Campus Security Policies and Procedures

How to report a crime
View reported incidents for current semester

See also: U.S. Dept of Education Office of  Postsecondary Education Campus Security Statistics Website

Blue Ridge Community College is committed to providing an environment conducive to teaching, learning and working. The cooperation and involvement of all members of the College community are necessary for a successful safety and security program. Students and College personnel can assume responsibility for their own personal safety and the security of their personal belongings by taking a few simple precautions. Park cars in assigned areas and keep vehicles locked; lock valuables in the trunk. Leave personal valuables at home or monitor such belongings carefully at all times while on campus. Report suspicious-looking individuals to the Division Office (D100) between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or to the security officer in the C building lobby between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. and on weekends and holidays. If you are uncomfortable walking to your car at night, the security officer on duty will escort you.

College facilities are normally in use days and evenings six days per week (Monday through Saturday). The College contracts with a licensed security agency for surveillance of buildings, equipment and grounds to provide protection against breeches of the peace or other disruptive activities as well as damage, vandalism and loss from theft. This service is provided by uniformed, unarmed guards who are on duty 24 hours per day. At 10:00 p.m. security personnel are authorized to secure exit doors in all buildings. Also, most outdoor and parking lot lighting is extinguished (by automatic timer) at approximately that time.

Exit lights, fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems and panic hardware are all inspected monthly and kept in good repair. Evacuation plans are posted in all rooms and evacuation drills are conducted regularly. Outside lighting is inspected frequently. The grounds are maintained on a regular basis; shrubbery and lawn areas are inspected with safety considerations in mind.

Security personnel maintain a log of all visitors to campus during hours in which the College is officially closed; this log is also used to record any malfunctions of lighting and other equipment, incidences of suspicious behavior and other information that should be communicated to College personnel. The security pager number is (540) 453-2370 and the security cell phone number is 430-4564. These logs are reviewed by the Director of Business and Facilities Services each morning and any problems noted are scheduled for correction.

The College reserves the right to exclude persons exhibiting disruptive or inappropriate behavior from the campus. In situations where someone who has been asked to leave by College officials or security personnel refuses to do so, the Augusta County Sheriff will be asked to assist.

Crimes of an emergency nature are to be reported to the College switchboard operator or the security officer on duty by dialing "0" or (540)564-8915 and providing the person with a description of what has occurred. The switchboard operator or security officer will contact local law enforcement personnel, the Director of Business and Facilities Services, the President or his designee, and, if appropriate, the rescue squad.

Fire and other emergencies can be reported directly to local emergency personnel by dialing 9-911 from campus telephones. The pay telephones located in the corridor between E and F Buildings and in the lobby of the first floor of G Building may also be used for this purpose. If you are using a pay phone, dial 911; no coins are needed.

Incidences of theft should be reported directly to the Director of Business and Facilities Services.

If a crime is reported that is considered to be a threat to other students and to employees, the President or his designee will report information about that crime to the campus community. The College will use readily available means of communication such as announcements to be read to each class and the BRCC Weekly student newsletter. In the event that a crime occurs that presents imminent danger, law enforcement personnel will be contacted and, if appropriate, the President or designee will direct that the premises be evacuated using evacuation procedures already in place.

Campus Crime Statistics

Blue Ridge Community College has been extremely fortunate in having few incidents requiring the expertise of our security personnel. The Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 requires that the College collect and report statistics on the incidence of murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and motor vehicle theft. We are pleased to report that there has been no criminal activity in any of these categories during the past year at Blue Ridge facilities. "No serious crimes" at BRCC should not be interpreted as "no crime at BRCC".  All reported incidents, even those of a minor nature, are reported to the office of the Associate Vice President for Business and Facilities. Capsules of those incident reports can be viewed at http://www.brcc.edu/Student/right/incident.htm  These situations are pointed out in the hopes of reinforcing the need to follow the simple Campus Security Procedures outlined above. Substance Abuse Policy Blue Ridge Community College is committed to protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens it serves by assuring that a drug-free workplace is maintained and that College employees and students perform their duties unimpaired by the effects of drugs or alcohol.

