Campus Safety and Parking

Closing Due To Inclement Weather

The QCC Inclement Weather Line number is 508.854.4545. Information is also available on the QCC website at www.QCC.edu/weather

Emergency Evacuation Procedure Section I

To Report A Fire

1.   All fires (or possible fires evidenced by smoke, the smell of burning materials, etc.) should be reported immediately as follows: Dial 4444 – Report Fire: Pull The Nearest Fire Alarm

Section II – Fire Safety Plan for Students and Staff

Please follow the applicable steps whenever the fire alarm in your building sounds:

1. Students must quickly exit the building by using the nearest exits. (The evacuation route is denoted by red EXIT signs in corridors and other appropriate places. A fire exit sign is located on the wall immediately adjacent to the corridor door(s) of all classrooms.
2. When the classroom has been emptied, the faculty member, where practical, checks to see that all windows and secondary exits are closed and all electrical and gas devices are turned off. The lights should be left on. He/she then leaves, making sure the classroom corridor door is unlocked and closed, where practical, and exits the building following the evacuation route noted in Step 1.
3. Anyone located in the Cafeteria, Bookstore, Auditorium, Learning Resource Center, Lounges, etc., will evacuate the premises immediately by using the closest available exit.
4. Students and/or other visitors in offices will immediately be told to leave and follow the evacuation route noted in Step 1.
5. When those evacuating reach the outside, they are to keep moving until they are at least 500 feet away from the building.
6. At no time should an elevator be used as a means of exit.
7. No one may re-enter the building until authorization is received from the fire department or Public Safety personnel.
8. Any person found to falsely pull a fire alarm will be cited or arrested for his/her actions. Under MGL 269 Section 13. $500.00 fine or up to 1 year in House of Corrections.
9. Also a person that sets off a fire extinguisher as a prank can be charged under MGL 266 Section 126A Malicious or Wanton/Defacing property.

Building Occupants

Staff, faculty and students are  responsible to learn the locations of exits and fire alarm pull stations, as well as the evacuation locations by buildings.

Building occupants will evacuate upon hearing a fire alarm and report immediately to the building’s designated evacuation location. For example: If you are in a meeting located in the Administration Building when the incident occurs, report to the Administration building evacuation location. Once the building is evacuated, no one will be allowed to re-enter until Campus Police, your Building Assistant or an ER Team Member gives the “ALL CLEAR.”

Once in the designated evacuation  location, remain there and seek the guidance and directives of the ER Team  member or Building Assistant, who will be easily identified by bright colored  vests. 
The ER Team Member or Building  Assistant will have updated information (as soon as practical) and will need  your complete cooperation.

Evacuation for Handicapped Students and Staff

Important:

1. Evacuation points are designated as a landing in the nearest accessible stairway.
2. At no time are elevators to be used as means of Exit.
3. To avoid injuries, a handicapped person, where possible should be evacuated after others.
4. When ever possible a handicapped person should not be left unattended at any time during an emergency. Staff are requested to assist the handicapped person to the nearest accessible stairwell when the fire alarm in  that building is sounded.

Fire Department personnel will be  responsible for checking these areas as applicable.  During scheduled drills, there will be  no need for the handicapped person to exit the building. 

During an unscheduled alarm, the  Public Safety Department and Fire department personnel will make and implement  the decision on whether or not to transport a handicapped person out of the  building.

The Fire Department personnel will  advise the handicapped person when it is safe to re-enter the building.

Outdoor Evacuation Locations by Building

• Administration Building – Exit building at the closest and safest location and report to the front lawn (West Boylston St. side) at least 500 feet from building. Do not block roadway for emergency vehicle access.
• Child Study Center – Exit building at the closest and safest location and report to the north lawn directly across Assumption Avenue.  Do not block roadway for emergency vehicle access.
• Ahlfors Building – Exit building at the closest and safest location and report to the lawn area of the Grotto (adjacent to the Fuller Student Center).
• Fuller Student Center – Exit building at the closest and safest location and report to the lawn toward West Boylston Street, at least 500 feet from the building.
• Surprenant/Hebert Auditorium – Exit building at the closest and safest location and report to the lawn toward West Boylston Street. Do not block roadway for emergency vehicle access.
• Harrington Learning Center – Exit building at the closest and safest location and report to the lawn area by the baseball field. Do not block roadway for emergency vehicle access.
• Athletic Center (Field House) – Exit building at the closest and safest location and report to the lawn area by the baseball field. Do not block roadway for emergency vehicle access.

