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Safety

Blue Mountain Community College is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for students, staff, and guests. Safety is a cooperative effort, and responsibility for the safety of yourself and others is encouraged. We hope you will read this information carefully and use it to make BMCC a safe campus to learn and work.

Emergency and Inclement Weather Communications

BMCC will send communications about campus closure from inclement weather and if there is an emergency on campus.  To learn more about these kind of communications, visit our Inclement Weather page. 

Crime Prevention and College Safety Tips

College safety begins with each member of the college community educating themselves, taking precautions, and being aware of preventive measures. 

Most incidents on campus can be avoided by taking basic precautions, such as walking in pairs at night, locking all offices and car doors, and not leaving personal valuables unattended.

  • Always be aware of your surroundings and those people who are near you.
  • Report any suspicious persons and activities to the AVP, Human Resources or other administrative staff.
  • Report any non-operating lighting to Buildings and Grounds.
  • When you leave your class to walk to your car, especially at night, walk with a class mate. Include college instructors and staff in this “buddy system.”
  • Never leave your property unattended.
  • Engrave your personal items (bikes, calculators, etc.) with your driver’s license number.
  • Keep a written record of valuables, including descriptions and serial numbers. These are proof that the property is yours and will aid in the reporting process and recovery.
  • Always report missing or stolen property immediately to the AVP, Human Resources.
  • Use a locking device on your bicycle.
  • Park in one of the lighted parking areas.
  • Lock your vehicle and close all windows.
  • Never leave items inside your vehicle.
  • Never store or hide a spare key in or on your vehicle.
  • Engrave accessories inside your vehicle with your driver’s license number.

In compliance with federal law, specifically the Jeanne Clery Act (Clery Act) and the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (SaVE Act), BMCC has adopted policies and procedures to prevent and respond to incidents of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. These guidelines apply to all members of the BMCC community (Students, Faculty, and staff) as well as contractors and visitors.

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC § 1092(f)) is the landmark federal law, originally known as the Campus Security Act, that requires colleges and universities across the United States to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses.

Institutions must publish an annual report disclosing campus security policies and three years worth of selected crime statistics. Please click here to review the Annual Security Report.

  • Institutions must make timely warnings to the campus community about crimes that pose an ongoing threat to students and employees.
  • Each institution with a police or security department must have a public crime log.
  • The U.S. Department of Education centrally collects and disseminates the crime statistics.
  • Campus community sexual assault victims are assured of certain basic rights.
  • Institutions that fail to comply may be fined or lose eligibility to participate in federal student aid programs.

Emergency/Safety Tips for Students & Staff

BMCC wants to make sure students, employees and visitors feel safe and secure on campus and are as prepared as possible should an emergency or safety-related incident occur. The following information are tips for how to potentially respond in a variety of emergency situations. Please note that these responses could depend on the exact circumstances of the emergency and may not always be appropriate.

If a lockdown is initiated by BMCC, please move into the nearest secure room, close and lock or barricade the door, shut off the lights, close any blinds on windows, silence phones and stay quiet. For more lockdown tips, please click here.

Consider three things:   Do I run, fight, or hide?

Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life. Remember that other students and visitors to campus are likely to follow the lead of employees and knowledgeable students during an active shooter situation.

Your response in a shooting

Please note that such incidents are highly unpredictable and your response will depend on the exact circumstances. Your first priority is to have an “out” strategy. If you can do so safely, leave the building or area immediately, via door, window or emergency exit. Move away from the immediate path of danger, and take the following steps:

1. Notify anyone you may encounter that they should leave the building or area immediately.

2. Get to a safe area away from the danger, and take protective cover. Stay there until assistance arrives.

3. Call 911, providing dispatchers your name, the location of the incident (be as specific as possible), the number of shooters (if known), identification or description of the shooter or shooters, the number of persons who may be involved, your exact location, and information about wounds and injuries to anyone, if known.

4. If you are not immediately affected by the situation, take protective cover, staying away from windows and doors until notified otherwise.

If you are directly involved in an incident and cannot leave the building:

1. Go to the nearest room or office, close and lock the door, turn off the lights and seek protective cover. If possible barricade the door. Students should scatter when in the same room, rather than huddle in a corner, which can provide an easy target for a shooter.

