Security and Miscellaneous Regulations

In accordance with the Federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989, Public Law 101-226 Sec. 1213, and to provide a safe and healthful environment, Kishwaukee College has adopted the following alcohol and/or substance abuse policy:

Kishwaukee College prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of drugs and unauthorized distribution, possession, or use of alcohol in college buildings, on college grounds, or any other place designated for college activities. For purposes of this policy, drugs, including alcohol, are defined as any drug which is not legally obtainable and/or any drug which is legally obtainable but which is not legally obtained, is not being used for prescribed purposes, and/or is not being taken according to prescribed dosages.

Disciplinary sanctions for alcohol or substance abuse are contained in the Kishwaukee College Code of Student Conduct and Discipline, a full copy of which appears elsewhere in this catalog.

Sanctions imposed by this code may include up to and including termination or expulsion and referral for prosecution to civil authorities. Sanctions may also include required participation in and completion of a drug or alcohol abuse assistance or rehabilitation program.

Students receiving financial aid may also lose their aid. Students as citizens are also subject to Federal, State, and local laws.

Students with alcohol and/or substance abuse problems or those wanting information about alcoholism or substance abuse should contact their academic advisor or at of the off-campus agencies providing counseling and rehabilitation services.

A listing of off-campus agencies is available from their academic advisor.

A more complete statement of the above information, including health risks associated with alcohol and substance abuse, is available in the Director of Student Success Office.

In order to maintain a safe campus environment and to be in compliance with the Federal 1998 amendments to the Higher Education Act, Sec. 485, known as the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, and the State of Illinois Campus Security Act (Public Act 88-629), Kishwaukee College publishes the following information concerning campus security policies, procedures and the availability of campus crime statistics.

Kishwaukee College as a public community college of the State of Illinois endeavors to provide safe and open access to its facilities by students, staff, and visitors during its posted regular hours of operation. However, access to some facilities during regular hours of operation may be restricted for the safety and protection of individuals, equipment, or facilities. Access to facilities or equipment after normal hours of operation must be authorized by college administrative staff.

Students, staff, and visitors are expected to conduct themselves in a civil manner that does not violate any Federal, State, or local criminal statutes nor exhibit any illegal or prohibited behaviors as specified in the Kishwaukee College Policy on Alcohol and Substance Abuse and the Code of Student Conduct and Discipline Policy. To assist in maintaining a safe environment, the College has contracted with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department to provide campus security services. As such, the Campus Security Officers have full police authority including that of arrest. While the Campus Security Office and other college staff endeavor to provide safe facilities and grounds, individuals should adopt safe practices to help prevent criminal actions against themselves and their property.

On-campus emergencies requiring immediate police assistance should be reported from the nearest phone by calling 911. Red Emergency phones are also located in all campus wings for calling 911. Emergencies reported first to local law enforcement officials should also be reported, as soon as possible, to the Campus Security Office located in C2177 or by calling 815-825-9529. For response to emergencies at off-campus locations, call 911.

Reports of any suspicion of, or actual occurrence of, criminal activities that do not require immediate police emergency assistance should also be reported to the Campus Security Office, C2177, 815-825-9529, in order for an appropriate investigation to be conducted.

Kishwaukee College has a comprehensive policy relating to gender-based or sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. A person who believes he or she has been subjected to, witnessed, or has knowledge of an alleged violation of the Comprehensive Code of Student Conduct policy that occurs on campus or at an off-campus location where authorized instructional or co-curricular activities are being conducted may file a complaint alleging violation(s) of this policy. Please see the complete Comprehensive Code of Student Conduct policy in this catalog or online to determine the preferred method of reporting. A person who believes he or she has been subjected to, witnessed, or has knowledge of an alleged violation of the comprehensive policy by a College employee (faculty or staff) may file a report by a preferred method in the comprehensive policy or through the Human Resources Office.

If concerned about keeping the details of an incident confidential, an individual may report allegations of gender-based sexual misconduct to the following agencies that Kishwaukee College has partnered with for confidential advisory services: Safe Passages, Talkspace, Northwestern Medicine Ben Gordon Center, and Sinnissippi Center, Inc. of Ogle County. These professionals are legally entitled to maintain the confidentiality of your communications in almost all situations.Kishwaukee College does not have Professional Counselors on staff.

Alternatively, individuals can contact members of the clergy and chaplains off-campus, who will also keep your reports confidential. Kishwaukee College does not have a Campus Pastoral Counselor on staff. The Comprehensive Code of Student Conduct policy included in this catalog lists both confidential and non-confidential reporting options and resources. After an alleged offense, the College will make every reasonable effort within its control to change students’ academic situations and protect them on campus.

Please be aware that even confidential resources have obligations to report, such as in situations of imminent danger and/or sexual abuse of a minor.

College disciplinary procedures for students accused of gender-based sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking are contained in the Comprehensive Code of Student Conduct section of this catalog.

