Safety & Security at PJC
Paris Junior College is committed to providing a safe and secure environment where students can focus on learning, growing, and achieving their goals. The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors is a shared responsibility — and staying informed is the first step.
This section outlines the resources, policies, and procedures in place to keep our campuses safe. We encourage every student to familiarize themselves with this information, know how to report concerns, and take an active role in maintaining a community where everyone feels welcome and protected.
Paris Junior College cares deeply about the health, safety, and well-being of every student. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, feeling hopeless, or experiencing emotional distress, help is available—immediately and confidentially.
If you observe these signs in yourself or others, take them seriously and seek help immediately.
Immediate Help
- Call or Text 988 – Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (24/7, free, confidential)
- PJC Campus Police: Paris Campus – (903) 782-0111
- Contact your local police or 911 in an emergency
- National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (24/7, free, confidential)
- PJC Counseling Services: Free and confidential support for currently enrolled students. Contact the Advising and Counseling Center during business hours at (903) 782-0426.
Paris Junior College is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and drug-free campus environment. The College provides education, prevention programming, and support services to help students understand the risks associated with alcohol and drug use and make informed decisions.
Students are expected to comply with all local, state, and federal laws, as well as College policies regarding alcohol and controlled substances. Violations may result in disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct.
Students who may be impacted by substance use are encouraged to seek assistance through available campus resources.
➤ More information on standards of conduct, health risks, legal consequences, and available support services.
In the event of a medical emergency involving a student, visitor, or employee of Paris Junior College, the City of Paris EMS and the PJC officer on duty should be notified immediately by calling 903-872-0399 or 9-911 (on campus) or 911 (off campus or via cellphone).
For residence hall students, please contact the Director of Student Life at 903-517-0112 for assistance after hours or call 911.
Life threatening accidents or illnesses should receive immediate medical attention by calling 911. If at all possible, an employee should remain with the person with the accident or illness until medical assistance arrives.
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 U.S.C. § 1092(f)), Paris Junior College publishes an Annual Security Report (ASR) by October 1 of each year. The ASR is available to all current and prospective students and employees and contains the following information:
- Campus security policies and procedures
- Crime prevention programs and information
- Emergency response and evacuation procedures
- Timely warning and emergency notification policies
- Policies addressing sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking
- Procedures for reporting criminal activity
- Three years of campus crime statistics for all PJC locations
The Annual Security Report is available online: PJC's ASR. To request a printed copy, contact Campus Police at 903-782-0399 or cmayfield@parisjc.edu. The PJC Police Department is located on the bottom floor of the Student's Center.
Paris Junior College encourages all students and employees to promptly report criminal activity, suspicious behavior, and emergencies. Reports may be made to:
- PJC Police Department:
- Non-emergencies dial 903-782-0399 or ext. 1399 from office phones
- EMERGENCIES dial 911
- Any Campus Security Authority (CSA): Designated campus officials who have significant responsibility for student and campus activities are required to report crimes to campus security.
Individuals may also report crimes confidentially. Confidential reports are used for statistical purposes and do not identify the reporting party. Contact the PJC Police Department for confidential reporting or the PJC Advising & Counseling Center in the Administration building.
Timely Warnings: When a crime is reported to campus security or local law enforcement that represents an ongoing threat to the safety of students or employees, PJC will issue a timely warning to the campus community through the Dragon Emergency Alert System. All current students and employees are strongly encouraged to sign up to receive timely warnings online at http://www.getrave.com/login/parisjc.
Paris Junior College prohibits sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking in all forms. These behaviors violate PJC policy and may also violate state and federal law. The following definitions apply for purposes of institutional policy and Clery Act reporting:
- Sexual Assault: Any sexual act directed against another person without consent, including rape, fondling, incest, and statutory rape.
- Dating Violence: Violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim, where the existence of such a relationship is determined based on the length and type of relationship and frequency of interaction.
- Domestic Violence: Felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner, a person with whom the victim shares a child, or a person cohabitating with or who has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner.
- Stalking: A course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or the safety of others, or to suffer substantial emotional distress.
How to Report
Students who experience or witness sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking are encouraged to report the incident as soon as possible.
To make a report, contact:
Melanie Hatcher
Title IX Coordinator/Human Resources Director
903.782.0304
mhatcher@parisjc.edu
Administration Building, Human Resources Suite
Students are not required to report to law enforcement in order to receive campus support or accommodations. PJC will not retaliate against any person who makes a good-faith report of sexual misconduct.
Survivor Rights
Students who report sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking have the right to:
- Receive written information about available campus and community support services
- Request changes to academic schedules, campus safety plans, or other protective measures
- Have reports investigated promptly, fairly, and impartially by trained officials
- Be accompanied by an advisor of their choosing during any institutional disciplinary proceeding
- Receive written notification of the outcome of an institutional disciplinary proceeding
- Appeal the outcome of a disciplinary proceeding where such procedures are available
- Have their identity and personal information treated with discretion and sensitivity
Prevention and Awareness
Paris Junior College provides primary prevention and awareness programming for all
incoming students and employees, as well as ongoing awareness campaigns for the entire
campus community. These programs address bystander intervention, risk reduction, and
the definitions of and resources for sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence,
and stalking. Program descriptions are included in the Annual Security Report.
Paris Junior College has established emergency response and evacuation procedures for all campus locations. Emergency evacuation routes and procedures are posted in campus buildings. Students and employees are expected to familiarize themselves with evacuation routes for the buildings they regularly use.
PJC conducts at least one emergency evacuation drill or test per calendar year. Documentation of each drill, including date, time, and type of exercise, is maintained and reported in the Annual Security Report.
For detailed emergency procedures, visit PJC's EOP or refer to the Annual Security Report.
The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act requires individuals who are registered sex offenders under state law to notify the institution upon enrollment or employment. Registered sex offenders at Paris Junior College must register in person with PJC Campus Police. located on the bottom floor of the Student's Center, within five days of enrollment. Call 903-782-0399 for more information.
Information about registered sex offenders who may be enrolled at or employed by PJC is available through the Texas Department of Public Safety Sex Offender Registry at https://records.txdps.state.tx.us.
Paris Junior College prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession, or use of controlled substances and alcohol on campus or at any college-sponsored event, in accordance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA).
Violations are subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal and may be referred to local law enforcement for criminal prosecution.
Information on health risks, legal sanctions, and available counseling and treatment resources related to drug and alcohol use is published in the Annual Security Report and is available from the Office of Student Services.
Related policies:
Paris Junior College has established procedures for responding to reports of missing students residing in on-campus housing.
Students in campus housing may designate a confidential emergency contact to be notified if the student is determined to be missing. This information is located in the student's academic records and may be updated or added by emailing records@parisjc.edu.
If a student is reported missing, PJC will initiate an investigation and notify the student's designated emergency contact — or a parent or guardian if the student is under 18 — and local law enforcement within 24 hours of determining the student is missing. To report a missing student, contact the PJC Police Department at 903-782-0399 or go to the bottom floor of the Student's Center to report in person.
Paris Junior College is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and secure learning environment for all students, employees, and visitors. For questions about campus safety policies or the Annual Security Report, contact the Office of Student Services at 903-782-0211, by email at ss@parisjc.edu, or by visiting the Office of the VP of Student Services in the Administration Building, Ste. 152.