This information is being provided as part of Rock Valley College’s commitment to safety and security on campus. At RVC the safety and well-being of students, faculty, and staff is important. A truly safe campus can only be achieved through the cooperation of everyone at Rock Valley College. We hope that this information will be read carefully to help foster a safe environment for everyone at RVC.
The RVC campus
RVC is situated on 217 acres in the city of Rockford and had 8,530 students during the fall 2010 semester. RVC also maintains seven off-campus facilities: the Bell School Road Center located at 3350 Bell School Rd., the Stenstrom Center for Career Education (SCCE) located at 4151 Samuelson Rd., the Falcon Road Center (FRC) located at 6349 Falcon Road, the Essex Building Truck Driver Training Center located at 2816 North Main Street, EIGERlab located at 605 Fulton Avenue, Work Force Connections located at 303 North Main and the Learning and Opportunity Center (LOC) located at 308 West State Street. RVC also offers various classes at multiple locations owned by other companies throughout and beyond the RVC district. RVC does not have dormitories on any of the campuses. All students live off campus.
Reporting of criminal activities or emergencies
The Rock Valley College Police Department is responsible for law enforcement, security, and emergency response at RVC. The office is located in the Support Services Building (SSB) of the main campus and can be contacted by dialing (815) 654-4357 (H.E.L.P.) in emergency situations or 921-4350 for non-emergency situations. All crimes occurring on campus should immediately be reported to the Rock Valley College Police Department. All full time RVC Police Department officers are certified police officers with training through the Illinois Police Training Institute or Illinois State Police Academy. The Rock Valley College Police Department enforces all the laws of the state of Illinois, city of Rockford, and regulations of the college. Officers are responsible for a full range of public safety services, including all criminal reports, investigations, medical emergencies, fire emergencies, traffic accidents, enforcement of laws regulating alcohol use on campus, the use of controlled substances, weapons and all other incidents requiring police assistance. RVC Police Department officers provide 24-hour-a-day patrol protection to the main campus and Bell Center. The Rock Valley College Police Department makes daily patrols of the Stenstrom Center for Career Education and Falcon Road Center. The SCCE and FRC are also patrolled by the Rockford Police Department. The Truck Driver Training (TDT) Facility, Learning and Opportunity Center (LOC), EIGERlab, and Work Force Connections are patrolled by the Rockford Police Department. A strong working relationship is maintained with the Rockford Police Department, Loves Park Police Department, Winnebago County Sheriffs Department, and other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The Rock Valley College Police Department maintains a mutual aid agreement and assists other local law enforcement agencies as needed. Pay telephones are located throughout the campus both inside and outside of the buildings. These pay phones can be used to report criminal activity, fire, or other emergencies by dialing 9-1-1. The 9-1-1 dispatcher will notify the Rock Valley College Police Department of the incident reported. RVC also has numerous emergency call boxes in place on the main campus and off-campus facilities. These call boxes can be used to contact the Rock Valley College Police Department in emergencies or whenever assistance is needed. Call boxes are also available at the Bell Center, Stenstrom Center for Career Education, and Falcon Road Center. The Rock Valley College Police Department maintains a daily crime log. The log is a listing of all crimes reported to campus police and is available for viewing at the RVC Police Department Office.
Maintenance and security of campus facilities
Plant Operations and Maintenance (POM) maintains the campus buildings and grounds with a concern for safety and security. The Rock Valley College Police Department inspects campus facilities regularly and reports all potential security and safety hazards to POM for repairs. Students, faculty, and staff may also call POM at (815) 921-4300 to report any security or safety hazards.
Access to campus facilities
Campus buildings and facilities are accessible during normal hours of operation: 6:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. daily. Please contact the switchboard (815) 921-7821 or the Rock Valley College Police Department (815) 921-4350 for weekend and holiday hours. The campus is closed to the public from 11:00 p.m. until 6:30 a.m.
Investigations/crime prevention
There is an ongoing effort at RVC to prevent crimes from occurring rather than react to them after the fact. A primary vehicle for accomplishing this goal is the college’s crime prevention program. The college’s crime prevention program is based upon the elimination of criminal opportunities and the encouragement of students, faculty, and staff to be responsible for the security and safety of all members of the campus community. The following is a listing of the crime prevention programs and projects employed by RVC.
1. Escort Program: Provides an escort service, particularly during hours of darkness, for persons walking on campus. Call (815) 921-4350 or use a call box to request an escort.
2. New Student Orientation: Crime prevention material is made available to new and returning students during the fall. Crime prevention material is also available throughout the year at several brochure kiosks located in buildings on campus.
3. Emergency Call Boxes: An emergency call box phone system is in place on campus. Located inside and outside of buildings, these call boxes can be used 24 hours a day to contact college police.
4. Emergency Telephones: Both interior and exterior pay phones can be used to dial 9-1-1 free of charge in the event of an emergency situation. Campus NBX phones have an emergency speed dial button that connects to the campus police office.