2. Keep quiet, act as if no one is in the room, and do not answer the door.

3. If possible, pull the fire alarm to alert authorities to an emergency situation.

4. If you have a cell phone at hand and if it is safe to do so, notify 911, providing dispatchers with as much pertinent information as possible.

5. Wait for police officials to assist you out of the building.

 Avoid attempting to drive from the scene.  Transportation will be arranged/provided, if deemed necessary.  Once the event is contained, retrieval of vehicles and personal belongings will be facilitated by law enforcement.

1. Remain calm, use common sense, and provide aid. Take time to think before acting.

2. Always evacuate the building immediately when you hear an audible alarm or see a visible alarm, when directed by authorities or college staff, or when the building becomes life-threatening, e.g., smelling natural gas.

3. Proceed to the emergency gathering point for further instructions.

4. Do not use the telephone or a cell phone for reasons other than emergency purposes.

5. Do not enter elevators during an emergency. If stuck in an elevator do not attempt to force open stalled elevator doors, use the emergency phone to contact Human Resources.

6.  Know the location of all marked exits from your working area.

1. Summon help by dialing 911 to report the illness or injury.

2. Provide the level of first aid for which you are trained and equipped.

3. Whenever possible, have someone meet the ambulance or Safety Officer at a clearly visible location to quickly direct them to the injured person.

4. Never put yourself at risk to help the injured or ill person.

5. Whenever possible, have someone accompany the injured or ill person to the emergency care facility.

6. Inform Human Resources and Student Affairs personnel about the incident to assure proper documentation and investigation of the incident are performed.

1.  . Know where the fire alarm pull stations are and how to activate them.

2. Know your evacuation routes and keep them clear at all times.

3. Never use the elevator to evacuate.

4. Always evacuate the building immediately when the fire alarm sounds.

 If fire or smoke is detected:

1. Activate the building alarm system.

2. Evacuate the building moving a distance of at least 200 feet from the building. Check your building evacuation plan to determine your gathering point.  

3. If there is no alarm system, notify others as you leave the building by shouting “fire” and knocking on doors.

4. If possible, close doors and windows as you leave to prevent the fire’s spread.

5. If there is smoke in the area, get down on the floor and crawl out of the building.

6. Feel all doors before opening them. If a door is hot, don’t open it. Move to a second exit, or if one is not available, stay there and try to open a window for fresh air.

7. Open doors slowly. If you encounter smoke, close the door quickly and stay in the room. Call 911 and give your location. Try to do something to help identify your location from the outside of the building.

8. Never try to fight a fire alone unless it is required to exit the building.

Drug and Alcohol Assistance and Resources

In order to prevent drug and alcohol abuse, it is important to stay informed. Click on the links below to learn more about preventing substance abuse and warning signs that you or someone you know may have a problem. If you think you may have a problem, take one of the screenings below and talk to a professional about your concerns. Local and national resources are listed below.

Screening Resources:

Students needing assistance for drug and alcohol related concerns are encouraged to consult with the BMCC Student Health and Resources Center located at the Pendleton campus or other trusted professional about their needs and possible referrals to agencies, counselors or programs in the community. Individuals may also directly contact one of the local or national resources listed below.

Employees may seek assistance directly through the College’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), consulting with Human Resources, supervisor, union representative and/or through their medical insurance plans, whichever is applicable and according to the employee’s status. Requests for assistance are encouraged and will not be considered singularly as grounds for dismissal. Such requests will not, however, excuse violation of this policy or other conduct related to drug or alcohol abuse.

Organization

Phone

Al-Anon & Alateen

1-888-4AL-ANON

Alcohol & Drug Helpline

1-800-923-4357

Alcoholics Anonymous

1-800-410-5953

Community Counseling Solutions

541-481-2911 Boardman

BMCC Student Health and Wellness Resource Center

541-278-5965

CTUIR Alcohol & Drug Treatment

541-278-7528

Eastern Oregon Alcoholism Foundation

541-276-3518

Linea de Ayuda – Espanol

1-877-515-7848

Narcotics Anonymous

1-800-766-3724

New Directions NW Inc.

