St. Thomas University: Clery Act Policy Compliance

Clery Act Policy Compliance

8.1 Policy Statement Addressing Timely Warnings
In the event that a situation arises, either on or off campus, that, in the judgment of the Vice Presidents of Administrative Affairs or Planning & Enrollment or his/her designee, constitutes an ongoing or continuing threat, a campus wide “timely warning” will be issued. More >>

8.2 Policy Statement Addressing Preparation of Disclosure of Crime Statistics
The University’s Office of Public Safety prepares this report to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. More >>

8.3 Policy Statement Addressing the Reporting of Criminal Offenses
Contact the Office of Public Safety at (305) 625-6500 (non-emergencies), or by using the Code Blue telephones located near Parking Lots, or by some buildings. More >>

8.4 Policy Statement Addressing Voluntary Confidential Reporting
The university encourages anyone who is the victim or witness to any crime to promptly report the incident to the Office of Public Safety. More >>

8.5 Policy Statement Addressing Limited Voluntary Confidential Reporting
If you are the victim of a crime and do not want to pursue action within the University System or the criminal justice system, you may still want to consider making a confidential report. More >>

8.6 Policy Statement Addressing Security and Access
During business hours, the university (excluding certain housing facilities) will be open to students, parents, employees, contractors, guests, and invitees. More >>

8.7 Policy Statement Addressing the Authority of Non-Sworn Public Safety Officers on Campus
St. Thomas University Public Safety Officers have the authority to ask persons for identification and to determine whether individuals have lawful business at St. Thomas University. University Public Safety Officers have the authority to issue parking tickets, which are billed to financial accounts of students, faculty, and staff. . More >>

8.8 Policy Statement Addressing the Encouragement of Accurate and Prompt Crime Reporting
Community members, students, faculty, staff, and guests are encouraged to report all crimes and public safety related incidents to the Office of Public Safety in a timely manner. This policy focuses on the Office of Public Safety because it patrols the campus. More >>

8.9 Policy Statement Addressing Counselors
As a result of the negotiated rulemaking process which followed the signing into law, the 1998 amendments to 20 U.S.C. Section 1092 (f), clarification was given to those considered to be campus security authorities. Campus “Pastoral Counselors” and Campus “Professional Counselors”, when acting as such, are not considered to be a campus security authority and are not required to report crimes for inclusion into the annual disclosure of crime statistics. More >>

8.10 Policy Statement Addressing Security Awareness Programs
During orientation in August and January students are informed of services offered by the Office of Public Safety. More >>

8.13 Policy Statement Addressing Alcoholic Beverages
The possession, sale or the furnishing of alcohol on the University campus is governed by the University Alcohol Policy and Florida state law. Laws regarding the possession, sale, consumption or furnishing of alcohol are controlled by The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco pursuant to Chapter 210, Chapters 561-565 and Chapters 567-569 of Florida Statutes. The enforcement of the University’s alcohol policy on-campus is the primary responsibility of the Office of Public Safety, Director of Food Services, Residential Life Staff and the Dean of Students. More >>

8.15 Policy Statement Addressing Substance Abuse Education
The University has developed a program to prevent the illicit use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students and employees. The program provides services related to drug use and abuse including dissemination of informational materials, educational programs, counseling services, referrals and University disciplinary actions. More >>

9.1 Policy Statement Addressing Sex Offenses
The University educates the student community about sexual assaults and date rape through mandatory freshman orientations and/or UNI 101 classes each fall and spring. More >>

Student Code of Conduct

8.1 Policy Statement Addressing Timely Warnings

Timely Warnings

In the event that a situation arises, either on or off campus, that, in the judgment of the Vice Presidents of Administrative Affairs or Planning & Enrollment or his/her designee, constitutes an ongoing or continuing threat, a campus wide “timely warning” will be issued. The warning will be issued through the university’s STU Alert Emergency Notification System (i.e., text and e-mail messages) to students, faculty, staff and The City of Miami Gardens Police Department. The “timely warning” will be posted on the university’s web page and information line: 1-877-STU-PLAN.

