Safety & Well-Being on Campus

Marietta College Alcohol Policy [Excerpt]

The alcohol policy of Marietta College is in compliance with the laws of the State of Ohio, Washington County, and the city of Marietta. Students or groups who fail to comply with this policy will be subject to disciplinary

The alcohol policy of Marietta College is also based upon the recognition that:

• The majority of Marietta College students cannot legally consume alcohol;
• A number of students that are of legal age to consume or possess alcohol choose not to do so; and
• Alcohol abuse on college campuses across the nation (including Marietta College) can be problematic.

Given these facts, the College acknowledges the desire of those students who are of legal age to consume alcohol. In addition, the college must ensure that the social life of the campus does not revolve around an activity in which the majority of students cannot participate.

Philosophy Supporting the Policy

Marietta College is primarily a residential college, which results in a dynamic living community. This experience allows for a sense of community to be built among the students, faculty, and administration, and it helps to strengthen both the ties and the sense of belonging to the institution. As a result, students have a responsibility to develop to understand how their actions affect the lives and experiences of those other members of the community. Responsible and legal alcohol use is a part of that responsibility.

Marietta College recognizes that abuse of alcohol and other drugs is a problem on the nation's campuses. Alcohol abuse has a number of serious implications in the health, social development, and cognitive development of students, including lower GPAs and academic problems, financial difficulties, unwanted or unprotected sexual misconduct, injury as a result of intoxication, injury of another individual, damaged property, or death due to alcohol poisoning or a fatal injury. Alcohol is also known to be involved in chronic depression (Goral, 2004). Members of the College community who choose not to engage in alcohol are not immune to the effects of alcohol abuse. Students who are not engaging in alcohol use but are living in the residential environment and are surrounded by individuals who are abusing alcohol are more likely to suffer academically due to disrupted sleeping or studying patterns, be assaulted physically by someone who has been consuming alcohol, be sexually assaulted by someone who has consumed alcohol, have personal property damaged by an intoxicated individual, or be responsible for the repairs of College property that was damaged by an individual under the influence of alcohol (Goral, 2004)...

Download the complete Marietta College Alcohol Policy (PDF)

Hazing is against federal, state, and local laws. As members of the Marietta College Community, we collectively bear the duty of creating and upholding an inclusive atmosphere that values each individual's unique qualities and potential, fostering mutual respect among all members. Our achievements hinge on our capacity to collaborate in an environment built on trust and consideration for one another.

At Marietta College, it is important that all students, faculty, staff, and volunteers know that hazing is not tolerated.

Marietta College is committed to preventing hazing in all campus-sponsored activities. For further information, read our Anti-Hazing Policy. For bi-annual reporting on incidents of hazing at the College, please visit the Crime Statistics and Crime Rates page.

Safety

• Stay alert and tuned in to your surroundings.
• Always lock your car and your room and never leave personal property unattended. Many thefts occur when the victim is away for just a few minutes.
• Never give your keys or your student ID/keycard to anyone. A student ID permits anyone to enter your residential building at any time and to use your meal plans as he or she pleases.
• Try to travel in groups of two or more and stay in well-lighted, busy areas.
• At night, walk on the part of the sidewalk that is farthest away from shrubs, dark doorways and alleys.
• Avoid displaying large amounts of cash or other tempting targets such as jewelry or expensive clothing.
• Trust your instincts. If have a strange feeling that something's not right, change directions to a well -traveled, well-lit area and head toward a campus emergency phone, the College Police offices, or your dorm.
• Place valuables left in your car under your seat, in your trunk, or somewhere else out of sight.
• Before you enter your vehicle, take a look inside to make sure there's no one inside. And when you get into your vehicle, immediately lock your doors and turn on your headlights.
• Have your keys in your hand before you reach your vehicle or before you walk out of a building.
• If ever confronted by a "flasher," leave the area and contact College Police immediately. You will be asked several questions about the location and the subject's appearance (height, hair color, etc.), and it is important to relay the information to the best of your ability.
• Familiarize yourself with the location of campus emergency telephones. Call boxes have an orange or red button near the bottom of the faceplate that will autodial College Police. We can identify the source of the call and dispatch an officer to the scene.

