Report on Security Policies and Program Including Crime Statistics
DATE: October 18, 2004
TO: All Students, Faculty and Staff
FROM: Deb Duren, Vice President for Student Services
SUBJECT: REPORT ON SECURITY POLICIES AND PROGRAM INCLUDING CRIME STATISTICS
INTRODUCTION
This report is prepared, published, and distributed in compliance
with the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990 (PL101-542)
as amended by the Higher Education Technical Amendments of 1991
(PL102-26) and the Higher Education Amendments of 1992 (PL102-325
or HEA 92). If you ever have any comments or suggestions concerning
campus security, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
1. PROCEDURES AND FACILITIES FOR REPORTING CRIMES AND EMERGENCIES AND THE INSTITUTION¹S RESPONSE TO SUCH REPORTS
The Stephens College security staff enjoys an excellent relationship with Columbia Police Department. Our personnel encourage students and staff to report any incident to the Columbia Police Department that would be of a serious nature.
The primary goal of the security staff is the protection of our people and property. They are on campus to serve the members of the campus community. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this service.
Stephens College is committed to compliance with the provisions of the Student-Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act (PL102-542). Any questions concerning individual rights under this federal statute, should be directed to the Office of the Dean of Students.
The following procedures are followed by the Stephens
College security in the event of a rape, assault, peace disturbance,
break-in, or other crime occurring on campus. (Security Manual p.
4-5)
a. Crimes against people (rape, assault, etc.)
1. Attempt to control the situation and call back-up assistance from other security officers on campus.
2. Call the Columbia Police Department.
3. Escort the victim to resident hall, health clinic, dean of students office, or other suitable location, and attend to her/his immediate needs.
4. Obtain assistance from resident director or graduate resident on call.
5. Secure the crime scene until the Columbia police arrives and assist them in their investigation as necessary.
6. File a complete report of the event.
b. Crimes against property (breaking and entering, trespassing, etc.)
1. Attempt to control the situation and call for back-up assistance from other security officers on campus.
2. Call the Columbia Police Department, if needed.
3. If Stephens students are involved, notify resident director or graduate resident on call.
4. File a complete report of event.
2. SECURITY OF AND ACCESS TO CAMPUS FACILITIES
Security officers will assist faculty, students, and staff to gain
entrance to buildings and rooms on campus when requested and approved
by proper authority. Campus facilities are open at posted times
only. Most facilities that are locked are available by calling security
for access. (Codification 7.10.4.3)
3. POLICIES CONCERNING CAMPUS LAW ENFORCEMENT, INCLUDING AUTHORITY OF SECURITY PERSONNEL AND POLICIES ENCOURAGING THE REPORTING OF CRIME
A. CAMPUS SECURITY IN GENERAL
The primary goal of Stephens College security is the personal safety
of students, faculty, staff and visitors, as well as the protection
of our property. Security personnel are trained and qualified but
are not certified law enforcement officers and as such, do not carry
weapons or have arrest powers, nor do they investigate crimes. Security
personnel work in close cooperation with the Columbia Police Department
in the event of a reportable crime. They patrol the campus to be
aware of unusual occurrences, and to be "seen" by others
around campus. They control and regulate parking, open buildings
for staff and students, and perform other duties that may arise.
A very important function that they perform is that of providing
escort service for any students, faculty or staff members within
the campus confines after dark. Campus facilities are open at posted
times only. Most facilities that are locked are available to authorized
persons by calling security for access. Security may be contacted
24 hours a day, 365 days per year. (Codification 7.10.4) Non-emergency
assistance can be contacted between hours 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at 876-7212.
Security Emergency call 876-7299.
B. CRIME PREVENTION (Security Manual p. 7)
1. The director of security will keep crime statistics as required by campus security and student right-to-know legislation and will keep the college community informed on crime trends and each individuals responsibility to take preventative measures.
2. The dean of students will provide crime prevention education to all freshmen and incoming students at the beginning of each semester.
3. Security officers will be alert for vagrants, loiterers, and other trespassers who have no legitimate reason for being on campus. These persons will be escorted off campus and/or arrested if necessary.
4. The security department will conduct follow-up investigations to determine when better security precautions are needed.
