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Public Safety Policies & Forms

The Mount's Department of Public Safety is a service-oriented safety enforcement organization with the goal of providing a safe, secure and orderly environment in which teaching, learning and administrative operations of the university can excel.

Report a Crime

  • Mount Report Form – Make an anonymous, untraceable report of a crime or safety/security information.

Public Safety Policies

Requests, Registrations and Appeals

Key Requests

For staff/admin/faculty only. Visit FMX at msmary.gofmx.com and create a work order, using the drop down menu for key requests. Use the drop down menus to complete your request. You will need to specify if you would like your key to be delivered in inter-office mail, or if you would like to pick up your key at Package Pickup.

Vehicle Registration

Register your vehicle through MyMount.

Transportation Requests

Visit FMX at msmary.gofmx.com and select Transportation Requests, then “new transportation request.” Use the drop down menus to complete your request.

Traffic Citations

To appeal a citation, visit FMX at msmary.gofmx.com and select the Public Safety tab to view your own traffic citations.

Lost and Found

Visit FMX at msmary.gofmx.com and select the Public Safety tab. Here you can report a Lost or Found item. If you find an item, it can be delivered to Public Safety. If the found item was lost/found at the ARCC, please see Issue and Control at the ARCC for that item. Public Safety will not accept clothing or wet items.

Dispatch Main Line 301-447-5357

Inclement Weather Policy

The Inclement Weather Policy ensures the safety of Mount St. Mary's students, faculty, staff, administrators and visitors and the efficient operation of the university during severe/hazardous weather.

Severe/hazardous weather is defined as any weather condition that may endanger our faculty, students or staff while en route to their classroom or work place. Faculty, students and staff are required to follow the guidelines of this institutional policy.

Determination of Closing or Delay

The president of the university will decide if severe/hazardous weather conditions exist and warrant a delayed opening or a closing of the university. The seminary as a resident institution does not close because of severe/hazardous weather. A delay or closing of the university may include both classes and offices dependent upon the university's ability to hold hybrid/remote classes. The president will make the decision in consultation with the director of public safety, based on the following information:

  • conditions of the university roadways and parking lots and the ability of physical plant staff to keep up with the storm
  • conditions of local roadways and the ability of the state and county to keep the roads passable
  • weather forecasts for the next 12 hours (according to the National Weather Service)
  • state and/or county restrictions

Announcements of Closing or Delay

  • For storms occurring late at night or early in the morning, the decision to close or delay operations will be announced at approximately 5:30 a.m.
  • The decision to cancel evening undergraduate and graduate classes will be made by the president before 3 p.m.

Severely changing weather conditions occasionally dictate that decisions be made at a later time or that a delay be extended. When severe weather is forecast, please monitor the designated TV and radio stations in your area, access the university website or call the University Weather Line at 301-447-5777 for updated information. All official university notifications and updates will be made through the MountAlert messaging system. In no cases should students, faculty or employees travel to campus if the local weather conditions are unsafe. Given the distances and local weather conditions, the university will accept personal judgment concerning the safety of travel. Please exercise caution and consider your personal safety as the first priority.

Reporting for Work

Only essential personnel whose work cannot be performed remotely should report to work during a university delay or closing. Other nonessential personnel may be requested to work remotely to maintain essential business operations. Personnel should check in with their supervisors for further instructions. Unless otherwise indicated, closings shall be effective at 8 a.m. on the day of the closing to coincide with the regular business day. In the event of a delay, emergency personnel and all physical plant personnel should report to work as regularly scheduled. Essential staff employees will be paid in accordance with the Employee Handbook for staff employees of Mount St. Mary's University. In the event of a delay the university will open for regular business at 10 a.m., unless otherwise determined.

