Safety & Security

Oconee County Sheriff’s Office 706-769-3945
Athens Piedmont Hospital 706-475-7000
St. Mary’s Hospital 706-389-3000
For Urgent Care: Piedmont Regional First Care 706-534-6970

We ask for your help in keeping our students and our campus safe and secure. If you have observed or are aware of suspicious or unethical behavior, abusive relationships, or sexual violence we need to know what you know. Your report can be made anonymously, or you may decide to leave your contact information. However you choose to bring your information to our attention, we will handle both your identity and your concern with the utmost discretion.

Incident Reporting Form

Care Team Referral Form

In the case of an active shooter or intruder situation, quick decisions must be made. Generally, there are three decision choices.

Run if the opportunity presents itself. Go to the nearest secure location away from the threatened area and call 911.

The second option is to Hide. In this scenario, from the classroom, library, and upstairs foyer; faculty, staff, and students will gather in the College office and the door will be locked. If possible, the nearest fire alarm should be pulled as you move to the secure space. Once inside of the office area, push heavy objects against the door and hide in the office cubicles. Call 911. Do not remain near the door or any of the windows. Remain in lockdown until you are notified by law enforcement officials that it is safe to leave the room. Use the office phone and/or cell phones to be in constant contact with officials on the outside.

The third option is to Fight. If there is no other recourse, use force to try to overcome and subdue the aggressor. Call 911 as soon as possible.

Do what is most urgent first!

Who to Notify: Call 911 if medical care is urgent, in case of fire, or if police assistance is needed.

Gun violence, as well as other forms of violence, can sometimes be preventable. Students who are at risk of hurting themselves or others may display signs and signals before an act of violence takes place. When you don’t know what to look for, it can be easy to miss signs or dismiss them as unimportant.

• Your roommates and/or close friends should know how to contact your parents or other emergency contacts. Also, your parents should know how to contact your roommates and/or close friends in case of emergencies.
• Know more than one way to get out of every building where you have classes. If one exit is blocked, you can get out of the building using a different exit.
• Know where to shelter at home and at school in case of severe weather, such as a  tornado. For a severe weather shelter area, you should avoid: windows and areas where there might be flying glass; rooms with exterior walls or high ceilings, such as auditoriums. You should try to get to the lowest level in the building.
• Have an emergency kit that includes a flashlight, a radio (and fresh batteries), non-perishable food, a first aid kit, and other items. 
• Consider taking a CPR/First Aid class.
• When you go out at night, have a plan on how you will get home. Have friends that you can call to pick you up if you get stuck at a location where you feel uncomfortable. Tell your roommates / friends where you are going and the people you are with.