Campus Safety Reminders & Resources
November 1, 2019
Dear GCCC Students and Employees,
Recently, a sexual assault was reported to have taken place near the GCCC campus on the 900 block of JC Street. The Garden City Police Department is leading an investigation into the report and are welcoming any additional information that the campus and community may have.
As the GCPD runs their investigation, the GCCC Campus Police Department and the GCCC Administration would like to remind students and staff of the important role that each of you play in helping to make our campus a safe place for all. Students and employees alike can work together and organize themselves in order to address and prevent the rise of safety concerns and crimes, such as theft and assault. The attitude that we are all capable to support one another in these safety efforts is called "community policing," and GCCC Administration encourages all to adopt this mindset.
Students and employees are encouraged to take time to familiarize themselves with safety precautions and prevention tips that may be beneficial to you in the event that you feel unsafe.
GCCC Campus Police suggest that staff and students consider the following safety tips:
- Be attentive to people who enter your surroundings. If someone is acting in a suspicious manner, report it to the Campus Police.
- Have emergency phone numbers available for immediate use and have a plan of action in case of an emergency. Communicate your plan with your friends or co-workers.
- If you are the first employee or student to arrive in a building, be alert to your surroundings.
- When working or studying after regular business hours, lock the entrance to your office or consider studying with a partner. It is always a good idea to let someone know you’re working or studying late, especially if you are alone.
- When using an elevator or stairwell alone, be alert of your surroundings. Try to travel in groups or with a friend, when possible.
- When walking to or from the parking lot, proceed with purpose. This may signal to criminals that you are aware of your surroundings.
- Before entering your vehicle, take a quick peek to make sure no one is inside.
- When parking your vehicle in the evening, try to park under a street lamp or in other well-lit areas.
- When on campus during the evening hours, use the “buddy system” and/or communicate with your friends and family about your destination and approximate time of return.
- Never leave your dorm rooms unlocked and unattended (even when taking short trips outside your room). Make sure all windows are locked.
- Know how your car alarm works so that you can use it when necessary
- Put the GCCC Campus Police phone number (620-272-6828) in your phone contacts list. If there is an emergency, call 9-1-1.
- Request a campus safety escort by calling 620-272-6828 at any time of the day. They will escort you anywhere on campus. Call ahead if possible, to ensure limited wait time.
- If you see something, say something. Anything that you feel is a safety issue or a crime should be reported as suspicious activity to local authorities by calling campus police at 620-272-6828 or 9-1-1. Remember, that you play a role in campus safety.
In addition to the precautions that you can take, GCCC Campus Police and Administration are also taking measures to increase safety for everyone on campus including:
- Increasing campus police coverage during the evening hours
- Increasing residential life and coach supervisor staffing during the evening hours
- Encouraging faculty and staff to dedicate safety walk throughs, as part of the community policing efforts, during breaks or other periodic timeframes. Campus police will encourage building safety leaders to organize this effort.
- Providing campus safety escorts during any time of the day
In addition to the availability of our GCCC Campus Police, please review the following resources we have available on campus for student health and well-being, counseling, and other support services:
- GCCC has a partnership with Genesis Family Health to promote the emotional and mental well-being of our student body. Genesis Family Health counselors are located inside the office of the Bill Kinney Room (Beth Tedrow Student Center Rm. 1103). They include:
- Robin Unruh - Monday from 4-7 p.m. (runruh@genesisfh.org)
- Holly Mancillas - Wednesday from 1-4 p.m. (hmancillas@genesisfh.org)
- Vanessa Gaytan - Friday 1-4 p.m. (vgaytan@genesisfh.org)
Also, Nikki Herrman, a domestic and sexual assault advocate, from Family Crisis Services is available on campus in the Student & Community Services Center. Her office number is 620-276-9672 and she is available through Facebook messenger (@GC3CampusAdvocate). Family Crisis Services also makes a Text2Talk helpline available for non-emergencies at 620-640-9050, and a 24-hour helpline at 620-275-5911.
Also, just a reminder that we have JoAnn Garrier, our GCCC Certified Counselor, on campus who has served our institution for several decades. Her office (RM 1020) is located on the first floor of the Student and Community Services Center, and she is available for counseling Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays 8 to 4 p.m.
As part of our college community, all employees, students, and staff play a vital role in the safety of our campus. Look out for one another, encourage each other, and report anything suspicious to campus police. Thank you for the role that you each play in making GCCC a safer place for all students, staff, and administration.
Stay safe,
GCCC Administration and GCCC Campus Police