Essential Designation

Scheduled public safety officers, residence life and designated physical plant employees are considered essential personnel. Although not considered essential services, the library, media center, computer labs and Knott ARCC have each developed contingency plans so that limited services can be offered except in the most extreme of weather conditions. The post office, university store and all other offices and services are considered nonessential and will not open when the university is declared closed. Nonessential personnel may be requested to work remotely to maintain essential business operations. Personnel should check in with their supervisors for further instructions.

Nonessential Designation

Nonessential employees shall not physically report to work during a delay or university closing without the express consent of their immediate supervisor. This permission should not be given by the immediate supervisor without first consulting the director of human resources or the divisional vice president. Nonessential personnel may be requested to work remotely to maintain essential business operations. Personnel should check in with their supervisors for further instructions.

Extracurricular Activities

Unless otherwise announced, all extracurricular activities (lectures, recitals, athletic events, etc.) are canceled when the university is closed because of weather conditions.

Knott ARCC

During a delay or closing of the university every effort will be made to keep the Knott ARCC open for the Mount community. In the event of a delay or closing information on hours of operation for the ARCC, including schedule adjustments, will be available through the ARCC's Info hotline at 301-447-7424.

Media Center and Phillips Library

During a delay or closing of the university every effort will be made to keep both the library and media center open. In the event of a delay or closing information on hours of operation for the library and the media center, including schedule adjustments, will be available through the university weather line at 301- 447-5777.

Individual Class Cancellations

Weather conditions in a particular area that are not severe enough for a university delay or closing still might make it hazardous for a faculty member or employee to make it to the Mount. In such cases, faculty members should inform Public Safety of their class cancellations. This information will be added to the Mount Weather Line. The faculty member will be asked to provide the last four digits of his/her social security number. All employees, including those designated as essential, should notify their immediate supervisors prior to their scheduled shifts if they cannot report to work.

Liberal Leave Policy

The liberal leave policy will be recognized for any employee who cannot get to work because of hazardous weather conditions or who is not requested to work remotely to maintain essential business operations. Liberal leave means an employee must use his/her vacation, personal leave or leave without pay, but need not obtain prior approval.

Use of University Vehicles

No university fleet vehicle will be dispatched to any employee or student when road conditions are unsafe for travel.

Snow Removal Plan

The following is the scheduled order for snow removal. Keep in mind that several operations will be occurring at the same time. You can also view the paths that will be cleared on the snow removal map.

Snow removal is performed in a progressive manner that ensures emergency routes and access to essential services are maintained. The Mount’s Emergency Operations Center will monitor and adjust specific snow removal requirements as needed to meet operational needs.

Phase 1

Snow emergency roads and snow emergency walkways (as displayed on Snow Removal Map).

Phase 2

Snow emergency parking lots, secondary roads, secondary walkways, ramps, stairs. Snow emergency parking lots are; Terrace, Pangborn, Bradley (front and back), PAC, and University Apartment lots.

Phase 3

Grotto. Residential properties. Secondary parking lots. Campus prepared for opening.

Phase 4

Fire hydrants, dumpsters, Waldron Stadium, general clean up.

Snow Emergency Lots/Parking

Vehicles parked in a "snow emergency" lot that are not assigned to that lot and are interfering with snow removal will be towed at the owner's expense. Terrace, Pangborn, Bradley (front and back), PAC, and University Apartment lots are designated as snow emergency lots. It is the owners' responsibility to move vehicles to their assigned lot, to east campus, or to another location designated by Public Safety in advance of an approaching storm.

Subsequent Delay or Closing Days

On the day following a closing or delay the university will normally reopen on the regular schedule. If the conditions that warranted the closing or delay continue into the next day the president will again make the determination regarding the appropriateness of any new delay or closing. In the event the president determines that another delay or closing is appropriate a new notification process will be initiated by the university.

University info: 301-447-5777; ARCC info: 301-447-7424

Sign Up for Mount Alert

Alternate Class Schedules

Schedule A (M/W/F) Starting at 10 a.m.

