College
It’s a time when you’re allowed to stretch your adult wings and become more independent. Your parents no longer call the shots. You’re the one who gets to choose the time of your classes, where you want to live, and ultimately your future path. It’s a safe place to practice becoming an adult, but it’s not always a place that’s safe from the mal-intentions of other people.
It’s important to balance your newfound independence by keeping yourself safe. Whether you’re a college freshman or a seasoned vet, there are ways to keep yourself healthy and safe on campus. We have a few tips to do just that.
PC Alert Notification System
Porterville College's emergency notification system, called PC ALERT, will enable us to communicate with you quickly in the event of an emergency. The PC ALERT system will alert and provide pertinent information and instructions to students, faculty, and staff via voice, e-mail, and text messages to the phone numbers and e-mail addresses on file.
Your contact information is automatically loaded into the Connect-Ed system using the data you have previously provided for admissions and registration and stored in our database. It is important that you keep this information up-to-date so that you will receive Alert messages. To update your contact information, log into MyBanWeb and select Personal Information from the menu. You can update your contact information at any time.
Click the button below to learn more or to see FAQ's
Virtual care from anywhere
Top-quality medical and mental health care with no-cost visits. Counselors, doctors, nurse practitioners, and more: You name it, we've got it. And so do you, right in your pocket.
- Get 24/7 on demand care and scheduled medical care with licensed providers
- 24/7 On-Demand access to emotional health support experts
- Get connected to low or educed community resources
- Find a free prescription discount card
- Choose the times and days that fit your schedule to meet with licensed counselors
- Other additional resources
Seeing a doctor, counselor, or health coach has never been easier. All it takes is a couple of clicks and you're all set.
For more information click the link provided: PC Timely Care or visit the website below
Learn about your Campus Safety Department
Services Offered through Campus Safety:
- Safety and Security Training Campaigns (Adobe Sparks, Be Aware, Tabling Events, In-person Training)
- Safety Escorts (cars, buildings, class)
- PC Alert Communication
- Responding to emergencies and non-life threatening situations
- Parking Lot Safety & Parking Enforcement
- Public Assistance
- Securing Facilities
- Incident reports
- Lost and Found
- Emergency Plan Development and Implementation
- Emergency Evacuations and Procedures
- Compliance with Federal requirements (Jeanne Clery Act, Kristin Smart Act, VAWA, Title IX)
Reach out to Campus Safety for any questions or concerns, we are here to provide and ensure your safety
Porterville College Department of Campus Safety
- Office & Mobile: 559.791.2440
- Safety and Security Manager: Leonardo Ezpinosa
- E-mail: Collegesafety@portervillecollege.edu
- Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri. 7AM-11:30PM
Avoid Walking Alone
The buddy system is handy indeed. Walking across campus can be dangerous, even if it's the middle of the day. There are plenty of places to lurk or hide, and sketchy people are way less likely to prey on you if you’re with a group of people. Walking in a group will help keep your friends safe as well. This is especially important if you’re going out at night
For more life-saving tips click the link below
Be Smart About Social Media Presence
Chances are good you have at least one or two social media accounts, possibly more if you have a campus-specific social profile. While social media is intended to share pictures with friends and the places you’re visiting, it’s not always safe. In an environment like a college campus, you need to be more conscientious about your surroundings – and telling everyone your plans can leave you vulnerable.
Choose the right settings to keep yourself safe. Turn off your location or only share with family or closest friends than you know and have proven time after time to be trustworthy. Be careful about checking in on social media. If you can, set your chat settings to block people who you aren’t familiar with. Think of it as today’s version of “Don’t talk to strangers.” If you don’t know who the person is, don’t confirm any private information and never agree to meet someone you don’t know in a private residence or other unfamiliar places. If you have to take that chance, take a friend with you and always meet in a busy public space.
Trust Your Gut
If something doesn’t feel right to you, follow your instinct. “Trust your gut” is a saying for a reason, and that innate sense is there to keep you safe.
It doesn’t matter if the feeling stems from peer pressure to do something you don’t feel comfortable with or if you have a strange feeling about any particular situation, whatever the circumstances, you should trust that feeling and leave.
Don’t worry about other people’s feelings. Keep yourself safe instead.
Party Like a Pro
That doesn’t mean being a pro at keg stands. What we mean is that you should make sure you are prepared and educated on how to keep yourself safe at parties.
If you are of legal age and decide to drink, don’t let your drink out of your sight.
Don’t accept drinks from other people — drink what you brought with you or mixed yourself instead.
Make sure you’re keeping your alcohol intake in check.
Let loose, but don’t go overboard. If you do, make sure you have a trusted friend with you who can help you get home safely and protect you from potential predators. Make sure you’re that person for other people, too.
Communicate Your Plans
If you’re going out, make sure someone else knows where you’re going and who you’re going with. It might be worth telling your roommate where you’re going, even if it’s just to your mid-morning class. If someone knows where you are, there will be a place to start looking in case you go missing.
Stretch the Truth if You Need To
Does the person you’re on a date with creep you out? Do you feel unsafe at the bar with your friends? It’s OK to lie to get yourself out of situations that make you uncomfortable for any reason at all. Don’t worry about getting caught in a lie; worry about getting out of there.
Who cares if your little white lie comes to light afterward? At least you’re safe and out of a situation that could have turned dangerous. If you need to, you can lie to get your friends out of a sticky situation, too. They’ll thank you for it.
Keep Your Phone Charged and With You
You never know when you might need to make an emergency call, either for you or a friend. The easiest way to do that is to make sure your phone is charged and easily accessible before you leave your dorm or apartment.
If your phone isn’t charged, stay home until it is. Better late than sorry. While you’re at it, make sure you load emergency numbers and emergency contacts.
Adding the campus security line is a good idea, too. You may not have time to search for it in an emergency, so make it as easy to access as possible.
Note: All charged wireless phones, even those not subscribed to or supported by a specific carrier, can call 911
To learn more visit:
Resources
- Campus Safety Tips for College Students
- Safety Tips For Students and Staff
- PC Campus Safety & Security 559-791-2440
- PC Counseling 559-791-2329
- Porterville Police Department 559-782-7400
- Tulare County Sheriff 559-782-9650