The college employs 24-hour security coverage seven days a week. Requests for public safety assistance can be obtained by dialing extension “0” from a campus phone, or 505-984-6000 from a non-campus phone. Public safety officers report to the Director of Public Safety.
Our Public Safety officers maintain safety and security on campus best if they are able to work in cooperation with the members of the college community. It is in each student’s best interest to maintain awareness of security risks on campus, communicate with Public Safety about safety and crime prevention issues, and report anything unusual by phone.
Students can help keep the campus and protect themselves by taking reasonable precautions:
The college community will be alerted if an at-risk situation exists or incident occurs that threatens the health or safety of its members. Based on the circumstances, notification can be made via mass email, and/or via the E2 Campus text messaging system. Participation in the E2 Campus text messaging alert system is free. To sign up, visit sjcsf.omnilert.net/subscriber.php; it takes only a few minutes. Pursuant to Public Law 101-542, the “Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act,” the college will distribute to faculty, students, and staff Clery Report statistics via the college website, sjc.edu/student-life/santa-fe/public-safety.
The campus elevation of 7,300 feet often causes altitude adjustment problems. Headaches, breathlessness, and fatigue are not uncommon for up to three months after arrival. Persons with emphysema, heart problems, etc., may experience a greater effect than others. Staying well- hydrated (drinking lots of water) helps minimize discomfort related to high altitude. Report concerns to healthcare providers. Please be aware that alcohol has a stronger effect at high altitude than at sea level. Further, the sun is much more intense at 7,300 feet than at sea level. Sunburns develop quickly and sun screen, lip balm, and broad-brimmed hats are advised when outdoors.
Sudden radical changes in the weather occur in northern New Mexico throughout the year. Hypothermia is an ever-present danger in the higher mountains where, even during the summer months, temperatures may drop below freezing and snow sometimes covers the peaks.
Water is quite scarce, so any students who hike should be sure to carry a good supply. One should never drink naturally occurring water in the back country without first purifying it because giardia contamination is prevalent in most of New Mexico’s wilderness areas.
Before going hiking, students should be sure to leave pertinent information with a responsible friend, and should ask the friend to contact campus authorities or the New Mexico state police if they fail to check back in at the time they had planned to return. Camping on campus, in canyons, or on adjoining properties is prohibited.
The forest area surrounding the college is often quite dry, and it is not uncommon for fire officials to ban access, smoking, and open fires in public spaces. The building of bonfires violates the Santa Fe municipal code; even barbecues are sometimes forbidden. Please be very cautious when smoking or building a fire while camping, or simply cooking outdoors. In the event of a nearby forest fire, students should remain alert for official notifications from campus authorities regarding safety updates and evacuation status.
Hantavirus was diagnosed first in the Four Corners area of New Mexico in the summer of 1993, but cases have been confirmed since in other parts of the United States. It is thought to be caused by contact with the urine, saliva, or feces of certain rodents, particularly deer mice. Breathing the virus into the lungs is the most common way of contracting the disease, but the virus can also enter the body through cuts in the skin, through the eyes, or by eating contaminated food.
Symptoms develop between 21 and 45 days after contact, and commonly include fever and muscle aches sometimes accompanied by cough, headache, and/or abdominal pains. After three to five days of symptoms, victims develop difficulty breathing. Students who suspect they have been exposed to the virus should watch for the appearance of the “flu-like” symptoms described above. If symptoms develop, they should seek immediate medical attention, preferably at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center’s emergency department.
Food attracts mice. Any food kept in residential rooms should be stored in rigid containers (e.g., Tupperware®) or jars with lids. The personnel of Buildings and Grounds should be contacted if mice are found in the residences so they can dispose of them properly and disinfect the area.
The area around SJC is home to a wide range of animals, a few of which can be potentially dangerous or harmful. In the spider category, black widows are spiders with an hourglass-shaped mark on their abdomen. They prefer to nest near the ground in dark and undisturbed areas, and although their bite can be harmful, it is rarely fatal. If bitten, seek medical attention. In the Reptilia class, rattlesnakes have been seen on and around campus; the most common is the western diamondback and prairie rattlesnake. The rattlesnake is named for its rattle located at the end of its tail which makes a rattling noise when vibrated. Rattlesnakes are venomous snakes. If bitten, seek medical attention. Finally, a host of other animals (e.g., deer, bear, mountain lion, coyote, bobcat, skunk, centipede, bat) have been known to inhabit the area.