The process for obtaining emergency assistance ON CAMPUS is as follows:

1. When an emergency occurs on campus, it should be reported to the Campus Public Safety Office by dialing extension 4444 and describing the situation in detail to the person responding. This procedure is to be followed at all times, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
2. Campus Public Safety will respond to the call and make appropriate decisions regarding the situation.
3. If the situation requires outside assistance such as fire, police, or ambulance service, Campus Public Safety will be responsible for contacting the appropriate outside agency.

Active Shooter Threat

 While encountering an active threat on campus is remote, we encourage members of the campus community to review these guidelines. In an emergency situation, your knowledge and awareness can make a critical difference. Working together we can provide a safe environment for our students, faculty and staff.

What is an active threat?

An "active threat" is defined as any incident which creates an immediate threat or presents an imminent danger to the campus community.  In addition to offenders armed with firearms (active shooters), other types of weapons or instruments may be used by those who want to cause harm. One or more assailants may be involved. They may be very near or far away, at one or several locations, targeting students, faculty/staff, or random victims. No two situations are exactly alike.

Trust your instincts!

If there is a shooter or assault, try to remain calm. Your actions will influence others. A survival mindset can help you and those around you avoid catastrophe. Cooperate in taking responsibility for your personal safety and security.

Are you able to evacuate?

• Try to stay calm and determine the location of the threat.
• Warn other faculty, staff, students and visitors to take immediate shelter.
• Call 911 as soon as possible, although escaping is your priority.
• If a safe exit does exists, take it as quickly as possible.
• Continue running until you are well cleared from the location of the threat. Find a safe location and call 911 to tell the police of your location.

If the only exit is through a window, consider the consequences of the fall:

• How high are you from the ground?
• Can you land in shrubs or grass to decrease the potential for serious injury?
• Can you make an improvised rope out of clothing, belts or other items?

If you cannot evacuate:

• Try to stay calm and determine the location of the threat.
• Take shelter in the nearest office, classroom, closet or other area which can be secured. Barricade the door using desks, bookshelves, or other heavy objects. If the door opens outward, attach one end of a belt, scarf, rope to the door handle and the other end to a heavy object.
• If the door has a window, cover it.
• Turn off lights.
• Look for other possible escape routes, such as windows or other doors.
• Call 911 and tell them what is happening. Speak quietly and then set your cell phone to vibrate or silent. If you can't speak, leave the line open so the dispatcher can listen to what is taking place. Normally the location of a 911 call can be determined without speaking.
• Stay low to the ground and remain as quiet as possible.
• Once in a secure location, do not open the door for anyone. Do not approach police officers as they attempt to locate and neutralize the threat. The police officers will return to assist you once the threat has been neutralized.
• When Campus Police arrive, obey all commands. You may be asked to keep your hands in the air, you may even be handcuffed until the police assess the situation. These steps are taken for safety reasons.

Is there an active shooter in your presence?

If you are in a crowded room and the threat is shooting, "play dead" or quietly crawl to safety. Do not attempt to make contact with the individual, unless no other option is available.

If you are with a group, as an action of last resort, you might choose to take the offense:

• If the shooter is entering the room, position yourself in location that allows for an element of surprise.
• Throw anything available at the threat. Aim for the face to distract him/her.
• Attack as a group, swarming around the threat.
• Grab the threat's arms, legs or head and take him/her to the ground. Use body weight to secure him/her.
• "Fight dirty" - kick, bite, gouge eyes.
• Have someone in the group call 911.
• When Campus Police arrive, obey all commands. You may be asked to keep your hands in the air, you may even be handcuffed until the police assess the situation. These steps are taken for safety reasons.

