College Resources

To be successful in college, students need to be fully informed and make wise decisions about enrolling in appropriate courses, following college policies, and accessing additional resources. Always remember that MCC wants you to succeed. If you have any questions or are experiencing difficulties, there are college resources available to help you find answers or assistance. This is true of both academic and personal issues that could potentially disrupt your college experience. Never hesitate to ask for help.

The College Catalog and Student Handbook has already been mentioned as a great source of many kinds of information. You should know where to find it online and the kinds of information it contains.

The College’s website is the second place to look for help. Students are often surprised to see how much information is available online, including information about college programs, offices, special assistance initiatives, and helpful information such as suggestions for study, personal health, financial help, and other resources. Take some time to explore MCC’s website and learn what is available so you’re prepared for any issues that may arise in the future.

The following are some of the resources at Monroe Community College:

• Academic Advisement: This office helps students choose courses each semester based on their programs or degrees.
• Bookstore:  In addition to required textbooks, the bookstores sell paperbacks and magazines, calculators, school and stationery supplies, software, sportswear, candy, greeting cards, and other items.
• Campus Center Services Desk: Offers services such as check cashing, locker rentals, and printing tickets to college-wide events.
• Career Services: This center can help you find a student job or internship, plan for your career after graduation, and receive career counseling.
• Child Care Center: The Richard M. Guon Child Care Center believes that children’s healthy physical, emotional, and cognitive development is supported through a partnership with families, The Center is committed to affirming strong attachments between children, families, and caregivers.
• Counseling Center: The Counseling Center staff are dedicated to providing a professional and confidential setting for the physiological, emotional, and developmental support of students as they pursue academic goals and explore personal growth and development.
• C.O.V.E: The Center for Outreach and Volunteer Engagement (COVE) serves as the first point of contact for students interested in becoming involved in community outreach, civic engagement, and volunteer programming.
• CSTEP (The Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program) is an academic support services program aimed at increasing the number of students from under-represented groups who are pursuing professional licensure /careers in Science Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), and health-related fields.
• Disability Services: Disability Services staff are dedicated to providing accommodations and equal access for students on an individual basis.
• Electronic Learning Center:  Students can access computers and printers in a centralized location.
• EOP (Educational Opportunity Program) is for NYS residents who are academically and economically disadvantaged.  Available to primarily full-time matriculated students, the program supports students throughout their college career with services such as a summer program, counseling, and tutoring. Priority is given to students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Financial Aid Office: If you are presently receiving financial aid or may qualify for assistance, you should know this office well.
• First-Year Experience: A student-based organization focused on welcoming and supporting students as they pursue their educational goals at MCC,
• Fitness Center: Students, faculty, and staff have access to weights and exercise equipment.
• Global Education and International Students (GEIS): This office promotes cultural awareness on campus, runs special programs, and assists international students with adjusting to campus culture.
• Learning Commons: The Learning Commons (LC) provides MCC students with access to the library, tutoring, and technology services in a central location.
• Lost and Found: If you lose property on campus, go to the lost and found office or call (595) 292 -2900. If you find unattended property, turn it in to the office or call the Dispatcher at 292-2912 so an officer can pick up the property from you. Always put your name inside your books, folders, calculators, and other belongings so that our office can contact you should you misplace your property. If you think your property has been stolen, report it immediately by calling the Public Safety Dispatcher at 292-2912 so an officer can take a report.
• MCC Libraries, the LeRoy V. Good (LVG) Library and DC Library:  The library’s highest priority is student success.
• Photo ID:  The Monroe Community College Photo ID is available to any registered student, as well as current faculty and staff. They can be ordered by emailing the MCC Photo ID office.
• Residence Halls: The office of campus residential housing is located at West Canal Hall, 1st floor.
• Student Account Office: Students make tuition and fee payments at this office.
• Student Health Services:  Clinical services are delivered through appointments daily. You may also drop in to have registered nurses assess and evaluate health care concerns and provide basic first aid for injuries and illness.
• Student Clubs and Organizations: Participating in a group of like-minded students often supports academic success.
• Tutoring and Academic Assistance Center (TAAC): Free tutoring is available for all classes offered at MCC.
• Veteran Services: This center helps veterans navigate through traditional college processes and provide them with a comprehensive overview of VA educational benefits.
• Your instructors: It never hurts to ask an instructor if he or she knows of any additional college resources you haven’t yet discovered. There may be a brand new program on campus, or a certain department may offer a service not widely promoted through the college website.

