Safety and Security
Emergency: Call 9-1-1
Reporting a Crime
College officials and local law enforcement agencies share information to help maintain a safe and secure environment for all on campus.
- Report emergencies or criminal activities to the local police by calling 911.
- Criminal or suspicious activities may be reported to campus officials.
Emergency Plans
Alertus: Emergency Alert
Alertus is a mobile app that the college uses to communicate to students and employees for high-level immediate campus emergencies that threaten the safety of our college community and facilities.
STEP 1: Download Alertus Mobile App
STEP 2: After downloading Alertus Mobile App complete the following steps:
- Enter "mnwest" for the Organization Code
- Enter your Minnesota West College email address (you cannot use a personal email)
Example: firstname.lastname@mnwest.edu (employees) and
firstname.lastname@live.mnwest.edu (students) - Open your Minnesota West email account. Locate an email from noreply@mobile.alertus.com. The subject line should say "Confirm your Account"
- Click on the email verification link to verify your account
- Select your campus location, then click on Continue, and set up complete
Campus Security Annual Reports
To report any of the listed crimes below, email safety@mnwest.edu
Crime Definitions
| Crime | Description |
|---|---|
|
Homicide |
|
|
Sex Offenses |
|
|
Robbery |
Taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear |
|
Aggravated Assault |
Unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury |
|
Burglary |
Unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or theft |
|
Motor Vehicle Theft |
The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle |
|
Arson |
Willful or malicious burning or attempt to burn with or without intent to defraud a dwelling house, public building, motor vehicle, or aircraft, personal property of another, etc. |
|
Dating Violence |
Violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim, and where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:
|
|
Domestic Violence |
Felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction…or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction |
|
Stalking |
Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety or the safety of others, or suffer substantial emotional distress |
|
Liquor Law Violation |
The violation of state or local laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possession, or use of alcoholic beverages |
|
Drug Law Violation |
The violation of laws prohibiting the production, distribution and/or use of certain controlled substances and the equipment or devices utilized in their preparation and/or use |
|
Illegal Weapons Possession |
The violation of laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possession, concealment, or use of firearms, cutting instruments, explosives, incendiary devices, or other deadly weapons |
Geography Definitions
On campus:
- any building or property owned or controlled by an institution within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area and used by the institution in direct support of, or in a manner related to, the institution’s educational purposes, including residence halls; and
- any building or property that is within or reasonably contiguous to the area identified in paragraph (1) of this definition, that is owned by the institution but controlled by another person, is frequently used by students, and supports institutional purposes (such as food or other retail vendors)
Non-campus building or property:
- any building or property owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by the institution; or
- any building or property owned or controlled by an institution that is used in direct support of, or in relation to, the institution’s educational purposes, is frequently used by students, and is not within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution
Public property:
- all public property, including thoroughfares, streets, sidewalks, and parking facilities, that is within the campus, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus
Bombs and Bomb Threats
Policy: No student or employee of Minnesota West will falsely report or threaten that
a bomb exists on college property. Furthermore, no student or employee of the college
will anonymously report or threaten that a bomb exists on college property.
Consequences: Any student or employee found to have violated this policy will be immediately
suspended until an investigation is completed.
Procedure: If a student or employee believes a bomb is on college property, he or
she shall report all appropriate information to the campus administrative office immediately
and disclose his or her name.
In the case of a reported bomb or threat, students and staff will be directed by their
assigned instructor or supervisor to leave the building. Students and staff will remain
out of the building until released by proper authorities.
Emergency Procedures
Minnesota West Community & Technical College recognizes its responsibilities to provide
a healthful environment and the safest conditions for its students. Effectiveness
of the instructional programs is in a large part determined by an environment free
from disruptions to the learning process. Minnesota West will take all practical steps
to safeguard students from accidents or perilous environmental conditions and to maintain
an effective safety organization at all times.
Effective supervision of students shall remain in force whenever students are on campus
under supervision of college personnel. Students’ safety shall be an integral part
of the curriculum in all technical programs and in majors that could present possible
danger or harm to students. The College recognizes the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and associated state legislation to be consistent with the purpose of the College.
The application of federal and state standards for working conditions, structural
limits and acceptable work practices shall be continuous and integral.
Safety and Accidents
Each student shall be acquainted with the campus safety precautions. College staff
shall enforce any special requirements deemed necessary to provide such safety. All
injuries shall be reported immediately to the instructor or supervisor. The instructor
or supervisor shall submit a written report to the administration office within 24
hours of the incident being reported.
An annual Campus Safety Report is available. Minnesota West Community & Technical
College reserves the right to contact emergency services in case of injury or illness.
Safety Glasses
Minnesota state law requires that every person shall wear industrial quality eye protection
devices when participating in hazardous training activities while enrolled in educational
programs. The College will comply with the law by requiring that all students, staff
and visitors wear industrial quality safety glasses in designated hazardous areas.
The instructor or administrative staff will initiate the following action if a student is not wearing safety glasses while in a designated hazardous area:
- The student will receive two warnings.
- The third offense may result in suspension.
Weapon Policy
The College recognizes the need to provide a safe and secure environment. Minnesota
West Community & Technical College shall adhere to and enforce Minnesota State Colleges & Universities Policy 5.21.
Employees and students with a reasonable basis for believing an individual is in possession
of or carrying a firearm in violation of this policy has a responsibility to report the suspected act in a timely manner, unless doing
so would subject him or her or others to physical harm. Incidents should be reported
to the Campus Administrator, other college administration, or, if they are not available,
the local police department.
Examples of weapons shall include, but not be limited to: guns (including pellet guns,
look-alike guns, non-functioning guns that could be used to threaten others), knives,
clubs, metal knuckles, nunchaku, throwing stars, explosives, stun guns, ammunition,
and other items used in a threatening manner.
Consequences of violating this policy are confiscation of the weapon, notification to the police department, and immediate
suspension until an investigation is completed. Violators will be placed in custody
of local law enforcement officials.
Workplace Violence
Minnesota West Community & Technical College has adopted a policy of zero tolerance
of violence on all property owned or operated by the college. It is the goal of Minnesota
West to achieve an educational environment that is free from threats and act of violence.
The college will not tolerate workplace violence of any type from any source. This
includes threatening or violent actions by employees directed against other employees,
by employees directed against students or other workplace visitors, and by students
or visitors directed against other students, visitors or employees.
Gender-Based Violence Prevention Training
