Campus Security

Your safety is our concern. With the combined efforts and cooperation of the entire Villa Maria College Community, we can continue to make the College secure and one of the safest campuses in the area. Taking personal safety steps as well as reporting suspicious activities are some of the best ways you can help us to continue providing a safe campus environment.

Emergencies 
In case of an emergency, please use the phones located in the corridors. Instructions are posted next to each phone.
Police, Fire Department, Rescue -- Press "Speed 1" or dial 911
Security Guard -- Press "Speed 2" or dial 870-7176

NY-Alert

NY-Alert is a free service and a critical communication tool that we strongly encourage each of our students to register for online to ensure their continued safety and security on campus.  Signing up for NY-Alert will allow you to be notified in a timely manner concerning school closings, emergencies and other critical situations on campus. This service is free of charge and NY-Alert’s website advises that your information is protected and never shared with anyone else.  You also have the ability to modify your data information or unsubscribe at any time.  Again, this is a tool to get critical information to you when you need it most.  Villa Maria College has sent information to students informing them of NY-Alert and asking them to register.  The College will continue to keep new students informed of this and other important services available to them on campus on a regular basis.

Please take advantage of this opportunity to receive alerts and to stay informed. 

You may register for this service on the NY-Alert website at www.nyalert.gov

Reporting Crimes
Villa Maria College requires that all crimes, missing person situations, and emergencies be reported at once.

All students, faculty, staff, and visitors are asked to report any unusual or suspicious incidents to the Business Office, the police, or to security.

It is important to remember as many details as possible when reporting a crime or suspicious behavior:

• Hair color
• Eye color
• Facial features
• Height
• Any distinguishing physical features
• Clothing
• Time
• License plate number
• Car make and model

Police-press "Speed 1" or dial 911
Security Guard-press "Speed 2" or dial 870-7176
Business Office--1811

To ensure proper documentation, please complete a crime report in the Business Office.

If you prefer to contact someone confidentially, you may call
Counseling-ext. 1821 or 961-1821
ext. 1854 or 961-1854
Campus Ministry-ext. 1813 or 961-1813

Information received confidentially will be used for statistical purposes. If it is determined that the circumstances of the crime pose a danger to other members of the College community, then general information about the incident may be released. However, the victim's identity will be protected.

Security
The building is opened Monday to Friday at 7 a.m. and closed at 11 p.m. Doors are locked at 6 p.m. Access to the building is available using the cafeteria entrances. Saturday hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during each semester. Sunday hours are posted as needed. Changes in schedule for building hours are posted. The grounds are well lighted and maintained to contribute to safety and security. Police cruise through the grounds several times each day. People are advised to leave the building in groups or to request services from security. Security checks are made on a regular basis. Security calls the police in case of an emergency.

Once a semester, the College will offer a program designed to inform students about campus security procedures and practices, about the need to be responsible for one's own safety and that of others, and about the prevention of crimes.

Crime Statistics
Villa Maria College complies with the requirements of Title II of the Clery Act. The College believes in protecting the College Community to ensure a safe environment in which to work and learn and no crime will be tolerated on the campus. All campus crime statistics are reported to the United States Department of Education. The Department's website is www.ope.ed.gov/security. Call the Villa Maria College Campus contact at (716) 961-1876.

For information regarding registered sex offenders, call the Cheektowaga Police at 686-3508.

The President will e-mail members of the College community reports about crimes committed on campus or in the campus area. When deemed necessary, appropriate individuals will receive personal copies of the information.

Personal Safety Tips

• Trust your instincts. If you're walking and have a feeling that something is wrong, then something may be wrong. Change direction and head toward an open entrance and use the phone.
• Avoid displaying large amounts of cash or other tempting targets like jewelry or valuable objects.
• Do not ever leave items unattended. Take purses and backpacks with you when you leave a room. Always keep personal belongings in view wherever you are.
• Use the buddy system. Travel with a friend or in groups especially at night.
• If you must walk alone, make sure you have some type of deterrent and know how to use it. Even keys, pens and pencils can be used as defense devices in an emergency.
• Stick to well-lit areas when walking at night.
• Avoid shortcuts through wooded or deserted areas.
• Stay on parts of the sidewalk that are farthest away from shrubs or other places where people can hide.
• Walk at a steady pace-appear confident and purposeful.
• Be alert. Listen for footsteps and voices. The smell of cologne or cigarette smoke may indicate that someone is nearby.
• Avoid jogging alone.
• If you receive a harassing phone call, hang up immediately. If the calls persist, notify the police.
• Share your class and activities schedule with your family and close friends and let them know when to expect you.
• Carry a cellular phone and program the speed dial with emergency numbers.
• Only accept rides from people you know and trust.
• Never accept drinks from anyone who is not a close friend and never leave a drink unattended.
• When going out, carry only items you need. Leave extra cash, credit cards, jewelry at home in a safe place.

Vehicle Safety Tips

• Park in well-lit areas at night.
• Don't leave valuable items in plain view inside your vehicle. It's best to leave items in your vehicle's trunk.
• Don't leave your keys in your vehicle.
• Lock your vehicle's doors, roll up the windows, close the top if it's a convertible or has a sun roof, and use your vehicle's anti-theft device if there is one.