Elmira College

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New Year, New Term, New Safety Awareness

Elmira, NY (01/08/2019) — This week is National Home Office Safety and Security Week, and since, for many of our students and employees, EC is their home and work space, we're taking a look at important information and campus safety enhancements that make that live/work space safer.

Earlier this academic year, the College community engaged in an emergency drill simulation. While not meant to model any one particular situation, the drill provided an opportunity to learn important language used in a real emergency. These terms included:

  • Shelter in Place: means remain calm and seek immediate refuge inside the closest facility it is safe to access. If inside, be sure to close and stay away from all windows.
  • Limited Lockdowns: may be issued due to a potentially hazardous incident on or near campus. If indoors, remain in that location and do not leave. If out on campus, students should return to their residence hall only, not to any other College property location as these will be locked and entrance will not be permitted.
  • Full Lockdown: is due to an extremely dangerous situation reported on the campus. The campus community is directed to shelter in place, move to a room in which doors can be locked, and stay away from windows. In a full lockdown, no one should leave a position of safety unless needed for their own protection. If out on campus, do not return to a residence hall building or any other college property, as doors will be locked and no one will be able to gain entrance. Rather, leave campus immediately by safest and most direct route possible.

Enhancements to the safety system on campus now allow Campus Safety officers to lock and unlock specific buildings from a remote location at a moment's notice. In an emergency, it is important to be aware of which term is used as that dictates which building will be accessible to those with College ID's.

"These new technologies are extremely efficient and helpful in an emergency situation, but our EC community needs to understand the terms that will be used," explains Steve Vann, director of campus safety. "A Limited Lockdown still allows residence hall access to students who live in that building. A Full Lockdown restricts access to all residence halls, even if a student lives there. So, in the event of an emergency, it's important that students, and employees, understand these terms."

Campus safety is an important issue, for the entire EC campus community, and the College is continually evaluating and improving safety measures throughout campus.

Any member of the EC community who has questions is encouraged to contact the Office of Campus Safety at 607-735-1777.

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This week is National Home Office Safety and Security Week, and since, for many of our students and employees, EC is their home and work space, we’re taking a look at important information and campus safety enhancements that make that live/work space safer.

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