escapes should be used as a last resort.
Persons Requiring Assistance with Evacuation Procedures
In the event of a building or campus evacuation, local municipal emergency personnel are the only personnel formally trained and authorized to provide physical evacuation assistance to individuals with mobility impairment. In the event danger is imminent and there is no time to wait for municipal personnel, Kansas Health Science Center (KHSC-KansasCOM) suggests the following evacuation options for students, faculty, staff and visitors with such impairments:
- Horizontal Evacuation Option: Move a safe distance away from the area of imminent danger to another space of the building or opposite end of the corridor.
- Stay in Place Evacuation Option: Unless danger is imminent, remain in a room with an exterior window, and if possible, a closed door. If possible, dial 9-1-1. The individual calling emergency personnel should be prepared to tell the 9-1-1 operator his or her name, location, and the nature of the emergency.
- “Buddy System” Evacuation Option: Individuals with a mobility impairment should make prior arrangements with a student, staff, and/or faculty acquaintance (a “Buddy”) of the need for special assistance in the event of a fire alarm or any other situation which may require evacuation. During an evacuation, the “Buddy” should make sure of the individual’s location, then go outside and inform emergency personnel of a person in a specific location who needs assistance in leaving the building.
Most areas on campus are equipped with fire alarm horns/strobes that sound an alarm and flash strobe lights. However, persons with hearing and/or vision impairments may not immediately notice or hear emergency alarms and may need to be alerted of emergency situations. Some persons may need to be alerted to the situation by gestures or by turning the light switch on and off repeatedly.
Emergency instructions can also be communicated by verbalizing, mouthing, or by short, explicit written note. KHSC-KansasCOM employees are encouraged to offer such assistance, as appropriate.
Campus Visitors
Visitors are defined as any individual who is not part of the KHSC-KansasCOM or building staff, a current KHSC-KansasCOM student, or other personnel that has already been granted recurring access to the campus. Anticipated visitors include:
- Applicants
- Suppliers or Vendors
- Contractors
- Patients
- Accreditation Representatives
- General Public
- Community Representatives
- Partner Institution Staff or Faculty
- Family and Friends
Visitor Procedures
Visitors must comply with the following guidelines:
- Normal visiting hours are 8am - 5pm Monday-Friday (excluding holidays).
- All visitors are required to check-in with the security desk upon entry.
- All visitors must be accompanied by a KHSC-KansasCOM employee or student.
- The employee or student is responsible for the visitor until they are checked out and leave campus.
- All visitors will be issued a visitation badge that should be always worn and visible.
- Visitors without appropriate authorization will be refused entry.
- Visitors without an appropriate badge will be escorted by security off the premises.
- Certain areas may be restricted to visitors.
Fire Prevention
Fire prevention is a community-wide priority. In the interest of fire prevention and safety, faculty, staff, and students must maintain an awareness of various potential building hazards in their respective areas. Always remove clutter; properly dispose of old papers, books, boxes, etc.; keep corridors and hallways clear; and safely store flammable substances appropriately.
All KHSC-KansasCOM personnel should also make an effort to familiarize themselves with the locations of stairwells, fire escapes, and emergency equipment, such as fire extinguishers and hoses, in and around the areas of campus they frequent.
How to Use a Fire Extinguisher
P - Pull the pin without squeezing the handles together.
A - Aim at the flames from 10-12 feet.
S - Squeeze the handles together; do not release until the fire is completely extinguished.
S - Sweep from edge to edge of the area on fire.
Identification and Building Access Cards
KHSC-KansasCOM utilizes a card access system on all building entrances. Access cards are issued by security to incoming students, free-of-charge, during orientation week. Access cards also serve as student identification badges and, in accordance with the dress code, are required to be prominently displayed by students above the waist, preferably on the upper torso region, and visible from the front. ID badges/access cards must be presented when requested by any member of the KHSC-KansasCOM administration, staff, or faculty.
Students are prohibited from transferring access cards to other individuals, allowing others to use their access cards, or granting access to non-KHSC-KansasCOM personnel. Students are expected to keep their ID badges/access cards during their entire educational career at KHSC-KansasCOM but must return it to the Office of Student Affairs and Services or Campus Security upon termination of student status. For all lost, stolen, or misplaced ID badges/access cards, students may receive a replacement at the Security Office. Replacement cards are subject to a replacement fee.
Inclement Weather
KHSC-KansasCOM President and/or designee of KHSC-KansasCOM may declare KHSC-KansasCOM closed or delay opening due to inclement weather. In the event this should occur, a decision will be made no later than 7am and announced to the campus community.
Electronic announcements will be sent to all students, faculty, and staff via email and other electronic announcement systems. If an announcement is not made regarding the closing or delay of opening of KHSC-KansasCOM, students should assume that KHSC-KansasCOM is open and attend class at the regularly scheduled times.
Injuries Occurring On-Campus
If a student experiences an accident or injury on campus, the student should report the incident to Campus Security and the Office of Student Affairs and Services immediately, and no later than 24 hours after the occurrence. If KHSC-KansasCOM offices are closed at the time of the incident, the incident should be reported the next business day. A member of Campus Security will complete an accident/injury report. The Director of Physical Operations and Security will assign the incident report for investigation.
A preliminary review, if warranted, will gather additional information while it is fresh and accurate in the minds of those involved or who may have witnessed the incident. Recommendations for any corrective action will be submitted to the Chief Administrative Officer.
Reportable events may include but are not limited to the following:
- Any injury to a student occurring on KHSC-KansasCOM property or in connection with KHSC-KansasCOM business.
- A condition presenting a safety hazard.
- Damage to KHSC-KansasCOM property.
Lost and Found
Lost and found is in the Campus Security Office. In the event you have lost something, please contact Campus Security. Should you lose something on-campus, you can reach out to Security or the Office of Student Affairs and Services to notify KSHC-KansasCOM of the lost item.
Motor Vehicles and Parking
KHSC-KansasCOM makes parking available for employees and students. There is a large parking area dedicated to student parking. Student parking options are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are not allowed to park in parking areas that are marked “reserved” or “visitor.”
All KHSC-KansasCOM students must have a parking permit displayed on the passenger side windshield of their vehicle in order to park in a KHSC-KansasCOM parking lot. KHSC-KansasCOM assumes no responsibility for articles left in vehicles, or for any loss by theft or any vehicle or part thereof, or for any damage which may be caused to any vehicle or part thereof, by fire, trespassers, visitors, or other causes.
Security Escorts
KHSC-KansasCOM security offers an on-campus security escort if requested. This service is available during building hours, throughout the year, except for when the campus building is closed. A Campus Security officer will walk students to buildings and/or vehicles parked in and around KHSC-KansasCOM parking lots. Those interested in a security escort should contact Campus Security.
Smoking and Tobacco Use
KHSC-KansasCOM is a tobacco free campus.
Student Lockers
KHSC-KansasCOM provides lockers for students located within the campus building. Students can place personal items within the locker. Lockers are assigned by the Office of Student Affairs and Services. The Office of Student Affairs and Services will communicate the locker reservation process to students during KHSC-KansasCOM orientation.
Lockers are reserved for the entire academic year. Locks for the lockers are provided to each student by the Office of Student Affairs. Should a student lose or damage their lock, there is a replacement charge.
At the end of the academic year, students are responsible for removing all personal content in accordance with the deadline communicated by the Office of Student Affairs and Services. All unclaimed locker contents will be disposed of after 90 days (about 3 months) from that deadline. Campus Security has the authority to gain access to each locker, should that be necessary.
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