Annual Security Report - 2018

BCTC is one of 16 community colleges in the state of Kentucky, as part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). Our colleges are as diverse as the communities in which they are located, so you'll not only receive a world-class education at a price you can afford, but you also will be in an exciting environment that will prepare you to be successful in whatever you choose to do.

Choosing a postsecondary institution is a major decision for students and their families. Along with academic, financial and geographic considerations, the issue of campus safety is a vital concern. In 1990, Congress enacted the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 (Title II of Public Law 101-542), which amended the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). This act required all postsecondary institutions participating in HEA’s Title IV student financial assistance programs to disclose campus crime statistics and security information. The act was amended in 1992, 1998, 2000, 2008, and 2013. The 1998 amendments renamed the law the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act in memory of Jeanne Clery. It is generally referred to as the Clery Act.

Beginning on July 1, 2013, the Clery Act requires colleges and universities to track and report statistics for domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It also requires that colleges provide sexual assault and prevention training to all students and employees on an annual basis.

Bluegrass Community and Technical College is responsible for the preparation of the Annual Security Report in cooperation with Legal Affairs, Campus Security Authorities, and local police agencies. The statistics include alleged and attempted crimes. All crimes reported in “good faith” and occurring on-campus, on public property surrounding our campuses, or in off campus college-owned buildings or property is recorded for inclusion in the annual crime statistics. This report provides statistics for the previous three academic years. The statistics are requested annually from local law enforcement agencies, and submitted to the Operations Manager for Security and Safety for collection and analysis. For statistical purposes, crime statistics reported to any of these sources are recorded in the calendar year the crime was reported.

The report includes statistics submitted by Legal Affairs, Student Affairs, Human Resources, Campus Security Authorities, and local law enforcement agencies. These reports are reviewed and if reportable under the Clery Act, are included in the annual statistics. Police arrest statistics and campus disciplinary referral data for weapons violations, drug violations and liquor law violations are analyzed by Campus Security to avoid duplicated reporting. BCTC does not have any student organizations at Off-Campus locations, therefore incidents related to off-campus activities of student organizations are not reported.

All of these statistics are gathered, compiled and reported to the campus community via the Annual Security Report which is published each year. Campus Security submits the annual crime statistics published in this report to the Department of Education (ED) each year. The statistical information gathered by the Department of Education is available to the public through the ED web site.

By October 1 of each year, all enrolled students and employees receive an email notification regarding a summary of the content and the availability of the report via the college website, as well as how to request a printed copy of the report. Prospective students and employees receive information regarding the report from the BCTC Security and Safety Office.

Campus Security Authorities are defined as individuals having significant responsibility for student activities, including administrators and student services personnel such as, Deans, Directors, Legal Affairs, athletic team coaches, and faculty and/or student advisors. Although crimes should be reported to campus Security or the Title IX Coordinator (sexual violence only), if these individuals receive a report of a crime listed under the Clery Act they are obligated to report it to campus security for purposes of disclosure in the annual crime statistics.

BCTC does not have a campus police department. No campus personnel including security, have law enforcement authority. If physical measures are needed to ensure the safety and security of persons on campus, state or local police agencies shall be contacted.

While there are no MOUs with local or state enforcement agencies, BCTC maintains a strong working relationship with state and local police through training, meetings and communicating with local and state police agencies in the investigation of criminal offenses.

Key CSA contacts:

• Operations Mgr. for Security/Safety
• Dean of Students Asst. VP & Dean of Students
• Dean of Operations
• VP of Finance/Operations
• VP of Academics

OFF-CAMPUS STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

BCTC does not have any recognized student organizations at off-campus locations.

STUDENT HOUSING

BCTC does not operate student housing facilities.

Procedures for Campus Crime Reporting

Students, staff, faculty and guests are strongly encouraged to accurately and promptly report all criminal actions or other emergencies occurring on campus to the Security Officer or local police agencies, if necessary. Crimes should be reported to Security and Safety Department for purposes of assessing the crime, for distributing potential timely warning notices, and for disclosure in the annual crime statistics. Crime reporting is critical as it may prevent future crimes, protects the community, and increases the likelihood of apprehension and adjudication of perpetrators.