541-523-7400 Baker City

New Horizon Alcohol Treatment Program

541-289-0190

Umatilla County Human Services

541-278-6331 Pendleton

541-564-9390 Hermiston

Milton-Freewater 541-314-4969

Alcoholics Anonymous

800-999-9210

 

Cocaine Anonymous

503-256-1666

www.caorwa.org

Crystal Meth Anonymous

 

www.crystalmeth.org

Marijuana Anonymous

 

www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Narcotics Anonymous

 

www.na.org

help.org  

National Alcohol and Drug Abuse Help Line

800.821.4357

 

Alcohol Abuse 24 Hour Hotline:

800.950.7226

 

Drug Abuse Hotline:

877.959.7812

 

24 Hour Addiction Treatment Hotline:

877.340.0184

 

Al Anon and Alateen:

888.425.2666

http://www.oregonal-anon.org/

SAMHSA

800.662.HELP

(4357)

https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

SAMHSA

800.662.HELP

(4357)

For more information about BMCC’s Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program, please contact:

Vice President, Student Services – (541) 278-5971. Located in Morrow Hall, Room M-150, Pendleton Campus
Vice President, Human Resources – (541) 278-5947. Located in Morrow Hall, Room M-13, Pendleton Campus
Resource Navigator – (541) 278-5158. Located in Pioneer Hall, Room M157, Pendleton Campus

Notification and Biennial Review

Annually, each fall term employees and students are made aware of BMCC’s Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program via email. This email includes links to the BMCC webpage outlining the policy with additional links to reference documents, resources, prevention information, etc. Each fall term, information is provided in BMCC’s quarterly mailer that is delivered to all mail posts in its service district. In addition, new staff and faculty are informed of the program during their New Employee Orientation. Students are sent
program information via email at the beginning of each term and additional information is provided in BMCC’s
mandatory New Student Orientation.

Blue Mountain Community College acknowledges its legal obligation to conduct a biennial review of compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act to determine the effectiveness of the policy and implement any needed updates/changes. The Vice President of Administrative Services, Director of Human Resources, Vice President of Student Affairs or designee, Wellness Committee, and Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) are responsible for conducting the review and reporting on findings. This team will review for both compliance and effectiveness annually:

  • BMCC Drug and Alcohol-Free College administrative procedure and examples of other college’s similar policies
  • Related current local, state, and federal mandates
  • Findings and recommendations from prior biennial report
  • Student Rights and Responsibilities, Student Code of Conduct, and Student Handbook and related policies related to drug and alcohol use and the sanctions imposed for failure to comply
  • Related employee rights and responsibilities
  • Resources available to students and employees regarding drug and alcohol abuse
  • Frequency and types of incident reports resulting in violation of BMCC’s drug and alcohol
  • Administrative procedure

Incident Reports

Please use this incident report form to report any behaviors of concern or incidents of safety involving Blue Mountain Community College. Reportable behaviors may include Student Code of Conduct violations, an individual you may feel is struggling physically or psychologically, or any other behaviors of concern that you would like to see addressed or would like to discuss. This incident report form may also be used for incidents involving personal injury or accident at the college. Incident Report Form

Allegations of academic dishonesty and disruptive classroom behavior are first addressed by the instructor. Academic sanctions, such as a failing grade or dismissal from a program are determined by the instructor and the academic unit. Students may appeal in accordance with the BMCC Grade Appeal process. After consultation with the Department Chair, the matter may also be referred to the Vice President of Instruction for consideration of possible disciplinary sanctions in addition to the academic consequences imposed by the instructor or department. Academic Dishonesty Form

Annual Security Reports

Each year, BMCC releases an Annual Security Report as part of our compliance with the federal Clery Act. All information gathered comes from city police departments in each area at which we have a center or campus. The College is required to provide students and employees with three years of statistics. Data is submitted annually, via a web-based data collection, by all post-secondary institutions that receive Title IV funding (i.e., those institutions that participate in federal student aid programs). This data collection is required by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Higher Education Opportunity Act.

These Annual Security Reports notate the number of on-campus, non-campus, and public property criminal offenses for the following categories:

MurderAggravated AssaultDating Violence
ManslaughterBurglaryDomestic Violence
Sex Offenses (Forcible)Motor Vehicle TheftStalking
Sex Offenses (Non-Forcible)ArsonHate Crimes
Robbery  

In addition, the reports note the number of offenses that fall under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), including domestic or dating violence and stalking, as well as arrests and disciplinary referrals, hate crimes, and unfounded crimes

2023 Annual Safety and Security Report

Looking for COVID-19 Information? Visit our COVID-19 Information Page.

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