5. Electronic Monitoring Systems: A sophisticated electronic alarm system monitors a network of intrusion and duress alarm systems in campus facilities. A series of closed circuit security cameras are also utilized.
6. Facilities Surveys: Comprehensive surveys of exterior lighting, exterior doors and grounds are conducted by the Rock Valley College Police Department each year.
7. Timely Warnings: In the event that a situation arises, either on or off campus, that, in the judgment of the Chief of the Rock Valley College Police Department, constitutes an ongoing or continuing threat, a campus wide “timely warning” will be issued. The warning will be issued through the college e-mail systems to students, faculty, and staff. The college may also post the warning on the college web site and, in such instances, a copy of the warning
will be posted at the entrance door of each on-campus building. Depending on the particular circumstances of the crime, especially in all situations that could pose an immediate threat to the community and individuals, the Rock Valley College Police Department, in conjunction with the Rock Valley College Public Relations shall without any delay, notify students and staff through the use of the RVC Alerts emergency text message and voice message system. The
RVC Alerts system, which provides more immediate notification, is a voluntary program that students and staff can enroll in to receive alerts concerning emergencies on campus via their cellular phone, e-mail address, or land line telephone. Students and staff can sign up at http://www.rockvalleycollege.edu/alert. Anyone with information warranting a timely warning should report the circumstances to the Rock Valley College Police
Department, by phone (815-654-4357) or in person at the dispatch center within the Support Services Building on the main campus near parking lot #4.
Emergency Procedure Testing
The college will publish emergency response and evacuation procedures on an annual basis and provide these in a manner that reaches students and staff. Emergency response and evacuation procedures will be tested annually.
Drug, alcohol and weapons policies
8. Alcoholic beverages: No person shall possess, consume, distribute or manufacture any alcoholic beverages on the campus of RVC or any property that the college may lease.
The Rock Valley College Police Department enforces Illinois underage drinking laws. Such laws are strictly enforced by the RVC Police Department. Violators are subject to campus disciplinary action, criminal prosecution, fine and imprisonment.
The RVC campus has been designated, “Drug free”, and only under certain circumstances is the consumption of alcohol permitted.
9. Controlled Substances: No person shall possess, consume, distribute, purchase or manufacture any controlled or illegal substance on the campus of RVC or any property that the college may lease. The RVC Police Department enforces federal and state drug laws.
10. Weapons: No person shall wear, transport, store, or possess any firearms or other weapons while on any property the college may own or lease (includes College-owned vehicles, within personal vehicles and in parking lots) (720 ILCS 5/21-6). Possession of “weapons” shall include, but is not limited to, firearms (including any gun, rifle, shotgun, pistol, BB or pellet gun, or any firearm or device from which a projectile may be fired by explosive or gas/compressed air), knives, explosives, chemical or biological weapons, slingshot, metal knuckles, blackjack, or any other object which by use, design, or definition may be used or threatened to inflict injury upon another. “Weapons” does not include mace or pepper spray. This policy does not apply to certified law enforcement
personnel (police officers, sheriff’s deputies, parole agents) engaged in official duties. Activities requiring use of prohibited items may be conducted only with the prior written approval of the RVC Chief of Police.
Treatment
RVC provides a complete listing of counseling and treatment programs available in the Winnebago/Boone counties area. This listing is available in the counseling center, the library, financial aid and placement offices, the Bell School Road Center, Stenstrom Center for Career Education, the Falcon Road Center, and at the
office of the Director of Enrollment Management and Judicial Affairs. In addition, students and employees may seek assistance from the counselor designated to assist with drug education on the campus who is located at the RVC counseling center in the Student Center. If you are aware of problems with friends or family members, we encourage you to act responsibly by consulting with counseling services. Remaining silent or waiting until a situation has escalated is neither
respectful nor responsible. The college supports the notion of students helping one another to cooperatively solve alcohol and substance abuse problems as they occur.
Sexual assault program
In accordance with the 1992 Amendments to The Higher Education Act, Rock Valley College has formulated the following policy statement regarding the sexual assault program on campus. This policy statement is directed at preventing sex offenses and setting procedures to follow should a sex offense occur on campus or any site owned or leased by the college. Any violation of RVC General Rules and Regulations Number 17, Sexual Assault, should be reported immediately to the RVC Rock Valley College Police Department. The director of the Rock Valley College Police Department or his/her designee will complete a campus report and explain the student’s options for pursuing the complaint through the legal system. The Rock Valley College Police Department will assist with needed hospital treatment (or other appropriate law enforcement agency) and investigation of the complaint. It is important to have prompt, thorough medical care after a sexual assault. The primary medical concerns are physical injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. At the time of the medical examination, testing will also be done to collect evidence that can be used to prosecute the individual who committed the assault. For this reason sexual assault victims
should not bathe or change their clothing after an assault because it could destroy evidence. The RVC Police Department will notify, as necessary, college officials and will refer the complaint to the director of Enrollment Management and Judicial Affairs for determination of the need for campus adjudication to take place regardless of prosecution through the legal system. Any case of sexual assault referred to the campus disciplinary system will follow the stated procedures.