Although Campus Security strives to maintain a safe and open environment for victims to report crimes, individuals may not feel comfortable contacting the police. In these instances, reporting to other campus security authorities are available. As an example, sex offenses may be reported to the college Title IX Coordinator.

BCTC does not pastoral counselors available on campus. All registered BCTC students are eligible for an initial consultation appointment with a counselor in the Career Development and Counseling area.

The BCTC suggests the following resources for counseling:

In some cases, the Operations Manager for Security and Safety will make timely warning reports to members of the campus community regarding criminal activity. The criminal activity must be serious in nature and likely to pose an ongoing or continued threat to the safety of students, staff, faculty and guests. The decision to make a timely warning report will be made by the Operations Manager for Security and Safety or his/her designee. Notification is generally made through a campus-wide email bulletin to all members of the campus community. Flyers are also placed in the common areas of the buildings used by the campus community. Timely warning information may be posted on the BCTC website and/or digital banners.

It is the consistent practice of the BCTC community to notify the BCTC Operations Manager for Security and Safety and/or designee, who then confers as necessary with appropriate KCTCS System Office administrators, Public Relations, Legal counsel and neighboring law enforcement agencies after a violent crime or Clery Act crime is reported. This is done to determine if the circumstances and facts represent a serious or ongoing threat to members of the community.

The BCTC Operations Manager for Security and Safety or his/her designee will prepare and arrange to disseminate a timely warning as soon as pertinent information and resources are available and is also primarily responsible for issuing timely warnings; warnings may be developed in partnership with appropriate campus departments, KCTCS Office of General Counsel, and KCTCS Security and Crisis Management. The crime bulletin is reviewed and approved for release by Campus Security, Marketing and Communications, KCTCS Office of General Counsel or some combination. This collaboration is some times necessary bulletin for crimes of a more serious or immediate nature in order to prepare consistent information for release on the website and/or digital signage to the campus community.

Access and Security of campus facilities

Most academic facilities on BCTC campuses are open during weekday business hours between 7:00am to 10:00pm. Individuals who need access to these buildings during non-business hours or for special events should contact the Operations Manager of Security and Safety.

While there are no physical barriers or ID checks to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering the campuses or their facilities, BCTC Security and Safety personnel will request that trespassers leave the premises.

BCTC has Security and Safety Officers assigned to campus locations in Lexington (Cooper, Leestown, and Newtown), Danville, Lawrenceburg, Winchester, Georgetown as well as an Operations Manager of Security and Safety whose office is located at the Cooper Campus. Officers observe and monitor activity on property owned or controlled by BCTC. Officers do not have arresting powers but will assist in criminal investigations, complete incident reports, and assist in various inspections on campus.

BCTC makes every effort to ensure that the campus facilities and grounds are designed and maintained to promote safety, prevent crime, and minimize hazardous conditions. Attention is paid to the design and maintenance of facilities, landscaping and exterior lighting. The Maintenance & Operations (M&O) Department maintains the buildings and grounds. Campus facilities are inspected on a regular basis and repairs impacting safety and security are made promptly. Campus groundskeepers are mindful of security and safety concerns, keeping vegetation controlled around lighting fixtures and along campus walkways and roadways on a regular schedule. Strategies and concepts of crime prevention through environmental design are considered in the design and construction of new facilities.

BCTC Security and Safety Officers regularly patrol the campus and reports malfunctioning lights and other unsafe physical conditions to M&O for correction. We encourage community members to promptly report any security concern, including concerns about locking mechanisms, lighting, or landscaping to a Security and Safety Officer who will follow-up with a work order request to Maintenance and Operations. 

Information Sharing

BCTC security awareness and crime prevention programs have an overall goal of creating and maintaining a safe environment to support the academic mission of the college and ensure the well-being of campus community members.

