Campus Safety & Security

The personal safety and security of students, staff and visitors, and the protection of property are high priorities at North Idaho College.

This information is provided to you as part of North Idaho College’s commitment to safety and security on campus and in compliance with the Federal Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990.

Creating and maintaining a healthy and safe campus environment requires the cooperation and involvement of everyone. All students, faculty, staff and visitors must assume responsibility for their personal health and safety, and the security of their personal belongings. Our institution is safer than most places, but it’s not crime free. Crimes take place in our society at large, and the problem does not magically disappear at the edge of the NIC campus. Theft, assaults and other violations of the law do sometimes occur at North Idaho College. A truly safe campus can be achieved only through awareness, shared knowledge, and the cooperation of all students, faculty and staff.

The Student-Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act

Congress enacted The Student-Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act in 1990 as Public Law 101-542 and last amended it in 1992. It came about through the efforts of several families whose children were murdered on college campuses in the late 1980’s. This law requires all institutions of higher education which participate in federal higher education funding programs to publish and provide to students and staff campus security information. At a minimum, this information is to include statistics for six crime categories for the most recent calendar years, three arrest categories for the most recent year, and statements of security policies. Concerns about safety and security on our nation’s campuses have also been the driving force behind the passage of 22 state laws and three other important federal laws. For further information concerning these laws or campus security policies, contact the Office of Campus Safety.

Office of Campus Safety and Security

The Office of Campus Safety and Security is the administrative unit responsible for the functions of Campus Security staff and the Campus Nightwatch staff. Campus Security officers are professionally trained in public safety methods and provide proactive patrol of the campus on foot, by car, and bicycle.

Campus Security officers do not carry firearms, but they do carry OC (pepper) spray, and complete training through the NIC Law Enforcement Program and the Coeur d’Alene Police Department. Their authority is limited to the geographical boundaries of NlC’s properties including land, structures, streets and parking facilities. Even though the security staff members are not sworn peace officers, they are authorized to make citizen’s arrests when necessary, as granted by Idaho Statute 19-604, and are responsible for enforcement of College rules and regulations, and applicable federal, state, city and county laws and ordinances on College property.

The Office of Campus Safety and Security works closely with the Coeur d’Alene Police and Kootenai County Sheriff’s Departments to assist in safeguarding the campus community. City and county law enforcement officers patrol the public streets on campus. Formal and informal meetings with these organizations are held on a regular basis, and crime related reports are routinely exchanged.

The Office of Campus Safety is a participating member in the Western Association of Campus Law Enforcement. In addition, the Office of Campus Safety coordinates various safety and security programs and is responsible for preparation and distribution of the Annual Safety and Security report.

The campus security staff conducts patrol as well as building and grounds security 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday. The Office of Campus Safety and Security is located in the River Building, #15, at 905 River Avenue. Phone 769-3310.

Access to Campus Buildings

Access to campus buildings is provided by Campus Security or Nightwatch Staff who open the buildings at the beginning of each academic school day and close again at night. Exterior doors and most interior doors to the College are locked when offices and buildings are closed at 10 p.m., or when classes are not in session. Keys that are authorized and issued to faculty and staff are not to be duplicated, or provided to unauthorized employees, or students. Security staff make building checks throughout the night.