Campus Safety, Security, Emergency & Alert Info

Emergency alert system

Whatcom will notify the campus community in times of emergency via the Whatcom Alert system. This system includes the following communication outlets: Text, email, computer desktop alerts, building annunciation through phones and speakers, public website (whatcom.edu) and social media. Please note: Do not reply to Whatcom Alert emails or text messages. Please wait for additional information to be sent. If you have an emergency call 911.

Students, faculty and staff are highly encouraged to sign up to receive Whatcom Alert messages to your personal email account and personal cell phone number in case of an emergency. Login and update your information here.
Community members can request to sign up to receive Whatcom Alert emails and text messages here. Please note enrollment is not immediate.

College closures and inclement weather

In the event of any emergency or inclement weather that calls for College status changes or closures, the College will post information on our website homepage and send out a Whatcom Alert by 6 a.m. The College only sends a Whatcom Alert if there is a change to normal operations. You can also call 360.383.3000 to check closure status.

Closures or delays announced for the Whatcom Community College campus will not apply to online instruction, including the online portion of hybrid courses.

We stay open to fulfill our mission whenever possible, but we expect individuals to err on the side of protecting their own health and safety if conditions where you live make it unsafe to travel to campus. Work with your supervisors or instructors if you need to make other arrangements in an emergency.

Security and access

The president or her designee has authority and responsibility for campus activities. The vice president for administrative services or his designee has authority for security/safety concerns. When any of them are unavailable or off-campus, the designee will be the senior administrator on duty or the staff member in charge of the event. That individual will have the authority to lead emergency efforts, ask individuals to leave the premises, or call police to authorize a criminal trespass.

Whatcom uses an answering service (360.715.2418) for receiving calls regarding campus emergencies and other issues after normal business hours. Use this number to report facilities problems, potential hazards, unusual situation and other campus problems during evenings and weekends.

The College works closely with, and depends on, the Bellingham Police Department when responding to serious threats on campus. The BPD is provided with detailed campus mapping information and is consulted in the development of Whatcom’s emergency plans. Bellingham Police Department conducts training on campus, as well as assists Whatcom with emergency training for faculty and staff.

Students and staff may request escorts to their cars by calling 360.920.7489 during business hours, or 360.715.2418 after hours. If you have an emergency, call 911 and then report your emergency to the on duty Security Officer 360.920.7489.

Help prevent car prowls by not leaving valuable items in plain sight in your vehicle. Always lock your doors. Children and animals should never be left alone in a vehicle while parked at Whatcom. File an incident report (below) to report an accident or safety issue.

Incident reporting

If you have questions or concerns about the reporting structure, please contact the Safety & Security Office, (360.383.3446) for an incident or safety issue, Human Resources for a Title IX/Sexual Harassment/Discrimination issue, or the Student Conduct Office (360.383.3077) for academic concerns. The Daily Incident Log includes all alleged criminal incident reports and serious situations reported to and made known to the College. The log is updated as information is received.

Report an incident, accident or issue of concern

Incident reporting form
Any and all incidents not consistent with the routine and expected operation of the College should be reported on this form. It may be a conduct (student or non-student) issue, accident, injury, crime, fire, etc. As a reminder, 911 calls made during business hours must be reported to the Campus Safety & Security Office (360.383.3446), if no answer, call Administrative Services (360.383.3350) and advise that 911 has been called.

Clery Act / campus safety & security and fire report

The Clery Act requires all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to keep and disclose information about crime on and near their respective campuses. View Whatcom's Annual Security Report. Additional accessible formats are available upon request.

Personal preparedness

For our community to be better prepared, we must all be individually prepared. You should have an emergency kit with at least a 3-day supply of food and water. For more specific information on how to build a kit, please click on the following link. Phones may not work after a disaster, so have a way to get in contact with others. If you are on campus, be aware of pre-designated meeting locations. Have a pre-designated meeting location with those you care about so you can find and help each other. Make a plan, be informed, get a kit. Be Red Cross Ready

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