The Department of Public Safety, in partnership with the offices of Residence Life, Student Life, Counseling and Substance Abuse, Victim Services, Emergency Management, Community Relations, and the Office of the Dean of Students, is sponsoring National Campus Safety Awareness Month throughout the month of September.
Public Safety Officer Madeline Sloan says, “Moving Forward Together is the theme for this year’s National Campus Safety Awareness Month at the College Of Charleston, and the Department of Public Safety is using this opportunity to educate our campus community about safety and security. Public Safety will be highlighting the many services available at events and activities scheduled throughout the month. These programs will reflect our commitment to community-oriented policing and building relationships with members of the campus community and the local community within the City of Charleston.”
During the campaign, the College will offer numerous programs, demonstrations, and information sessions to bring awareness to all aspects of campus safety.
As we kick off National Campus Safety Awareness Month, here is a list of upcoming events:
Aug. 30 | Info/Registration Table
Representatives from Public Safety will be at the North Campus from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to hand out safety information and to register computers.
Aug. 31 | SGA Bike Auction
The annual Student Government Association’s Bike Auction will be held on George Street (in front of the Stern Student Center) on Wednesday, Aug. 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bikes are sold “as is,” and there are no refunds. Cash or checks (made payable to “College of Charleston”) are accepted, and there are two ATMs in the lobby of the Stern Center (Wells Fargo and Bank of America). Public Safety officers will be on site to register bicycles.
Sept. 7 | Breakfast with Public Safety
Public Safety officers will be on Cougar Mall at 8:30 a.m. handing out bagels and coffee. Stop by to meet the officers, ask questions or just say hello.
Sept. 7 | Town Hall Meeting (students)
As part of National Campus Safety Awareness Month, Public Safety will host several town hall meetings for the campus community. These present a great opportunity to meet your Public Safety officers, ask questions, and share suggestions, comments and concerns. Campus community members are always encouraged to actively participate in safety and security around campus. The Sept. 7 session, open to students only, will be held at 11 a.m. in Stern 206. Light refreshments and snacks will be served.
Sept. 8 | Active Shooter Response Training
The Department of Public Safety will be offering training on how to respond if you are encountered with an active shooter situation. This 30-minute presentation will cover: the definition of an active shooter; statistical realities behind active shooter incidents; how to identify concerning or suspicious behavior; reporting methods; main options for civilian self-defense; and what to do when law enforcement arrives on scene. This training is open to all students, faculty and staff. The training will take place in Stern 201 at 10:30 a.m.
Look for weekly e-mails with updates as to what programs and activities are being offered in the coming weeks. Until then, please visit the National Campus Safety Awareness Month website for more information. You can also check out our full calendar of events on the Public Safety website.