Students walk toward Administrative Building on Randolph Center campus

Public Safety

The Department of Public Safety at Vermont Tech serves the college community by helping to maintain a safe environment, protecting life and property, preventing and detecting crime and enforcing college policies.

The office is located on the first floor of the administrative building. Vermont Tech Public Safety operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and can be reached on any campus phone by dialing 71292 or (802) 728-1292 from your cell phone.

Additionally, the department provides the following services:

The department of friendly, concerned staff consists of the director, two full time and six part time officers who are there to help with your security concerns. You’re suggestions and observations are always welcome! All officers are trained in fire safety, human relations and are certified in first aid, CPR and AED operation.

Clery Report

While no campus is immune from crime problems, our small community in a rural environment experiences relatively few of the crimes more common in other areas. The prevention efforts based upon teamwork, awareness and involvement help us to maintain this level of safety. For more information including our Campus Security (Clery) Act statistics, please download the Campus Safety and Security reports here.

Missing Students Who Reside on Campus

If a member of the Vermont Tech community has reason to believe that a student who resides in on-campus housing is missing, he or she should immediately notify Public Safety.  The Department will generate a missing person report and initiate an investigation. After the investigation, if it is determined that the student is missing and has been for more than 24 hours, Public Safety will notify the Vermont State Police and the student’s emergency contact.

If the missing student is under the age of 18 and not an emancipated individual, the College will notify the student’s parents or legal guardian.

Regarding students who reside on campus, the emergency contact number on the Residence Life Personal Data Form is the number the College will use to contact the appropriate person. Students are encouraged to make certain that number is current.

Emergency Notification

The College has three means of emergency notification in the event of an incident that endangers the health and safety of members of the College community.

RAVE Guardian App

RAVE is an automated system which students, faculty or staff can register for at orientation or at any other time by following the steps below.  Multiple means of contact including cell phone, test message, e mail or other phone are available.  This system will only be utilized in case of emergency, College closing or for a test each semester.

All members of the Vermont Tech Community should update their emergency notification information online every semester.  This provides a means to send important information quickly via text or voice. Users can enter 2 email and 3 phone addresses.

  • To manage your account, please visit https://www.getrave.com/login/vtc
  • Your username is your VTC USERNAME@vsc.edu email address (example: abc01230@vsc.edu).
  • Click on the ‘Forgot your password?” link, enter your email address and follow the prompts to set a password.

Download and sign up for the RAVE Guardian app through your app store and connect to your RAVE account. Through the use of the Guardian app, users can:

  • Use a virtual “escort” that sets a fixed time for departure and arrival, alerting Public Safety if those perimeters are not met.
  • Send two-way confidential text messages to Public Safety anonymously.
  • Request help with one click from the app, sending a text message and location.
  • Receive push messages from the college based on location, increasing our ability to reach you in an impact area during an emergency.

Email

College-wide email which will go to all Vermont Tech users.

Website

College web site will scroll an emergency message.

Updates on emergencies will be communicated through these channels as details become available.

Timely Warning

The Department of Public Safety, in consultation with the Dean of Students, is responsible for issuing timely warnings in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act.

Any individual who notices suspicious or unlawful or dangerous activity or is the victim of such activity should notify Public Safety at ext 71292 or at the office, Admin 122. As soon as possible after the incident report, the Director of Public Safety, Dean of Students, and Associate Dean for Outreach and Support will meet to determine if and when a timely warning should be issued. The decision to issue a timely warning shall be decided on a case by case basis in compliance with the Clery Act and will consider all facts available at that time. The timing of the notification shall be based upon whether the circumstances present a serious or continuing threat to students or employees and the possible risk of compromising law enforcement efforts.

A timely warning will be issued by one or more of the following steps:

  • Use of the SendWordNow notification system.
  • Distribution of a campus wide email
  • Distribution of timely warning flyers around campus
  • Posting the warning on the College website and Portal

Warnings may include, but are not limited to:

  • Type of incident
  • Date, time and location of incident
  • Suspect information and description

Warnings may be updated as new information becomes available.

