Bakersfield College is committed to ensuring that faculty and students are safe and have access to campus safety. On the BC website you will find a header labeled Campus Life where there is a College Safety tab. This tab provides contact information for Escort Carts that include Safety Escorts and Courtesy Cart Services for Disabled Students Programs & Services (DSPS). The page also provides a tab where you can report a concern. Under the Emergency Situations tab, there are tips on what to do in the case of a natural disaster, threats, and medical emergencies.

Not every student is informed of what the BC website offers in terms of safety. After following up with some students, most comments said they are aware there is a safety hotline but do not have the contact information, they were not aware of safety escorts to their vehicle, and that security can accompany them to where they need to go.

Before the 2024 Fall Semester, BC offered the Bridge to BC: First Year Student Success Course. Students are able to explore the campus and receive information about the resources BC has to offer. Incoming freshman, Jasmine Gonzalez, participated in the Bridge to BC and was able to give some feedback about her experience.

When following up about what the Bridge offered the incoming students, Jasmine said she was given the contact information to campus safety but she had no knowledge of the detailed campus safety the BC website provides. She mentioned that she was not familiar with how to report a safety concern.

This semester, Jasmine has night class from 6pm-9pm at the main campus. When asked if her professors discuss campus safety contact information or encourage students to walk to the parking lots together, she said no. She added that at night the furthest point out she sees security is in the pool area and has yet to see any guarding around the free parking lot. “The only time I heard safety tips was during the Bridge to BC,” said Jasmine. Adding to what safety tips the Bridge provided, she shared she was told to be aware of her surroundings, especially the bathrooms where people are in and out.

College safety can be contacted at [email protected] or (661) 395-4554.