In cases of sexual assault, victims may, through the hearing offices, determine witnesses and question any witnesses presented. Sanctions for students found guilty of sexual assault may range from disciplinary warning or probation to suspension or expulsion from the college. Additionally, students may be required to complete community service, counseling or other appropriate projects. In cases of sexual assault, the accuser and accused shall have the right to have others present in support or advisory roles, during campus disciplinary hearings. Both parties will be informed of the outcome of any disciplinary hearing involving
sexual assault. The director of Enrollment Management and Judicial Affairs shall assist in the changing of academic situations after an alleged sexual assault if requested by the victim and if such changes are reasonably available. Rock Valley College provides referral and counseling assistance and will also arrange campus situations for victims of sexual assault through the director of Enrollment Management and Judicial Affairs, the RVC Counseling Center and the PALS (Prevention and Awareness through Learning and Support) program. Educational programs regarding sexual assault are available through the Student Center literature distribution center, the PALS program and the guest speaker series. Rock Valley College also has speakers from Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling (RSAC) provide presentations on campus during the year for students and employees. They provide information during the year about their services to sexual assault victims. The RVC Police Department also participates in Welcome Week for students and provides crime prevention materials at their information booth manned by department personnel. The Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) system, a women’s self-defense program, is also taught on campus by certified instructors and is available for females only (students, employees, and the general public). This program provides information about sexual assault and methods of self-defense for women. More information about RAD is available by calling 815-921-4350 (M-F). Questions regarding sexual assault on campus should be directed to the director of Enrollment Management and Judicial Affairs or the RVC Police Department. Additional sexual assault information and crisis center locations are available at www.icasa.org. You may also contact Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling, Inc., 24-hours a day, 7-days a week at (815) 636-9811. Crisis center services are confidential and free.
Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act
Effective Mon., Oct., 28, 2002, a new Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act is in effect. This is in conjunction with the federal law enacted on October 28, 2000 that provides for the tracking of convicted sex offenders enrolled at or employed by institutions of higher education. The act amends the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children Act and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act to require sex offenders already required to register in a state to provide notice, as required under state law, of each institution of higher education in that state at which the person is employed, carries on a vocation, or is a student. Sex offenders who fail to register their status as a student or employee at an institution of higher education are in violation of the registration act and face arrest.
This act also amends the Jeanne Clery Act to require institutions of higher education to issue a statement, in addition to other disclosures required under that act, advising the campus community where law enforcement agency information provided by a state concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained.
The Illinois State Police provides a listing of sex offenders required to register in the state of Illinois. The database is updated daily and can be found at the following Web site: http://www.isp.state.il.us/sor/ The RVC Police Department also maintains a sex offender list that lists all known sex offenders that are students and employees at Rock Valley College. This sex offender list is available for viewing at the RVC Police Department on the main campus, the information center at the Student Center, the RVC Police Department office at the Stenstrom Center for Career Education, and the Learning and Opportunity Center. You may call (815) 921-4350 for more information. Lastly, the act amends the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) to clarify that nothing in the act may be construed to prohibit an educational institution from disclosing information provided to the institution concerning registered sex offenders; and requires the Secretary of Education to take appropriate steps to notify educational institutions that disclosure of this information is permitted.
Accumulation of crime statistics
Crime statistics are gathered throughout the year utilizing campus police dispatch and report records. The Rock Valley College Police Department also contacts several college departments and determines where RVC is holding off-campus classes and activities. The police agencies who have jurisdiction over the off-campus locations are then contacted and any crime statistics concerning crimes committed during RVC classes or activities at these off-campus locations are requested. All crimes occurring at off-campus RVC classes or activities which the Jeanne Clery Act requires in the Annual Security Report are included in our annual report. Campus security authorities as defined by the Clery Act (i.e. director of student center, coaches, club advisors, etc.) are also contacted during the year to report crimes that may have been reported to them but not to campus police. Campus security authorities are defined as campus employees who have significant responsibility for student and campus activities. If the incident is believed to be founded it is included in the Annual Security Report. The Annual Security Report is completed prior to October 1st each year and students, staff, and faculty are notified of the reports availability via a postcard mailed to their residence. A notification notice is also printed in college class catalogs each semester. The report is available online at http://www.rockvalleycollege.edu/publicsafety, but a paper version of the report can be requested by calling 815-921-4357.
Rock Valley College has an electronic reporting system that can be used to anonymously report crimes or incidents requiring behavioral intervention. The reporting system is available at http://www.rockvalleycollege.edu/StudentServices/JudicialAffairs/BIT.cfm.
Maps
Index
Courses
myRVC
