VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

Campus Facilities Policies and Procedures

Safety Mission The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine strives to create an atmosphere of safety and comfort which allows faculty, staff, and students to concentrate on their mission of providing academics, student services and learning. The goal of the operations department is to oversee the campus facilities and to assist those in charge of each facility in providing a safe and secure environment. The following policies and procedures outline everyone's role in maintaining a safe and secure environment for all. Building and Grounds Etiquette When VCOM’s lecture halls are not used for formal instruction, VCOM encourages students to use the rooms for quiet study. Periodically, the lecture halls will be used for other events; therefore, students are requested to pick up their personal possessions daily. Items left behind will be turned into Facilities. VCOM is not responsible for items left behind. Items not accounted for within 30 days will be disposed of or donated to charity. Study areas are available for students throughout the building and each campus may have specific procedures in place for the use of certain areas (i.e. reservations), while other areas may have open access on a first come/first serve basis. Areas are often reserved for student use such as peer tutoring sessions or other curricular events. Students will be made aware of the procedures regarding the use of these study areas annually. Students are asked to be considerate of others and refrain from placing belongings in study areas when not in the room to occupy or reserve the room for future use. Concerns regarding student abuse of study areas should be brought before student leadership and the Honor Code Council. While on campus, it is important for everyone to consider the immense effort it takes to keep the property and its landscapes in order. These are provided for the students’ sake and VCOM encourages students to take advantage of the campus and enjoy the atmosphere and walking paths. For safety reasons, students and employees are asked to refrain from walking on plant beds, across lawns or entering restricted areas. The pathways are provided for safety. VCOM encourages and often hosts outdoor activities that are planned. Impromptu or unplanned use of facilities for sports such as golf, volleyball, baseball, etc. are not permitted as they may have a direct and immediate impact on the safety of others or may cause damage to certain areas. Students and employees should contact Facilities if they have any questions about what sports are permitted and request to use the grounds for said activities. Through agreements with the YMCA and the University campuses, access to sports and safe sporting facilities are available and the student should contact the Associate Dean for Student Affairs to identify those sites. Bicycle paths also exist in all four campus communities, as well as nearby state parks for recreation. Workplace Cleanliness VCOM requires students, faculty, and staff to establish and maintain a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene across all facilities of the medical school, in research spaces, and in clinical settings. Clean and orderly workspaces are essential to creating a professional, safe, and healthy environment that supports education, research, clinical training, and patient care. All individuals are expected to maintain cleanliness in their own work areas. Desks/tables, classrooms, study spaces, and laboratories must be kept tidy and free of unnecessary clutter. Individuals must properly dispose of waste and promptly clean and/or disinfect spills or other accidents. All work areas must be kept free from unpleasant or persistent odors. Spaces that develop a strong or offensive smell, whether due to food, trash, mold, or any other cause, should be addressed immediately. Individuals are responsible for identifying and resolving the source when it is within their control, or for notifying Facilities if the issue requires further attention. Shared spaces

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