Depending on the particular circumstances of the crime, especially in all situations that could pose an immediate threat to the community and individuals, the Office of Public Safety may also post a copy of the notice in each residence hall, and on doors of each on-campus building. Anyone with information warranting a timely warning should report the circumstances to STU’s:

Office of Public Safety by phone (305) 628-6500, or
In-person to any uniformed Public Safety Officer, or
Office of Public Safety Gate House at the main gate, or
Office of the Director of Public Safety located in Lewis Hall.

8.2 Policy Statement Addressing Preparation of

Disclosure of Crime Statistics

Policy For Reporting The Annual Disclosure of Crime Statistics

The University’s Office of Public Safety prepares this report to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. The full text of this report can be located on our web site. This report is prepared in cooperation with the local law enforcement agencies surrounding our main campus and alternate sites, Housing and Residential Services, the Judicial Affairs Officer, the Division of Business Affairs, and the Division of Student Affairs. Each entity provides updated information on their educational efforts and programs to comply with the Act.

Campus crime, arrest and referral statistics include those reported to the STU Office of Public Safety, designated campus officials (including but not limited to directors, deans, department heads, psychologist, judicial affairs, advisors to students/student organizations, athletic coaches), and local law enforcement agencies. The licensed health care providers in the Health & Wellness division inform student - clients of the procedures to report crime to the University’s Office of Public Safety, or local law enforcement on a voluntary or confidential basis, should they feel it is in the best interest of the client. A procedure is in place to anonymously capture crime statistics disclosed confidentially during such a session.

Each year, an e-mail notification is made to all enrolled students that provides the web site to access this report. Faulty and staff receive similar notification with their paycheck. Copies of the report may also be obtained at the University’s Office of Public Safety located in Lewis Hall, or by calling (305) 628-6793. All prospective employees may obtain a copy from Human Resources in Kennedy Hall or by calling (305) 628-6517, and the web site address will be attached to STU employment applications.

8.3 Policy Statement Addressing the Reporting of Criminal Offenses To report a crime:

Contact the Office of Public Safety at (305) 625-6500 (non-emergencies), or by using the Code Blue telephones located near Parking Lots, or by some buildings.

Dial 9-1-1 (emergencies only).

You may also use the RED Emergency Phones located throughout campus: Any suspicious activity or person seen in the parking lots or loitering around vehicles, inside buildings or around the Residence Hall should be reported to the Office of Public Safety. In addition, you may report a crime to the following areas:

Dean of Students	(305) 628-6740, Student Center – Student Affairs
Assoc. Director of Health & Wellness	(305) 628-6690
Director of Human Resources	(305) 628-6517
Assoc. Director of Residence Life	(305) 628-6554

8.4 Policy Statement Addressing Voluntary Confidential Reporting

Confidential Reporting Procedures

If you are the victim of a crime and do not want to pursue action within the University System or the criminal justice system, you may still want to consider making a confidential report. With your permission, the Director of Public Safety or a designee can file a report on the details of the incident without revealing your identity. The purpose of a confidential report is to comply with your wish to keep the matter confidential, while taking steps to ensure the future safety of yourself and others. With such information, the University can keep an accurate record of the number of incidents involving students, determine where there is a pattern of crime with regard to a particular location, method, or assailant, and alert the campus community to potential danger. Reports filed in this manner are counted and disclosed in the annual crimes statistics for the institution.

8.5 Policy Statement Addressing Limited Voluntary Confidential Reporting

CRIME REPORTING

The university encourages anyone who is the victim or witness to any crime to promptly report the incident to the Office of Public Safety. Confidential reports for purposes of inclusion in the annual disclosure of crime statistics can be made to the Office of Public Safety, as identified below:

Office of Public Safety by phone (305) 628-6500, or
In-person to any uniformed Public Safety Officer, or
Office of Public Safety Gate House at the main gate, or
Office of the Director of Public Safety located in Lewis Hall.