The goal of sharing this information is to inform students and employees about security procedures, the practices to promote safety and eliminate or minimize criminal opportunities, and to encourage students/employees to take responsibility for personal and community safety

Programs and Prevention

Informational flyers are posted in all campus locations that direct faculty, staff and student to the Security and Safety web page. The Security and Safety web page includes educational flyers that can be printed or viewed. These flyers educate student, faculty and staff on what to do in the event of a variety of potential incidents on campus. Contact numbers are also listed if additional questions remain.

Security and Safety Officers are involved with several orientation sessions that include a variety of information regarding BCTC Security and Safety activities. Included in these orientation sessions are discussions regarding personal responsibilities of security and safety for all students. Emphasis is placed on having students immediately sign up for SNAP text messages, and always securing personal belongings while on their respective campus.

Officers assist in lost/found items at each campus and secure any sensitive items that may be submitted. Students that attempt to claim items are required to show photo ID and positively identify the item being claimed to the satisfaction of the Officer.

Posters and flyers supplied by such agencies as the KY Office of Homeland Security, are distributed throughout all campus locations. These flyers are themed for reporting crimes and suspicious activities to a toll free number and local law enforcement agencies. Included in such campaigns is ‘Eye-On-KY’ which encourages citizens to report suspicious activities anonymously. 

KCTCS Drug and Alcohol Policy

KCTCS is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for its students, faculty, and staff. KCTCS has defined conduct in relation to the unlawful possession, use, dispensation, distribution, or manufacture of alcohol or illicit drugs. Conduct which is in violation of this definition poses unacceptable risks and disregard for the health, safety, and welfare of members of the KCTCS community and shall result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension or termination.

As a recipient of federal grants and contracts, KCTCS gives this notice to students, faculty, and staff that it is in compliance with, and shall continue to be in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989. Students, faculty and staff are herein notified of the standards of conduct which shall be applicable while on KCTCS property, on KCTCS business, and/or at KCTCS sponsored activities.

Sanctions

Under KCTCS policies and procedures, students who violate this standard of conduct are subject to disciplinary action from a minimum of a warning to a maximum of suspension from KCTCS.

Faculty and staff are subject to disciplinary action from a minimum of a warning to a maximum of termination from KCTCS employment.

Under state and federal drug laws, the gravity of the sanction depends on the classification of the controlled substance, the particular activity involved (possession or trafficking which includes manufacture, sale, and possession with intent to sell), and whether or not multiple convictions are involved.

Under Kentucky law, the most severe penalty for a drug law violation involves trafficking. On a first offense conviction, one may receive a fine of up to $10,000.00 and/or a sentence of up to ten years in the penitentiary; for subsequent offenses, the penalties may be doubled.

Under federal law, for simple possession of a controlled substance, one may be imprisoned for up to one (1) year and/or fined up to $1,000.00. For subsequent offenses, one may be imprisoned for up to three (3) years and/or fined up to $5,000.00. Under federal law, one may be fined up to $8,000,000.00 and/or may be sentenced from not less than 10 years up to life in prison for drug trafficking. For violations of other federal drug laws, one may receive life in prison or the death penalty.

Under both state and federal laws, one may suffer the loss of whatever property (house, farm) or possessions (vehicle) which one may have used in the drug trade.

Sanctions for violation of state alcohol laws vary from a fine of $10.00 to $2,000.00, a sentence of forty-eight (48) hours to twelve (12) months in jail, and/or suspension of one's operator's license.

Drug and Alcohol abuse programs

Students are encouraged to contact the Student Counseling Services at 859-246-6550 for information and appropriate referrals.

Other counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation services are available in the Bluegrass area.

Off campus

Additional services provided off-campus can be found at the link:

https://bluegrass.kctcs.edu/Counseling/Information_for_Faculty.aspx

Students, faculty, staff, and visitors to campus are encouraged to annually review and be familiar with the KCTCS Sexual Misconduct Policy.

Review of this policy is required for faculty, staff, and student employees yearly for continued employment.

