Campus Safety

Specific measures have been put into place to protect the health and safety of the entire college community as we continue to work together to limit the spread of COVID-19. All students, employees, vendors, and necessary visitors on campus must wear a face covering and stay 6 feet apart. Do not come to campus if you are sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, coughing, or difficulty breathing.

Cleaning Protocols & Personal Hygiene

• Sanitizer stations have been installed throughout campus.
• On-campus ventilation and cleaning protocols have been enhanced.
• Follow proper hygiene such as hand washing and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Face Coverings & Face Masks

• Face coverings are required for all. All employees and students permitted on campus are required to wear a proper face-covering upon entry. Elgin Community College is prepared to provide cloth or disposable face covering for those who do not have one. For the health and safety of all, those who do not abide by the face-covering policy will be asked to leave campus.
• Employees work in zones to maintain social distancing using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Social & Physical Distancing

• All work and classroom areas have been reviewed and modified to ensure proper physical distancing.
• Social distancing is in effect; you will find floor markers throughout campus.
• Protective barriers, such as Plexiglas, have been installed in high-traffic areas.
• Physically distance yourself from anyone you do not live with, especially vulnerable friends and family.

• Never leave personal property unattended even for a few seconds. That includes books, jackets, handbags, book bags, wallets, keys, etc.
• Lock your desk, locker, or office door when unattended.
• Store any valuables in your vehicle in the glove compartment or locked in your trunk. Do not leave valuables in plain view.
• Mark personal property with an engraving pencil when practical, and write your name in all books.
• Maintain a record of your valuables, including serial and model numbers, identifying characteristics, and value.
• Keep handbags/purses closed to prevent onlookers from seeing the contents and never set them on the floor in a restroom.
• Do not carry large sums of money or other valuables unless absolutely necessary.
• Be mindful of your personal belongings when you engage in sporting or athletic events and other student life activities.

• Ask for help or scream for help if you ever feel threatened or sense a problem.
• Use the college's officer escort service or the buddy system when going to and from parking lots, especially at night.
• Keep your doors and windows locked while driving and after exiting your vehicle.
• Park and stay in well-lit areas, especially at night. Once you arrive at your vehicle, do not linger.
• Always be aware of your surroundings, look around frequently, and do not use cell phones or other auditory devices which can distract you and dull your responses when walking to and from classes.
• Walk directly, confidently, and at a steady pace.
• Palm your car keys before you exit buildings to assure no time is wasted unlocking your vehicle. Before getting into your car, check the back seat to be sure no one is inside.
• Leave enough space to maneuver around vehicles stopped in front of you at intersections whenever possible so that you can get away should anyone approach your vehicle.
• If you feel threatened, an option is to hit your vehicle alarm button located on your key fob and/or yell, "Fire!" Studies show that bystanders respond quickly to calls of "Fire."
• If there are threats of violence, call 911 and/or 847-214-7777.
• If you request an escort to your vehicle, please call 847-214-7778 (ECC police department non-emergencies).

Elgin Community College partners with Rave Mobile Safety to offer an emergency alert notification system called 'Rave Alert' to deliver reliable emergency text and email messages to employees and students any time there is an emergency or safety issue for the campus community.

No registration is required. You are automatically signed up if you are an Elgin Community College faculty, administrator, staff, current student, or prospective student. Log in to your account at emergency.elgin.edu | Get instructions for Rave Alert.

Maintenance crews work to remove snow as soon as possible. To report unsafe conditions on campus roads, in parking lots or on sidewalks, please call 847-697-1000 and press '0' to speak with an operator.