Because police reports are public records under state law, the Miami Gardens Police Department cannot hold reports of crime in confidence.

Confidential reports of crime may also be made to Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-8477 (471-TIPS), or the Miami Gardens Police Department Non-emergency number: (305) 474-6473 (474-MGPD). The Miami Gardens Police Department is located at: 1020 NW 163rd Drive, Miami Gardens, FL 33169

8.6 Policy Statement Addressing Security and Access

Access Policy

During business hours, the university (excluding certain housing facilities) will be open to students, parents, employees, contractors, guests, and invitees. During non business hours access to all university facilities is by key, if issued, or by admittance via the Office of Public Safety or Residence Life staff. In the case of periods of extended closing, the university will admit only those with prior written approval to all facilities.

Residence halls are secured 24 hours a day with the exception of Donnellon Hall and Cascia Hall, which house the Residence Life Office and Rennert English Language Program, respectively, and are open during normal business hours. Over extended breaks, the doors of all halls will be secured around the clock. Some facilities may have individual hours, which may vary at different times of the year. Examples are the Library, the Student Center, and the Weight Room. In these cases, the facilities will be secured according to schedules developed by the department responsible for the facility.

Emergencies may necessitate changes or alterations to any posted schedules. Areas that are revealed as problematic have security surveys conducted of them. Administrators from the Dean's Office, Physical Plant, Residence Life, and other concerned areas review these results. These surveys examine security issues such as landscaping, locks, alarms, lighting, and communications. Additionally, during the academic year, the Dean of Students, the Directors of Physical Plant and Residence Life and Resident Assistants meet weekly to discuss issues of pressing concern.

8.7 Policy Statement Addressing the Authority of Non-Sworn Public Safety Officers on Campus

St. Thomas University Public Safety Officers have the authority to ask persons for identification and to determine whether individuals have lawful business at St. Thomas University. University Public Safety Officers have the authority to issue parking tickets, which are billed to financial accounts of students, faculty, and staff. University Public Safety Officers do not possess arrest power. Criminal incidents are referred to the Miami Gardens Police Department who have jurisdiction on the campus. The Offices of Public Safety and Emergency Management at St. Thomas University maintain a professional working relationship with the Miami Gardens Police Department. All crime victims and witnesses are strongly encouraged to immediately report the crime to the Office of Public Safety and the appropriate police agency. Prompt reporting will assure timely warning notices on-campus and timely disclosure of crime statistics.

8.8 Policy Statement Addressing the Encouragement of

Accurate and Prompt Crime Reporting

General Procedures for Reporting a Crime or Emergency

Community members, students, faculty, staff, and guests are encouraged to report all crimes and public safety related incidents to the Office of Public Safety in a timely manner. This policy focuses on the Office of Public Safety because it patrols the campus.

To report a crime, emergency or non-emergency on the University campus call extension 6500 or, from outside the University phone system, (305) 628-6500.

Public Safety Officers are available at these respective telephone numbers 24 hours a day to answer your call. In response to a call, the Office of Public Safety will take the required action, dispatching an officer or requesting that an Officer from the Miami Gardens Police be dispatched to campus.

All Office of Public Safety incident reports are forwarded to the Dean of Students office for review and potential action by the Office of Judicial Affairs. The Office of Public Safety will investigate a report when it is deemed appropriate. Additional information obtained via the investigation will also be forwarded tothe Office of Student Judicial Services.

If assistance is required from the Miami Gardens Police Department or the Miami-Dade Fire Department, the Office of Public Safety will contact the appropriate agency. If a sexual assault or rape should occur, staff on the scene will contact the Office of Health and Wellness, the Dean of Students or Residence Life.

This policy contains information about on-campus and off campus resources. That information is made available to provide STU community members with specific information about the resources that are available in the event that they become the victim of a crime.