Remember that all the resources at MCC were designed with your success as a student in mind. They were created for you, so don’t hesitate to use them. If you’re not sure where to find the help you need, talk to your COS instructor, an instructor in one of your other classes, or a staff member at any resource location.

Student Life

Becoming fully involved in student life can positively impact student satisfaction and academic success. According to the National Survey of Student Engagement, student success is directly linked to student involvement in the institution. In fact, survey results show that the higher the level of student involvement is, the higher student grades are and the more likely students are to re-enroll the next semester.

The Office of Student Life and Leadership Development, located on the Brighton Campus in 3-126, is the hub for getting involved around campus and in the community. They offer opportunities for enhancing leadership with a LEAD certificate, becoming involved with clubs and organizations, and volunteering at the COVE (Center for Outreach and Volunteer Engagement).

Some of the many benefits and rewards that result from active participation in campus and student life include tapping your personal interests, gathering a portfolio of experience, growing social connections, expanding your awareness of diversity, growing self-esteem, and experiencing fun activities and good feelings.

All in all, being involved in the campus community is vital to every student, and it’s vital to the college, too. It’s a symbiotic relationship that serves everyone well.

The key to getting the most out of college is to take advantage of as many facets of student life as possible while still keeping up with your academic commitments. What may be less obvious is the fact that focusing exclusively on your academic work and not getting involved in any of the rich and diverse co-curricular activities on campus can come at a real price and even hamper your success. Being the most well-rounded student you can be will enhance your present circumstances and lead to future opportunities.

Title IX

Title IX is a federal law that states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal assistance.”

• MCC must respond promptly and effectively to reports of sexual harassment, including sexual violence, which creates a hostile environment.
• In addition, Enough is Enough is a New York State Law that requires all colleges to adopt a set of comprehensive procedures and guidelines, including a uniform definition of affirmative consent, a statewide amnesty policy, and expanded access to law enforcement.

These Laws are Important

Monroe Community College is committed to creating and maintaining an educational environment free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual misconduct.

• You can find the definitions of sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking starting on page 16 of MCC’s Code of Conduct. Here is a link to the Code of Conduct.

It is the collective responsibility of all members of the MCC community to foster a safe and secure campus environment.                                                                              –MCC Student Handbook

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is a special term referring to persistent, unwanted sexual behaviors or advances. Sexual harassment may begin with words but progress to unwanted touching and potentially even rape. The following list is to Title IX Policies for Individuals Reporting Sexual Harassment and Misconduct.

• Title IX Policies for Individuals Reporting Sexual Harassment and Misconduct

Many types of harassment are illegal. In the workplace, a supervisor who tells off-color sexual jokes around an employee of the opposite gender may be guilty of sexual harassment. Students who deliberately malign members of another race may be guilty of committing a hate crime. Physically tormenting another student in a hazing may be judged as committing assault and battery. Any discrimination in the workplace based on race, religion, age, sex, and so on is illegal.

Examples of Sexual Harassment

• Unwelcome physical contact
• Continued expression of sexual interest after being informed that the interest is unwelcome
• Requests for sexual favors
• Persistent requests for a date
• Telephone calls, emails, or other communication that are unwelcome
• Posters, photos, cartoons, or graffiti that are demeaning or offensive
• Sexual language and/or jokes of a sexual nature
• Unwelcome visual contact, such as leering or staring at another person
• Comments or statements that are demeaning, humiliating, suggestive, insulting, vulgar, crude, or lewd
• Sexual gestures
• Following or stalking
• Taking pictures that are sexual in nature
• Preferential treatment or promise of preferential treatment for submitting to sexual conduct

