Crime Prevention
Campus Safety officers are responsible for the enforcement of rules and regulations prescribed by the College and are not empowered with arrest authority. Campus Safety officers work in collaboration with students and other members of the community to foster trusting relationships. Campus Safety officers are always available to answer questions and deal with the problems students encounter during their careers at Cornell College. The relationship with the Mt. Vernon Police Department is excellent and the departments meet regularly to discuss common problems.
Cornell's buildings and grounds are patrolled 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by Campus Safety officers.
Escorts are provided to campus community members and guests who:
- Are concerned for their personal safety or
- Have a permanent or temporary mobility limitation.
Escorts are provided as a public safety an accessibility support service, and are not available for personal convenience or to serve as routine transportation about campus. To arrange an escort, dial (319)895-4299 (or extension 4299) and, when possible, please do so at least 30 minutes before the escort is needed.
Residence halls are locked at all times. All residents of a building will have 24-hour access to that building during times in which residence halls are open to student occupancy. All current students who do not live in that building will have access by planning ahead and contacting a host to be let in. Hosts should escort their guests in and out of the building. Students needing access to an academic building during restricted hours must obtain a Limited Access Pass from their professor. Authorized occupancy within these restricted entry buildings is checked nightly by Campus Safety officers. Also, any new construction, remodeling, or alteration of a building is done with the overall safety and security of the building’s occupants as a priority.
Emergency phones are located at the following locations:
- Bowman-Carter (patio)
- Campus Safety (near door)
- Ebersole
- Russell Hall (parking lot)
- Geology Parking Lot (west end)
- Maintenance Parking Lot (north lot)
- Merner (east entrance)
- Pfeiffer (north entrance)
- Paul K. Scott Alumni Center Parking lot C
Cornell students, faculty and staff members are encouraged to contact the Campus Safety office. The Director of Campus Safety will keep the campus community informed about safety and security issues and alerts through the Campus Newsletter, The Cornellian, Today @ Cornell, mass e-mail messages, timely warnings or faculty and student meetings. Residence hall students are also informed by their resident assistants about safety precautions.
Education: When new students arrive on campus they are informed about campus safety and security precautions, policies and procedures, including alcohol and drugs and sexual assault. This information appears in the Residence Life Handbook, The Compass (student handbook), meetings in the residence halls and new student orientation. Several campus groups sponsor programs about various safety issues throughout the year.
Alcohol and Drugs: the College annually distributes the Drug Free Schools and Community Act to faculty, staff and students in accordance with federal legislation. Programs, resources, and information regarding the consequences of illegal drug use are included in the publication.
Sex Offenses: the College annually publishes and distributes a brochure about sexual assault. The publication includes a summary of the College policy; education programs; procedures; options for reporting; services available on and off campus; disciplinary procedures and sanctions; and possible change in academic or living situations. Information about registered sex offenders may be obtained by going to the Linn County Sheriffs Office. This information is available to you in accordance with Iowa Law.
Safety Alerts: the College will make timely reports to the community about any crimes including murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, or motor vehicle theft that are considered to be a threat to students and staff. This information will be electronically disseminated and visibly posted in residence halls, academic buildings, administrative buildings and the Thomas Commons.