Reports of criminal activities within Kishwaukee College’s jurisdiction for on-campus and off-campus locations will be investigated by the Campus Security Office/Dekalb County Sheriff’s Department in cooperation with appropriate Federal, State, and/or local authorities. Students, faculty, staff, and community members are strongly encouraged to report criminal activity, suspicious persons and circumstances, serious incidents, and other emergencies in an accurate and timely manner to Campus Security/DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and to appropriate College officials. All individuals reporting criminal activity or witnessing crimes are expected to cooperate with college officials and law enforcement officers in the filing of campus incident reports. Crimes should also be reported for the purpose of providing timely warnings to the community along with formulating the annual security reports. The Campus Security Office is responsible for maintaining the daily crime log. The purpose of the daily crime log is to record criminal incidents and alleged criminal incidents that are reported to or identified by campus police or security department and have occurred within the college’s geographical location. The crime log is maintained in the on-campus Security Office, Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office, C2177. The most recent 60 days is available for anyone to view or obtain a hard copy Monday through Thursday from 8am to 4pm.  For entries older than 60 days, the log must be made available within 2 business days of request.

To ensure a safe environment for employees, students, visitors and those conducting business on campus, Kishwaukee College is a weapons and firearms free campus. The complete Firearms and Weapons Policy can be found on the College website, www.kish.edu.

Each year, Kishwaukee College sends an email notification to all enrolled students and current employees that provides the website link to access the Annual Security Report that includes the current Kishwaukee College Catalog. The Annual Security Report provides Kishwaukee College policies related to safety and security including alchohol and drugs, sexual misconduct, crime prevention and how and where to report crimes. It also includes crime statistics for the previous three years fro crimes that occurred in Kishwaukee College’s Clery geography. A complete hard copy of this report including printouts of web links is available in the Director of Campus Safety and Security Office, located within the Sheriff’s Office in room C2177. This annual report can also be accessed on the College’s website. The Annual Security Report filed with the Federal government in complaince with the Campus Crime Act (Clery Act) that contains the College’s yearly crim statistics is available at:  http://ope.ed.gov/security/GetOneInstitutionData.aspx.

On campus there are positions identified and defined as Campus Security Authorities (CSA). This is a term used in the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act to describe individuals who have significant responsibility for student and campus activities. These individuals include groups of law enforcement/security and non-law enforcement personnel. The intent of including non-law enforcement personnel in the role of CSA is to acknowledge that some individuals maybe more comfortable reporting incidents to other campus-affiliated individuals. A CSA’s responsibilities include:

• If victim reports a crime that falls under the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, the victim can remain anonymous if they choose to, however if there is a serious or continuing threat to the safety of the campus community a timely warning or emergency notification maybe required. This warning/notification can be done without disclosing personal identifying information.
• The report does have to be included in the annual statistics that occur on the College’s campus, however personal information can remain anonymous.
• CSA’s only have to document the incident they do not investigate.
• CSA’s should provide the victim with options and resources for support and assistance.

Various programs and methods exist for informing students and staff about campus security procedures, being responsible for one’s own security and the security of others, along with crime prevention strategies.

Kishwaukee College employs a comprehensive approach to campus security, involving collaboration between the Director of Campus Safety and Security, the Director of Campus Operations, the Executive Director of Campus Operations and IT, and the on-campus DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department. Programs and methods to inform students and staff about security procedures and crime prevention include the Annual Security Report, Staff-In-Service presentations, Visit Day, New Student Orientations, and classroom law enforcement presentations. Enhanced exterior lighting, security cameras, vehicle escorts, and the Cadet Corps program further support campus safety. Additionally, the college offers CPR/AED certification courses, Crime Stoppers, and various emergency preparedness drills and evacuation procedures. Alerts and notifications are disseminated through multiple channels to ensure timely communication during emergencies.

In order to create a safe and secure work area and learning environment, and in accordance with the Public Act 88-629 (110 ILCS 12/1-12/99), Kishwaukee College will conduct a criminal background investigations prior to employing individuals in all full or part-time positions, and in security sensitive positions for student workers and volunteers. (See Policy Manual, Appendix K, Criminal Background Checks for Security Sensitive Positions).

Tuition Hardship Appeals are for students who are requesting a refund of their tuition/fee charges due to extenuating circumstances (ie., death of an immediate family member, military activation, or serious medical condition) that occurred during the semester in which the student was enrolled in. A student may submit a Tuition Hardship Appeal Form with supporting documentation to the Student Services Office, C2100. A submission of a Tuition Hardship Appeal does not automatically result in a refund. Tuition Hardship Appeal will be considered for up to one year past the last day of the semester requested.

There is no appeal process for students who received financial aid and owe funds back. The U.S. Department of Education mandates a specific refund calculation if a student receives Pell, Direct Loans, and FSEOG financial aid and has withdrawn from and/or failed from all coursework. Depending on the financial aid received, the student may be responsible for repaying some or all of the aid back to the College if s/he elects to withdraw, regardless of circumstances.

Students do not qualify for a Tuition Hardship Appeal if they have over-committed, cannot pay their tuition, misunderstood deadlines or policies, are having difficulty in classes, or have changed their mind about a course.

The appeal process does not reinstate any Financial Aid you may have been awarded. Please see the Financial Aid section on Standard of Academic Progress  for a Financial Aid Appeal.