Annual Security Report 2006 - Security Policy and Crime Statistics
STUDENT RIGHT TO KNOW AND CAMPUS SECURITY ACT: TITLE II
CRIME AWARENESS AND CAMPUS SECURITY ACT OF 1990
INTRODUCTION:
This brochure has been prepared as part of SUNY New Paltz’s commitment to
security and safety on campus and to meet the requirements of the Student Right
to Know and Campus Security Act of 1990 (amended in November, 1998 and renamed
the Clery Act), that requires colleges and universities to prepare, publish
and distribute to all students and employees an annual report pertaining to the
college’s security policies, procedures and programs. SUNY New Paltz has taken a
pro-active approach to campus security and safety and is in full compliance with
the law. Also included is statistical information comparing crimes which occurred
on the Campus for the years of 2004, 2005, 2006. The information here demonstrates
that the safety and well being of our students, faculty and staff are of the
greatest priority to SUNY New Paltz.
CURRENT POLICY
Reporting Criminal Incidents or Emergencies:
Students or College employees may report a criminal incident by calling 257-2222
(x2222 from a campus telephone) or reporting to the University Police Department
on the second floor of the Service Building, Room 100 (located on Route 32
South). This office is open 24-hours a day. Medical emergencies may also be reported
in the same manner.
Timely Warnings
In the event that a situation arises that constitutes an ongoing or continuing
threat, a campus wide “timely warning” will be issued. The warning will be issued
through the college e-mail system to the students, faculty, staff and the campus’
student newspaper, The Oracle.
Depending on the particular circumstances of the crime, especially in all situations that could pose an immediate threat to the community and individuals, The University Police Department may also post a notice on the campus-wide electronic bulletin board on the Police Web site.
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 Chief or a designee of
UPD 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. The University Police monitors a confidential silent witness page on the department website, users may report criminal activity or
information on crimes through this website and it will remain confidential.
Incidents may also be reported to any college official or Student Affairs staff
member. For those wishing to do so, reports may be filed by contacting any of
the following:
| Dean of Students | (845) 257-3261 |
| Associate Dean of Students | (845) 257-3088 |
| Chief of University Police | (845) 257-2222 |
| Director of Residence Life | (845) 257-4444 |
| Director of Student Activities | (845) 257-3025 |
| Director of Health Services | (845) 257-3400 |
A special program, the Blue Light Telephone System, aids in expediting calls concerning criminal incidents or emergencies. These call boxes are brightly lit with a blue light and have been installed in areas of high pedestrian traffic across campus. In addition, each campus building has an exterior telephone and each campus residence hall has a direct-ring emergency telephone in the entrance to the building.
Access to and Security of Campus Facilities
Most campus buildings and facilities of SUNY at New Paltz are accessible to members
of the campus community, as well as guests and visitors, during normal business
hours on Monday through Friday and for limited designated hours on
Saturdays and Sundays when the College is in session.
The entrance doors to student residence halls remain locked 24-hours a day. Unlimited access is available to residents only. Telephones are located in the foyer of each residence hall and visitors should call for admission to the building.
During the evening hours and when the campus is officially closed, College buildings are locked. Only faculty, staff and some students with proper clearance may be admitted to these areas.
Security of campus facilities is also addressed by our Physical Plant staff who frequently inspect campus lighting, trim shrubbery, and clear all entrances/sidewalks of snow, ice, and debris. Campus telephones are inspected monthly by the University Police and damaged or non-working telephones are reported to the Telecommunications Office for repair.
Faculty, staff, students and visitors are encouraged to report any damaged equipment or potentially unsafe areas to the University Police Department at 257-2222.
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL:
SUNY New Paltz has created a document entitled Institutional Response to the
Use of Illicit Drugs and Alcohol. Prepared in compliance with the Federal Drug
Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989, it is available to all members of the
campus community.
Employees of SUNY at New Paltz are subject to disciplinary procedures for the use and/or abuse of drugs and alcohol. Employees who violate the State policy on alcohol and substance abuse in the workplace may be subject to disciplinary action specified in section 75 of the Civil Service Law or the disciplinary articles of the collective negotiated agreements.
Students of SUNY New Paltz are subject to policies governing alcohol and substance abuse as outlined in the Campus Regulations & Judicial Procedures. This document is distributed and available to all students.
All members of the campus community are subject to federal and state laws as they apply to Alcohol and Controlled substance use and/or abuse.