Regular Class Time

Delayed Time

8 a.m. 10-10:40 a.m.
9 a.m. 10:50-11:30 a.m.
10 a.m. 11:40 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
11 a.m. 12:30-1:10 p.m.
Noon 1:20-2 p.m.
1 p.m. 2:10-2:50 p.m.
2 p.m. 3-3:40 p.m.
3 p.m. 3:50-4:30 p.m.

Science labs have a separate delay schedule. Download the Science Lab Delay Schedule. Students will be notified of individual class cancellations by their professors via email/Canvas.

Schedule B (T/Th) Starting at 10 a.m.

Regular Class Time

Delayed Time

8 a.m. 10-11 a.m.
9:30 a.m. 11:10 a.m.-12:10 p.m.
11 a.m. 12:20-1:20 p.m.
12:30 p.m. 1:30-2:30 p.m.
2 p.m. 2:40-3:40 p.m.
3:30 p.m. 3:50-4:50 p.m.

Science labs have a separate delay schedule. Download the Science Lab Delay Schedule. Students will be notified of individual class cancellations by their professors via email/Canvas.

Schedule C (M/W/F) Closing at 2 p.m.

Regular Class Time

Early Closing Time

8 a.m. 8-8:35 a.m.
9 a.m. 8:45-9:20 a.m.
10 a.m. 9:30-10:05 a.m.
11 a.m. 10:15-10:50 a.m.
Noon 11-11:35 a.m.
1 p.m. 11:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
2 p.m. 12:30-1:05 p.m.
3/3:30 p.m. 1:15-1:50 p.m.

Students will be notified of individual class cancellations by their professors via email/Canvas.

Schedule D (T/Th) Closing at 2 p.m.

Regular Class Time

Early Closing Time

8 a.m. 8-8:50 a.m.
9:30 a.m. 9-9:50 a.m.
11 a.m. 10-10:50 a.m.
12:30 p.m. 11-11:50 a.m.
2 p.m. Noon-12:50 p.m.
3:30/4:00 p.m. 1-1:50 p.m.

Students will be notified of individual class cancellations by their professors via email/Canvas.

Schedule E (M/W/F) Closing at noon

Regular Class Time

Early Closing Time

8 a.m. 8-8:25 a.m.
9 a.m. 8:35-9 a.m.
10 a.m. 9:10-9:35 a.m.
11 a.m. 9:45-10:10 a.m.
Noon 10:20-10:45 a.m.
1 p.m. 10:55-11:20 a.m.
2 p.m. 11:30-11:55 a.m.
3/3:30 p.m. 1:15-1:50 p.m.

Students will be notified of individual class cancellations by their professors via email/Canvas.

Schedule F (T/Th) Closing at noon

Regular Class Time

Early Closing Time

8 a.m. 8-8:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m. 8:40-9:10 a.m.
11 a.m. 9:20-9:50 a.m.
12:30 p.m. 10-10:30 a.m.
2 p.m. 10:40-11:10 a.m.
3:30/4:00 p.m. 11:20-11:50 a.m.

Students will be notified of individual class cancellations by their professors via email/Canvas.

Parking Policy

All vehicles parked on Mount St. Mary’s University’s property must be registered and display a valid permit. Faculty, staff, students, and visitors should follow these guidelines for vehicle registration. Registration is free of charge.

Students

Students may log-in to their MyMount account and register their vehicle under the Public Safety tab. A notification will be sent after the registration has been processed with further instructions. Decals are to be affixed to the bottom left of the rear window of the vehicle.

Faculty / Staff

Faculty and staff may visit the Public Safety building with their vehicle information during regular business hours to complete a registration. Hang tags should be displayed hanging from the rearview mirror of the vehicle.

Visitors

Visitor parking permits are available at the Public Safety building. Visitor permits are to be displayed hanging from the rearview mirror of the vehicle. These permits are temporary.

General

All vehicles must be parked in their designated parking lot. Any exceptions will be granted by the director of the Department of Public Safety.