Hostile Intruder Community Guidelines

Be alert and aware of your surroundings.  Have an escape route and plan in mind.  If you witness an armed individual on campus acting in a hostile manner or shooting at people or hear gunshots on campus, quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life.
Once you are in a safe place, immediately dial 911. Provide the dispatcher with as much information as you can regarding the location, direction of travel, and description(s) of the person(s) to include firearms being used. DO NOT HANG UP until told to do so.

If the shooter/intruder is outside the building:

  • Turn off all lights, close all windows, doors and shades.
  • If you can do so safely, get all occupants on the floor and out of any potential line of fire.
  • Move to a core area of the building, only if it is safe to do so. Remain there until police tell you it is safe to move.

If the shooter/intruder is inside the building:

Evacuate

  • If it is possible to escape the area safely and avoid danger do so by the nearest exit, using non-traditional exits if necessary.
  • Leave personal belongs behind.
  • Keep your hands above your head and listen for instructions that may be given.
  • Move to a safe (protected) area.
  • Contact 911, report your location and name(s) and any details that you can.

Lockdown/Hideout

  • If escape is not possible, close lock and barricade all doors.  Turn off lights, close shades, and hide.
  • Lie on the floor or under/behind furniture and remain silent.
  • Wait for the police to come find you.

Counter

If you are hiding and flight is not possible there is not set procedure other than to use common sense if the shooter/intruder enters your class or office:

  • Dial 911 if possible, if you cannot speak leave the line open so the dispatcher can listen to what‘s going on.
  • Attempts to negotiate with the individual may be successful.
  • Distract the shooter’s ability to shoot accurately.  Move toward exits while making noise and  throwing objects
  • As a last resort, and only when your life is imminent danger, attempting to overcome the individual with physical force should only be initiated. (Note: there may be more than one shooter.)
  • Attempt to incapacitate the active shooter or swarm the individual as a group.
  • If the shooter leaves your area and you are able to escape, leave the area immediately. If unable to escape, call 911 and give an update. Do not touch anything in the area.

When you encounter the police during an active incident, keep the following in mind:

  • Remain calm and patient for the duration to prevent interference with police activities. This may take a long time.
  • When you encounter police, keep your hands empty and in plain view at all times.
  • Do not speak to the officers until they speak to you.
  • Do not respond to commands unless you are certain they are issued by a police officer. Unknown or unfamiliar voices may be the shooters’ method of giving false assurances.
  • Be calm, keep your hands in plain view. If an officer points a firearm at you, try to remain calm. Do not make any movements that might cause the officer to mistake your actions for a threat.
  • If you are evacuating, carry nothing that could be mistaken for a weapon.

Identification Cards (IDs)

A photo identification card is issued to each student upon matriculation. This card accesses residence halls, allow students to borrow books from the library, accesses all-night computer facilities and functions as a meal card in the dining hall. All students must show their Vermont Tech ID cards when appropriate campus officials such as members of Student Affairs, Public Safety officers, food service employees and maintenance personnel request it for identification. Lost cards should be reported to Public Safety immediately. Students who lose their ID card will be subject to a $50 replacement fee. Students withdrawing from the College must return their ID cards to the Public Safety department.

Lost and Found

Any items of personal property found on campus should be given to the Public Safety department. These items will be tagged, registered and held until claimed by the rightful owner. Lost articles may be reported there, and information about these items will be recorded and filed for future reference. Any items left in the Public Safety office two weeks after the academic year ends will be disposed of and will no longer be the office‘s responsibility.

Vehicles, Traffic and Parking Regulations:

Vehicle Registration and Parking

Anyone associated with Vermont Tech may have one vehicle on campus and must register that vehicle with the Public Safety Department at the Randolph Center Campus or with Jean-Marie Clark in the Administration building at the Williston Campus within forty-eight hours or two business days of arrival on campus.