Credit Card and ATM Tips

• Don't lend your card to anyone, even close friends.
• Select a unique PIN that can't be guessed and never give it to anyone for any reason.
• Be aware of your surroundings when using an ATM and enter your PIN in a way that your hand or body conceals the keypad.
• After completing your transaction, use discretion when counting your money.
• Always take your receipt.
• Report lost or stolen cards immediately to both the bank and to the local law enforcement agency. Although ATMs require passwords, stores often don't require a password for a card to be used.
• If you receive an application for a credit card that you do not want, be sure to tear it up before disposing of it-especially if it's a "pre-approved" application.
• Always use common sense when giving out your credit card information.

Internet

• Don't give out any personal information such as your phone number, home or college address, or your credit card information.
• Don't use your real name as your screen name.
• Don't set up a meeting with anyone you encounter over the Internet.
• If you do plan a phone conversation with someone you've met online, make sure that your telephone has the caller ID function blocked.
• If someone starts being rude or causing trouble in a chat room or via email, stay calm and cool about it. Do not try to irritate the person or cause trouble yourself. If you continue to have problems with someone over the Internet, especially if it's another Marietta College student, contact Campus Public Safety or Information Technology.
• Never give your passwords out for any reason. Internet service providers either have your password on file or don't care to know your password.
• Change your password frequently.

Winter Driving Tips

• Pack a winter survival kit, including a blanket, warm clothes, gloves, boots and an emergency flashlight. (Some people keep a flashlight in their car at all times.)
• Keep another driving kit in the trunk, including a snow shovel, an extra pair of gloves, a snow brush or ice scraper, a spare set of windshield wiper blades, and safety flares or reflective triangles. (If you carry flares, heed all safety warnings and check the flares at least once a month to ensure they aren't leaking.)
• Always try to keep at least a half tank of fuel in your car. This will minimize your chance of running out of fuel. Also, any water in your fuel or fuel line could freeze.
• Clear all ice and snow off of your windows, mirrors, headlights, taillights and license plates. Check your windshield wipers to see if they move freely and make full contact with the windshield.
• Drive in someone else's tire tracks for better traction, but move out of those tracks if you see ice.
• If you start to skid, turn in the direction of the skid and don't slam your brakes. If your car has an anti-lock braking system (ABS), keep your foot on the pedal. If not, pump the pedal gently, pumping more rapidly as your car slows down. Braking hard with non-anti-lock brakes will make the skid worse.
• Remember that bridges and overpasses freeze first. Intersections are also a potential hazard because traffic may pack down snow and turn it into ice.

In the event of a campus-wide emergency, students, faculty and staff will be notified about the nature of the emergency and what they should do via the following methods:

1. A broadcast message will be sent to all phone numbers on record (campus phone and cell phones)
2. An email alert will be sent directly to all individual email accounts
3. The Campus Announcements system will post up-to-the-minute details about any changes in the emergency
4. In some cases, the home page of the college website will be changed to publicize the emergency

Additionally, Marietta College offers safety and security education and awareness programs throughout the year. Information on these programs is distributed to the College community through campus announcements, flyers, bulletins, crime alerts, posters, brochures, the student news media, and employee newsletters. Programs include sexual assault awareness, alcohol abuse, personal safety, vehicle safety, fire safety, and preventing crime on campus.

A fire or emergency can strike quickly and without warning. For your safety, it is important for you to be prepared. Take the time to familiarize yourself with your building and the emergency equipment it contains.

• Prepare an escape plan
• Familiarize yourself with emergency equipment
• Know at least two ways out

In the Case of a Building Fire

Crawl if there is smoke
If you get caught in smoke, get down on the floor and crawl on your hands and knees. Cleaner, cooler air will be near the floor. Feel doors before opening Before opening any doors, feel the metal knob and the door itself. If it is hot, don't open the door. If it is cool, brace yourself against the door, open it slightly, and if heat or heavy smoke is present, do not enter and immediately close the door.

Go to the nearest exit or stairway
If the nearest building exit is blocked by fire, heat, or smoke, go to another exit. Do not use elevators. Elevator shafts may fill with smoke or the power may fail, leaving you trapped. Most elevators have features that deactivate the elevator during an alarm. Standing or waiting for an elevator wastes valuable time. Stairway fire doors will keep out fire and smoke-if they are closed-and will protect you until you get outside. Close as many doors as possible as you are exiting the building. This helps to confine the fire.

