Campus Emergencies
Wye Mills Campus Emergencies
Each building on campus has an emergency phone on each floor (first floor only in the Dorchester Building). There is also an emergency phone outside of the Public Safety Office. Look for the blue signs in hallways to locate an emergency phone.
Instructions: Emergency phones are simple to use—pick up the handset, the phone automatically dials Public Safety. If Public Safety is unable to answer the phone within 4 rings, it will automatically go to 911. (You are not able to dial out on these phones.)
You may also call 911, or 410-758-7275, Department of Public Safety, hit the CCPS button on any college phone or *9 from any college phone.
Cambridge Center Emergencies
Look for Emergency Phones at the Cambridge Center as well. Emergency phones are simple to use—pick up the handset, the phone automatically dials Public Safety. If Public Safety is unable to answer the phone within 4 rings, it will automatically go to 911. (You are not able to dial out on these phones.)
You may also dial 911, or 410-463-4185, Department of Public Safety, hit the CCPS button on any college phone or *9 from any college phone.
Additional Information for Non-Emergencies
County/State Agencies
- Queen Anne's County Emergency Services 410-758-4500
- Queen Anne's County Fire Board410-758-0333
- Dorchester County Emergency Services 410-228-2222
- Dorchester County Fire Board 410-228-2726
- Maryland Poison Control 1-800-222-1222
Law Enforcement Agencies
- Cambridge City Police 410-228-3333
- Caroline County 410-479-2515
- Dorchester County 410-228-4141
- Kent County 410-778-2279
- Queen Anne's County 410-758-0770
- Talbot County Sheriff’s Office 410-822-1020
- Maryland State Police (Centreville Barracks) 410-758-1101
Note: if using a college phone, you must dial "9" to get an outside line
Emergency alerts
We use Twitter to broadcast emergency alerts. These include inclement weather closings and other unscheduled closings/changes. Remember, you can have Twitter send text messages to your cell phone. On Twitter, follow Emergency
- Sign up/log in on Twitter
- Go to Settings, Mobile, and set up your mobile number
- Search for @ChesCollAlerts or Emergency
- Click Follow, then click on the gear to enable mobile notifications.
Institutional Security Policies and Annual Report on Crime Statistics
Department of Public Safety
works to enhance the level of security on campus in an ongoing effort to create a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The primary responsibility of the Department of Public Safety is to provide security and safety for the college community. The Department of Public Safety consists of a full time Director, along with full and part time Special Police Officers. All members of the Department are certified through the State of Maryland and have full authority to conduct criminal investigations, detain individuals, make arrests, and carry firearms on campus.
Department of Public Safety personnel are trained to respond to campus emergencies and are certified in basic first aid, CPR, AED and Narcan. Officers provide medical assistance if they are the first to arrive on the scene of an injury or accident. Public Safety personnel maintain a close working relationship with the Queen Anne's County Department of Emergency Services, the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office, and the Maryland State Police. A written memorandum of understanding has been adopted between and the local emergency service agencies for the investigation of alleged criminal offenses and emergency response situations that occur on campus.
Members of the Department provide patrol coverage for both the Wye Mills Campus and the Cambridge Center and officers answer and respond to calls for service while the campus and the center are open for business. During non-business hours, 911 may be contacted in the case of an emergency.
Reporting Emergencies and/or Criminal Actions
The Emergency Procedures Guide is printed annually and is available to all employees and students through MyCampus. It is intended for the use of faculty, staff, and students of specifically to provide information on how to respond to possible emergency conditions on campus. It covers such areas as bomb threats, chemical spills, crimes, serious injuries or illnesses and fires.
Recipients of this Manual are requested to become familiar with its contents. In the event of an emergency, it serves as a quick reference for effective action. encourages employees to keep the Manual in an easily accessible location at all times, preferably beside the telephone. New employees are made familiar with it as part of their orientation program.
Additionally, the Student Handbook and Academic Calendar, available via ’s website and the app, include information on reporting of crimes and emergency contact numbers.