C. COLUMBIA POLICE DEPARTMENT (Security Manual p. 10)
1. Security personnel are expected to exercise their authority in handling all situations; however, should an officer find it necessary, he is authorized and directed to request assistance from the Columbia Police Department. As a guide, the Columbia Police Department will be called when:
a. There is any real or threatened physical harm to any individual on campus.
b. Vandalism or destruction of college property occurs.
c. There is a break-in, or attempted break-in, on college property.
d. Someone is observed trespassing on college property in violation of posted college rules.
e. Anytime an unescorted male is observed or reported to be in a residence hall after closing hours.
2. When a Columbia police officer makes an arrest on campus the police officer will notify the lead security officer on duty, and the dean of students as soon as the situation is under control and time permits. The details of all incidents involving the arrest will be included in the end-of-shift report. That report will be completed before departing campus on that shift.
3. A security officer involved in any incident which may eventually end up in court should expect to testify, if requested.
4. DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAMS TO INFORM THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY ABOUT SECURITY PROCEDURES AND ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN SECURITY
A. New students are required to attend crime prevention and personal safety meetings in the Residence Halls each fall semester before being issued front door key cards.
B. The following information about personal safety is published and distributed annually to students and departments in the student handbook, Within the Ivy, at the beginning of each fall semester.
PERSONAL SAFETY
Personal safety is everyone's responsibility. Although Stephens
College continuously reviews and improves security measures around
campus, we encourage members of the campus community to use good
judgment and common sense so that personal actions do not contribute
to making a situation unsafe. Stephens is located in an urban area
which means that the following precautions should be taken:
When walking on campus:
1. After dark, always walk or go places with friends. NEVER WALK ALONE AT NIGHT!
2. If you go out at night and/or return to campus and have no one to accompany you, call campus security for an escort. This number is 876-7299 or ext. 4299.
3. Stay on sidewalks.
4. After dark, stay in well lighted areas.
In Residence Halls:
1. Always lock your room when you leave it, even if it is only for a minute.
2. Lock your door when sleeping.
3. Do not lend your keys or key card to anyone.
4. Report lost keys and key cards immediately.
5. Report any strangers to the residence hall staff.
6. Report any theft or other unusual occurrence to the residence hall staff and to campus security.
7. Report any unauthorized or unescorted males present in the halls to a staff member or to Security.
5. CRIME PREVENTION
On an annual basis, the Crime Prevention Unit of the Columbia Police
Department is invited to conduct a security survey of the campus.
From the results of this survey, the College is given a list of
recommended changes that could be made in various areas. For example,
lighting or landscaping might be altered in an attempt to make the
campus safer.
6 & 8. CRIME STATISTICS (STEPHENS
COLLEGE CAMPUS, COLUMBIA, MISSOURI)
The following chart reflects the number of reportable crimes committed
on campus for the time periods shown (Oct. 1 to Sept. 30 of the
next year):
| Criminal Offenses - On Campus | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 |
| Murder, non-negligent manslaugher | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forcible sex offenses | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nonforcible sex offenses | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Robbery | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aggravated assault | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Arson | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Negligent manslaughter | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Disciplinary Action - Judicial Referrals | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 |
| Liquor law violations | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Drug law violations | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Illegal weapons possessions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
*NOTE: For the purposes of this report, the Okoboji Summer Theater, located in Spirit Lake, Iowa, is included here. It is not considered a separate campus because it is staffed and operational for the summer months only.
7. POLICY ON MONITORING AND RECORDING
OFF-CAMPUS CRIME
Stephens College does not have recognized student organizations
with off-campus facilities.
9, 10, & 11. POLICY REGARDING THE
POSSESSION, USE, AND SALE OF ALCOHOL AND ILLEGAL DRUGS.
A policy statement entitled Stephens College Policies on Illicit
Drugs and Alcohol is published and distributed to all faculty, staff
and students at the beginning of the fall semester each year with
this report. This statement addresses policies concerning the possession,
use, or sale of illicit drugs and alcoholic beverages.
12. POLICY REGARDING PROGRAMS TO PREVENT
SEX OFFENSES AND PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW WHEN A SEX OFFENSE OCCURS
(Codification 2.9.8.6 and 2.9.8.7)
A. Special Procedures‹Sexual Assault Cases.
Upon occasion, Stephens women are physically threatened or assaulted
by parties either known or unknown to them. Rape or attempted rape
are the most traumatic violent crimes. The College will do all possible
to aid a student and preserve her rights, wishes, and confidences.