Possession, Use and Sale of Alcohol
No person shall possess, sell or give away alcoholic beverages without proper authorization in any building or on any property owned or controlled by the
College. Persons (21 years of age or older) may have alcoholic beverages in residence
hall rooms. No open containers may be possessed outside of the student’s room, or
elsewhere on campus unless legally authorized...[Campus Regulations, Part 3,
Section C, 1.00]
Possession, Use, and Sale of Controlled Substances
The use of all controlled substances, with the exception of prescribed drugs, is illegal
and exposes one to disciplinary action as well as criminal violation. Use, trafficking,
and possession of controlled substances creates criminal activity on campus. The
College will involve internal and external law enforcement investigative services, if
necessary, to remove this dangerous element from our community.
SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE
SUNY New Paltz condemns sexual assault, rape, and other forms of non-consensual sexual activities. These offenses violate the Campus Regulations and Judicial Procedures, as well as New York State Penal Law. The College does its utmost to prevent sexual violence through education and safety precautions and to provide support and appropriate services to any student involved in an incident of sexual assault. All new students are given a comprehensive orientation session on rape and sexual violence prevention. The police department offers sexual assault education and information programs to students and employees upon request.
If you are a victim of a sexual assault at New Paltz, your first priority should be to get to a safe place. You should then obtain necessary medical treatment. The Police Department strongly advocates that a victim of sexual assault report the incident in a timely manner. An assault should be reported directly to the University Police Department and/or the Office of Student Affairs as soon as possible. Filing a police report with a Police Officer 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
- Ensure that a victim of sexual assault receives the necessary medical treatment and tests, at no expense to the victim.
- Provide the opportunity for collection of evidence helpful in prosecution, which cannot be obtained later.
- Assure the victim has access to free confidential counseling from counselors specifically trained in the area of sexual assault crisis intervention.
The victim of a sexual assault may choose for the investigation to be pursued
through the criminal justice system, the judicial on campus procedure or both. A
University representative from the Police Department will guide the victim through
the available options and support the victim in his or her decision. Various ounseling
options are available through the Psychological Counseling Center, Haven,
OASIS, Crime Victims of Ulster County and the S.A.N.E Unit.
University disciplinary proceedings, as well as special guidelines for cases involving sexual misconduct, are detailed in the Campus Regulations and Judicial Procedures. This publication provides, in part, that the accused and the victim will each be allowed to choose one person to accompany them throughout the hearing. Both the victim and accused will be informed of the outcome of the hearing. A student found guilty of violating the sexual misconduct policy could be criminally prosecuted in the New York State courts and may be suspended or expelled from campus for the first offense. Student victims have the option to change their academic and/or campus living situations after an alleged sexual assault, if such changes are reasonably available.
Law Enforcement Authority and Interagency Relationship
The University Police Department at SUNY New Paltz is responsible for law
enforcement, security, and emergency response for the campus. The department
consists of 17 full-time law enforcement officers, a Chief, an Assistant, a Captain,
an Investigator, and 3 Lieutenants.
The members of the University Police Department are Police Officers for the State of New York pursuant to Section 1.20, Paragraph 34 (S) of the Criminal Procedure Law of the State of New York. In addition, SUNY Police Officers are appointed by the State University pursuant to Subdivision 2 of Section 355 of New York State Education Law.
University Police officers are vested with full law enforcement authority and have responsibilities identical to the local police. Officers are trained at approved Division of Justice Police Academies. They receive specialized training in first aid, defensive tactics, legal responsibility, sexual assault investigation, assistance to victims and other law enforcement topics.
The University Police Department maintains a close working relationship with all local law enforcement agencies in Ulster County. In particular, the department works closely with the New Paltz Police Department and state and federal agencies. Crime incident records for state and national distribution are maintained via the New York Statewide Police Information Network (NYSPIN).
Emergency Response Protocol
Outlined in Section 300 of the Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual, the
Emergency Response Protocol governs the handling of persons who are engaged in,
or suspected of, disruptive behavior or who violate federal, state, or local laws while
on campus. This protocol is a general guideline for handling situations which could
occur on a campus. The protocol has been approved by the College Council.
Sexual Offender Registration
Federal regulations also require colleges and universities to advise the campus community
where it can obtain information about registered sex offenders. This information
is provided by the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, and is provided
to local law enforcements, communities and the general public, upon request.