Parking Lot Assignments

Students

  • Freshman / Sophomore Decal – Red Decal - Lot 12.
  • Junior / Senior Decal – Yellow Decal - Lot 7, 10 or 12.
  • Commuter Decal – Green Decal - Lot 7, 8, 10 or 12 .
Restricted Lots and Times
Residential students are not permitted to park in the Faculty / Staff Lots (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 14) Sunday at 7 p.m. through Friday at 5 p.m. Residential students are not permitted to park in Lots 1 & 2 at any day or time, including weekends.

Faculty / Staff

  • Faculty and Staff shall park in their assigned lot.
  • If the assigned lot is full when you arrive you may park in lots 7, 8, 10 or 12.

View Campus Map with Parking Assignments

Visitors

  • Visitors will be assigned a lot when they register their vehicles at the Department of Public Safety.

Weekend Parking

  • Friday at 5 p.m. to Sunday at 7 p.m.
  • Weekend parking is open to all students in Lots 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, & 12 between Friday at 5 p.m. to Sunday at 7 p.m.
  • All student vehicles must be returned to their assigned lots by Sunday at 7 p.m.
  • If your vehicle is not moved by Sunday at 7 p.m. your vehicle will be subject to towing at your expense.

Weekend Parking Restrictions

Parking restrictions are lifted from Friday at 5 p.m. through Sunday at 7 p.m. except for the following parking lots which are reserved 24/7:

  • Terrace – Lot 1
  • Tunnel – Lot 2
  • Admissions – Lot 4
  • Coad – Lot 6
  • McGowan – Lot 9
  • Seminary – Lot 11

Parking Citations

Parking violations will be cited 24 hours a day. Vehicles receiving five (5) citations in an academic year may be subject to additional sanctions including towing and/or loss of their parking privileges.

Parking Appeals

Parking citations can be appealed online by going to msmary.gofmx.com or by visiting the Department of Public Safety. Citations must be appealed within 10 business days from the issuance of the citation (academic breaks excluded).

Towing and Booting Vehicles

Vehicles receiving five (5) citations in an academic year are subject to towing and/or immobilization (booting) at the owner’s expense.

Booted vehicles unclaimed after 48 hours, or during an emergency situation, or if deemed necessary by the University, will be towed at vehicle owners’ expense and risk, without notice.

Private towing companies are used by the Department of Public Safety. The owner of the towed vehicle can receive the towing company’s information from the Department of Public Safety. Mount St. Mary’s University does not receive any payment from a towing company. Once a towing company has been called to campus, the owner of the vehicle will be responsible for any charges incurred, even if the vehicle is not ultimately towed.

The owner of an immobilized or towed vehicle is responsible for a $50 administrative fee paid to the university, in addition to the payment of all outstanding fines, prior to release of the vehicle.

You may appeal your parking citation through msmary.gofmx.com or in-person at the Department of Public Safety.

If you park in a different lot during the weekend, to help avoid a citation, please make sure to remove any vehicles from restricted lots before Sunday at 7 p.m. so that faculty and staff can park on Monday morning.

Missing Student Policy

Mount St. Mary’s University considers the safety of our students to be essential in the creation and maintenance of an environment where learning is encouraged and supported. The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures to guide the university’s response to reports of missing resident students in support of that proposition. Reports of missing commuter students may also be made to the Public Safety Department who can then notify and assist the appropriate law enforcement authority in an investigation of the missing student.

Notifications and Minors

Each Mount St. Mary’s University student who is 18 years of age or older, or who is legally emancipated has the opportunity to identify an individual(s) to be contacted by Public Safety or the Dean of Students whenever circumstances indicate that the student may be missing or otherwise endangered. If the student is under 18 years of age and is not emancipated, the university is required to make any missing student notification to the custodial parent(s) or guardian(s).