All categories listed above should be understood as defined by the
law. When dealing with any crime in this category, staff must contact
the dean of students. (Codification 2.9.8.6)
1. General Definitions:
a. Sexual Abuse: a person subjects another person to whom he or she is not married to sexual contact without the person¹s consent. Degree changes if forcible compulsion is included, if the person is 12 or 13, or incapacitated. CONSENT may be expressed or implied, but consent is not given if (1) it is given by a person legally incompetent to authorize the conduct and this incompetence is known by, or should be clear to the actor or (2) the defendant induces consent by force, duress, or deception, or (3) it is made by a person unable to make reasonable decision to consent due to youth, intoxication, or mental disease. The defendant must have known, or should have known, of the victim's condition.
b. Sexual Assault: a person has sexual intercourse with another person he or she is not married to who is at least 16 years of age (or more). Term "deviate sexual assault" can be used, defined as any sexual act involving the genitals of one person and the mouth, tongue, hand or anus of another person.
c. Rape: a person has sexual intercourse with another person he is not married to without that person's consent by using forcible compulsion. FORCIBLE COMPULSION is defined as either (1) physical force that overcomes reasonable resistance or (2) a threat that places one in fear of death, serious physical injury, or kidnapping of self or another. REASONABLE RESISTANCE is such resistance as is reasonable under the circumstances. SODOMY is the charge if the act is deviate sexual intercourse. ATTEMPTED RAPE is also a felony.
d. Sexual Contact: is any touching, directly or through clothing, of the genitals or anus of anyone, as well as the breast of any female, for sexual purposes. Sexual purpose means for the purpose of arousing or gratifying anyone's sexual desires.
e. Sexual Misconduct: a person has deviate sexual intercourse with another person of the same sex. This definition covers the actor touching another and the actor causing another to touch him. It also covers fondling through clothes.
2. Procedures for Resolution of Rape, Attempted Rape, Sexual Assault or Sexual Misconduct:
a. At all times, the individual who has been raped should be put in the position of direct control over her situation.
b. Medical Attention: If the student(female) chooses, she should go to an emergency room as soon as possible without washing or changing clothing. She should take along an extra set of clothing, if possible. The student will be examined and treated by a physician and staff for injuries. A pelvic exam checks for internal injuries, to obtain a sperm sample and provide treatment for possible VD or pregnancy. The student does not have to report the incident if she uses the START program. The emergency room charge is waived, if the woman reports the crime to the police. NOTE: She may also use "Jane Doe" to avoid using her own name. Similarly, a male student might choose to go to an emergency room as soon as possible without washing or changing and follow a similar procedure.
1. If informed of the incident, a support person from the college(her professional residence life staff person on call or the health services counseling staff member) will accompany the student to the hospital to coordinate information and needed contacts and to provide moral support. The student may choose another party to fill this support role; however, a college representative should also be present unless the student specifically refuses.
2. Rape Advocate: a trained advocate can be requested through The Shelter(875-1370). If available, a woman volunteer will accompany the student to the hospital, the police station, and other social service settings. The advocate should be called if the survivor desires or if the college representative needs assistance in the procedures for following through on this type of crime.
c. Student's Safety: Assess possible immediate danger to the student. Place her safety and needs for support as primary concern. After her return form the hospital, determine whether she wants to stay in her room, with a friend, or at The Shelter. Help her make contact for counseling and encourage her to follow-up with counseling.
d. Reporting Incident To the Police:
1. If the incident occurs on campus or near campus, the police must ALWAYS be called by staff. This could be accomplished by a third party report. No names, etc. of the student would be used. The safety of other students is of immediate concern and an official investigation must occur. The college security department should be informed of the incident.
2. If the incident occurs off-campus or is acquaintance rape, the student should be encouraged to call the police. Informing the police and filing a report can be done from the hospital emergency room.
e. College Officials: Contact the dean of students who will assist in making other needed contact.
1. The dean will notify others who need to know based on the circumstances of the situation without using the name of the student or any unnecessary details(director of public relations, president, director of health services will coordinate appropriate follow-up with the police).