Have you apprehended the offender?

• Make sure the suspect is secured (body weight, belts, etc.)
• Move any possible weapons away from the threat.
• Do not hold a weapon.
• Call 911 and advise law enforcement that the threat/shooter is down.
• Provide your location and stay on the line if possible.
• When Campus Police arrive, obey all commands. You may be asked to keep your hands in the air, you may even be handcuffed until the police assess the situation. These steps are taken for safety reasons.

When law enforcement arrives:

• Give the location of the shooter/offender(s).
• Tell officers the number of shooter/offender(s).
• Provide a physical description of the shooter/offender(s)
• Describe the type and number of weapons.
• DO NOT approach officers.
• DO NOT point.
• DO NOT scream or yell.
• DO NOT pose a threat.
• Remain quiet.
• Follow directions.

Take a few minutes to view Run, Hide, Fight

Emergency telephones

Telephones have been installed at strategic locations around the campus. The purpose of these phones is to offer faster response time for students and staff who may be experiencing an emergency situation.

These phones are activated by pushing the large square button on the front. By pushing the button, students or staff will be put into immediate direct contact with someone who can summon the appropriate emergency personnel. Users should speak clearly and give a brief description of the emergency and the location of the phone. The red sign next to each phone identifies the exact location of the phone.

Emergency Telephone Locations:

• Administration Building: Sub-basement, Basement Cafeteria
• Bookstore: Basement beside service elevator/cafeteria, Basement beside main elevator, 1st floor beside service and main elevators, 2nd floor beside service and main elevators, 3rd floor beside service and main elevators, 4th floor beside room 416A
• Surprenant Building: Basement level beside elevator, 1st floor beside elevator, 2nd floor beside elevator, 3rd floor beside elevator, 4th floor beside elevator
• Athletic Center: First floor East entrance beside athletic office (1-G), Lower Fitness Level (2-G), Women’s Locker Room (3-G), Men’s Locker Room (4-G)
• Ahlfors Building: Front hallway by the men’s room (1-AL)
• Child Study Center: 1st floor hallway beside closet (1-C)
• Student Parking Lots: BOX 1 Parking Lot #1 (Adjacent center stairs), BOX 2 Parking Lot #1 (Sidewalk across from Harrington Learning Center), BOX 3 Parking Lot #2 (Center of parking lot), BOX 4 Parking Lot #3 (Sidewalk across from Athletic Center), BOX 5 Parking Lot #3 (Center of parking lot), BOX 6 Parking Lot #4 (Near Athletic Field)

Student Suicide Prevention Protocol

The College recognizes that a student’s physical, behavioral, and emotional health is an integral component of a student’s academic success at the College.  The purpose of the protocol is to protect the health and well-being of all students by having procedures in place to identify, assess the risk of, intervene in, and respond to suicidal behavior. The policy is activated when the College has actual knowledge that a student is actively engaged in suicidal behavior, has previously engaged in suicidal behavior while enrolled at the College or recently before matriculation, or has stated plans or intentions to commit suicide. A student who engages in any of these behaviors may be required to comply with the College’s Re-Entry Policy before being permitted to resume classes. The Student Suicide Prevention Protocol is administered by the Dean of Student’s Office and copies of that policy or the College’s Re-Entry Policy are available in the Dean’s Office.

Parking

All students/visitors are required to park ONLY in the upper five parking lots located on the east side of the campus. Lot 1 row 1 is designated staff/faculty parking until 4:00 pm. Any overflow will be on the soccer field only when directed by QCC Police and end at 3:00 pm. Parking decals ARE required and may be obtained at at the Athletic Center.

Medical Parking Permits

Students who are disabled permanently or temporarily may apply for a special medical parking permit through the Office of Disability Services, Room 246A, located on the second floor of the Administration Building. As part of this process, applicants will be required to fill out an application form and have their physician sign and authorize the application for the obtainment of special parking privileges.

