Medgar Evers College | The City University of New York

Campus Security and Public Safety

THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
[MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM
CAMPUS-SPECIFIC INFORMATION

High Risk Locations/Risk Factors

Description of Identified Risk Factors

On March 29, 2011 and November 16, 2011, the college undertook a comprehensive assessment of risks of violence in the workplace. This was accomplished by a two day Walkthrough of campus buildings and grounds with the Work place Violence Team, Public Safety and members of various unions. A campus-wide survey and a checklist of work hazards identified by staff and faculty were completed. We also reviewed all crime logs and records complied in the previous year that concerned workplace violence. Based on the above, we developed the Workplace Violence Prevention Program. Prior to the Workplace Violence Physical Risk Assessment a QC mailer was sent on March 14, 2011 advising the college community of the walkthrough building site schedules.
Based on our survey and Medgar Evers College’s annual Clery Report, our data indicated that Medgar Evers College has a very low occupational assault and homicide risk in the workplace. However, Medgar Evers College has assessed, identified and developed several preventive methods to further improve the safety of employees.
The following risk factors were identified after conducting a survey:
a. An open campus can create the following:

Unwanted visitors who can potentially pose a risk to employees and students.
A risk for workplace violence by persons who don’t advise Public Safety of the existence of an Order of Protection.
A lack of control over persons encroaching on college grounds.
A high risk potential for theft of college and personal property in some offices.
Inefficacy in tracking of employees who were terminated (“persona- non grata”) or students who were suspended.

b. Working alone in an office can create the following:

A potential risk of theft due to unlocked office doors and unattended personal items.
A potential for unwanted intruders that may cause injury to employees.
Delays in receiving help in an emergency situation that

How the identified risk factors have been/are being addressed

The following strategies are in place or will be instituted in order to address the risk factors identified:

Work place safety tips were distributed to all departments.
Public Safety Officers will maintain presence by rotating his/her patrol through the campuses. All patrols will be logged in the dispatch log
Emergency phones are placed throughout buildings around campus for easy access to request help and report incidents.  There are
Public Safety is responsible for reporting any area that is not well lit. These conditions are reported to Buildings &Grounds.
Buildings and Grounds has a campus lighting maintenance program.
Public Safety provides an escort service to members of the campus community who feel unsafe walking alone on campus.
The office of VP for Student Affairs and the Director of Human Resources informs Public Safety when students/employees are suspended from the college and when employees are terminated.
All Public Safety employees have been advised of CUNY’s Policy to ask any persons on campus for College ID.
Departments accepting cash for various reasons must make daily deposits to the bursars office
Silent alarms (panic alarms) were installed in Admissions offices to alert Public Safety officers to respond immediately. We will ask those offices with safety alarms to arrange for a test of their operability.
Employees are encouraged notify Public Safety when working alone or when leaving building after normal business hours.
The College community has been encouraged to report all incidents to the Public Safety office; all incidents reported to Public Safety are investigated and documented.
Fire drills are conducted three times a year for morning, evening and weekend employees/students.
The college has a centralized location at Public Safety that is accessible to the community 24 hours 7 days a week.
The Work Place Violence Policy will be displayed on the Public Safety and Human Resource Web sites.
Public Safety officers will visit work locations of faculty and staff to assess risk factors in their work areas.
The college community will be notified about the importance of informing Public Safety when they are in possession an order of protection.
Ongoing assessment of potential trouble areas will be monitored for evaluation and resolution
During final exams week, additional officers are assigned to the Library and computer labs.

KEY CONTACT INFORMATION and specific campus resources

Campus Office of Public Safety

Incidents of workplace violence and behavior that you believe may lead to potential workplace violence must be reported promptly to a supervisor and/or the Office of Public Safety.

In order to maintain a safe working environment, incidents of workplace violence must be reported promptly to a supervisor and/or the Office of Public Safety. The phone number of the College’s Office of Public Safety is (718)-270-6069. Members of the College community are also encouraged to report other behavior they believe may lead to potential workplace violence. After an incident occurs or upon receipt of a complaint, an investigation will be conducted by the Office of Public Safety. Complaints involving the Office of Public Safety will be investigated by the Office of Human Resources.

The WVAT committee will review the investigation results of incidents and determines whether there is a violation of the Policy and provides a report to the President.
The WVAT, committee will conduct a review of the Campus Workplace Violence Incidents Report at least monthly to identify trends in the types of incidents in the workplace and reviews the effectiveness of the mitigating actions taken

Workplace Violence Advisory Team (WVAT)

List of members with contact information OR location where this information is posted on campus or on the College web site (i.e., URL).

Workplace Violence Advisory Team (“WVAT”)
The WVAT reports directly to the College President and consists of members designated by the President. The current members of the Queens College WVAT are:

Mohamed Bangura (Co-Chair)             718-270-6216/mbangura@mec.cuny.edu
Valerie Kennedy (Chair)                   718-270-5000/ vkennedy@mec.cuny.edu
Elizabeth Adrien-Daniels(Secretary)                718-270-6945/ adrien@mec.cuny.edu
Chief Elvert Miller                                718-270-6069/ miller@mec.cuny.edu
Anthony Phifer                                     718-270-6612 /aphifer@mec.cuny.edu
Goldene Lewis                                      718-270-6121/ goldene@mec.cuny.edu
Jonathan Bissell                                    718-270-8848/ jbissell@mec.cuny.edu
Dr. JoAnn Joyner                                  718-270-4822/jjoyner@mec.cuny.edu

The WVAT Chair, selected by the President, sets the times and agendas for meetings and establishes sub-committees, as necessary, to fulfill the WVAT responsibilities set forth herein and in sections 4, 7 and 12.

Instructions on accessing your College’s Workplace Violence Prevention Program

Including contact information OR location where this information is made available by the College.

Employees may access the Workplace Violence Prevention Program by making a request at the Office of Public Safety.

Additional Campus Resources and Contacts

List of additional campus contacts and resources available to assist with awareness and prevention efforts, training, or issues related to workplace violence.

Domestic Violence Prevention Resources

Including contact information for your campus Domestic Violence Liaison(s).
Concerns about domestic violence entering or affecting the workplace may be reported to your DV Liaison, a supervisor or to Public Safety.

The Director of Human Resources reports to the President and serves as the Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Coordinator for Medgar Evers College. The Direct Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm

QUESTIONS?

If you have questions about the information provided in your campus workplace violence prevention training, please contact the following representative(s) at the College.

Name

Title/Department

Phone

Email

Hours of Availability

Valerie Kennedy (Chair)
Mohamed Bangura (Co-Chair)
Elvert Miller

Anthony Phifer

Jonathan Bissell

Dr. JoAnn Joyner

Elizabeth Adrien-Daniels
Goldene Lewis

Legal Counsel

OSHA