About the Office of Public Safety

The College complies with all federal, state and township laws regulating the possession, use and sale of alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, and weapons. Also prohibited are the possession, distribution, sale or use of narcotics, hallucinogens, and dangerous drugs, and the possession of paraphernalia related to the use of alcohol or illegal drugs.

College policy prohibits any member of the campus community, including public safety personnel, from using or carrying firearms, explosives (including firecrackers) or other dangerous articles or substances on campus property.

Routine reference checks are made on all candidates for employment. More extensive investigation is made for positions involving security and financial trust. The College does not knowingly employ individuals who have been involved in serious criminal offenses. Criminal conduct by either students or employees is grounds for disciplinary action and/or dismissal.

The staff includes a full-time director of public safety, seven full-time officers, and part-time officers.

Some officers have a law enforcement background. They do not carry firearms. They do carry flashlights, handcuffs and pepper spray, as well as radios capable of inter-connecting with the telephone system.

Several officers have the same police authority and arresting powers on the college campus as any police officer has in his or her municipality.  The Office of Public Safety cooperates with federal, state, county, and local police authorities. Officers meet on a routine basis with the Annville Township Police Department to discuss campus incidents and share information.

If assistance is needed with a major campus incident, the Annville Township Police and/or the Lebanon County Detective Bureau are asked to assist. All crime statistics are reported as required by law.

The campus community is encouraged to report any crime or safety and security concern to the Office of Public Safety, Ext. 6111.

All emergencies are immediately communicated to the college community through the appropriate college officers. Additional information is made available through resident assistants in the residence halls, e-mail, the campus newspaper, memoranda and posted notices.

Access to Campus Facilities

Most campus buildings and facilities are accessible to the campus community and to escorted guests and visitors during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, and for limited designated hours on Saturdays and Sundays during the academic year (this excludes most holidays).

Facilities Services

Facilities Services personnel are available during normal business hours and are on-call 24 hours a day (after 4 p.m. call the Offfice of Public Safety at Ext. 6111) to respond to emergency maintenance calls. They are responsible for inspections of campus facilities and for repairs. Public Safety personnel assist the maintenance department by reporting potential problems such as broken doors, locks and lights. Campus landscaping and outdoor lighting are regularly evaluated for safety and security.

Fire and Safety Procedures

Fire and safety procedures are explained and reviewed with students at the beginning of each academic year.

All campus buildings are locked and unlocked on a scheduled basis. Keys are issued only to those individuals authorized to enter a building. Residence hall windows are equipped with standard locking devices and all student rooms have approved locks.

Emergency Telephone Blue Lights

Emergency telephone blue lights have been strategically placed on campus for your safety and convenience. Some of the telephones have blue lights mounted for easy identification. By pushing the red button, these phones will function as a normal campus extension. The telephone connects you with a campus public safety officer or dispatcher. Even if you cannot speak into the phone, a campus public safety officer will be dispatched to your location.

Use these phones for security assistance, medical assistance, fire alert, emergency information, and the reporting of crimes or suspicious persons.

Housing Information

On-campus housing includes single, double and triple rooms. The College does not control any housing spaces beyond the campus boundaries.

During the school year there are approximately 48 resident assistants and professional residential life staff who administer the policies of the College and oversee day-to-day operation of the residence halls.

The professional residential life staff works closely with student resident assistants. All resident assistants are required to participate in workshops that include housing, security and enforcement procedures. The resident assistants, in turn, inform students about these procedures. The Residential Life Guidelines, found in the Student Life Handbook and Academic Planner, emphasize the role of individual responsibility for living on the LVC campus. A copy of the Residential Life Policies may be obtained from the Office of Student Services.

During holidays and vacation periods entry door locks may be replaced and new keys issued. During regular sessions, public safety personnel check entry doors at regular intervals, including periods of no occupancy or low occupancy.

Residents are instructed to carry their keys and to keep the residence halls locked at all times. Locking your dorm room every time you leave your room (no matter how briefly) can prevent thefts from occurring.

Public Safety officers do random walk-throughs of residence halls on campus.

Identification Cards

A personal identification card with photograph is issued to each student and employee of the college. The card identifies the student or employee as a member of the college.

The student ID card provides privileged admission to all athletic events, the dining hall, various residence halls and to the Arnold Sports Center. The card must be shown if requested by public safety or other college personnel. Students must show their identification cards to cash checks, receive college work-aid checks, use the facilities and services of the college library, and borrow equipment in the college center.

Lost or mutilated cards will be replaced at a charge. Contact Student Services at Ext. 6233 or the Office of Public Safety at Ext. 6111 for additional information.

Lost and Found

The Office of Public Safety administers a lost and found program. Articles found on campus should be turned in to the office where they will be recorded and secured. Individuals who have lost an article should check with the office to see if the property has been recovered.

Right-to-Know Act

The Pennsylvania Worker and Community Right to Know Act became fully implemented on August 2, 1988. This legislation is intended to ensure that employees receive information about chemical hazards in the workplace and that the health and safety of workers is protected by greater awareness of the hazards of exposure and the proper and safe handling procedures.

The Right to Know Act requires the employer to:

• provide notice to workers of their rights under the law
• provide regular training and information regarding hazardous substances
• maintain a list of hazardous substances found in the workplace
• maintain proper labeling on containers of hazardous substances, mixtures and chemicals.

Students and employees may request information regarding hazardous materials to which they may be exposed. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS forms) are maintained in the Office of Public Safety, Facilities Services and Garber Science Center.

Escort Service

Campus Escort Service is available for personal safety reasons or concerns. Please contact the Public Safety Office at x6111 or use the Campus Emergency Blue Light telephones. If you desire a pre-arranged escort on campus, please contact the Public Safety Office to schedule a time.

The Freshman Parking Lot and Walkway, northeast area of campus are equipped for camera surveillance. Cameras are not monitored under normal operating conditions, but may be monitored periodically for legitimate safety and security purposes.

Sex Offenders

Information regarding convicted and registered sex offenders may be obtained in the Public Safety Office on campus, (campus phone extension 6111, off campus 867-6111) or in the Annville Township Police Department (867-2711) or Pennsylvania State Police web site (psp.state.pa.us/) or 1-866-771-3170.

Skateboarding/Rollerblading Activities

Lebanon Valley College has an obligation to provide a safe environment and protect the college property. Skateboarding/Rollerblading is dangerous and presents a safety issue for the pedestrians, as well as the skater. Skateboarding/Rollerblading has also caused significant damage to benches, walls, steps, curbs and receptacles around campus.

Therefore, skateboarding/rollerblading will not be permitted on the campus of Lebanon Valley College, with the exception of special events, which from time to time, can be authorized by appropriate members of the Lebanon Valley College Administration.