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Emergency Protocols: Scenarios

1. Serious illness or injury of either student or course leader 

      • If overseas, call SOS to get doctor/hospital referral.  
      • Ensure the person is receiving medical attention. 
      • Ensure the rest of the group is provided for, but do not reveal confidential medical information to other students.  Say, “for medical reasons . . .” 
      • Contact Colorado College using the Campus Safety emergency number +1-719-389-6911. Make sure you have your contact information ready. 
      • Determine if you should contact the local authorities in the host country. This could be the local police, U.S. Embassy officials, etc. 
      • Keep a record of as many details as possible pertaining to the emergency. 
      • Refrain from contacting the student’s/course leader’s emergency contacts until you have spoken with a staff from CC. Together you will decide the best way forward. 

2. Student or course leader becomes a victim of crime or theft 

      • If overseas, call SOS to get doctor/hospital referral if medical attention is needed.  
      • Determine if you should immediately contact the local authorities in the host country. This could be the local police, U.S. Embassy officials, etc. 
      • Ensure the rest of the group is provided for while you are handling the incident, but do not reveal private information to other students.   
      • Contact Colorado College using the Campus Safety emergency number +1-719-389-6911. Make sure you have your contact information ready. 
      • Keep a record of as many details as possible pertaining to the incident. 
      • Avoid speaking with the media. 
      • Refrain from contacting the student’s/course leader’s emergency contacts until you have spoken with a staff from CC. Together you will decide the best way forward. 
      • If the situation is between a CC student and an outside party, actions will depend upon the laws of the host country and desires of the victim.  CC on-campus staff will contact the appropriate offices at CC for advice. 
      • If the situation is between two CC students, College policy will apply, and the Dean of Students will have primary responsibility for actions 
      • The Director or Assistant Director of Global Education will review the incident with you to determine if further reporting is required by U.S. Law.  

3. If a student displays violent or suicidal behavior

      • If overseas, call SOS to get doctor/hospital referral if medical attention is needed.  
      • Make sure the student is under safe supervision; do not leave alone. 
      • Make sure the rest of the group is provided for, but do not reveal private medical information to other students.  Say, “for medical reasons . . .” 
      • Contact Colorado College using the Campus Safety emergency number +1-719-389-6911. Make sure you have your contact information ready. 
      • Keep a record of as many details as possible pertaining to the incident. 

4. Student or course leader becomes a victim of assault, rape,or harassment

      • The victim has the right to decide whether to inform/contact the local authorities or to seek medical attention.  If the victim chooses to seek medical attention, call SOS to get doctor/hospital referral if abroad.  Ensure that these rights are not violated.  SOS can also provide translators if needed.  
      • Determine appropriate strategies for separating the victim and perpetrator (i.e., housing, class, etc.) and assure their safety for the rest of the trip, at minimum. 
      • Ensure the rest of the group is provided for while you are attending to the incident, but do not reveal private medical information to other students.  Say, “for medical reasons. 
      • Contact the CC Office of Civil Rights & Title IX.  This office can provide guidance and advice for you and will reach out to the student to offer support, information, and assistance with making decisions.  Encourage the victim to talk with the Advocate but recognize that it is the student’s decision whether to do so or not.
      • Contact CC Campus Safety if you can’t get through at (719) 389-6911 and they will make contact with the person on call. Make sure you have your contact information ready.  
      • As required by federal law, report any incident to CC’s Office of Civil Rights & Title IX using the online reporting function on the CC website. If such notice is not possible from a certain place or at a certain time, such notice must be made as soon as the course leader returns to the College.  Protection of victims’ identities will be honored to the extent possible, but cannot be assured. 
      • Document in writing the following details. Refrain from documenting other details about the assault as they can be subpoenaed and, if mistakes were made, can be used to discredit the victim. 
          • date/time you were notified & by whom 
          • if the incident occurred in a location over which CC exerts control (housing, classroom, etc.) 
          • date/time you contacted resources or notified authorities and what resources were offered to the victim 
          • steps you took to ensure safety (housing changes, interim suspension, etc.)  
      • Course leader and students should refrain from making statements to the media.  If you are contacted to answer questions, refer the media to the CC Communications Office.  Media relations specialists in the Communications Office will handle all contact with the media. 
      • Unless there is a medical emergency, refrain from contacting the student’s/course leader’s emergency contacts.  The victim should have the opportunity to make decisions about informing others.  CC staff like the Campus Advocate can assist the victim in making decisions if desired.  
      • Together the Title IX Team and the Campus Advocate will consider next steps, including prevention of recurrence and longer term effects on victims. They will also work with the appropriate course leader members and Deans to evaluate their courses so as to minimize future risk. 