Harassment of any type, at any time, of any person, is wrong and unacceptable. You will know it if you are harassed, and you should know also that it is your basic right to be free of harassment. Monroe Community College has strict policies against all forms of harassment. Here’s what you should do if you are being harassed:

1. Tell the person to stop the behavior, or if you feel at any risk of harm, get out of the situation immediately.
2. Document the incident, particularly with ongoing harassment. Keep notes of the details. Tell someone you trust about the situation.
3. Report the harassment to the appropriate college authority. If you are unsure where to go, first go to Public Safety.

What College Students Need to Know about Affirmative Consent

• When participating in any sort of sexual activity, it is important to understand affirmative consent. Affirmative consent means it is the job of the individual initiating a sexual act to obtain consent before moving forward with any sexual act.
• It is important to know that if an individual is incapacitated they cannot consent to a sexual act. It is the job of the individual initiating the act to determine if the other individual is incapacitated.
• The following chart can help you understand the definition of affirmative consent:

If You Feel You Have Experienced Sexual Harassment or Sexual Misconduct

You have the right to make a report to Public Safety, local law enforcement, and/or State Police or choose not to report; to report the incident to your institution; to be protected by the institution from retaliation for reporting an incident, and to receive assistance and resources from your institution.

Monroe Community College offices and employees who cannot guarantee confidentiality will maintain your privacy to the greatest extent possible. The information you provide to a non-confidential resource will be relayed only as necessary to investigate and/or seek a resolution and to notify the Title IX Coordinator.

For example, If you disclose an incident to a Monroe Community College employee who is responsible for responding to or reporting sexual violence or sexual harassment, but you wish to maintain confidentiality or do not consent to the College’s request to initiate an investigation, the Title IX Coordinator must weigh your request against the College’s obligation to provide a safe, non-discriminatory environment for all members of the community, including you.

What Happens After You Report Sexual Harassment or Sexual Misconduct?

• The report will go to the Title IX office and a decision will be made about whether an investigation should proceed. Your input is important.
• Resources are available to all those involved regardless of whether an investigation is opened.
• If it is necessary to open a Title IX investigation, the involved parties will be invited to participate. Participation is not required; it is your choice.
• If the investigation reveals a potential college policy violation, the completed investigation report will be referred to the appropriate office for the next steps.

Is there a difference between a Title IX investigation by the college and a criminal investigation by law enforcement?

• YES! The purpose of the college investigation is to determine if there is a violation of college policy. The purpose of a criminal investigation is to determine if there is a violation of criminal law.

What if a friend discloses to me that they have experienced sexual harassment or sexual misconduct?

Some things you can say to a friend who comes to you with a disclosure:

• “Thank you for telling me”
• “It was not your fault”
• “I believe what you’re telling me”
• “I’m so sorry that happened to you”

What if the person who experienced sexual misconduct was using drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident?

• Monroe Community College recognizes that students who have been drinking and/or using drugs (whether such use is voluntary or involuntary) at the time that domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault occurs, may be hesitant to report such incidents due to fear of potential consequences for their own conduct.
• The College strongly encourages students to report incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault to institution officials.
• A bystander acting in good faith or a person who experiences sexual misconduct that discloses any incident of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault to Monroe Community College officials or law enforcement will not be subject to Monroe Community College’s code of conduct action for violations of alcohol and/or drug use policies occurring at or near the time of the incident.

Bystander Intervention

Bystander Intervention is a philosophy and strategy for the prevention of various types of violence, including bullying, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence.

The only person responsible for committing sexual or intimate partner violence is a perpetrator, but all of us have the ability to look out for each other’s safety. A bystander is a person who is present when an event takes place but isn’t directly involved. You may have heard the term “bystander intervention” to describe a situation where someone who isn’t directly involved steps in to change the outcome. Look for bystander intervention information and workshops throughout the semester to learn how you can help make MCC a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment.