In compliance with the Federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2000, KCTCS, through the Kentucky State Police, makes information available to the campus community concerning registered sex offenders who may be employees or students at your college.

The Kentucky State Police provides sex crime offender registration information to the public through the Sex Offender Registry website. Search the KSP Sex Offender Registry Website

http://kspsor.state.ky.us/

According to the Kentucky State Police, this website is for public safety and awareness. Pursuant to KRS 525.070 and 525.080, use of information from this website to harass a sex offender is a criminal offense punishable by up to 90 days in the county jail. More severe penalties apply for more severe crimes committed against a sex offender.

Security and Crisis Management

KCTCS Security and Crisis Management assists BCTC Campus Security departments with developing, maintaining, and implementing emergency operations plans, developing and conducting exercises, hazard and risk education, and building partnerships with external response agencies.

The System Office Crisis Management Team staffs the System Office Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and may be activated to provide resource and support services to BCTC EOC, if needed. The System Office Crisis Management Team is equipped to provide the following services to BCTC when requested:

• Public and media relations support
• Facilities support
• Temporary alteration of administrative and business policies and procedures
• Procurement of resource and support services
• After-action incident evaluation

Not all incidents will require an activation of your EOC. For smaller, routine campus incidents response operations may be managed virtually by several members of your Crisis Management Team.

Emergency Action Plans detailing evacuation routes are provided in every building and classroom at BCTC. BCTC regularly works with local law enforcement to ensure any incidents reported in the area, that may affect the college, are communicated.

Emergency Notification

BCTC uses a Safety Notification Alert Process (SNAP) for communication information quickly. Students are automatically signed up when they enroll at BCTC. Faculty, staff and interested individuals can sign up to receive SNAP messages at https://kctcs.edu/about/safety-security/snap/

In the event of an incident that requires the immediate notification to the campus community, a SNAP Alert will be issued, that will provide text, voice, broadcast and email messages to all members of the BCTC community. Face-to-face communication will be used in the event technology fails.

BCTC has a SNAP Team and uses a consultation approach to confirm there is a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of student or employees occurring on campus. The BCTC Operations Manager for Security and Safety is responsible for confirming an emergency, with the assistance of BCTC administrators, local first responders and/or the national weather service. Upon confirmation, BCTC will, without delay, and taking into account the safety of the community, determine the content of the notification and initiate the notification system, unless issuing a notification will in the professional judgment of responsible authorities, compromise efforts to assist a victim or to contain, respond to or otherwise mitigate the emergency.

The Operations Manager for Security and Safety in consultation with Security and Safety Officers and/or designated personnel, when possible, will determine the content of the notification, considering the scope of the notification based on the segment of the community at risk (e.g. targeted areas, campus wide, building specific)

The following personnel have the authority to activate an emergency notification in the event of an emergency, immediate threat, hazardous condition, natural disaster or other critical incident:

SNAP is not the only means the College uses to communicate emergency information to the College community. BCTC uses their website, local TV, radio, newspaper, and various social
media.

Follow-up information will be provided to the BCTC campus community using some or all of the systems described above. The larger community, parents, neighbors, and other interested parties can access emergency information through the BCTC website or the media.

Training, Drills, and Exercises

The campus conducts regularly scheduled semester drills, exercises and appropriate follow-up training. These activities are designed to improve emergency response on an ongoing basis. After action report briefings and corrective actions plans are developed and conducted for each exercise or activation. Documentation of past exercises which include exercise descriptions, date, time, whether the exercise was announced/unannounced are available for review upon request. Contact the Operations Manager for Security and Safety at 859-246-6422 for more information or to make a request.

The Security/Safety Department documents and files each SNAP Alert test. This includes a description of the drill or exercise, date, time of test, and how the test was announced or it was unannounced. For more information, contact 859-246-6422.

Receive emergency notifications via e-mail, text message, and phone call by signing up to SNAP at https://kctcs.edu/about/safety-security/snap/index.aspx