Reporting a Missing Student

Any reports of a missing student should be directed to the Department of Public Safety in person or by telephone at 301-447-5357. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the student being reported missing will be promptly initiated by Public Safety and the Office of Residence Life. Nothing herein shall prohibit the investigation of a report of a student missing before a specific amount time has elapsed.

Investigative Steps

Investigative steps may include but are not limited to:

  1. Calling the student’s personal cell phone on record.
  2. Entering the student’s residence hall room.
  3. Checking class schedules and visiting scheduled classes.
  4. Contacting faculty members regarding class absences
  5. Contacting known friends, roommates, acquaintances, and place(s) of work, if any.
  6. Checking vehicle registration records for vehicle information and searching the vicinity for any registered vehicles.
  7. Checking MountCard records for purchase history and/or building access information.

Upon receipt of a credible missing student report, Public Safety will notify the appropriate law enforcement authority as soon as practicable. If a reported missing student is not located within 24 hours of the initial report the university is required by law to contact the appropriate law enforcement authority. Nothing herein shall prohibit the prompt notification of the appropriate law enforcement authority of a report of a student missing in fewer than 24 hours. Once Public Safety and/or appropriate law enforcement authority has been notified and makes a determination that the student reported is indeed missing, the Dean of Students or his/her designee shall initiate the emergency contact procedure using the student’s designated emergency contacts. Following notification of appropriate law enforcement authority, the university will cooperate in the investigation and offer assistance necessary to locate a missing student.

Call 301-447-5357

Vehicle Operator Policy

To ensure campus safety, Mount St. Mary's University requires specific driver qualifications to be met for individuals who operate university equipment. As a condition of employment a Driver Questionnaire is to be completed and reviewed by Human Resources, a Motor Vehicle Record check is to be made and the results reported to the fleet management supervisor. New operators must sign a Drivers Agreement, which is to be retained in the driver’s file. MVR checks are to be made on all active drivers periodically to determine the operator’s eligibility to continue to drive a MSMU University vehicle.

Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) Criteria

To assure consistency in determining an operator’s fitness to drive a Mount vehicle, all operator’s MVR (motor vehicle records) are checked at the time of hire and when the driver's license history is periodically reviewed (approximately every two years):

Criteria

MVRs are separated into a four groups:

  1. Clean – no violations or at fault accidents.
  2. Acceptable – 2 minor violations or one at fault accident in past 3 years.
  3. Marginal – 3 minor violations or 2 at fault accidents in past 3 years.
  4. Unacceptable – Any major conviction in past 5 years, or violations or accidents in excess of the other criteria.

Type A. Major Convictions

  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
    Reckless Driving/Excessive Speeding (30 mph over limit)
    Vehicular Homicide
    Assault with a motor vehicle
    Driving with a suspended license
    Eluding law enforcement
    Leaving the scene of an accident

Type B. At-Fault Accident

All accidents regardless of fault, unless the operator was fully stopped at the time of impact and struck from behind by another vehicle. Type C. Minor Violations.

All moving violations including exceeding posted limit regardless of the exceeded posted speed limit, Illegal/reckless lane change violations and red light offenses.

Criteria to Decline, Assign Probation, Re-assign, Terminate Privileges

motor vehicle records- Criteria to Decline
1 or More Type “A” Preceding 36 Months
2 or More Type “B” Preceding 36 Months
3 or More Type “C” Preceding 36 Months
1 Type “B”, 2 Type “C” Preceding 6 Months

Application of Policy

  • Driving record criteria will be applied equally and in a non-discriminatory to all drivers.
  • No person shall be allowed to operate a MSMU vehicle that has not provided a valid personal MVR and submitted said document to the Fleet Administrator for evaluation. The Fleet Administrator reserves the right to reject applications for driving privileges in the act of enforcing the driver qualification standards of the University.
  • Current employees who are at Marginal status upon review will be required to attend a defensive driving course. Operators will not be allowed to drive until such course is completed.
  • Persons who are or become placed into an unacceptable status may not drive a MSMU vehicle under any circumstances.