Safety Consciousness on Campus and in College

College campuses are subject to the same influences and crimes as the towns and cities that surround them, so it is always important to be aware of your surroundings, the people near you, and the goings on in your physical and virtual spaces at all times. Safety consciousness is a term describing your awareness of hazards and your alertness to potential danger. In order to have safety consciousness, you must value safety no matter where you are or what time of day it is.

In 1990, Congress enacted the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act, which required all schools that receive federal student aid to share information about crime on and around their campuses. The act is now generally just referred to as the Clery Act, in memory of Jeanne Clery, a student killed in her dorm room in 1986.

Because MCC receives federal student aid, here are the major legal requirements it must comply with:

• Have emergency notification and evacuation procedures for alerting the campus community about significant emergencies or dangerous situations. Disclose policies and procedures in the annual security report.
• Issue timely warnings to alert the campus community about crimes that pose a serious or continuing threat to safety.
• Keep a crime log that records, by date reported, all crimes reported to the campus police or security department.
• Keep a fire log that records by date reported, all fires in on-campus student housing facilities.
• Collect crime reports from campus security authorities within the institution.
• Request crime statistics from local law enforcement in the jurisdiction where the institution is located.
• Submit crime and fire statistics to the Department of Education via a web-based data collection.
• Have missing-student notification procedures to aid in determining if a student is missing and in notifying law enforcement personnel. Disclose these policies and procedures in the annual security report.
• Publish an annual security report containing campus security policy disclosures and crime statistics for the previous three years.
• Publish an annual fire-safety report containing policy disclosures and fire statistics for on-campus student housing facilities for the previous three years.

This valuable set of requirements is important for every student to be aware of. It is readily available to you and your family. You don’t need to be a student to access this information about any school.  For more information, check out MCC’s Public Safety page.

You don’t need to know the whole alphabet of safety. The a, b, c of it will save you if you follow it: Always Be Careful. —Colorado School of Mines Magazine, Golden, Colorado, August 1918

Strategies for Staying Safe on Campus and Beyond

One of the best strategies for staying safe on campus and beyond is to ask questions. Take the initiative to learn more about your college surroundings, the community culture, and safety precautions you’d be well advised to implement.^[1] Below are some questions you can ask to open up important conversations about campus and community safety:

Tips for Staying Safe

Walking, driving, traveling:

• Travel with a buddy.
• Use the campus escort service at night, especially if you are alone.
• If you live off-campus, call someone when you get home.
• Keep moving; don’t linger (especially at night).
• Carry pepper spray or pepper gel.
• Keep a personal alarm (for example, on a keychain).
• If you have a car, lock it.

At home:

• Keep your windows and doors locked.
• Keep the main door to your home, hall, or apartment building locked at all times.
• Don’t let anyone into your dwelling that you don’t know.

On campus:

• Keep a close eye on your belongings when you’re in a library.
• Get a locking device for your laptop.
• Participate in a college safety program.
• Be cautious, not paranoid.

Anywhere:

• Make sure your phone is charged.
• Know the phone number for Campus Safety.
• Put emergency numbers in your cell phone.
• Carry emergency cash.
• Speak up if you notice something going on.

For a truly comprehensive list of tips for staying safe on and off-campus, visit Campus Crime Prevention Personal Safety Tips from Fort Hayes State University.

Also, don’t hesitate to take advantage of campus and community resources, which may include any of the following:

• Websites, offices, organizations, and individuals with safety information
• Campus police and campus security
• Local police
• Sexual assault and relationship violence services
• Shuttle services
• Escort services
• Counseling programs
• Mental health programs
• Substance abuse programs
• Local health care centers
• Campus abuse hotlines

Safety Apps

One of the very best safety measures you can take at any time is to keep emergency numbers handy, either on your phone or in your wallet or backpack or a place where you can easily access them. You may also find it helpful to have a safety app on your mobile device. Consider downloading any of the following free apps:

MOBILE DEVICE SAFETY APPLICATIONS
	bSafe is a personal safety app designed to keep you and your friends safer 24/7. It has features for everyday safety and real emergencies. You can set up your own personal social safety network.
	OnWatchOnCampus: With just 2 taps, your friends and emergency first responders are alerted to your GPS location and that you need help.
	React Mobile: Users can quickly send out a widespread emergency alert without having to access and unlock their phone. You choose which contacts you would like to share your location with. Then your contact list can be sent an email and a text message with a link to your GPS location. You can also send an “SOS Help Me” message to an unlimited number of buddies.
	Watch Over Me: This tool turns your mobile device into an emergency tool with just a shake, even if your phone is locked. The shake turns on your phone’s alarm and video camera and sends an alert to your emergency contacts.

Resources for Learning About Safety in College

Your personal safety both on- and off-campus, and the safety of your family and friends, is a priority. The more you know about safety, the safer you may be and the safer you can help others stay. Here are many resources to help you learn more about safety:

• The Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool (click on Get data for one institution/campus)
• Frequently asked questions about the Best Colleges rankings and crime reports
• The Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting
• Emergency Management for Higher Education (EMHE) grant program
• College Drinking Prevention

MCC’s Emergency Procedures Guide

Life-threatening, hostile, or hazardous situations may arise which require the campus community to evacuate or seek
shelter inside buildings and/or rooms within the campus. During an emergency, the Department of Public Safety may
initiate a Lockdown, Shelter-In-Place, or Evacuation procedure. The following outlines specific actions you should take in the event one of these emergency procedures are initiated.

ALL EMERGENCIES

A public address announcement will advise you of the current situation and what immediate action to
take. Additional messaging will occur via the MCC Alert System. Take immediate action and remain so until an “ALL CLEAR” message is announced or other specific instructions are provided. Hallways should be clear of all persons except for MCC Public Safety and other emergency service providers.

LOCKDOWN

1. Immediately seek shelter in the nearest classroom or office area. Quickly check hallways and
encourage others to seek shelter with you.
2. If you are outside, seek the nearest secure area, such as a vehicle, or evacuate the area. Do not re-enter
the campus if possible.
3. Close and lock the door to the room (barricade it if possible). Turn off the lights.
4. Cover windows or openings that have a line of sight into the hallway if safe to do so. Stay away from
windows.
5. Remain silent. Silence cell phones! Do not make noise or otherwise draw attention to yourself.
6. Do not attempt to leave the room or building unless directed to by Public Safety or other law
enforcement personnel. The exception to this is when you believe your life is in more danger by staying
in the building rather than in attempting to escape.
7. Unless you clearly perceive fire or smoke, DO NOT evacuate for a fire alarm during a lockdown unless
instructed to do so by Public Safety or other law enforcement personnel.

SHELTER-IN-PLACE

1. Immediately seek shelter in the nearest classroom or office area.
2. If you are outside, seek shelter indoors.
3. Close and lock the door to the room.
4. Close all windows.

EVACUATION

1. Immediately exit the building and/or leave the campus as directed.
2. Do not waste valuable time collecting personal belongings or waiting for other persons to join you.
3. Evacuate to a safe distance from the building.
4. DO NOT RE-ENTER THE CAMPUS FOR ANY REASON.

Personal Security

• Make a list of 3–5 campus safety issues you’re personally concerned about. This list might include anything from worrying about parking lot security and car break-ins to date rape or hate crimes.
• Visit your college’s website, and search for safety and security information that’s relevant to your concerns. Record the name and contact information for each resource you find and any procedures you learn about. For example, if you’re worried about your backpack or computer getting stolen while you’re at school, find out what should you do if it happens. Who should you call, and what might you need to provide? If you come across useful prevention measures (for example, “record the serial number of your computer somewhere else, so you’ll have it for the theft report”), write those down, too.
• For this assignment, use the information you found to create your own Safety Directory, as below.

Safety Issue	Resource	Phone Number	Address/Website	Important Information

• Make sure the information is also stored somewhere in your computer and phone so you can find and use it later. (Add it to your contacts, for instance.)