Crimes should be reported to the Office of Public Safety to ensure inclusion in the annual crime statistics and to aid in providing timely warning notices to the community, when appropriate. Forexample, a crime that was reported only to the Miami Gardens Police Department would not be included in STU crime statistics.

8.9 Policy Statement Addressing Counselors

As a result of the negotiated rulemaking process which followed the signing into law, the 1998 amendments to 20 U.S.C. Section 1092 (f), clarification was given to those considered to be campus security authorities. Campus “Pastoral Counselors” and Campus “Professional Counselors”, when acting as such, are not considered to be a campus security authority and are not required to report crimes for inclusion into the annual disclosure of crime statistics. As a matter of policy, they are encouraged, if and when they deem it appropriate, to inform persons being counseled of the procedures to report crimes on a voluntary basis for inclusion into the annual crime statistics.

The rulemaking committee defines counselors as:

Pastoral Counselor

An employee recognized by that religious order or denomination or student of the University affiliated to the Campus Ministry or in the pastoral ministry program, who provides confidential counseling and who is functioning within the scope of that recognition as a pastoral counselor or a student in pastoral ministries or of campus ministry.

Professional Counselor

An employee of an institution whose official responsibilities include providing psychological, psychiatric, social work, mental health counseling or marriage and family therapy services, to members of the institution’s community and who is functioning within the scope of his or her license or certification.

8.10 Policy Statement Addressing Security Awareness Programs

Security Awareness Programs

During orientation in August and January students are informed of services offered by the Office of Public Safety. The Director of Public Safety or his/her designee outline ways to maintain personal safety and residence hall security. Students are told about crime on-campus and in surrounding neighborhoods. Similar information is presented to new employees. Crime Prevention Information and Sexual Assault Prevention Information are offered on a continual basis.

Annually, the Office of Public Safety, in cooperation with other University organizations, departments, and Miami Gardens Police Department present crime prevention awareness sessions on sexual assault (rape and acquaintance rape), Rohypnol abuse, theft, and vandalism, as well as educational sessions on personal safety and residence hall security.

A common theme of all awareness and crime prevention programs is to encourage students and employees to be aware of their responsibility for their own security and the security of others.

In addition to workshops, students, faculty and staff are reminded by signs posted throughout campus that safety and security is everyone’s responsibility; non/emergency numbers are also noted: Public Safety (305) 628-6500 and 9-1-1.

When time is of the essence, information is released to the university community through the STU Alert! Emergency Notification System (i.e., text and email messages), security alerts posted prominently throughout campus, via the 1-877-STU-PLAN information line and voice mail system.

8.13 Policy Statement Addressing Alcoholic Beverages

Policy on Alcoholic Beverages

The possession, sale or the furnishing of alcohol on the University campus is governed by the University Alcohol Policy and Florida state law. Laws regarding the possession, sale, consumption or furnishing of alcohol are controlled by The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco pursuant to Chapter 210, Chapters 561-565 and Chapters 567-569 of Florida Statutes. The enforcement of the University’s alcohol policy on-campus is the primary responsibility of the Office of Public Safety, Director of Food Services, Residential Life Staff and the Dean of Students. The STU campus has been designated “Drug-Free” in keeping with the intent of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1998 and the Drug-Free School and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 and only under certain circumstances is the consumption of alcohol permitted. It is unlawful to sell, furnish or provide alcohol to a person under the age of 21. The possession of alcohol by anyone less than 21 years of age in a public place or a place open to the public is illegal. Students of legal age are permitted to use/possess alcoholic beverages within their own rooms, or the rooms of other residence who are of legal age. There are to be no bulk containers in excess of 1 liter in the residence halls. It is also a violation of the University Alcohol Policy for anyone to consume or possess alcohol in any public or private area of campus without prior University approval. Organizations or groups violating alcohol/substance policies or laws may be subject to sanctions by the University.

The possession, sale, manufacture or distribution of any controlled substance is illegal under both state and federal laws. Such laws are strictly enforced by the Office of Public Safety, Residence Life, Dean of Students and the Miami Gardens Police Department. Violators are subject to University disciplinary action, criminal prosecution, fine and imprisonment.