If You Are Trapped

Keep the doors closed
If you are trapped in a room, open the windows from the top to let out the heat and smoke and from the bottom to let in fresh air. If the windows only opens from the bottom, open the window and stay on the floor, away from the window. Seal cracks and vents if smoke enters the room.

Signal for help
Hang an object out the window (bed sheet, jacket, etc.) to attract attention. If there is a phone in the room, call College Police at 740.376.3333 and report you are trapped. Be sure to give your room number and location. Do not jump from the room. Any rescue attempts will be made by fire department personnel.

If You Are on Fire

Stop, drop, and roll wherever you are
Rolling smothers the fire.

Cool down burns
Use tap water on burns immediately. Do not use ointments, butter, or lard. If you are burned, call College Police 911 or (740) 376-3333 and we will dispatch an ambulance.

Upon discovering fire or smoke, remain calm. The following steps should be carried out in order, if it is safe to do so and time permits.

1. Close doors in the immediate area to confine the fire to as small an area as possible.
2. Report The Fire:
   Pull the handle in the automatic fire alarm box nearest the area of the fire.
   Dial Marietta College College Police at 9-1-1 or 740.376.3333.
   If the building is not equipped with a fire alarm system, notify as many persons in the building of the situation, if safe to do so.
3. Persons hearing, seeing, or otherwise being informed of an activated fire alarm, or an actual fire in the building they are in, shall immediately begin the orderly evacuation of the building using available escape routes.
4. Close the remaining doors. This is to reduce air movement to a minimum so the fire cannot spread rapidly.
5. Shut off fans, ventilating systems, oxygen systems, and non-essential electrical equipment.
6. Do not fight the fire unless you are properly trained and it is safe to do so.
7. Ensure that smoke barrier doors adjacent to your area are closed.
8. When leaving an area, lighting should be left in an "as is" position.
9. Do not use telephones unless the call relates to a fire situation or the location of non-ambulatory, physically disabled persons.
10. Do not attempt to use a building's elevators, as they should not function during a fire or fire alarm emergency. Elevators should only be used by the Fire Department, Department of College Police, or Physical Plant personnel.
11. In the event of an evacuation, all persons are responsible for their own personal property (e.g., briefcases, books, purses, etc.).
12. If time permits and there is no risk of personal injury, each faculty or staff person responsible for the activity in any room of the building has the duty to see that those rooms are completely evacuated and that doors are closed.
13. If time permits, persons responsible for any currency shall secure such currency in a locked container.
14. All persons having evacuated a building shall remain clear of and at a safe distance from the building.

During the course of an evacuation, no person shall enter or re-enter the evacuating building, except those directly related to the emergency response, unless in the company of College Police, or Fire Department personnel until the "all clear" is given by the ranking officer of College Police or the Fire Department.

Regardless of the cause, the activation of a building's fire alarm system is an order to initiate the immediate and orderly evacuation of that building. Ignoring an activated fire alarm could result in court citation or disciplinary procedures. The Department of College Police will take appropriate action, whether legal or administrative, to enforce this provision.

Guidelines for Electrical Outlet Usage

• Use strips/protectors that have a built-in circuit breaker. These units should trip the breaker, if the strip becomes overloaded, or if there is a surge in electricity.
• Do not plug another strip/protector into an existing strip/protector (piggybacking).
• The strip/protector must be UL (Underwriter Laboratory) approved.
• There shall not be more than one strip/protector plugged into a dual electrical outlet.
• UL-approved strip/protectors can be purchased at any major department or hardware store.
• Replace strip/protectors that do not have a built-in breaker, if there are any frayed wires, or if the unit is not otherwise working properly.
• The use of extension cords is discouraged and should only be used temporarily.
• Replace worn or frayed extension cords and discard them. Do not run extension cords under carpets and tiles.
• Whenever possible, unplug extension cords when they are not in use.

Dormitory Fire Drills

A fire drill is conducted in each residence hall at the start of the Fall and Spring semesters.

Coping

• Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers
• Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit
• If you are in an office, stay there and secure the door
• Attempt to take the active shooter down as a last resort 

Profile

An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area, typically through the use of firearms.