Policy: The unlawful possession, use, or distribution of controlled substances and alcohol on College premises or as a part of any of the College's activities, by student and employees, is prohibited. College employees and students are to perform their assigned duties unimpaired by the effects of drugs or alcohol. Employees of the College are covered by the Virginia Department of Personnel and Training Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy (No. 1.02), issued July 1, 1991, which is pursuant to the authority provided in Title 2.1, Chapter 10, of the Code of Virginia. The objective of this statewide policy is to establish and maintain a work environment free from the adverse effects of alcohol and other drugs.

Legal Sanctions: The Virginia Department of Personnel and Training Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy (No. 1.02) issued July 1, 1991, is pursuant to the authority provided in Title 2.1, Chapter 10, of the Code of Virginia. The objective of this statewide policy is to establish and maintain a work environment free from the adverse effects of alcohol and other drugs. It is believed that the productivity of the Commonwealth's work force could be undermined by the effects of alcohol and other drugs in the workplace and create a serious threat to the welfare of fellow employees and to Virginia's citizens. The policy addresses alcohol and other drug problems in the public work force. Each of the following acts by state employees is prohibited under this policy:

  1. The unlawful or unauthorized manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of alcohol or other drugs in the workplace;
  2. The impairment in the workplace from the use of alcohol or other drugs (except the use of drugs for legitimate medical purposes);
  3. Acts which result in the criminal conviction for a:
    1.  violation of any criminal drug law, based upon conduct occurring either on or off the workplace, or
    2. violation of any alcoholic beverage control law, or law which governs driving while intoxicated, based upon conduct occurring in the workplace
  4. The failure to report to their supervisors that they have been convicted of any offense (as defined in #3. above) within five calendar days of the conviction.

The workplace consists of any state owned or leased property or any site where official duties are being performed by state employees.

Alcohol

Virginia's Alcohol Beverage Control Act contains a variety of laws governing the possession, use, and consumption of alcoholic beverages. The Act applies to the students and employees of this institution. Virginia statutes, including sanctions for their violation, are summarized below.

  1. It is unlawful for any person under age 21 to purchase or possess any alcoholic beverage. Violation of the law exposes the violator to a misdemeanor conviction for which the punishment is confinement in jail for up to 12 months and a fine up to $2,500, either or both. Additionally, such person's Virginia driver's license may be suspended for a period of not more than one year.
  2. It is unlawful for any person to sell alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21 years of age. Violation of the law exposes the violator to a misdemeanor conviction for which the punishment is confinement in jail for up to 12 months and a fine up to $2,500, either or both.
  3.  It shall be unlawful for any person to consume an alcoholic beverage while driving a motor vehicle upon a public highway of this Commonwealth. A violation of this section can result in a fine of $250.
  4. It is unlawful for any person to purchase alcoholic beverages for another when, at the time of the purchase, he knows or has reason to know that the person for whom the alcohol is purchased is under the legal drinking age. The criminal sanction for violation of the law is the same as #2 above.
  5. It is unlawful for any person to consume alcoholic beverages in unlicensed public places. Persons violating the law, upon conviction, exposes the violator to a misdemeanor conviction for which the punishment is a fine up to $250.

Controlled Substances and Illegal Drugs

The unlawful possession, distribution, and use of controlled substances and illicit drugs, as defined by the Virginia Drug Control Act, are prohibited in Virginia. Controlled substances are classified under the Act into "Schedules," ranging from Schedule I through Schedule VI, as defined in sections 54.1-3446 through 54.1-3456 of the Code of Virginia, as amended. Penalties for violation of the schedules are covered in 18.2-248 ¤¤ and may involve fines of not more than one million and imprisonment for life. Virginia statutes, including sanctions for their violation, are summarized below.

