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A safe community
Crime statistics
Security in residential areas
Access to campus buildings
Access to residence halls
Campus community safety and security educational programming
Firearms
Operations and facilities
Drug and alcohol use
Counseling
Sex offender information
Student and employee rights and responsibilities
Emergency phone numbers
Crime statistics
Members of the campus community observing criminal activity including sexual abuse or behavior detrimental to the security of the campus community are expected to report such incidents promptly to the appropriate law enforcement agency and/or to the Dean of Students or his/her staff who have the on campus authority to address such matters. Whenever an incident is reported that affects or potentially affects the safety or security of the campus community, the college will communicate this matter promptly to the appropriate law enforcement agencies and to the campus community. On-campus notification will be made through the Beacon, campus mailings and/or any other method deemed appropriate.
Campus crime incidents, including reported sexual abuse, as defined by Iowa Code 709.1, will be taken very seriously. Known perpetrators will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency and when applicable will be subject to appropriate institutional disciplinary action up to and including dismissal or termination.
Crime statistics (PDF)
(as reported by the Orange City Chief of Police)
Security in residential areas
Northwestern provides three different types of on-campus housing for single students. There are 6 traditional residence halls, 2 apartment complexes and several cottages adjacent to the campus that are owned by the college (The college does not have any off-campus student organizations like fraternities or sororities). Each of these residential areas comes under the supervision of professional Residence Life Staff who live in on-campus residence and are on call 24 hours/day. These staff are supported with paraprofessional assistance by Resident Assistants and Cottage Managers. A Resident Assistant is on duty at night in each building. During the evening, rounds of the facilities are conducted to monitor activities as well as to ensure that the locked exterior doors are secured. Safety and security issues are included as part of the staff's thorough training each August.
We make every effort to make sure all residential areas are free from uninvited visitors or guests, but it is necessary that residents themselves take an active role in making sure strangers are reported to the police and Resident Hall Staff and that locked doors to the buildings are not propped open.
The varied types of housing available and the policies and procedures for housing assignments, building and roommate selection and guest access are described more thoroughly in the Student Handbook. Security and safety policies and procedures, especially regarding locking individual rooms, building entrances and related precautions, are discussed with residents in crime prevention programs, in routine floor meetings conducted by Residence Life Staff and in printed materials which are posted and distributed by the staff.
During holidays and other periods in the academic year when classes are not in session, some or all of the residence facilities are closed. Those few students authorized to live on campus during that time are registered with the Student Development Office. Special security procedures are established for resident facilities during these periods.
Access to campus buildings
Except for residence halls, most college facilities are open to the public Monday-Friday during normal working hours. In addition, classroom buildings, Library and LRC are open during evening hours and weekends when classes are in session. When the college is officially closed the college buildings are generally locked and only faculty, staff and students with certain work assignments are admitted.
Access to residence halls
Hospers Hall, Stegenga Hall, Fern Smith Hall, and Sein Bolks apartments are locked each night. Sunday through Thursday nights the halls are locked at 12:00 midnight. On Friday and Saturday the halls are locked at 1:00 a.m. The only access to these residence halls after lock-up is through a card key entrance. All other doors have alarms that are activated at lock-up. If an alarm is set off, an RA or RD should be notified immediately. After lock-up, students of the opposite sex are permitted only in the main lounges of the residence halls and must be accompanied by a resident of that hall.
Campus community safety and security educational programming
The Department of Residence Life offers safety and security related programs throughout the year. There will be at least one program per semester addressing safety and security for the campus community. In addition, safety and security concerns will be addressed by Resident Assistants at floor meetings in the beginning of the school year. Printed information on safety and security is also available in the Student Development Office.
Firearms
For the safety and well-being of the college community, the possession of and/or use of fireworks, firearms or any other explosive device on campus is prohibited. Those students wishing to have rifles or shotguns for the purpose of hunting must make arrangements with their Resident Director for their proper storage. Flammable materials, such as gasoline, kerosene and Coleman fuel products, may not be kept in residence halls. Any misuse for pranks or other reasons cannot be tolerated for obvious safety reasons and may result in a fine and/or suspension.
Bows and arrows, knives (other than pocket), and items that may be used to physically harm others are not allowed in the residence halls.
Operations and facilities
The Maintenance Department maintains the college buildings and grounds with a concern for safety and security. It inspects campus facilities regularly, promptly makes repairs affecting safety and security, and responds to reports of potential safety and security hazards, such as broken windows and locks. The Residence Life Staff assist maintenance personnel by reporting potential safety and security hazards. Students as well as faculty and staff may also call maintenance (ext. 7170) to report any safety or security hazards.
Drug and alcohol use
Please consult the student handbook for information related to policies and issues concerning drug and alcohol use at Northwestern College.
Counseling
Northwestern College encourages students to avail themselves of campus counseling services and/or professional off-campus counselors. Students can access campus counseling services during business hours at ext. 7321. For after-hours emergencies, students should contact their RD.
Sex offender information
The Federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, enacted on October 28, 2002, requires institutions of higher education to issue a statement advising the campus community where law enforcement agency information provided by a state concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained. It also requires sex offenders already required to register in a state to provide notice, as required under state law, of each institution of higher education in that state at which the person is employed, carries on a vocation, or is a student. For the state of Iowa, you may obtain this information by contacting the Sioux County Sheriff's Department, 4363 Ironwood Suite 1, Orange City, Iowa, (712) 737-2280, or inquiring through the Iowa Sex Offender Registry.
Student and employee rights and responsibilities
Students and employees of Northwestern college are entitled to a safe campus environment. Every reasonable effort will be made to ensure this right.
The cooperation and involvement of students/employees in addressing campus safety and security issues is essential. Students/employees must assume responsibility for their own personal safety and the security of their personal belongings by taking simple common sense precautions.
For example:
- Locked exterior doors to residential areas should never be propped open
- Room doors should be locked at night and any time the room is unoccupied
- Residents should ask visitors to identify themselves before allowing them access to the building or their room
- Keys and card keys should be carried at all times and never lent to others
- Cars should be locked at all times and valuables should be concealed
- Suspicious looking individuals should be reported to the Police or Residence Life Staff immediately
Students/Employees should report any criminal activity or emergency on campus as follows:
- Any emergency:
- Dial 9-911 then call Residence Life Staff
- Police non-emergency numbers:
- Orange City Police 707-4251
- Sioux County Sheriff 737-2280
- Colenbrander Hall RD: Brandon Van Marel 707-7211
- Fern Smith Hall RD: Lisa Barber 707-7213
- Heemstra Hall RD: Brian Moriarty 707-7212
- Hospers Hall RD: Ann DuMez 707-7214
- Stegemga Hall RD: Sara James 707-7216
- Bolks Apartments RD: Marlon Haverdink 707-1607
- West Hall RD: Greg Schoolland 707-7219
- Associate Dean of Residence Life: Eric Anderson 707-7200 or 707-7215
- VP for Student Development: John Brogan 707-7200 or 737-3096
- Director of Safety and Security: Perry Krosschell 707-7475
- Any time a student contacts the police he/she should immediately contact their RA, RD or some member of the Residence Life Staff listed above.
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