Characteristics

• Victims are selected at random
• The event is unpredictable and evolves quickly
• Law Enforcement is usually required to end an active shooter situation

How to Respond

When an Active Shooter is in Your Vicinity

1. Run
   • Have an escape route and plan in mind
   • Leave your belongings behind
   • Keep your hands visible
2. Hide
   • Hide in an area out of the shooter’s view
   • Block entry to your hiding place and lock the doors
   • Silence your cell phone and/or pager
3. Fight
   • As a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger
   • Attempt to incapacitate the shooter
   • Act with physical aggression and throw items at the active shooter

When Law Enforcement Arrives

• Remain calm and follow instructions
• Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets)
• Raise hands and spread fingers
• Keep hands visible at all times
• Avoid quick movements toward officers such as holding on to them for safety
• Avoid pointing, screaming or yelling
• Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating

Info You Should Provide 911

• Location of the active shooter
• Number of shooters
• Physical description of shooters
• Number and type of weapons held by shooters
• Number of potential victims at the location

Marietta College uses the Pioneer Alert Network to quickly contact you during a major crisis or emergency. Pioneer Alert delivers important emergency alerts, notifications and updates to all the devices you choose to register:

• cell phone (via SMS/texting)
• email account (work, home, other)
• smartphone/PDA (BlackBerry, Treo & and other handhelds)
• pager
• wall radios mounted in buildings around campus

You Must Register to Receive Pioneer Alerts

Enter Your Contact Info Here to Register for Pioneer Alert

When an incident or emergency occurs, authorized senders will notify you using Pioneer Alert. Pioneer Alert is your connection to real-time updates, instructions on where to go, what to do, or what not to do, as well as instructions on where to find more detailed information.

Marietta College will also use the Campus Announcements system to post up-to-the-minute details about any changes in the emergency. In some cases, the home page of the college website will be changed to publicize the emergency.

Additionally, Marietta College offers safety and security education and awareness programs throughout the year. Information on these programs is distributed to the College community through campus announcements, flyers, bulletins, crime alerts, posters, brochures, the student news media, and employee newsletters. Programs include sexual assault awareness, alcohol abuse, personal safety, vehicle safety, fire safety, and preventing crime on campus.

If you have an emergency, dial ext. 3333 from any campus phone. Emergency call boxes are located across campus.

Pioneer Alert Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pioneer Alert?

Pioneer Alert is Marietta College’s emergency alert system, which is an online software application used to send emergency alerts, notifications and updates to your cell phone, pager, BlackBerry, PDA and/or e-mail account, as well as to the wall-mounted radios around campus. In the event of an emergency, such as a fire or September 11th- type attack, Marietta College will be able to send important alerts and updates right to your cell phone or mobile device.

How do I Register for Pioneer Alert?

Students, Faculty and College Employees can register for Pioneer Alert by logging in to the MyMarietta Portal, clicking the "User Account" link in the Web Advisor section (left side of the Portal Landing page, under the Calendar) and then clicking the "Emergency Information" link. You will be taken to a page where you can enter your contact information. Once you have finished entering your contact information, click "submit" at the bottom of the page. You will automatically be registered for Pioneer Alert after submitting your information. To register now, Click Here. (You will be taken to the registration page after logging in.)

What is a Pioneer Alert Account

Each person may sign up for a Pioneer Alert account. You can add multiple devices (cell phones, pagers, PDAs) to a Pioneer Alert account. Alerts can be sent to all devices listed in your Pioneer Alert account.

How does Pioneer Alert work?

In an emergency situation an alert will be sent by one of Marietta College’s Pioneer Alert administrators and you will receive several text messages on your cell phone or mobile device. Read these messages promptly and follow the instructions. Additional instructions may follow throughout the emergency situation so keep your phone near you. Even if the cell phones are busy, the messages should still come through to your phone. If you do not enter a phone/device number in the "Text Message" field when registering, you will not receive text messages. Your phone/device will receive an audio alert instead.

Who sends out alerts?

Marietta College has designated several people to send out alerts. These alerts may go out to everyone or selected groups of individuals, depending on the type of alert.

What types of alerts will be sent?