  1. Possession of a controlled substance classified in Schedules I or II of the Drug Control Act, upon conviction, exposes the violator to a felony conviction for which the punishment is a term of imprisonment of ranging from one to 10 years, or in the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for up to 12 months and a fine up to $2,500, either or both.
  2. Possession of a controlled substance classified in Schedule III of the Drug Control Act, upon conviction, exposes the violator to a misdemeanor conviction for which the punishment is confinement in jail for up to 12 months and a fine up to $2,500, either or both.
  3. Possession of a controlled substance classified in Schedule IV of the Drug Control Act, upon conviction, exposes the violator to a misdemeanor conviction for which the punishment is confinement in jail for up to six months and a fine up to $1,000, either or both.
  4. Possession of a controlled substance classified in Schedule V of the Drug Control Act, upon conviction, exposes the violator to a misdemeanor conviction for which the punishment is a fine up to $500.
  5. Possession of a controlled substance classified in Schedule VI of the Drug Control Act, upon conviction, exposes the violator to a misdemeanor conviction for which the punishment is a fine up to $250.
  6. Possession of a controlled substance classified in Schedule I or II of the Drug Control Act with the intent to sell or otherwise distribute, upon conviction, exposes the violator to a felony conviction for which the punishment is imprisonment from five to 40 years and a fine up to $100,000. Upon a second conviction, the violator must be imprisoned for not less that five years but may suffer life imprisonment, and be fined up to $100,000.
  7. Possession of a controlled substance classified in Schedules III, IV, or V of the Drug Control Act with the intent to sell or otherwise distribute, upon conviction, exposes the violator to a misdemeanor conviction for which the punishment is confinement in jail for up to one year and a fine up to $2,500, either or both.
  8. Possession of marijuana, upon conviction, exposes the violator to a misdemeanor conviction for which the punishment is confinement in jail for up to 30 days and a fine up to $500, either or both. Upon a second conviction, punishment is confinement in jail for up to one year and a fine up to $2,500, either or both.
  9. Possession of less than one-half ounce of marijuana with the intent to sell or otherwise distribute, upon conviction, exposes the violator to a misdemeanor conviction for which the punishment is confinement in jail for up to one year and a fine up to $2,500, either or both. If the amount of marijuana involved is more than one-half ounce to five pounds, the crime is a felony with a sanction of imprisonment from one to 10 years, or in the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for up to one year and a fine up to $2,500, either or both. If the amount of marijuana involved is more than five pounds, the crime is a felony with a sanction of imprisonment from five to thirty years.

Local Laws

Blue Ridge Community College serves the counties of Augusta, Rockingham and Highland, as well as the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton and Waynesboro.

Augusta, Rockingham and Highland counties, and the city of Harrisonburg have all adopted state and federal codes relative to the unlawful possession or distribution of a controlled substance. There are no special ordinances in those three counties or the city of Harrisonburg for substance abuse.

The City of Staunton has one ordinance that relates to taking or offering a drink in public. "It shall be unlawful for any person to take a drink of alcoholic beverages or to offer or tender a drink of alcoholic beverages to another whether accepted or not, at or in any public place in the city. For purposes of this section of the Staunton Code, the terms 'alcoholic beverages' and 'public place' shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Section 4-2 of the Code of Virginia. This section shall not apply to drinking alcoholic beverages or offering a drink thereof where the same is permitted by section 4-78(b) of the Code of Virginia."

Disciplinary Sanctions

The College will ensure that disciplinary actions taken as a result of a violation of this policy are consistent, fairly applied, and not unduly harsh or punitive and are based on the severity and nature of the violation. Federal Trafficking Penalties (102kb)

Health Risk

Health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol are many, and include disequilibrium/impaired judgement leading to safety risks, heart disease, cancer (e.g., of the stomach), birth defects, liver disease, and immunosuppression. Community Resources for Counseling, Rehabilitation and Substance Abuse Prevention Many agencies in the Blue Ridge Community College service area offer support and resources for individuals and families struggling with substance abuse and alcohol related problems. Please refer to the Student Handbook for a comprehensive listing of many of these agencies.