Safety & Education Programs

Knox College offers a number of safety programs designed to inform both students and employees about campus security procedures and practices. One common goal of all such programs is to encourage all members of the community to look out for their own safety, as well as the safety of others.

Safety Awareness

During the annual new student orientation in September, students are informed of services provided by the Department of Campus Safety. The department, in cooperation with the Division of Student Development and the Title IX Coordinator, discusses crime on and off the Knox campus.

Alcohol & Drug Awareness

The Department of Campus Safety, in cooperation with the Division of Student Development, will provide programmatic initiatives in an effort to reduce the consumption of alcohol and other drugs by Knox students. On-campus programs include training residential assistants (RAs) in alcohol and other drug prevention efforts. Alcohol education is also a key part of all new student orientation and includes an interactive online training program through AlcoholEdu. TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures) alcohol awareness training is also provided to Resident Assistants and members of Greek organizations and Athletics teams.

Sexual Assault Prevention

Sexual assaults continue to be a serious concern facing college campuses today. This crime is underreported; therefore, the number of incidents may be higher than officially noted. To underscore this concern of the Knox campus, the College offers programs dealing with issues relating to sexual assault prevention.

During new student orientation, the Division of Student Development and Title IX Coordinator offer trained peer-facilitated interactive workshops on active consent, a performance-based presentation about consent, boundaries, and healthy relationships through skits, interactive dialogue, and power monologues that specifically address issues, including consent, sexual assault, and active bystander intervention, including training of student facilitators to promote healthy campus dialogue following the performance. Online interactive programs addressing sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking and safer decision-making in choices about the use of alcohol are available for all students.

The Department of Campus Safety, in cooperation with the Division of Student Development and the Title IX Coordinator, has and will continue to provide primary and ongoing prevention and awareness programs dealing with the issues of sex discrimination, sexual misconduct, and interpersonal violence, as well as other forcible and non-forcible sex offenses and healthy relationships.

Self Defense

During the 2017-2018 academic year Campus Safety, in cooperation with the Title IX Office, held a Self-Defense Presentation and Practice. This two-and-a-half-hour workshop was presented by two local RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) certified instructors and focused on basic self-defense techniques, including hands-on defense training.

Active Shooter Awareness

Since 2016, the Department of Campus Safety, in cooperation with the Knox College Staff Council, presents an active shooter awareness and mitigation program to students, faculty, and staff. This program is delivered by personnel trained by the Illinois State Police, who cover such topics as steps to take if confronted with an active shooter, escape planning, reporting, and protective measures.

Safety Walk

In cooperation with Student Senate, the Department of Campus Safety holds a Safety Walk on a fall evening of each academic year During the Safety Walks students, faculty, staff and administrators tour campus to identify and bring awareness to potential safety concerns throughout campus and to discuss ideas for future improvements. The information or suggestions collected are brought to Facilities Services or another appropriate department.

Special Programs

Crime prevention and personal safety programs are available throughout the academic year and may be independently designed to address a specific need or concern. The programs may address a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to, crime prevention awareness, sexual and relationship violence, drug and alcohol abuse, acquaintance rape drug awareness, and theft prevention. Students and employees are encouraged to contact the Director of Campus Safety at 309-341-7255 or the Title IX Coordinator at 309-341-7751 to discuss the development of specialized programs.