BC Response & Resources

In light of the campus closure due to the reported sexual assault on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, BC has developed this page to centralize information and to help minimize misinformation. We want to take a moment to reassure the Bellevue College community of the ongoing safety measures we have in place. In addition, this will keep you up to date as we receive information.  

Please note: This is an open Bellevue Police Department investigation. The college is not privy to all information. The Bellevue PD blog has the most recent information. (The Bellevue PD blog contains information on all investigations handled by the department, so scrolling might be necessary to find pertinent information). 

Campuswide Messaging

Message from President Dr. David May – March 14

Dear Campus Community,

We understand there are ongoing questions and concerns surrounding the events that led to the campus closure on February 27 as well as the response from the college and from local police. There are also many questions about the investigation; however, there is not a lot of additional information that can be provided at this time. The investigation by the Bellevue Police Department remains open and ongoing, and the college continues to work in close collaboration with the police. Because this is an ongoing investigation, the college is unable to comment on any details of the case.

Providing additional details could jeopardize the police investigation, the reporting party’s privacy, or spread incomplete information. All questions about the investigation should be directed to the Bellevue Police Department, as they have the most complete information. As a part of our collaboration with the police department, they have been clear that there is no ongoing threat on our campus. Internally, the executive leadership team continues to examine the college’s response on February 27 and the following week and is working to prioritize identified areas of improvement.

I know there is also deep concern for the reporting party, and the college continues to stand ready to support the individual. I want to stress again the importance of exercising empathy and kindness toward one another during this time and beyond.

We are committed to fostering a campus culture that promotes safety, respect, and empathy. If you or someone you know has been impacted by sexual violence, needs resources, or wants to report, we encourage you to seek support.

Our BC Response and Resources webpage has centralized messaging, resources, and our current security policies and procedures. BC Response & Resources – Bellevue College The college remains committed to the safety of our community and we value your partnership in our efforts.

Sincerely,

David May

President

David May, PhD | President (he/him/his)
Office of the President
(425) 564‑2302
3000 Landerholm Circle SE, Room A201
Bellevue, WA 98007
bellevuecollege.edu

Dear Bellevue College Community,

Thank you for your swift response to today’s campus closure. We take the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff, and faculty seriously and appreciate your willingness to comply with the campus closure requested by Bellevue Police Department.

Bellevue Police Department responded to a reported sexual assault but has since determined there is no serious or ongoing threat to the campus or community. The case remains under investigation by Bellevue Police. The campus will reopen tomorrow for normal operations on Feb. 28, 2024.

Public Safety will be doing extra walk-throughs in the coming weeks and will continue to work in close collaboration with Bellevue Police.

Remember, we are a community, and you are not alone. If you or someone you know has been impacted by sexual violence, needs resources or wants to report, we encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed any form of sexual misconduct to come forward and seek support. We are committed to fostering a campus culture that promotes safety, respect, and empathy.

If you or someone you know may have been impacted by this incident, please note the resources below.

Resources

Students

Counseling Center: Counselors are available for students and are trained mental health professionals who assist students with a wide variety of personal life challenges and concerns.

BC Counseling Center – Free and Confidential Counseling Services for Students

Faculty and Staff

Employee Assistance Program: Faculty and staff can contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 877-313-4455.

Students, Staff and Faculty

Report a Concern: Report any concern in the Bellevue College community online, including worrying behaviors.

Request a Safety Escort: Officer escorts are available by request at 425-466-9365.

Emergency Alerts Emails: Bellevue College students and employees with a Bellevue College email address are automatically subscribed to BC alerts, our emergency alert communication system.

Emergency Alerts Text Messaging: To opt-in for text message alerts and other communication methods. If you did not receive an alert today, please re-register at link above.

Title IX Office: The Title IX Office responds to sexual misconduct that impacts members of our campus community. You can contact the office at 425-389-5520 or email titleix@bellevuecollege.edu.  Additional campus and community resources can be found on the Gender Based Violence Prevention website at bellevuecollege.edu/gbvprevention/.