All reports of criminal activity and other emergency situations will result in a response by a member of the Department of Public Safety. The appropriate emergency response agency will also be contacted to respond if deemed necessary for further investigation. In an emergency please call 911 and then contact Public Safety by picking up an emergency phone. In a non-emergency the Department of Public Safety can be contacted by dialing 410-758-7275, hitting the CCPS button on any college phone or *9 from any college phone. Cambridge Center Department of Public Safety can be called directly at 410-463-4185, or dialing the CCPS button on any college phone or *9 from any college phone.
Students, employees, faculty, staff, and visitors can report criminal activity or other emergency situations directly to the Department of Public Safety for the purpose of making timely warning reports. Individuals can also contact the Department of Public Safety for annual statistical disclosure. Reports of criminal activity and other emergency situations can also be reported to the appropriate agency listed above.
All emergency incidents at Wye Mills are required to be reported as soon as possible to the Department of Public Safety 410-758-7275, Cambridge Center call 410-463-4185. Information regarding persons reporting emergency incidents remains confidential.
encourages accurate and prompt reporting of all criminal activity to the Department of Public Safety or to the above listed law enforcement agencies. Reports can be made confidentially by victims or witnesses. The Department of Public Safety or administrative staff can assist victims and witnesses with confidential reporting.
Personal Counselors
does not have professional counselors on staff, however, all academic advisors are aware of the procedures for reporting crimes and of the importance of encouraging active communication of such information to the appropriate authorities. For information on the availability of mental health organizations offering on-campus support, go to www.chesapeake.edu/bit. There you will find out more about the CARES team. You will also learn how to submit a CARES Referral and what Mental Health Resources are available.
In the event of a confirmed emergency response that presents a dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health and safety of students and staff, the campus community will be notified in a timely manner by members of the Crisis Management Team or by the appropriate emergency response agency. The Crisis Management Team will also update information to the campus community during and after an event. The team consists of the President, the Vice Presidents, the Director of Facilities, the Director of Public Safety, and the Director of Public Information. The campus community will be notified by using some or all of the following methods:
Voice Mail
- This method can be accessed on or off campus. Broadcasts go to the voice mailboxes for all employees.
Website
- Our website displays continuous announcements regarding emergency situations in a yellow alert box.
Computer Display Messaging
- has the ability to send messages to every computer system that is activated on the network. The message(s) will reach computers in offices and classrooms if the computer is activated.
Email
- Email messages can be sent to students and employees advising them of an emergency situation.
Twitter Announcements
- uses Twitter to send emergency announcements. Students, parents, and employees can sign up to receive these messages by setting up a Twitter Account and follow Emergency.
Building Monitor Announcements
- Building monitors will make announcements in every facility on the campus.
Notifications will include a description of the event and what action(s) need to be taken.
Students, staff and guests are permitted to have access to cell phones while on campus.
At Cambridge Center Public Safety Officers will ensure faculty/staff have been notified and receive the necessary updates as deemed appropriate.
Evacuation Procedures
If an evacuation of any facility is necessary, building monitors, in conjunction with the public safety and maintenance staff will assist in evacuating the building in a safe and timely manner. The facility will remain evacuated until deemed safe by the appropriate emergency service agency investigating the incident.
In the event that the campus must be shut down Public Safety Officers with the assistance of the maintenance department will block all entrances and exits of the campus as deemed appropriate.
Emergency/Dangerous Situations
In the event of an emergency/ dangerous situation, the Department of Public Safety will confirm that the situation does exist.
Members of the Crisis Management Team will be notified to alert the campus community of the situation and what action(s) need to be taken.
Situation updates, if necessary, will be sent by members the Crisis Management Team.
Tests and Drills
will conduct drills and exercises to evaluate emergency response procedures. Upon the completion of any drills and exercises, an after action review will take place to assess the response procedures.
Access to Facilities
All buildings are generally open from 7:00AM to 9:30PM Monday through Thursday and 7:00AM to 4:30PM on Fridays. Certain academic buildings are also open for weekend classes and special events. When the College is closed, all buildings are locked and secured by Public Safety Officers as appropriate for scheduled activities. Public Safety Officers responding to requests for access to buildings ensure that such access is appropriate.
has no residential facilities.
