Garden City Community College

Garden City Community College wants to ensure the safety of all those who study, live, and work at this college so we have created a Safety Assessment Team to investigate any reports of threats to the safety of the people on this campus. If you have noticed any suspicious behavior from someone on campus and you feel that that person may seek to harm, injure, or kill himself/herself or others on campus, the Safety Assessment Team would like to know so we can investigate. The team will keep confidential any information that you send us. We will use our various realms of expertise to determine if any suspicious behavior is an actual threat to the safety of the people on our campus or if it is indicative of something else. Depending on the nature of the behaviors being reported, other college representatives may be consulted.

Safety Assessment Team Members

• Vice President for Student Services: Colin Lamb - (620) 276-9640
• Campus Security - (620) 272-9636
• Counselor: JoAnn Garrier - (620) 276-9635
• Coordinator of Compliance and Accommodations: Kari Adams - (620) 276-9638

Reportable Behaviors

There are three categories of behaviors which the Safety Assessment Team will be monitoring:

1. Disruptive behavior - examples include homicidal threats, assault, stalking, bullying (either online or in person), or carrying weapons
2. Unusual behavior - examples include changes in personality, shifts in mood, unexplained irritability, or hopelessness
3. Self-injurious behavior - examples include dangerous alcohol or substance use, cutting behavior, or suicidal thoughts or actions

If you see someone on campus in the process of harming themselves or others, please immediately call Campus Security at (620) 272-9636 or dial 911.

If you think someone may become harmful towards themself or others, you can give the safety assessment team some information on this by filling out our safety assessment form.

Policies for an Active Shooter/Gunman on Campus

• There could be more than one shooter involved in the same situation.
• Exit the building if safe conditions exist or safely proceed to a room that can be locked. Close and lock all windows, blinds and doors. Turn off all lights. If possible, move objects or furniture in front of the locked door.
• Get down on the floor and spread out. Make sure no one is visible from outside the room.
• Contact 911 and maintain an open line with the dispatcher
  • Give your location and the situation as you know it
• If you cannot secure the room, determine if there is a nearby location that can be reached safely or if you can exit the building safely.
• Remain out of view until ermergency responders or GCCC administration give the "all clear" signal so you are not mistakenly perceived as the aggressor.
• Remember: When responding to an active shooter law enforcement will proceed directly to the threat (they will not stop to render aid until the threat is stopped).

If you are confronted by an irrational and/or aggressive individual:

• Listen to what the individual has to say
• Stay calm
• Be courteous and patient
• Speak to him/her in a clear, quiet voice
• Explain that you are willing to help him/her
• Never argue with an irrational or aggressive individual
• Call the GCCC Department of Campus Safety at 620-272-6828
• To the extent possible, use logic and reason to calm the individual
• If you feel the safety of others in in jeopardy, ask them to leave the area