Health, Safety, and Security
The College is committed to providing a safe and healthful working environment. In this connection, the College makes every effort to comply with relevant federal and state occupational health and safety laws and to develop the best feasible operations, procedures, technologies, and programs conducive to such an environment.
Public Safety staff members are available 24-hours per day to ensure the safety and security of the staff, students and visitors on our campus. The Emergency Phone Number is extension 3333 for all on campus emergencies. Additionally, the department is linked with the local 911 system in the event of a medical, police or fire safety emergency. Public Safety staff members should be contacted in the event of a work related accident or illness and will assist employees in completing a First Report of Injury. The Office of Public Safety is located in Woods-Penniman near the Crossroads Café.
Parking decals for personal vehicles may be purchased through Public Safety and are required to park in the various lots throughout the campus community.
College vehicles are maintained through the Office of Public Safety and are available for approved travel and student activities on a reservation and availability basis. (Motor Pool rules and regulations are available by calling ext. 3333.) Additionally, safe driving courses are provided by this department and, in certain instances, are required.
The College’s health policy is aimed at minimizing the exposure of our employees, customers, and other visitors to our facilities to health or safety risks. To accomplish this objective, all College employees are expected to work diligently to maintain safe and healthful working conditions and to adhere to proper operating practices and procedures designed to prevent injuries and illnesses.
The responsibilities of all employees of the College in this regard include:
- Exercising maximum care and good judgment at all times to prevent accidents and injuries;
- Reporting to supervisors and seeking first aid for all injuries, regardless of how minor;
- Reporting unsafe conditions, equipment, or practices to supervisory personnel;
- Using safety equipment provided by the College at all times;
- Observing conscientiously all safety rules and regulations at all times;
- Notifying their supervisors, before the beginning of the workday, of any medication they are taking that may cause drowsiness or other side effects that could lead to injury to them and their coworkers;
- In appropriate circumstances, attending College sponsored safety classes.
The Office of Environmental Health and Safety is another resource for College staff and may be reached at the following numbers: ext. 3350 or ext. 3246.
Authority of Public Safety Officers
Berea College Public Safety officers are charged with enforcing College policies as well as state and local laws, as applicable, on campus and other College property. They are not sworn law enforcement officers under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and do not have power to arrest. However, Berea City Police will be summoned to campus should circumstances warrant an arrest. The jurisdiction of Public Safety officers is confined to Berea College property, adjacent sidewalks, and streets.
Approved by the Administrative Committee, July 2017
Private Property
The Berea College campus, farms, and forest are private property. Unless expressly made available for public use, such as Boone Tavern Hotel, the College Square, and certain designated portions of the forest, College property generally is not open to the public. As such, access to and the ability to remain on College property may be denied at the College’s discretion, including, but not limited to, persons exhibiting inappropriate, threatening, or criminal behaviors. All visitors must produce identification upon request to a Public Safety officer. Certain areas of the campus, including, but not limited to classrooms when classes are in session, student residence halls, faculty and staff offices, are considered to be private spaces for all purposes, including external law enforcement.
Approved by the Administrative Committee, July 2017