Maintenance of Campus Facilities
In the event of a safety concern dealing with building or grounds maintenance, contact the Facilities Department during normal business hours at 410-827-5872 or contact the College Operator by dialing 0. At all other times, contact the Department of Public Safety, 410-758-7275.
Education Programs
New employees are given brochures at their orientation informing them of the Department of Public Safety duties and responsibilities, and students have access to information on safety awareness through the website and app. Safety awareness messages are sent through various notification systems advising the campus community of safety tips and safety awareness issues.
Safety awareness recommendations are stated in college publications and on the college web site under safety and security. The purpose of the recommendations is to advise the campus community of safety tips and safety awareness issues.
Crime prevention tips along with timely notifications are sent to the campus community after reports of criminal activity are received by the Department of Public Safety.
Policy on Alcohol and Drug Use
does not permit the use, possession, distribution, and/or the sale of controlled substances on its campus. Alcohol is prohibited at student events. Students are notified of this policy through the Student Code of Conduct, which is distributed free-of-charge to all students within the Student Handbook and the . Alcohol and drug laws are strictly enforced by local and state law enforcement authorities. Disciplinary actions for violations include immediate dismissal. (Note: Per state law – HB 571 – complainants and witnesses to instances of sexual assault shall not be subject to disciplinary action for drug/alcohol violations IF (a) the violation occurred during/near time of assault, (b) the assault report and participation in the investigation is in good faith, and (c) the violation was “not an act that was reasonably likely to place the health or safety of another individual at risk”. Complainants and witnesses may be referred for treatment as appropriate.)
For information on student counseling assistance for alcohol and drug abuse, go to www.chesapeake.edu/cares. There you will find out more about the CARES team. You will also learn how to submit a CARES Referral and what alcohol and drug abuse counseling services are available. Advisors follow the confidentiality guidelines suggested by the American Association for Counseling and Development. Employees are encouraged to contact the Human Resources Department for assistance through the Employee Assistance Program.
Sex Offender Registration
In accordance to the "Campus Sex Crime Prevention Act" of 2000, which amends the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act, The Jeanne Clery Act and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, The Campus Security Office is providing a link to the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Sex Offender Registry. This act requires institutions of higher education to issue a statement advising the campus community where law enforcement 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 of each institution of higher education in that State at which the person is employed, carries a vocation, or is a student. Registrants must register with a supervising authority on or before the date that the registrant is released, or within seven days of moving into Maryland, or within fourteen days of beginning employment or registering as a student in Maryland.
In addition, Child Sexual Offenders who are Maryland residents must register with the designated local law enforcement unit in the county in which they will reside within seven days of "release" or within seven days of registering with the supervising authority if moving into Maryland. Non-resident Child Sexual Offenders must also register within seven days with the designated law enforcement unit in the county where they will work or attend school.
For more information visit the .
Off-campus Student Activities
Most student activities take place on campus. Off campus student activities are primarily associated with athletic teams. Teams travel together and are supervised by College personnel. College personnel are aware of their responsibility to report any incident of student misconduct through the Office of Student Affairs. Reports of off-campus misconduct to external agencies and to the Office of Student Affairs, as appropriate, are the responsibility of the college employee.
's detailed results are available at the .
The College's Emergency Procedure Guide, which can be found by logging into MyCampus, contains more security-related information, including detailed information about specific emergency situations.
In accordance with the U.S. Department of Education Regulations, distributes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report to all current students, staff, and faculty. In addition, the report is available to prospective students, staff, and faculty upon request. Contact the Director of Public Safety at 410-827-5889 if you would like to receive a paper copy of this report.
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report provides important information regarding campus crime and security, including information about 's Department of Public safety, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual assault policies, and crime statistics for the previous three years. Click on the following link to access the Annual report: 2024 Public Safety Annual Report.
Daily Incident Reports
If there is inaccurate information on this page, please send correction or comments to lphillips@chesapeake.edu.