The Office of Safety & Security provides 24-hour service and protection to the Bowdoin community with a staff of 22 full-time and 10 part-time officers. We are committed to keeping Bowdoin one of the safest campuses in the country, with our primary focus being the health and safety of the student body.

Security officers are generally assigned to campus patrol operations, the communications center, and to the Museum of Art.  Typical duties include event management, building security, parking enforcement, and safety speaking engagements.

The campus is patrolled by officers in vehicles, on foot, and on bicycle.  The 24-hour communications center answers emergency and routine calls for service and monitors an extensive network of security cameras and life safety alarm systems.  Numerous blue light emergency phones dot the campus to provide a quick and easy means to obtain help.  A Safe Ride service provides reliable student transportation within a one-mile radius of campus.

The Office of Safety & Security responds to and investigates all reported incidents and policy violations.  Excellent interdepartmental relationships are maintained with the Brunswick police, fire and rescue, the Maine State Police, and federal law enforcement agencies for operational and training support.  A campus health center and two full-service hospitals (one located less than a mile from campus) serve the college.

Bowdoin also has an all-hazards campus emergency management plan and we conduct annual scenario-based drills to test our readiness to respond to any campus emergency.  A campus-wide mass notification system informs all students, faculty and staff of campus emergencies within minutes, providing specific safety information and instructions.

We are proud of the strong relationship we have with the students, faculty and staff.  Only with the confidence, trust and support of the entire campus community can we ensure that Bowdoin remains the very safe and special place that it is.   

Randy Nichols
Director, Safety & Security