Security

Safety and Security
Columbia Union College cares about the safety and security of each student, faculty, staff, and visitor on campus. The Department of Safety and Security strives to make the campus a secure environment for all. We desire that your education experience at Columbia Union College is the best and safest available anywhere. Your cooperation and support will insure that our campus is the best campus for educational and spiritual growth.

CUC’s Emergency Response Plan is a comprehensive document that includes general guidelines and emergency-specific protocols. View it here.

How to reach us
The CUC Department of Safety and Security is located in the General Services Building room 4. Their job is to patrol the campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The best way to reach them is to call their office at 301-891-4019 or on campus at ext. 4019. If you have an emergency, call 911 (9911 from campus phones). The direct, non-emergency line for Takoma Park fire, ambulance, or police is 301-270-1100.

The department will handle reports, investigate crimes, and work with outside agencies as needed. For non-emergency situations, the security department can also be contacted at security@cuc.edu.

Security staff
The Department of Safety and Security is staffed by a director and seven security officers. This team works closely with the Takoma Park police department. On-the-job training and classroom instruction is provided for all officers.

What we do
The department provides the following services:
--24-hour campus patrol
--Crime prevention lectures and services
--Escort services to and from cars and buildings
--"Operation identification" (registration of valuable property, engraving numbers, and registration of bicycles)
--Vehicle parking information, registration, and parking passes for students, faculty, staff, and visitors
--Lost and found
--Periodic fire inspections

Fire safety
Each year the local fire department inspects the entire CUC campus. Between each annual inspection the Security Department performs periodic evaluations to include fire drills for all buildings. The Takoma Park Fire Station is located one mile from campus.

Parking on campus
General parking is available for students, faculty, staff, and visitors to campus. Click here to view campus map.

Building patrol
On campus buildings are locked each evening and unlocked each morning at a set time. When these buildings are locked they are off-limits and are checked regularly by Security officers. Authorized access to the buildings is provided to appropriate persons by Security during the non-school business hours by calling the Security Control Center at 301-891-4019 or from on-campus phones by dialing ext. 4019.

How you can help
While campus safety is monitored by Security, safety is everyone's business. Everyone needs to practice safe behavior. Brochures designed to help develop safe behavior are available in the Security and Facility Services office. One important safety tip is that if you see anything suspicious please report it quickly to Security at ext. 4019 or security@cuc.edu.

Drugs
CUC is aware of the problems caused by the abuse of tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs. Possession, use, manufacturing, and distribution are illegal and CUC is prepared to take legal action if a violation occurs. CUC provides an ongoing program of education for the prevention of substance abuse. This will be a multifaceted program involving the use of audiovisual materials, literature, lecturers, and other programs. The college also maintains a roster of counselors trained in the field of substance abuse who will work with individuals involved in substance abuse and who can refer these same individuals to rehabilitation facilities if necessary. (see the CUC Student Handbook)

Weapons and other hazards
Possession and use of any type of weapon on CUC's campus is strictly prohibited. Some examples of weapons include, guns and all gun-like devices, knives, bows, arrows, and long or cross-bows. Possession or use of fireworks or explosive chemicals is also prohibited.

Rape/sexual assault
Individuals who have experienced rape or sexual assault should remember not to bathe or change clothes until after completing the following steps:

On campus: call the Security Department ext. 4019 and report the incident. An officer will meet with you and make arrangements for your care in the emergency room at Washington Adventist Hospital.

Off campus: report to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Counseling is available- residence hall dean, health services, college official, Washington Adventist Hospital emergency room, or call the Montgomery County Sexual Assault Services at 301-656-9420.

We desire that your education experience at Columbia Union College is the best and safest available anywhere. Your cooperation and support will ensure that our campus is the best campus for educational and spiritual growth.