VCOM Faculty Handbook

and-safety-policies-and-procedures for viewing by students, employees, and the public as soon as it is available. Employees and students are notified annually via email when the new ASR is published. VCOM informs prospective students and prospective employees about the availability of the ASR when they are invited for an interview with the college. Emergency Response Faculty members are responsible for being alert and ready to respond in emergency situations affecting fellow employees, students, and visitors. If a physician is available on campus, he/she will respond immediately to the emergency. As the situation warrants one employee will call 9-911 for emergency response (police, ambulance, or fire). Firearms and Weapons VCOM property is considered private property; therefore, students, faculty, staff, and visitors are prohibited from carrying, maintaining, or storing a firearm or weapon on any VCOM property, VCOM clinical site, affiliated university campuses, and all surrounding parking lots and space owned or leased by the College. Any visitor or other third party attending an event, or visiting an academic or administrative office, is prohibited from carrying, maintaining, or storing a firearm or weapon on any college facility, even if the owner has a valid permit. This prohibition also applies to all events on campus where people congregate in any public or outdoor areas. Students who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension or dismissal. Food and Drink in the Workplace As an osteopathic medical college, VCOM seeks to promote the health and well-being of all students and employees. Foods that are high in calories, sugar, or fat such as candy, cakes, doughnuts, etc. are often distracting in the workplace and increase the risk for obesity and other related diseases. Therefore, VCOM encourages employees to avoid the consumption of such food and avoid placing such food in public areas. Employees are encouraged to bring food for their lunch or breaks and should keep the food at their desks or in a refrigerator. Food should never be left out in the open as it is at risk for contamination. Any food covering or containers should be removed and placed in the trash after eating to avoid contamination and mess within VCOM. All food and containers should be taken home at night or kept in a refrigerator; however, all food should be removed from refrigerators every Friday. Refrigerators are in several areas in the building for employee use. No one may bring a personal refrigerator, coffee pot, or other such device for personal use. Drinks are required to be capped or to always have a lid. Any spills are the responsibility of the employee who spilled the drink. All empty containers employees have finished should be discarded in the trash by the employee and not left out on the table or desks. If employees witness spills or trash from food that has been left by other employees or students, they should discard such trash to help keep the building clean and to avoid contamination. Employee Events with Food During the year there are special events where employees may bring food from home or that VCOM has catered (i.e., potluck lunches). The sponsoring department must assure that all food and drinks are discarded at the end of the event. Other employees who have participated in the event should assist the department in its clean-up effort. Inclement Weather and Emergency Notifications VCOM notifies students, staff, and faculty of delays and cancellations of classes due to inclement weather and emergency situations through multiple means. Notifications will be sent through VCOM Alerts, a mass text and email notification system, and VCOM’s official information lines. Please note that one campus closing for inclement weather or emergencies does not necessarily include the other campuses.

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