Motorcycle Parking

All motorcycles are to be parked in the designated motorcycle parking are located on the southwest corner the Administration Building adjacent the rotary. Decals are not required.
Violations of the parking regulations will result in Commonwealth of Massachusetts parking violations and can lead to non-renewal of license and registration and/or vehicle being towed.

The parking fee is $20, per semester, fall and spring.

Prohibited Parking Areas – Tow Away Zones

The following parking/traffic procedures authorize the towing of vehicles parked or standing, in such manner or in such areas are further described, or in any way under the control Quinsigamond Community College.Fees: All towing and storage of towed vehicles will be at the owner’s expense. Towed vehicles may be picked up from the towing contractor upon the showing of proper identification and making the required payment. All fees levied shall abide by the laws of the State set forth by Massachusetts General Laws and shall follow the outlined structure below:

If a tow is called in and then cancelled, and if the truck has not left the towing company’s yard, there shall be NO CHARGE levied to the owner of the vehicle. Once any piece of towing equipment has been attached to the vehicle, A TOW FEE WILL BE LEVIED and it will be up to the vehicle owner/operator to negotiate with the tow company. The Department of Public Safety cannot provide transportation to the towing company. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the owner or operator of the vehicle to find transportation to the tow company.

• Fire Lane -- No parking is permitted in any area designated as a fire lane via painted lines and/or posted signs.
• Emergency Vehicle Access Lanes -- No parking is permitted in any area designated for Fire, Police, or Ambulance. These areas also include the service roads on campus and the areas around the entrance to campus buildings, as well as all campus roadways. They are considered TOW ZONES STRICTLY ENFORCED.
• Solid Green Markings -- These areas are no parking areas. They are considered TOW ZONES STRICTLY ENFORCED.
• Loading Zones -- The areas designated as loading zones have appropriate signage identifying their locations. Dumpster locations are also considered loading zone areas. They are considered a TOW ZONE.
• Escorts -- Members of the Public Safety Staff are available to escort students from their classroom building to the upper lots. If you would like to access this service contact: Public Safety at 508.854.4444. Campus Police TTY 508.854.2805
• Handicapped/Reserved Parking -- Handicap and Reserved Parking areas are clearly marked by appropriate lines and signage. This regulation is TOW ZONE STRICTLY ENFORCED.
• Overnight Parking -- Overnight parking from 10:00 pm–6:00 am is prohibited on campus. Extenuating circumstances that dictate a vehicle to be left overnight, must be approved through the Campus Police.

Any Vehicle that has received five or more parking violations is subject to being towed, as are those vehicles that are found to be parked in areas designated as TOW ZONES:

•  Upon any sidewalk – Upon any crosswalk
•  Within (10) feet of a fire hydrant – Blocking a Driveway – Obstructing exit or entrance
•  In front of any barricade temporarily or permanently erected
•  On land not designed for vehicular traffic such as walks, lawns, and open fields
•  In front of a gateway, entrance or other open area

THESE ARE CONSIDERED STRICTLY ENFORCED TOW ZONES

Traffic Rules

• The speed limit on campus is 10 M.P.H. (unless otherwise posted)
• Please observe all STOP, DO NOT ENTER, ONE WAY, ARROWS, signage, etc.
• Do not drive or park on walks, paths or grassy areas.
• Observe all crosswalk markings by allowing pedestrians the right of way.

Any vehicle with five or more unpaid violations will be placed on a Tow List. When found, these vehicles will be towed by the Campus Police. Vehicles will continue to be towed until the existing tickets have been paid.

Parking Fines

Penalties established pursuant to Section 13, Chapter 15A, General Laws of the Commonwealth.

Weapons and Firearms Policy

Except for authorized law enforcement purposes, no weapons of any kind are allowed on QCC campus. (Consistent with the College’s Code of Conduct).

For more information, visit the Campus Police website.