Alert types may include life safety, fire, weather, accidents involving utilities or roadways, team activation notifications, or disaster notification such as a terrorist attack. A few examples of the types of messages that can be sent through Pioneer Alert are:

Emergency Situations:

• Marietta College will notify you of the location of the nearest emergency shelter, available bed space, and hours of operation during a crisis;
• Marietta College will notify you of available evacuation routes during an emergency;
• Marietta College will activate special teams within the community, based upon an event

Precautionary Warnings:

• Severe weather warnings (floods, snow storms, etc.)
• Change in the Homeland Security Advisory System terror alert level
• Precautionary evacuation order if on high alert

Will my cell phone work?

Pioneer Alert uses the text messaging (SMS network) feature of your cell phone to deliver alerts. 

What is text messaging and how do I sign up for it?

Text messages are short messages sent to your phone, similar to receiving a page. Each message contains between 100 and 140 characters, or about 10 words, depending upon your carrier. An example of a text message is the notification you receive on your phone when you have new voicemail. Many carriers activate the service automatically. You should check with your carrier to make sure your text messaging is active.

How many devices/e-mail addresses can I add to my account?

Your campus phone number (if you have one) and your campus e-mail are automatically included. You may have an additional three phone numbers, one text device, one e-mail address (that’s not your College address) and an emergency contact person and phone number for Pioneer Alert.

Although many students go home, work or stay on campus, others travel to destinations such as Cancun, Mexico, Gatlinburg, Tenn., or Panama City, Fla.

Such trips frequently involve the combination of large crowds and alcohol, it is particularly important for students to be aware of their own safety and the safety of their friends.

Safety tips to consider

• Travel with a reputable travel agency.
• Know what kind of transportation, housing, and food and beverages are included in your travel package.
• If you don't know anything about the travel agency call the State Consumer Protection Division to find out if there are any complaints against the agency.

If you plan on drinking as part of your spring break experience, consider the following:

• Know the alcohol laws at your destination. Ask your travel agent for information on age of consumption and local laws regarding alcohol use. Some areas will ticket for open intoxicants, while others may have stiff penalties for public inebriation.
• Plan ahead on how much you plan to drink. Talk with a friend about when the friend should intervene and make a plan for how you will return to your hotel. Stay with someone who knows you when you are drinking—don't wander off alone. Make sure someone in your group is not drinking or is drinking responsibly so they can get everyone home safely.
• Don't assume that someone you've just met will look out for your best interests. Keep in mind that more people are sexually assaulted by acquaintances than by strangers.
• Only accept drinks from a licensed bartender or drinks that you pour yourself. You put yourself at risk for receiving an altered beverage if you don't know the source of the drink.
• If a friend feels sick, don't leave them alone. If you feel sick, ask someone to look out for you.
• If a member of your group passes out, turn them on their side to prevent choking and call 911 immediately.
• Don't horseplay or climb on balconies. Never sit on railings and always keep both feet on the floor at all times. Falls from balconies, even those on lower floors, can be fatal.
• Don't carry all of your credit or bank cards in your wallet or purse. Carry the minimum amount of cash that you will need, including a little backup. Traveler's checks are your best bet when on vacation. If you have extra cash, put it in the hotel safe.
• Make sure your friends and relatives know where you will be vacationing, when you will depart, and when you expect to return. Call friends or family members to let them know that you have arrived and returned safely.
• If you are robbed, don't resist—give up any money, jewelry, or other valuables. You can always replace material things. Call 911 as soon as you can.

International Travel

All travelers must show proof of identity and citizenship when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and other countries of the Caribbean by land or sea. Acceptable documents include a U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, trusted traveler card or enhanced driver’s license. (U.S. citizens who do not have a single document verifying identity and citizenship must present both an identification and citizenship document; for example, a driver’s license and either a copy of a birth certificate or a naturalization certificate.) The U.S. Department of State’s Web site (http://travel.state.gov/) is an excellent source of information for those traveling abroad.

Road Trip Advice

Students who are traveling by car are reminded that driving while tired is as dangerous as driving intoxicated. Activity breaks can help the driver stay alert. It is helpful to take turns at the wheel to prevent fatigue. If possible, stay on well-traveled roads where it is easier to get assistance when needed.

Whether traveling within the states or abroad, students are urged to notify someone at home of their travel plans, and to check in daily to confirm that your trip is progressing smoothly.