In community,

David May, PhD | President (he/him/his)

Office of the President

(425) 564-2302

3000 Landerholm Circle SE

Bellevue, WA 98007

bellevuecollege.edu

Hello Bellevue College Students,  

Today has been a difficult day for our community, and each of us may be impacted by the news differently. In times like these, we may experience many different emotions. All are valid. Please contact a trusted friend or family member or our counseling services if you need or want support. Bellevue College Counselors are available for students and are trained mental health professionals who assist students with a wide variety of personal life challenges and concerns. 

Attached is also a list of resources and strategies from our counseling center on things you can do right now to care for yourself. 

Drop-in counseling (no appointment necessary) is available Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.  

If you are experiencing an immediate need, you can reach out to our community partner: King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KSARC). KSARC provides trauma-specific, evidence-based therapy to help victims of sexual assault heal. Cost is never a barrier to therapy services. 

As we are in community with each other, you can help our campus community be a safer and welcoming space for all. Report any concerns or seek support for a situation that concerns you via the Report Concerns online page.  

Finally, please communicate with your instructors directly if you need to process today’s events.  

In community,  

Judith Hernandez Chapar 

Dear Faculty & Staff:  

Yesterday’s events have impacted our community in several different ways. In this moment, community care is important. You’re invited to a community care pop up in the Social Justice Center (B207). Minna Kim, one of our trusted community partners, will hold space in the SJC for those who need a moment to decompress, practice taking a pause, and be in community with others. Doors to the SJC will be open for drop in beginning at 10:30 a.m. and will remain open until 3 p.m.  

We will hold space for our faculty and staff communities. Additional information about community supports for students will be forthcoming from Student Affairs.

Take care of yourselves and each other, in this moment and always. 

If you need additional support, here are some resources that are available to you:  

Faculty and Staff 

Employee Assistance Program: Faculty and staff can contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 877-313-4455. 

Students, Staff and Faculty 

Report a Concern: Report any concern in the Bellevue College community online, including worrying behaviors.  

Request a Safety Escort: Officer escorts are available by request at 425-466-9365. 

Emergency Alerts Emails: Bellevue College students and employees with a Bellevue College email address are automatically subscribed to BC alerts, our emergency alert communication system.  

Emergency Alerts Text Messaging: To opt-in for text message alerts and other communication methods. If you did not receive an alert today, please re-register at link above.  

Title IX Office: The Title IX Office responds to sexual misconduct that impacts members of our campus community. You can contact the office at 425-389-5520 or email titleix@bellevuecollege.edu.   

Additional campus and community resources can be found on the Gender Based Violence Prevention website at bellevuecollege.edu/gbvprevention/. 

King County Sexual Assault Resource Center: The nonprofit King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC) provides critical support and comprehensive services to children, teens and adults who have experienced sexual assault. All of their direct services are available in both English and in Spanish through their Dando Voz program. 

-Consuelo

Consuelo A. Grier, Ed.D. (she/her)

Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Bellevue College

Consuelo.grier@bellevuecollege.edu

Greetings Campus Community, 

Following yesterday’s BC Alerts, which are used to notify the campus of emergencies, Public Safety has received several reports of text messages not being delivered to individuals that have signed up for the Rave BC Alerts notification system. We apologize if you did not receive an alert, and we are currently working with the vendor to identify the cause, resolve any issues, and will report back our findings to the campus.  

If you have not already signed up for BC Alerts or if you want to make sure that your information is up to date, please do so here: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/emergency-alerts.   

Additionally, BC Alerts are tested each quarter to ensure system functionality. BC Alerts were last tested on January 19, 2024, with no reported problems. 

Below is a summary of the methods BC Alerts utilizes to send emergency notifications: 

  • Text messaging (Individuals must signup) 
  • E-mail (All Bellevue College email addresses are automatically enrolled) 
  • Desktop Notifications (All campus computers are automatically enrolled) 
  • College website (A banner is posted to the top of the homepage) 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our Director of Public Safety Ross Villegas.

