General Information
Reporting Crimes and Emergencies
The PSC Police Department and Campus and Public Safety Department is responsible for providing protective services and emergency response for the College campus. The department encourages the prompt reporting of all crimes or suspicious activities by the college community.
All documented felony, serious misdemeanor offenses and vehicular accidents will be reported to the Chicago Heights Police Department. Complainants (victims) will be assisted by campus safety personnel to report a crime to local law enforcement authorities. Additional agencies that may be utilized are: the FBI, Illinois State Police, and Cook County Sheriff's Police.
The importance of prompt reporting is emphasized by the department during orientations, in crime prevention programs and through printed materials provided to the college community. As warranted, Safety Alert Bulletins, are prepared and distributed either selectively, or throughout the campus.
Reporting an incident is a separate step from choosing to prosecute.When a report is filed there is no obligation to continue with legal proceedings or college disciplinary action. The victim/ complainant can choose whether or not to participate in proceedings at any point.
Prairie State College community members wishing to remain anonymous, may report information about criminal acts or suspicious activities on campus, by being a silent witness and sending an e-mail message to the PSC Police and Campus and Public Safety Department. The anonymity of the sender and the information provided will be held in the strictest confidence. The PSC Police and Campus and Public Department then will initiate the appropriate investigation or action.
To Report an On-Campus Crime or Emergency:
The Main Campus:
During regular operating hours:
Switchboard Operator 0
Campus and Public Safety 3756
Chicago Heights Police 911
(using an on-campus phone)
After hours (10 p.m. - 7 a.m.)
Campus and Public Safety (708) 709-3756
Emergency Cell Phone (708) 912-0963
Chicago Heights Police 911
Campus courtesy telephones are located near the main elevator on each floor of the main building and strategic locations throughout the building. Courtesy telephones are also located at the northwest entrance in the Technical Center and the BCEC (Business Community Education Center) Rotunda.
Matteson Area Center:
Matteson Area Center (708) 709-3750
Campus and Public Safety (708) 709-3756
Matteson Police 911
Access to Campus Facilities
Students, faculty and employees are allowed access in College buildings and facilities during the hours of 6 a.m. until 10:30 p.m., Monday through Friday only when classes are in session and only during posted or designated hours on weekend days. Access to classes and programs is restricted to enrolled participants.
During the period of official college closure, campus buildings are secured and accessible only by authorized personnel. Access by students is not permitted when the College is officially closed.
Some College-sponsored programs are open to the general public while others are restricted to the college community with valid College Identification. Additional security personnel are hired for major events as deemed necessary.
Hours of Operation:
Main Building. Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., closed and locked secure by 11 p.m.; Saturday, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., closed and locked secure by 6:30 p.m.
K Building. Monday-Friday, open and closed as requested for functions; closed and locked secure by 10 p.m.
Child Care Center. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., closed and locked secure at 10 p.m.; Saturday, closed and locked secure all day with no access.
ATOC Building. Monday-Friday, opened 7 a.m. and locked at the conclusion of classes on scheduled days.
Health/Tech Building. Monday-Friday, opened 7 a.m. and locked at the conclusion of classes on scheduled days.
All Buildings. Sundays, Holidays, and break periods, closed and locked secure with no access for students.
*Exceptions to the above may be authorized in advance of the scheduled function and with proper approval.
Alcohol, Drugs, Weapons
The College has the obligation to uphold federal, state, and local laws regarding the possession, use and sale of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs. The College will cooperate with legal authorities in the investigation of the illegal use, sale or distribution of alcohol and /or drugs.
Alcohol. The state of Illinois requires that persons be 21 years of age or older to purchase, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages, including wine and beer. Violators are subject to arrest. In addition, the College prohibits the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages by any student, regardless of age, in any area of the College. Violators are subject to official College disciplinary regulations.
Drugs. The College prohibits the possession, use or distribution of any controlled substance by anyone, in any area of the Campus. Any individual possessing, using or distributing such drugs is subject to arrest, imprisonment or fine according to the applicable laws, as well as official College disciplinary regulations.
Weapons. The illegal possession, use or sale of firearms, ammunition, fireworks, major or minor explosives, or any lethal weapon is forbidden and the subject to criminal sanctions as well as official disciplinary regulations.
Conduct
The PSC Police and Campus and Public Safety department aims to create a positive atmosphere focused on learning and free of as many distractions as possible. We ask the the community to help by adhering to the College board policies and respecting the rights of each person visiting or working at Prairie State College.
Services
Emergency Call Boxes. Seven emergency call boxes are located in the parking lots of the main campus and in the north campus complex.The Emergency Call Boxes are activated by pushing the red button. Each call box is individually identified to its location when activated and will put you in immediate contact with a campus safety officer to assist you.
Mobility Impaired Persons. The PSC Police and Campus and Public Safety Department has enhanced it's emergency evacuation capability for Mobility Impaired Persons by installing the Garaventa Evacu-Trac CD7 evacuation device. These devices are encased in metal cabinets and marked "Emergency Evacuation Device". They are located on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors at the southeast and northeast tower stairwell entrances. An additional device is located on the 2nd floor in the northwest stairwell entrance.
Student Identification Cards. The Office of Campus and Public Safety issues identification cards to all students and faculty and staff. Apply at Room 1102, Campus and Public Safety Office.There is no charge for the first card and replacement cards are available for $5. The identification card must be carried at all times and is to be surrendered on demand to any College official.
- Student ID's for the Summer Semester will begin on May 8, 2012.
Escort Program. The PSC Police and Campus and Public Safety Department offers a free escort service providing assistance to students, faculty, and staff, as well as visitors to the campus.
Vehicle Assistance. Vehicle assistance - including jump starts, lockouts and motorist emergency notifications, is available to persons that are properly registered and display the required PSC parking decal.
Free Parking. Parking at Prairie State College is complimentary. However, all vehicles parked on campus property are expected to register with the PSC Police and Campus and Public Safety Department. A parking decal will be issued for each registered vehicle and must be displayed while parked in parking Lots, A, C, E. Lot D is designated for visitor and Business and Community Education Center (BCEC) parking. Lot B is for designated College officials ONLY. The Child Care Center parking lot is ONLY for employee's displaying a RED permit. Student parking is not authorized.