Boston College is committed to providing a safe and healthy campus environment. This page offers an overview of campus response to incidents as well as guidelines you can follow to prepare for an emergency yourself.
More information about specific safety concerns or campus procedures can be found here.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN INCIDENT OCCURS
Boston College maintains fully trained police officers who provide the first response to any emergency incidents on campus.
Whenever a significant incident occurs on campus, the BC Police officers who report to the scene are trained to take appropriate actions, such as notifying BC's Senior Administrator On-Call. Based on the seriousness of the situation, the administrator may alert the Emergency Preparedness Team, whose members have created a comprehensive set of emergency response procedures to deal with crisis situations, and a number have undertaken National Incident Management System (NIMS) training offered by the Dept. of Homeland Security.
More information about emergency response can be found here
COMMUNICATION DURING AN EMERGENCY
Messages will be distributed through this website, campus-wide broadcast e-mail and voice mail, cell phone and text messaging, and the emergency hotline at 617-552-INFO.
Students are asked to provide their cell phone numbers to be contacted in the case of an emergency. If you have not already done so, please log on to Agora, select the "Update your Addresses and Phone Numbers" service, then submit or update your cell phone number in the space provided. Your number will not be used for any other purpose than emergency notification.
During major emergencies, a toll-free number will be established so that family members across the country can obtain more information.
Also, information stations will be available across campus in the event that a power failure makes electronic communication unavailable.
SERVICES FOR YOU
Boston College has a full complement of resources available to help you with any physical or emotional needs. Medical attention is available 24/7 at University Health Services or, if needed, at area hospitals. Counselors and Campus Ministers also are available at all times. BC's emergency response team will work to provide food and housing during an emergency.
PREPARE YOURSELF
1) ASSEMBLE AN EMERGENCY KIT
Each student should keep a supply of essential items - medicine, eyeglasses or contact lenses, snacks - in his or her residence hall or apartment in case of an incident where it may be unsafe to go outside for a period of time (Shelter-in-Place).
More on assembling a kit and other tips can be found here.
2) LEARN ABOUT CAMPUS SAFETY PROCEDURES
Familiarize yourself with BC's campus safety and emergency preparedness website BC/Prepared. This site contains valuable information on individual preparedness, important safety tips, and an overview of how BC will respond to and recover from emergency situations. In particular, familiarize yourself with procedures for Building Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place. A flyer is available to post in your residence. Download the flyer here
3) CELL PHONE NOTICES
All students should provide the University with their cell phone numbers so that you may be contacted in the event of an emergency. If you have not already done so, please log on to Agora, select the "Update your Addresses and Phone Numbers" service, then submit or update your cell phone number in the space provided. Your number will not be used for any other purpose than emergency notification.
Cell phones should be on vibrate while they are in classes to be contacted in the event of an emergency.
Also, program in emergency phone numbers for BC Police 617-552-4444, and, for off-campus emergencies, 911, so that you can call for help no matter where you are.
4) THE "ICE" PLAN FOR EMERGENCY CONTACTS
Add the entry ICE ("in case of emergency") to your cell's phonebook with the number of the person -- your parents or others -- to be contacted in the event of an emergency.
5) MAKE A FAMILY COMMUNICATION PLAN
Remember to check in at home to let your family know you're safe, regularly and especially in an emergency situation. They may have heard about it on the news and be worried about you.
6) STAY ALERT
Though Boston College is a safe environment, students are urged to become involved in their safety on and off campus by staying alert and reporting any unusual activity to the BC Police at ext 2-4444.
FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
The Disability Services Office at Boston College offers a range of resources for undergraduate and graduate students with hearing, visual, mobility, medical and psychiatric disabilities.
Students with physical disabilities living in residence halls who may require special assistance to respond to emergency situations can contact the Disability Services Office for steps to follow should their building need to be evacuated.
Students should understand that they will have some personal responsibility for implementing their plan, and discussion with the DSO is designed to ensure that students understand their own responsibilities in the event of an emergency.
Students who live off-campus must develop and practice their own evacuation plans as part of a comprehensive fire safety plan. The DSO can assist with home and fire safety advice.
In the event of an evacuation from a campus building that is not your residence, you should proceed to the nearest stairwell and wait for an officer to help you get out of the building.
Emergency personnel are instructed to check all exit corridors and stairwells first for any stranded persons. If an evacuation is required, alert your professor or a co-worker/classmate who can tell others that you are going to the stairwell to await assistance. If possible, ask another person if they are willing to accompany you to the stairwell and to ensure that an officer is aware of your exact location. You should also call BC Police at 2-4444 using your cell phone and tell the dispatcher where you are and what assistance you will need to get out of the building.
Stay calm until help arrives. If help has not arrived within 5-10 minutes, call BC Police again.
Handicapped access maps of Boston College are available by clicking on the links below.
Chestnut Hill Campus
Newton Campus
For more information, contact:
Suzy Conway, LICSW
Assistant Dean for Students with Disabilities
Phone: 617-552-3470
TTY: 617-552-2548
Email: conwaymh@bc.edu
EXTERNAL RESOURCES
FEMA: Preparing and Planning for People with Special Needs
FEMA: Emergency Procedures for Employees with Disabilities (PDF)
Red Cross: Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities (PDF)
