SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS USED IN THE MAINTENANCE OF CAMPUS FACILITIES

The majority of academic and administrative buildings are open during normal business hours (typically Monday through Friday, from 8am to 4pm, except holidays) and are typically secured during the late evening hours and weekends, depending upon class schedules, special event scheduling and community usage. Individuals who wish to access College buildings or property during non-business hours or for special events should contact the Campus Facilities Associate at 701-224-5686. Buildings have individual hours which may vary at different times of the year. In these cases, the building will be secured according to the schedules developed by the department or the individual responsible for the building.

Safety and Security officers patrol the campus grounds via foot and vehicle conduct regular interior and exterior checks of academic and administrative buildings and respond to incidents occurring anywhere within the college’s Clery geography. Safety and Security will provide security escorts when requested for staff members, students, and faculty. Residence Halls

Access to residence halls is restricted to Bismarck State College students and authorized staff, and the halls are secured by key and lock systems 24 hours a day/7 day a week. All guests must be escorted by the resident host at all times. Officers of Safety and Security routinely patrol the interior common areas, spaces, and hallways of buildings equipped with such common spaces and regularly patrol the exteriors of all campus residence halls. Residence hall professional and student staff also enforce campus policies and security measures within the residence halls to achieve a community respectful of individual and group rights and responsibilities.

Academic Break Housing

During the academic year, the College officially closes for Thanksgiving, Winter, Easter, and Spring Breaks. The residence halls close with a sign-up protocol for those needing to remain during break times for work, academic, or pre-approved personal reasons (those who cannot return home, etc.). Notices are posted through the College’s official calendars, the housing contract, BSC Housing Self-Service, and before each break. Students are reminded about the break protocols prior to each break and provided a QR code and/or link to sign-up as well as attach any appropriate documentation. The QR code/link guides student to a form to request accommodations during any portion of the break. The online request form will be announced between 2-3 weeks prior to the beginning of the break. Students without the necessity to remain in the residence halls are reminded to make travel arrangements. Dates and times are not for the official departure and return of students exiting during this time. When the residence halls close for break, students are expected to take of the following: unplug appropriate appliances, take out all garbage, attend to perishable food, clean out refrigerators and defrost pending residence hall and length of break, close and lock windows, ensure thermostat is set between 68-70 degrees, bedroom doors that are lockable and apartment doors must be closed and locked. Complete closing procedures for each hall is distributed prior to break closing. Residents may leave personal items in their room during all break, except summer. BSC recommends removing personal items like keepsake, money, and medication to ensure their safety since the campus is “unoccupied” during these breaks.

Residence hall staff members will conduct inspections during breaks. Any notable items or infractions will be discussed with residents and/or charged accordingly. Any student requesting access to their residence hall or room during breaks when the residence halls are officially closed should present themselves to Student and Residence Life or the staff member on call by using information posted on the residence hall exterior entries and in the resident’s housing self-service for access. BSC Student and Residence Life will determine a student’s access to their respective space for legitimate reasons and authorized full discretion in determining a student’s legitimacy to enter the closed residence hall based on information provided. Staff members will make an appointment and designate a time for the student to enter and exit their residence hall for the discussed needs. If a student needs to modify their stay, they may email bsc.housing@bismarckstate.edu or call the Residence Hall Coordinator on duty. In the absence of a residence hall staff person, BSC Campus Police may assist in room entry for legitimate needs. NOTE: This section contains information related to break housing protocol during a typical academic year. There have been some changes for the 2020-2021 academic year due to COVID-19. The institution remained open with modifications to the common area environments and a change in visitation protocols.

Bismarck State College facilities and landscaping are maintained in a manner that minimizes hazardous and unsafe conditions. The following guidelines are used to maximize safety for all and still provide convenient access to buildings:

• Keys are issued to authorized faculty, staff and students.