8.15 Policy Statement Addressing Substance Abuse Education

ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE INFORMATION

PREVENTION PROGRAMS

The University has developed a program to prevent the illicit use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students and employees. The program provides services related to drug use and abuse including dissemination of informational materials, educational programs, counseling services, referrals and University disciplinary actions.

The Office of Health and Wellness provides the overall coordination of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Information. However, related services are available in other areas of the institution. These include:

Alcohol and Drug Education: UNI 101 course; Residence Life; Health and Wellness; Student Development and Persistence
Referral Services: Health and Wellness designated staff members

University Disciplinary Actions: Dean of Students, Chief Judicial Affairs Officer

LOCAL, STATE & FEDERAL LEGAL SANCTIONS

Legal Sanctions – Laws Governing Alcohol

The State of Florida sets 21 as the minimum age to purchase or possess any alcoholic beverage. Specific ordinances regarding violations of alcohol laws, including driving while intoxicated, are available from the Office of Public Safety.

A violation of any law regarding alcohol is also a violation of the University’s Student Code of Conduct and will be treated as a separate disciplinary matter by the University.

9.1 Policy Statement Addressing Sex Offenses

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response

The University educates the student community about sexual assaults and date rape through mandatory freshman orientations and/or UNI 101 classes each fall and spring. The Office of Health and Wellness offers sexual assault education and information programs to University students and employees upon request. Literature on date rape education, risk reduction, and University response is available through the Office of Health and Wellness.

If you are a victim of a sexual assault at this institution, your first priority should be to get to a place of safety. You should then obtain necessary medical treatment. The University strongly advocates that a victim of sexual assault report the incident in a timely manner. Time is a critical factor for evidence collection and preservation. An assault should be reported directly to an STU Public Safety Officer, the Office of Residence Life, Dean of Students, or to the Miami Gardens Police Department. Filing a police report will not obligate the victim to prosecute, nor will it subject the victim to scrutiny or judgmental opinions from officers. Filing a police report will

o ensure that a victim of sexual assault receives the necessary medical treatment and tests, at no expense to the victim

o provide the opportunity for collection of evidence helpful in prosecution, which cannot be obtained later (ideally a victim of sexual assault should not wash, douche, use the toilet, or change clothing prior to a medical/legal exam)

o assure the victim has access to free confidential counseling from counselors specifically trained in the area of sexual assault crisis intervention.

When a sexual assault victim contacts the Office of Pubic Safety, a representative from the Office of Health and Wellness, the Dean of Students, or Residence Life will also be notified. The victim of a sexual assault may choose for the investigation to be pursued through the criminal justice system and the University’s Judicial System, or only the latter. A University representative from Health and Wellness, Residential Education or the Dean of Students Office will guide the victim through the available options and support the victim in his or her decision. Various counseling options are available from the University through Health and Wellness, or Campus Ministry. Counseling and support services outside the University system can be obtained through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE or www.rainn.org or The Switchboard of Miami Crisis Hotline at (305) 358-1640.

The Student Handbook provides, in part, that the student charged may be assisted or represented during the proceedings by an advisor of his/her choice from within the University community (current student or University employee). Both the victim and accused will be informed of the outcome of the hearing. A student found guilty of violating the University sexual misconduct policy could be criminally prosecuted in the state courts and may be suspended or expelled from the University for the first offense. Student victims have the option to change their academic and/or on-campus living situations after an alleged sexual assault, if such changes are reasonably available.

Student Code of Conduct

XII. Violations of University Standards

Student Code

Misconduct resulting in disciplinary action:

Policy approved 4/17/08 by Senior Staff:

Use of cell phones, PDA’s and other electronic communication devices (i.e., initiating phone calls, sending email, or text messages, etc.) in classrooms or during University sponsored events. Students are permitted to receive emergency text messages, but all notification must be either silent or in vibrate mode and not disturb the class.