Welcome to the NEW Office of Public Safety

Welcome!

Tompkins Cortland Community College is committed to creating an environment for student success and learning for all. To that end, the College has devoted resources to allow that environment to grow and prosper in a safe and secure setting.

As part of that initiative and as a result of campus-wide discussions held last year with the college community, TC3’s Office of Safety and Security has become TC3’s Office of Public Safety. It is much more than a name change: Your Office of Public Safety is now a campus law enforcement agency. Public safety law enforcement officers are armed peace officers, pursuant to New York State Criminal Procedure Law, section 2.10(78). The officers have full authority to make arrests and/or referrals to the local criminal courts or the campus judicial administrator. These peace officers are highly trained officers who have either completed the rigorous 14-week NYS Municipal Police Training Council’s academy, or are already NYS certified police officers. 

This transition is designed to make the TC3 experience the safest and most conducive for learning for everybody in the College community. Public safety will carry out this new role in a manner that respects and protects the rights of all individuals to live, learn, work, and visit our campus. The staff of the Office of Public Safety is committed to providing the highest quality services for our community by embracing the core values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, and integrity.

You will see public safety officers throughout the campus. In addition to the main building, we will be seen at events in the athletics building and fields. This year, you also will see us very frequently at the residence halls. Together with new staff at the Office of Residence Life, we will work to ensure your time at TC3 is educational, fun, and safe. 

We also will patrol campus roads and paths to ensure we are fulfilling our duty on the entire campus. This will include instances in which we stop vehicles for violations of New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law. In anticipation of this change, we will hold educational meetings with groups throughout the College community regarding safe driving and the responsibility that goes with operating a car. We hope you will attend one of our “Driving Safely” discussions. And, yes, we will be issuing tickets answerable to the Town of Dryden Court. 

We care deeply about the safety and welfare of all campus members and guests. We have committed ourselves to promoting a safe and secure learning environment. However, we will need your help in making this commitment a reality. The responsibility and involvement of students in a campus safety program is absolutely essential. The potential for problems is reduced when students follow sound safety-oriented practices. While the residence halls may quickly feel like home, you have to remember they are not. Each of you must assume the responsibility for your own personal safety and the security of personal belongings by taking simple, common sense precautions. In addition to taking care of your own self and belongings, we encourage you to look out for one another. 

Remember, people who violate the law on campus are subject to arrest and prosecution regardless of their status. Students, staff, and faculty who violate the law on campus may not only be subject to criminal prosecution, but also to the campus judicial process if the conduct leading to the arrest also constitutes a violation of campus regulations.

Your college years can be some of the most memorable years of your life. You will discover new academic and social challenges, as well as opportunities. To help you meet these challenges, TC3 is committed to promoting a safe and healthy environment in which all students can make informed decisions. To facilitate this process, we actively promote awareness of the laws and policies affecting the campus community. Such awareness will have a positive influence on the entire campus community and help you maximize opportunities for a rewarding experience at TC3. Throughout the semester, we will host open meetings. We hope you will attend. Besides having discussions about personal safety, these also will be opportunities for you to let us know how your public safety professionals are doing. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to say hello when you see us, drop by our offices at room 118, or notify us at Ext. 4290 or by direct dialing 844-6511.

Thank you.

Beau Saul
Director, TC3 Office of Public Safety