Campus roads, grassed areas or sidewalks; within six feet of any fire hydrant; fire lanes or fire exits; all loading or delivery areas; all curbs or areas marked with yellow paint; all parking spaces designated for specific persons or vehicles; all building entrances; all “No Parking” areas designated by temporary or permanent signs or barriers. Any area that is not specifically designated as a parking area, either by signage or by parking stalls painted on the pavement, should be understood as a no-parking area.

Further, there are specific areas designated for faculty, staff, and visitors in front of Conant, Judd, and Morrill Halls. Students who park in these areas will receive parking citations. Parking spaces are reserved for people with disabilities in front of Judd Hall and the Administrative Center. Motorcycles are to be parked in areas designated by signs in each parking lot.

At the Williston Campus parking in front of Rack Warehouse or Creative Sound is prohibited. A brochure is available at the Williston campus which shows the allowed parking areas.

All other vehicles such as snowmobiles, 4-wheelers, dirt bikes, etc., must be registered with Public Safety Office. Specific instructions for parking these vehicles will be given upon registration. Lack of space is not a valid excuse for illegal parking.

Snow Removal

Twenty-four hours notice will be provided on all main bulletin boards and by campus email advising the dates, times, and other specifics of snow removal. Failure to move a vehicle for snow removal is a violation, subject to a fine, towing, or both at the owner‘s expense. Vehicles will be towed to another location on campus. Not seeing lines due to snow is not a valid excuse for a parking violation.

Vacation Parking Rules

Students wishing to leave their vehicles on campus during vacation breaks must notify the Public Safety department. An area for parking will be designated at that time.

Traffic Regulations

Faculty, staff and students are expected to know and comply with Vermont motor vehicle laws and Vermont Tech traffic and parking regulations. In addition, the following campus restrictions apply:

The maximum speed on campus is 15 mph. Pedestrians shall be given the right of way at all times. Driving on walks, lawns, or areas not designated as roadways is prohibited. The individual is responsible for any violations issued to a vehicle which he or she owns or operates.

Traffic and parking citations may be handed to the owner or operator, placed on the vehicle windshield, or, in special cases, mailed to the registrant. Repeat violators of Vermont Tech traffic and parking regulations may have their motor vehicle privileges revoked. An appeal of such a decision may be filed through the usual appeal process.

Accidents

Accidents occurring on campus must be reported to Public Safety immediately, and accidents involving $1000 in personal injury or property damage or hit and run accidents will be reported to the Vermont State Police who, with Vermont Tech Public Safety, will conduct the investigation. People charged with hit-and-run will be prosecuted under the Vermont criminal statutes.

Fines, Penalties and Appeals

  • No permit or improperly displayed $50
  • Parking in restricted areas, no parking zones $25
  • Failure to move vehicle for snow removal $25
  • Parking in handicap space or fire lane $50
  • Unregistered or abandoned vehicle $50
  • Driving to endanger/speeding $75
  • Driving in unauthorized areas $75
  • Additional sanctions may be added to any of the above fines depending on the severity of the offense.

Appeals for any penalties or violations must be submitted in writing to the Dean of Students’ Office within five working days of the violation and a copy of the ticket must accompany the letter of appeal. If fines are determined, they are payable to the Student Accounts office. Unpaid fines may put a student account in a past due status which will prevent students from registering for classes or receiving transcripts or diplomas.

Towing

Vermont Technical College has the authority to remove any vehicle that is improperly parked. Owners of towed vehicles will be responsible for the expense of towing and any fines or penalties imposed. Vehicles left unattended or illegally parked for more than seven days will be towed.

Registration and Insurance of Personal Property

Students may register valuable articles with the Public Safety Office. A record of the item, serial number, model number, and description will be maintained as long as the student remains on campus. An engraving tool is also available for marking items for identification. The College does not insure personal property against theft, vandalism or other damages. Students are encouraged to provide their own insurance.

Weapons Storage

Weapons are allowed for legal hunting or by use of members of the Gun Club. ALL weapons must be stored in the Public Safety office. Weapons will be signed in and out by a Public Safety officer. NO weapons are to be stored in vehicles or residence hall rooms.