Safety and Security

The Houghton College Safety and Security Office is located on the first floor of the Campus Center.  An officer is on duty 24 hours per day and can be reached by dialing 585-567-9333 (or ext. 3330 from any campus phone).  Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, on class days.

Houghton College has an excellent safety record with virtually no violent crimes committed on campus. However, no place is without risk. To protect personal safety, students are encouraged to practice basic safety principles on and especially off campus. Some safety principles are reviewed with new students during the First Year Introduction class, and further information is available through the Safety and Security Office. For a more comprehensive list of crime rates at Houghton College, as well as comparative rates with other colleges nationwide, visit the federal college crime registry at: http://www.ope.ed.gov/security.

Securing Personal Belongings

Theft occurrences have also been few, but they do exist.  Students are encouraged to keep valuables on their person or locked away at all times.  Over 90% of thefts at Houghton are the result of valuables being left unattended.  To minimize the risk of theft, it is especially important to keep residence hall rooms locked when unoccupied. 

Students are strongly encouraged to check their parent's homeowner's insurance policy to confirm that their belongings are covered at college.  This is usually a relatively inexpensive rider. College insurance covers only college property. 

Houghton College Weapons Policy

Pursuant to New York State Penal Law, 265.06 "It shall be unlawful for any person...to knowingly possess any...weapon...in or upon a building or grounds, used for educational purposes, of any school, college or university, without the written authorization of such educational institution."  For the purpose of Houghton College policy, this includes paintball guns and pellet guns.

Therefore, it is necessary for all persons to bring any weapon to the the Safety & Security Office to register it for safekeeping.  It is also necessary to register any ammunition that may accompany the weapon.

For a complete list of weapons covered in this policy and the process by which they may be brought to campus, please refer to http://campus.houghton.edu/orgs/student_life/Student_Guide/safety.htm.

Weapons Definition

Weapons are defined as, but are not limited to the following:

  • Any weapon powered by pump action, including any BB gun or "air soft" gun
  • Any weapon powered by compressed air or CO2 cartridge, including all paintball guns
  • Any firearm, including black powder weapons
  • Any blowgun or similar weapon
  • Any type bow (archery)
  • Any Martial Arts weapons, (i.e. nun-chuks, throwing stars, throwing knives, etc.)
  • Any knife with a blade 3 1/2 inches long or longer
  • Any knife with a double edged blade

Student Vehicles/Parking

Student owned or operated vehicles must be registered at the Safety and Security Office as soon as they are brought to campus.  A parking policy established by the Student Government Association and the Student Life Council is in effect. This policy is provided upon request, or upon registering a vehicle.  Vehicles without proper registration are subject to fines.  Repeat offenders may have their vehicle immobilized or towed at the owner’s expense.  All freshmen and sophomore residents are required to park in the Fire Hall parking lot on Route 19.  Juniors and seniors may explore further parking options by inquiring at the Safety and Security Office.

Regular permit fees vary in price from $25 - $150 per year.  Permits are available on a per semester basis at a slightly higher per year cost. Temporary permits for the Fire Hall lot will be issued free for the first week, and $10 per week thereafter.  These fees help defray the cost of parking lot maintenance.

The college does not assume liability for damage to vehicles on college property, regardless of cause (including vandalism and parking lot conditions).