Thank you, 

Rodger Harrison | Vice President

Information Technology Services

(425) 564-2224
bellevuecollege.edu

Dear Bellevue College community,

The Bellevue Police Department has issued an update regarding the events that led to the campus closure on Feb. 27, 2024.

Detectives have released a statement that the investigation into the reported sexual assault remains active; however, at this point there is no articulable threat to the college or surrounding community in relation to this case. 

Read the full statement from the Bellevue Police Department. 

The college will continue to work in close collaboration with the Bellevue Police Department.

I know there is deep concern for the reporting party, and the college stands ready to support the individual. I want to stress again the importance of exercising empathy and kindness to one another during this time and beyond.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by sexual violence, needs resources, or wants to report, we encourage you to seek support. We are committed to fostering a campus culture that promotes safety, respect, and empathy.

The college remains committed to the safety of our community and we value your partnership in our efforts. Learn more about Bellevue College’s campus safety, resources, and official communications on this matter.

Sincerely,

David May, PhD | President (he/him/his)

Office of the President
(425) 564-230-3000
Landerholm Circle SE
Bellevue, WA 98007
bellevuecollege.edu

Campus Community,

Earlier today, all BC Alerts data restoration efforts were completed.  Although only some of our community members were impacted, we are asking everyone to verify their information at the BC Alerts website (click the link on the middle of the page labeled “Log in to BC Alerts”).  You will be able to verify your information provided is working correctly when we perform a special test of the system this Wednesday, 3/6/2024, at 1 p.m., to ensure everything is working as expected after the data restoration.

When reviewing your information, you may be requested to confirm your cellphone number, which we encourage you do, if prompted.  Please note, that regardless of performing that confirmation, if your cellphone number is present, you will receive alerts.

The missing data was recovered via a joint effort with our vendor.  We were able to recover the information comparing export files from before and after the transfer errors.  Changes have been made to prevent any future data loss.

Please remember to update the information you provide to the BC Alerts system if it changes in the future.  We will update your Bellevue College e-mail address if it changes, but any cellphone number or personal e-mail address you enter needs to be updated by you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our Director of Public Safety Ross Villegas.

Thank you,

Rodger Harrison | Vice President

Information Technology Services

(425) 564-2224
bellevuecollege.edu

Safety Resources 

  • Public Safety: BC Public Safety provides 24/7 coverage of campus. Officers conduct drive-throughs, walk-throughs, incident responses, medical response, and provide escorts on request.
  • Emergency Alert System: BC Rave Alerts provides timely warnings and emergency notifications to students, faculty, and staff in case of emergencies, such as severe weather, threats, or other safety concerns. Alerts include text messages, emails, desktop computer notifications, and voice calls. 
  • Safety Training and Education: Safety training programs and Professional Development Days are offered to students, faculty, and staff, covering topics like emergency response procedures, personal safety, and campus resources available for assistance. 
  • Security Measures: Security camera system, emergency call boxes, access control systems in strategic locations across campus, fire extinguishers, and AED’s (automated external defibrillators). 
  • Crisis Management Plans: Comprehensive plans to address various crises, including natural disasters, health emergencies, and security threats. 
  • Collaboration with Local Authorities: BC has a strong relationship with the Bellevue Police Department, and the college often collaborates to enhance campus safety and coordinate responses to incidents. 
  • Support Services: Counseling services, Drop-in hours, a Community Care Space, Employee Assistance Program, Title IX resources and the Gender-Based Violence Prevention Office. 
  • Community Engagement: Active participation from students, faculty, and staff in campus safety initiatives such as the Safety Lead program.
  • Regular Safety Audits and Assessments: BC conducts regular tests, drills, and exercises as assessments of campus safety measures and makes necessary improvements based on feedback. 
  • Policies and Procedures: Specific procedures and policies have been developed to ensure Public Safety, including 1445 and 1445P Title IX, 1480 Clery Act Compliance, and 2050 Student Conduct Code.
BC Policies and Procedures Website