Individuals who wish to obtain this information may contact the New York State
Division of Criminal Justice Services. New York
State also maintains a sex offender registry information line (1-900-288-3838) where
persons can call and request up to 5 searches for a modest fee.
PROGRAMS
The University Police Department takes a proactive approach to crime prevention. The Department offers a comprehensive series of programs to the campus community. The goals of these programs are:
- To eliminate or minimize criminal activity whenever possible.
- To encourage students and employees to be responsible for their own security
Escort Service
This program provides walking and driving escorts to students during the academic
year. Students may call the Escort Desk at 257-3338 during the posted hours to
obtain a student escort to their room or parked car.
New Student Orientation
The crime prevention and awareness orientation heightens the awareness of new students
to potential crime and criminal activity encountered on or near a campus. This
program includes videotapes, brochures, and other printed materials.
Plain Talk/Plain Clothes
This program is offered in the Residence Halls and to other student groups to promote
discussion between students and University Police personnel. Crime prevention
as well as safety and residence hall security information is disseminated during
these sessions.
Rape Awareness and Personal Safety Workshops
With the cooperation of the Residence Life staff, Options, and the Counseling
Center, these programs are offered to provide personal safety tips and risk eduction
strategies to members of the campus community. Health and crisis counseling
services are available from all of the aforementioned resources.
R.A.D. Women’s Self Defense
This 15 hour course is offered 3 times a semester for all female students. Certified
self-defense instructors teach the course. Women get to experience actual imulation
with pads and "The Aggressor." Check out our web site for more information.
Crime Prevention News
Police newsletters and other crime prevention information are widely distributed to
the campus community. These printed materials keep students, faculty, and staff
informed of potential hazards on campus and communicate ways to remain safe and
secure while living on campus and in the local community.
SUNY New Paltz believes that an informed public is a safety conscious public. The following statistics, provided in compliance with the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990, are for your information. These statistics reflect the number of on-campus offenses reported to University Police and other college officials at SUNY New Paltz and are compiled by calendar year. All definitions conform with the Uniform Crime Reporting Handbook National Incident-Based Reporting System Edition, 1992, as required by the Campus Security Act of 1990.
Disciplinary Action
All criminal offenses are also forwarded to the Student Affairs Division for disciplinary
action.
President’s Committee on Personal Safety
This committee reviews, evaluates and makes recommendations regarding campus
safety and security issues.
Crime Alerts
When circumstances warrant it, printed or electronic crime alerts and campus advisories
can be prepared and distributed selectively or campus wide notifying employees
and students of important crime related information.
Policy for Reporting The Annual Disclosure of Crime Statistics
The University Police prepares this report to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure
of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. This
report is prepared in cooperation with the local law enforcement agencies surrounding
our main campus and the Division of Student Affairs. Campus crime, arrest and
referral statistics include those reported to UPD, designated campus officials (including
but not limited to directors, deans, department heads, judicial affairs, advisors to
student organizations, athletic coaches), and local law enforcement agencies. Each
year, an e-mail notification is made to all enrolled students that provides the web site
to access this report. Faculty and staff receive similar notification with their paycheck.
Copies of the report may also be obtained at the University Police Department
located on Rte. 32 South in the Service Building or by calling 845-257-3340.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT SUNY NEW PALTZ
SUNY New Paltz is part of the larger State University of New York (SUNY). The State University of New York is a public university comprised of 64 campuses enrolling more than 378,000 students. SUNY New Paltz is located in the Hudson Valley region of New York State, midway between Albany and NYC (Exit 18 off the New York State Thruway). The College maintains 51 buildings on 216 acres. There are 14 residence halls on campus. Over 7,500 students are enrolled at SUNY at New Paltz. Approximately 1,380 faculty and staff are employed by the College.
SUNY New Paltz is part of the larger State University of New York (SUNY). The State University of New York is a public university comprised of 64 campuses enrolling more than 378,000 students. SUNY New Paltz is located in the Hudson Valley region of New York State, midway between Albany and NYC (Exit 18 off the New York State Thruway). The College maintains 51 buildings on 216 acres. There are 14 residence halls on campus. Over 7,500 students are enrolled at SUNY at New Paltz. Approximately 1,380 faculty and staff are employed by the College.
CAMPUS CRIME STATISTICS
SUNY New Paltz
