Campus Safety And Security
In support of student wellness and safety, the following information will guide you in the event you or someone you know is in need of assistance. The Otis College community provides you with resources and information to allow informed decision making about your personal safety and health.
In the event of an emergency or crisis, call 9-1-1.
General Safety Tips
Although the areas surrounding the Otis College Goldsmith Campus and MFA studios location are relatively safe, please be cautious and aware of your surroundings.
- There is safety in numbers. Walk in groups or use the buddy system, especially after dark.
- Walk briskly and know your destination. If you see a person or persons who look suspicious, change your path and cross the street.
- Walk in well-lit and well-trafficked areas. Avoid shortcuts that take you through alleys, past heavy foliage, or near other places where someone might be hiding.
- Do not walk while talking on a cell phone or using other electronic devices. You will become a target when others see what you have.
- Do not carry large amounts of cash. Do not wear expensive jewelry that draws attention to you. Carry bags, purses, or valuable equipment such as cameras and computers close to your body or out of sight.
- Vehicles parked on the street can present an easy opportunity for thieves and vandals. Keep valuables out of sight in a locked trunk or leave them at home.
When you live in an urban environment, you should establish a file with pertinent information that will help you if you are the victim of a crime. Your file should include the following:
- Credit card numbers and toll-free numbers to report lost or stolen cards;
- The telephone number of your insurance agent;
- Your license plate and vehicle identification numbers;
- Your driver’s license number;
- An extra set of keys;
- Your bank account numbers and the customer service number for your bank, in case checks are lost or stolen.
Crime Suppression, Prevention, And Training
The Office of Campus Safety and Security uses a variety of crime suppression and prevention methods including foot patrol, and vehicular patrol to monitor college activities 24 hours a day. Otis College Campus Safety and Security Officers are required to obtain the following certifications:
- SB 390 & 1626 Certificates
- B.S.I.S. Training and license
- First Aid, CPR/AED
- Authority and Jurisdiction
- Certified Campus Protection Officer
- Sexual Harassment Training
Training for department personnel covers a variety of topics, ranging from emergency response to criminal law and patrol techniques to report writing.
Emergency Contact Information On Your Cell Phone
Students are encouraged to use their phone’s built-in Medical ID (iPhone) or Emergency Information (Android) feature to store emergency contacts and relevant health details. Emergency contact details should be updated regularly and reflect someone who can be reached quickly in an emergency.
Instructions For Setting Up Emergency Contact Information On Your Phone
iPhone (iOS)
- Open the Health app
- Tap Medical ID (bottom right)
- Tap Edit (top right)
- Fill out emergency contact(s), medical conditions, medications, allergies, and blood type
- Toggle on “Show When Locked”
- Tap Done
Android
- Go to Settings
- Tap Safety & Emergency (name may vary by device)
- Tap Emergency Information or Medical Info
- Add emergency contact(s) and any medical details
- Ensure info is visible on lock screen
Anonymous Reporting
If you would like to report an issue anonymously to the Office of Campus Safety and Security or the Division of Student Affairs you can do so by reporting an incident report and not including any of your personal information here https://www.otis.edu/incident-reports.
If you need to report an emergency call the Office of Campus Safety and Security at 310-665-6965 or 9-1-1.
Clery Act And Crime Report
The federal government mandates the disclosure of certain crime statistics so that students, employees, and families can be educated about the safety of College campuses. Please be aware that these are statistics for the most severe forms of crime. Students should still be vigilant about their personal safety and take care of their personal possessions.
A Campus Safety and Security Officer is available 24 hours a day. The Office of Campus Safety and Security Officers make regularly scheduled rounds of the building and its perimeter. Please contact the Office of Campus Safety and Security immediately at 310-665-6965 if you need assistance. If you need the Los Angeles Police Department or paramedic assistance, dial 911.
The daily crime log is available online at http://www.otis.edu/campus-safety/crime-fire-log and the reports detail crime statistics, as reported to the Chief Safety and Security Officer for the Goldsmith Campus and the MFA Studios and are provided in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. The annual security report (ASR) includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus, in certain off-campus buildings, and on public property. The crime report is prepared in cooperation with the local law enforcement agencies surrounding our locations, the Dean of Student Affairs, who supervises residence life and housing and student conduct, and the Chief Safety and Security Officer, who oversees campus security.
To request an individual hard copy of the campus crime statistics, please contact the Office of Campus Safety and Security and Security at (310) 665-6965 or email campussafety@otis.edu. The following crime reports can be found online at https://www.otis.edu/campus-safety/annual-security-report.
For additional information regarding timely warnings, policy regarding enforcement authority, and all other the Office of Campus Safety and Security resources, go to http://www.otis.edu/campus-safety.
Drug-Free Workplace
Otis College is a drug-free environment and the College will not tolerate the manufacture, distribution, dispensation, sale, purchase, possession, offer to sell, and/or use of any illegal drugs (as defined by the statutes of the state of California) in any Otis College facility or at any Otis College function. Any student found to have violated the Alcohol and Other Drug policy will be subject to arrest and disciplinary action in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct Policy. To read more about the drug free schools act, please go to https://www.otis.edu/campus-safety/drug-free-schools-act.