Sexual assault response information for course leader and staff  

The response for students experiencing sexual assault abroad should mirror the response for students experiencing sexual assault on campus.   

The physical health of the victim is a primary concern.  Urge the student to get medical assistance (i.e., medical evaluation and treatment for physical trauma and sexually transmitted infection; emergency contraception). If forensic evidence collection is desired and available, it is best not to shower, brush teeth, or change clothes. 

Contact with the police may be required if forensic evidence is to be collected; asking hospital staff about the processes in place will be helpful.  Victims are sometimes able to seek medical attention without being forced to talk to the police or cooperate with criminal prosecution.  Medical exams can be quite stressful.  Therefore, it is crucial for a staff/course leader member to serve as a calm, supportive and non-judgmental support who will accompany the victim to the hospital and remain available throughout the exam.   

Because sexual assault often leaves victims/survivors feeling powerless, it is very important for her/him to feel that she/he is in control of the decisions that affect her/his life.  The decisions to seek medical attention, file a formal complaint to the college or to report to the police are decisions that only the victim/survivor should make.  Obviously, if there are injuries in which a victim is not able to make decisions, you will need to assist.   

An additional factor to consider early in the response is safety.  Sexual assaults often occur in the victim/survivor’s room/home and are most often perpetrated by someone the victim/survivor knows.  It is therefore important to assess how safe they feel in their room/home and to pursue other housing options as they may be available.  Try to arrange their environment so that they will not be likely to come into contact with their attacker again.  

5. A student or course leader is accused of committing a crime

      • Determine if you should immediately contact the local authorities in the host country. This could be the police, medical professional, U.S. Embassy officials, legal counsel in the country, etc. In some countries, this kind of action may not be the best immediate response. 
      • Ensure the rest of the group is provided for while you are attending to the incident. 
      • Contact Colorado College using the Campus Safety emergency number +1-719-389-6911.  Make sure you have your contact information ready. 
      • Keep a record of as many details as possible pertaining to the incident. 
      • Course leader and students should refrain from making statements to the media. If you are contacted to answer questions, refer the media to the CC Communications Office, 719-389-6603. Media relations specialists in the Communications Office will handle all contact with the media. 
      • Refrain from contacting the student’s/course leader’s emergency contacts until you have spoken with a staff from CC. Together you will decide the best way forward. 
      • If the situation is between a CC student and an outside party, actions will depend upon the laws of the host country and desires of the victim. CC on-campus staff will contact CC general counsel for advice. 
      • If the situation is between two CC students, College policy will apply, and the Dean of Students and the Associate Dean of the College will have primary responsibility for actions. 

6. Student or course leader with emotional/psychological problems 

      • Call SOS to get doctor/hospital referral.  
      • Determine if the person should not be left alone until action can be taken. 
      • Ensure the rest of the group is provided for while you are attending to the incident, but do not reveal private medical information to other students.  Say, “for medical reasons. 
      • Contact Colorado College using the Campus Safety emergency number +1-719-389-6911.  Make sure you have your contact information ready. 
      • Keep a record of as many details as possible pertaining to the incident. 
      • Course leader and students should refrain from making statements to the media.  If you are contacted to answer questions, refer the media to the CC Communications Office, 719-389-6603. Media relations specialists in the Communications Office will handle all contact with the media. 
      • Refrain from contacting the student’s/course leader’s emergency contacts until you have spoken with a staff member from CC. Together you will decide the best way forward. 

