A safe and secure environment is an essential component for residential living. All residents need to watch out for each other and take personal responsibility for their residence hall community. In case of a fire alarm, fire or earthquake, leave the building immediately. Residents should proceed to the evacuation site for their dorm. Proctors will take roll call. In addition, proctors are trained in first aid and CPR and have extensive first aid and disaster kits. Instructions for emergencies are at www.hmc.edu/about/administrativeoffices/emergencypreparednessandsafety.html and the mirror site www.hmcemergency.info/.

Campus Safety
Campus Safety patrols the HMC campus (and the other Claremont Colleges) 24 hours a day using mountain bikes and mini-cars. Officers are unarmed but have the same training as police officers. Campus Safety officers are employed by The Claremont Colleges and work closely with the Claremont Police Department to patrol the extended campus area. Their office is open 24 hours per day and can be reached at x72000. Their webpage is at www.cuc.claremont.edu/cs/.

Student ID
Please carry your student identification with you at all times. You must identify yourself to Campus Safety or a college official when asked.

Suspicious Activities/Persons
Do not hesitate to report a suspicious activity or person to Campus Safety. Officers  will immediately respond and investigate the incident. HMC’s greatest defense against crime is the community looking out for itself. If you are a victim of a personal or property crime, immediately call Campus Safety to report the matter. If you see a situation or person that is unusual or suspicious, do the following:

1. dial the Campus Safety dispatcher (X72000),
2. identify yourself as a Harvey Mudd College student,
3. give a concise description of the situation, 
4. provide a detailed description of the person(s) and their location or    direction of travel.

Emergencies
When reporting an emergency (such as an urgent medical situation), use the same procedure as above. DO NOT CALL 911. ALWAYS CALL x72000. Dialing 911 on-campus will actually slow the response time of emergency personnel and equipment because their system only shows one address for all of The Claremont Colleges. In addition, Campus Safety officers can meet emergency personnel and escort them to the site of the situation. If the situation involves a serious injury where an ambulance is needed, tell the Campus Safety dispatcher this and they will immediately dispatch an ambulance.

Fires
(Unanimously approved by DAC and DOS on October 22, 2004)

When fire alarms sound in the residence halls, residents must evacuate immediately. Candles, incense, open flames and flammable liquids or gases are not allowed in the residence halls due to the hazards of fires. (Birthday and Hanukkah candles are okay if safely lit, constantly monitored and quickly extinguished.) Tampering with the fire safety equipment in the residence halls is a felony in the State of California (i.e. fire extinguishers or fire alarm boxes). Covering or disabling smoke detectors is similarly dangerous, unlawful and will result in DB/JB charges.

In general, fires are not permitted on the campus without a permit from the Fire

Department. People who start a fire or participate in the burning of something outside the guidelines below, particularly of furniture or other items near the dorms, will be referred to DB/JB.

Campus Safety and college officials will use the these guidelines to determine if a fire is safe and non-damaging:

1. is fully contained (nothing hanging over the sides) in a barbecue grill that is elevated more than 6 inches off the ground and that is a maximum of 9 square feet in area and a minimum of 12 inches deep.
2. doesn’t throw sparks or threaten anything nearby, 
3. doesn’t burn anything that gives off toxic gases, such as plastics or couches, or can explode, such as aerosol cans,
4. doesn’t have wood or fuel for the fire that exceeds two feet tall,
5. is constantly monitored with the building’s fire extinguisher nearby,
6. is completely extinguished by the last person to leave the fire,
7. and is in compliance with the Fire Code, as determined by the Los Angeles County Fire Inspector.

Excessive clean-up of fires will follow normal DAC-F&M excessive clean-up procedures. According to the Fire Inspector, only one container of lighter fluid per barbecue may be stored in a dorm.

Mudd Blotter
Periodically, an e-mail newsletter that outlines suspicious incidents and crimes at the college and the surrounding area is distributed to all faculty, staff and students. In addition, each student receives an annual report listing crime statistics and tips to prevent crime and stay safe. These are also posted at www.cuc.claremont.edu/CS/ under “Campus Safety Act Annual Reports.”

Bicycle Theft
Bicycle theft is a frequent crime at The Claremont Colleges. HMC has responded by installing heavy-duty bike racks throughout the campus. Bike registration is through Campus Safety (registered bikes are much more likely to be recovered and returned). In addition, discounted, heavy-duty bike U-locks and accessories are available for purchase from the Dean of Students Office. The college also provides students with engravers to etch identification on bikes and other property.

Escort Program
All members of the HMC community are advised not to walk on campus alone, especially at night. While The Claremont Colleges and neighboring community may seem a fairly safe environment, there have been incidents against both male and female students of assault and attempted rape. When a friend is not available, please call Campus Safety’s 24-Hour Escort Service. A Campus Safety officer will meet you and walk or ride with you to any 5-College destination. This service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call x72000.

Blue Lights
Emergency phones are located all along the main east/west campus mall. They are easily recognizable with their yellow exteriors and blue light on top. These phones have a dual purpose; they direct-dial Campus Safety in case of emergency or to report a suspicious incident and they can be used like a normal campus extension.

Whistles
The college makes available a whistle to all new students. If someone is following you or acting suspicious, blow the whistle loudly. Campus Safety and the 5-College community are trained to respond to whistle alerts. If you hear a whistle blown, call Campus Safety. After describing where you heard the whistle, you may investigate with a group of people. A fine may be levied against anyone abusing the whistle.

Security Tips

1. There is safety in numbers; travel with a friend.
2. Always walk in well-lit areas. Avoid wooded, isolated areas, especially at night.
3. Always look alert and confident.
4. Always look through your peephole before opening the door to your dorm.
5. Always look into your car before entering it.
6. Report any security situation/person that seems suspicious or doesn’t feel right.
7. Always lock your room and suite doors, and carry your key at all times. 
8. Consider using a locking system to secure your computer to your desk.
9. If you have an air conditioner in your room window you may get a brace from F&M to secure the window above it from being easily slid open from the outside.