2. The director of public relations or the dean will respond to all media inquiries.
3. The associate vice president and controller will coordinate contact with insurance companies, if needed.
f. If the incident occurred on or near campus by an unknown assailant, basic information will be posted by the student life department office in all residence halls providing facts and description for the safety of others and rumor control.
g. Parents/Family: The student should be encouraged to contact her family to inform them and for support. She should be assisted in doing this by the counselor with whom she is working or another person of her choice. Students often resist this step. She should call as soon as possible. If the student refuses to call, follow guidelines in Section III-E Notification of Parents.
h. Follow-up: (use judgment as to which steps are needed)
1. Written reports by all involved in on-campus rape.
2. Counseling/debriefing of roommate, suite mates, friends especially regarding how to help their friend.
3. Coordinator arranges communication flow, debriefing and support for professionals involved.
4. Professional residence life staff works with student regarding contacting faculty advisor and instructors as she wishes.
i. Delayed Report: If the student notifies you of a rape, attempted rape, or assault some time after the incident occurred, determine:
1. Is medical attention still needed?
2. Did incident occur on or near campus?
3. Should police be contacted? third party report?
4. Does student want to speak with a counselor?
5. Follow other steps in procedure.
6. Follow up personally with student.
j. On Campus Counseling Service
B. Harassment of Students. Upon occasion, Stephens women and men are verbally or physically threatened by persons known and unknown to them. Harassment can occur in person and by use of the telephone. The College will always help a student deal with a person perpetrating any form of harassment. (Codification 2.9.8.7)
The following serve as examples:
1. Definitions and Procedures.
a. Harassment: Falls under assault if a physically threatening act is involved.
1. Sexual Harassment: includes any unwanted pressure involving one's sexuality; an issue of power. If the offender is a college employee or another student, see the Stephens policy on Sexual Harassment in the Within the Ivy.
2. Telephone Harassment: content includes lewd or lascivious comments, annoying calls at odd hours or other misuse of the telephone in a harassing or oppressive manner.
(i) Keep record of times of calls and exact words used.
(ii) Contact the dean of students to assist with phone taps by police and the college.
(iii) If calls are known by a party, the dean will write a warning letter if the student desires.
3. "Harassment" from Within the Ivy: Any student who engages in harassment (e.g. verbal, physical) of other students, faculty, or staff(including security guards) shall be subject to disciplinary action.
4. Students may inquire about restraining orders. These are generally difficult to obtain through the courts and fairly ineffective.
(i) The student would need to present evidence to the courts of serious threat; the party must be known so the order can be served.
(ii) It is probably as effective for the College to send a trespass warning letter unless the woman is being harassed off campus as well as on campus.
5. If the student requests, any person harassing a student through his/her actions on campus may be written a warning letter by the dean informing him/her that he/she is not allowed on campus and if he/she does come on campus, he/she will be arrested for trespass.
(i) Specify which buildings or areas are involved (e.g. trespass on a specific quad, specific building, whole campus, etc.).
(ii) One cannot bar a person from contacting another person (i.e. cannot say, "If you bother Mary Smith again, we will charge you with trespass")
b. Indecent Exposure: a person knowingly exposes his genitals in a situation in which he or she knows will cause affront or alarm.
1. If on or near campus, report to both the Columbia police and the college security department.
2. Call the dean of students office. Decision will be made whether to post information.
c. Disturbing the Peace: often includes "drunk and disorderly" conduct as well. This is a misdemeanor and receives a light penalty if convicted. Can also be combined with trespass charge and be more serious.
1. Ask offenders to leave campus. If they refuse or return, contact security for assistance.
2. If the offenders are inside a residence hall, ask them to leave the building. Call security for assistance if needed.
3. In all cases, attempt to obtain identification, record descriptions and file report with the security department.
d. Trespassing:
1. Any employee of the college may give notice to an unwanted person to leave the property and to request arrest by the Columbia Police Department.
2. Any unescorted man found in or leaving a women¹s residence hall after hours will be arrested for trespass.
(i) Trespass warning should be posted in all halls at all times.
(ii) The student responsible for a male in her residence hall after hours will be referred for disciplinary action.
3. If a trespass warning has been given to an unknown party, attempt to obtain identification. Otherwise, make specific notes of description. If he/she does not heed warning, then written notes and personal identification will be sufficient to proceed with trespass charges should the behavior persist.
4. Staff should always call the police directly, when they observe an individual whose behavior is sexually inappropriate (e.g. voyeurism, exhibitionists, etc.). Individuals whose behavior is puzzling (e.g. uncontrolled, abusive, loitering) but where no law is being violated should be asked to leave and the security department should be called or notified.
October 18, 2004
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