7. A situation in host country causes concern (natural disaster, political uprising) 

      • Determine if you should contact SOS immediately.  SOS can provide security analysis and advice.  
      • Ensure that all members of the group are safe or know how to get to a safe place.  Establish a primary meeting place (eg. hotel lobby) and a secondary meeting place (eg. under the clock in the main plaza).  
      • Determine if you should immediately contact the local authorities in the host country. This could be the police or the U.S. Embassy officials. 
      • Contact Colorado College using the Campus Safety emergency number +1-719-389-6911.  Make sure you have your contact information ready. 
      • Keep a record of as many details as possible pertaining to the incident. 
      • Refrain from contacting the student’s/course leader’s emergency contacts until you have spoken with a staff member from CC. Together you will decide the best way forward. 
      • Course leader and students should refrain from making statements to the media. If you are contacted to answer questions, refer the media to the CC Communications Office, 719-389-6603. Media relations specialists in the Communications Office will handle all contact with the media.  

8. A student has taken an alcohol or drug overdose

      • If you have time, and are abroad, call SOS to get doctor/hospital referral.  Otherwise your first call is to the ambulance.  
      • Make sure the rest of the group is provided for, but do not reveal private medical information to other students.  Say, “for medical reasons . . ." 
      • Keep a record of as many details as possible pertaining to the incident. 
      • When the student is under medical attention, contact Colorado College. Make sure you have contact information ready. 
      • Refrain from contacting the student’s/course leader’s emergency contacts until you have spoken with a staff member from CC. Together you will decide the best way forward. 
      • Course leader and students should refrain from making statements to the media. If you are contacted to answer questions, refer the media to the CC Communications Office. Media relations specialists in the Communications Office will handle all contact with the media.   

9. If a student decides to leave the program unexpectedly  

      • Contact Colorado College using the emergency Campus Safety emergency number +1-719-389-6911. Make sure you have your contact information ready. 
      • The appropriate Deans’ offices will work with the student concerning financial and academic issues. 
      • Ensure that the rest of the group is informed about the student’s departure. 
      • If the student was staying in a homestay, contact the family or work with the homestay coordinator (provider) to inform them about the student’s decision.  

10. A student goes missing 

      • Determine if you should immediately contact the local authorities in the host country. This could be the police, U.S. Embassy officials, etc. 
      • Check the student’s accommodation. Find out if anyone in the group knows where the missing student was intending to go. 
      • Ensure that no one in the group contacts friends/family to tell them who is missing. Someone from CC will contact the missing student’s emergency contact. 
      • Keep a record of as many details as possible pertaining to the incident. 
      • Contact Colorado College using the Campus Safety emergency number +1-719-389-6911.  Make sure you have contact information ready. 
      • Course leader and students should refrain from making statements to the media. If you are contacted to answer questions, refer the media to the CC Communications Office, 719-389-6603. Media relations specialists in the Communications Office will handle all contact with the media. 

11. Death of either student or course leader

      • Immediately contact SOS, then CC using the Campus Safety emergency number +1-719-389-6911.  SOS will assist with all the arrangements for repatriation of remains.   
      • Ensure the rest of the group is provided for. The course assistant should, as much as possible, remain with the students while the Course Leader deals with local officials and with CC.  
      • Keep a record of as many details as possible pertaining to the incident. 
      • Refrain from contacting the student’s/course leader’s emergency contacts until you have spoken with a staff from CC. Someone from CC will contact the student’s parents. 
      • Prevent other students from contacting friends/family until victim’s family has been notified. 
      • Course leader and students should refrain from making statements to the media.  If you are contacted to answer questions, refer the media to the CC Communications Office, 719-389-6603. Media relations specialists in the Communications Office will handle all contact with the media.  

12. Dismissing a student

If you are considering dismissing a student from your program, your first point of contact at CC should be the Director of Global Education.  The Director will bring in others, such as the Dean of Students (or the Dean’s designate).  While we will ask for information regarding the rationale for dismissing a student, our primary role is to support your decision and to determine what additional student judicial processes might be warranted. 

13. Cancelling a program

If the program is already located abroad, your primary point of contact will be the Director of Global Education. A decision to cancel or suspend a program should involve conversations with the Vice-Provost, Dean of the Faculty, and the Director of Global Education.  If the decision is made, the College will assist with arrangements for your return.  If the decision to cancel the program is prior to the set departure date, you should consult with all three parties named above to coordinate the cancellation.