As we prepare to launch our fall semester using a range of new technologies to facilitate our interactions with students in a virtual environment, we are reaching out with a reminder about student support resources and employee reporting responsibilities. Virtual technologies introduce a new dimension to our interactions with students; while our programs were previously conducted primarily within LLCC’s controlled physical environment, we are now virtually reaching students in environments of their choosing. Whether students are taking a recorded exam while on break at work, virtually meeting with their student success coach from their dining room table or participating in a synchronous remote course, we are increasingly exposed to glimpses of students’ lives outside of school. At the same time, there may be understandable confusion about our reporting responsibilities while operating in these virtual environments. With this in mind, we are providing a few points of clarification and reminders.

Overall, it is important to note the obligations of all LLCC employees to report forms of violence, abuse, or student behaviors of concern are still applicable in LLCC’s virtual environments, including live or recorded virtual classrooms, test proctoring, and meetings. Prompt reporting allows LLCC to provide student support and comply with state and federal laws. As a reminder, details about specific reporting requirements and reporting official contacts follow:

• Any knowledge of sexual harassment, domestic/dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking must be reported to LLCC’s Compliance & Prevention Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator, Shelby Bedford. Shelby can be reached at shelby.bedford@llcc.edu or 217-786-4682. An online reporting form is also available at LLCC’s Equal Opportunity website. More information regarding support resources, survivor rights & options, and applicable legal mandates can be found at LLCC’s Sexual Violence Resources website. In addition, Responsible Employee trainings are available for your department by contacting Shelby, or periodically throughout the year as advertised in the LincIn.
• Student conduct issues or behaviors of concern that are not emergencies should be reported using LLCC’s online reporting form or by contacting Leslie Johnson, AVP, Student Success. Leslie can be reached at leslie.johnson@llcc.edu or 217-786-2848. More information regarding Student Rights & Responsibilities, including behavioral expectations, can be found at Student Rights & Responsibilities. Incidents or behaviors that constitute an emergency, such as imminent threats of violence to self or others, should always be immediately reported to LLCC Chief of Police Chris Russell by calling the LLCC Police Department emergency number at 217-786-2222.
• All LLCC employees are considered Mandated Reporters under the Illinois Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Mandated Reporters are required to call the DCFS Hotline when they have reasonable cause to believe that a child (under 18 years old) known to them in their professional capacity may be an abused or neglected child. All Mandated Reporters must call 1-800-24-ABUSE (800-252-2873) to report such information, or if the situation is not an emergency, an online reporting system can be used. More information is available in the DCFS Manual for Mandated Reporters. In addition, a training for Mandated Reporters is available at no cost and can be accessed at any time from the DCFS website.

Thank you for working with us to help ensure student safety.