Safety Measures
The well-being and security of our students, faculty and staff are an absolute priority on all our campuses. Here are some of the ways we help the MCPHS Boston community stay safe:
Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Program
The Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Program taught by a certified Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences Campus Police Officers, empowers female students, faculty and staff to combat various types of assaults by providing them with realistic self-defense tactics and techniques. This empowerment is taught through four basic principles: education, dependency on self, making one's own decisions and the realization of one's own power. The objective of RAD is to develop and enhance self-defense options for women. The course begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, while progressing to the basics of hands-on defense training. The classes provide women with the knowledge to make educated decisions about resistance.
For more information about RAD on campus or to determine when the next course will run, please contact the RAD coordinator at the Campus Safety Office.
Student I.D. Cards
All students receive Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences identification card ("Fenway Card"), which may be obtained from the Help Desk. The card must be presented at College functions, at security desks within the residence halls, at the College dining center and at the Library when borrowing books. All residents are required to surrender their I.D. card to front desk personnel in order to sign in guests. They are also required to surrender their I.D. cards at College functions when requested. I.D. cards are not transferable. Learn more at fenwaycard.com.
Access to Campus Facilities
The College facilities are open to the public with limited access during the day and evening hours. When the College is closed, buildings are locked. All students must enter and exit the residence halls through the main entrance. Side doors are alarmed 24 hours a day and may be used only as fire/emergency exits. The front doors of the residence halls are locked at all times except for times when the College deems it appropriate for doors to remain open.
Investigation Services
The Department of Public Safety investigates all crimes and accidents that occur within the college boundaries. The Department of Public Safety works with other federal, state and collegiate police departments when necessary.
Escort Service
The Department of Public Safety provides escorts from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. 7 days a week, and when available. Escorts can be obtained by calling the Public Safety Department, respective of the campuses and by utilizing the Public Safety direct dial Assistance/Escort phones located in each building.
Emergency Medical Services
The Department of Public Safety provides primary medical response to the entire campus 24 hours a day. The Department is equipped with full medical supplies to A.E.D.s (Automated External Defibrillators).
Self Defense Programs
The Department of Public Safety schedules programs throughout the year for self defense workshops for students and/or faculty and staff.
Student and Parent Orientation Programs
The Department of Public Safety participates in Parent and Student orientation sessions regarding Public Safety and Parking on Campus during the College's open houses and orientation days.
Safety and Crime Prevention Programs
The Department of Public Safety, upon request, presents programs on several different topics. These topics include, but are not limited to, residence hall safety, workplace safety, parking lot safety, and general personal safety, as well as crime prevention and theft deterrence.
Drug/Alcohol Education Programs
The Department of Public Safety upon request presents programs on drug and alcohol laws, education and intervention.
Resident Assistant Training Programs
The Department of Public Safety participates in annual Residence Assistant training with the Department of Residence Life. Officers present programs on report writing, radio procedures, crisis intervention and drug/alcohol education.
Parking Enforcement / Permitting
The Department of Public Safety administers the college's Evening/ Weekend parking program to include registering of vehicles, distribution of parking permits with 24/7 parking enforcement.
Crime Reporting
The Department of Public Safety makes numerous and diligent efforts to advise the College community about crime and crime-related problems. The Department disseminates information via the College e-mail and voicemail systems and on the College web site. In addition, the Department creates, maintains and distributes the College's "Right to Know" pamphlets which contain all required Cleary Act information.
Security and Facility Survey
The Department of Public Safety conducts routine security and safety surveys of the college campus on a regular basis. These surveys identify both security issues and safety hazards that can be immediately addressed by facilities and/or administration.
Safety Committee
The Safety Committee meets throughout the school year to address general safety issues. Committee members come from all areas of the college community and include the Department of Public Safety.
Fire Drills / Fire Prevention
The Public Safety Department conducts fire drills for all groups staying in the College's Residence Halls. In addition, the Department performs a monthly survey of all fire safety equipment and works with both Facilities and the Safety Committee to ensure all applicable fire codes are adhered to.
Criminal Justice Career Presentation
The Department of Public Safety, upon request, presents Criminal Justice workshops covering topics such as duties and responsibilities of the different positions within the Criminal Justice field, getting into the field, career paths and hiring processes. In addition, Officers speak with potential criminal justice career candidates in regards to ways to better position themselves for employment within the field.
Switchboard Services
In addition to answering direct calls for Public Safety information and assistance, the Department also staffs the College's switchboard providing operator services for the entire college 24 hours a day.
Closed-Circuit Television Surveillance
Strategically placed close-circuit television equipment is used to monitor and survey public areas on the MCPHS campuses. All monitoring of CCTV equipment is located at the MCPHS Campus Safety station.
Lost and Found
The College is not responsible for lost or stolen articles, and students are urged to mark their books and belongings clearly. Students who find lost articles should bring them to the nearest Public Safety officer. Persons claiming lost articles must describe the article and present adequate identification.
Mass Notification System
This Emergency Response Plan has been developed to provide a framework for the College to handle any campus-wide emergencies. An emergency is defined as any unplanned event that can cause significant injuries or death to students, employees or the public; or that can shut down or disrupt normal operations; cause physical or environmental damage or threaten the financial standing or public image of the institution.
Security Alert Notices
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences community members will be advised of security incidents that have occurred on or near the campus which may, in the opinion of the College, affect their safety. Particular methods of notification may include posted bulletins in campus buildings and residence halls, via E-Mail and/or text message via cell phone.