The University is concerned about crime in the community and works with local law enforcement agencies in the investigation of crimes and the promotion of safety-awareness programs aimed at reducing the number of incidents.
Current campus policies regarding procedures and facilities for reporting criminal actions or other emergencies occurring on campus and the institution's response to such reports.
The University Police is the University's law enforcement agency, with an office on the North Campus (Bissell Hall) and a sub-station on the South Campus (Clement Hall) to facilitate the reporting, prevention, and investigation of criminal activities and to provide for prompt response to other emergencies.
Members of the academic community and visitors to the campus are encouraged to report crimes to the Department's dispatcher from any campus telephone at 2222. Crimes and emergencies can also be reported by using one of the campuses' 29 "blue light" telephones or a campus payphone by dialing *2222, both of which immediately connect the caller with University Police's dispatch office. This office operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and dispatches patrols to fire and medical emergency calls and to reports of criminal activity.
Members of the campus community can also report criminal incidents to the following offices which will facilitate the reporting of crime: Office of Student Life: 645-6125, Office of Residence Life: 645-2174, University Counseling Center: 645-2720, Student Affairs: 645-2982, Student Health Center: 829-3316, Ombudsman Office: 645-6154, Director of Athletics: 645-3954.
Please note that victims and witnesses may report a crime on a voluntary and confidential basis by filing either a proxy report or a Silent Witness report. Without compromising the victim's confidentiality, a proxy report can alert the campus to the fact that an incident has occurred and can assist University Police in detecting patterns (and preventing future assaults). It may be submitted online at http://www.ub-judiciary.buffalo.edu/protocol.shtml.
Silent Witness is a program that allows for the anonymous submission of suspected criminal activity that occurs on either the Main Street or Amherst Campuses. A Silent Witness report may be filed online at http://www.public-safety.buffalo.edu/silentwitness.shtml.
Current campus policies concerning security and access to campus facilities and residence halls and security considerations in the maintenance of campus facilities.
The campus has a Personal Safety Committee, which conducts facilities audits from a safety perspective and identifies and corrects deficiencies. Campus community members with security concerns should contact University Police directly.
Most campus facilities are open to the public under existing campus policies, with the exception of residence areas, which are limited to residents and guests. All residential exterior doors are controlled through a card reader system and rooms are provided with locks and door viewers.
Current campus policies concerning law enforcement authorities' working relationship with State and local police agencies the encouragement of accurate and prompt reporting of all crimes to campus police and other appropriate police agencies.
(i) University Police Officers have full police status and the state authority to enforce and investigate violations of all laws and regulations. The Department is in daily contact with the City of Buffalo and Town of Amherst police departments, the Erie County Sheriff's Office and the New York State Police. The Department maintains 24-hour-a-day radio and teletype contact with area law enforcement agencies.
(ii) In posters, media publicity, and many brochures (including the "Safety Awareness," "Living Off Campus," and "Preventing Acquaintance Rape" brochures), members of the campus community are directed to dial 2222 on campus and 911 off campus to report crimes or in the event of any criminal, medical or fire emergency.
Campus programs designed to inform students and employees about campus security procedures and practices.
These programs encourage students and employees to share responsibility for their own security and the security of others. Included is a description of crime prevention programs available on campus. University Police Officers conduct crime prevention and awareness programs for the campus encouraging members of the community to take responsibility for their own safety. They present safety videos; distribute printed materials; discuss safety topics with student, faculty, and staff groups; publish safety alerts, and participate in campus-wide safety events.
The campus has an active crime prevention and safety-awareness program. University Police Officers conduct a series of campus programs on topics related to sexual assault, self-defense, personal safety, and general crime prevention. Presentations are made in the residence halls, at employee and student orientation programs, campus activity fairs, and for campus bargaining units. To make arrangements for a group presentation, call University Police directly. Information about University Police is also available on the internet at http://www.public-safety.buffalo.edu.
The Campus Personal Safety Task Force prepares an annual report on campus security for review. The task force, chaired by the Director of University Police, conducts open forums, distributes printed information, conducts biannual lighting audits, and arranges for appropriate campus safety-related signage.
In addition, safety and security programs for students are offered by Residence Life and Student Life offices. Residential students discuss safety issues at mandatory floor meetings and are provided with security-related printed materials. Student Life conducts orientation programming on campus, which include security information in printed student guidebooks, distribution of a personal safety brochure, a sexual assault prevention brochure, and related presentations on these topics. The presentations are conducted by Student Activities, University Police, and the University Counseling Center.
Campus policy concerning the monitoring and recording through local police agencies of criminal activity engaged in by UB students while participating in officially recognized off-campus organizations, including those student organizations with off-campus housing facilities.
Local community law enforcement agencies are encouraged to monitor and respond to criminal activities engaged in by off-campus students and student organizations. The campus participates in neighborhood advisory boards to monitor student activity in the area surrounding the South Campus. Law enforcement personnel and community leaders are invited to meet annually with student organization leadership, particularly the campus fraternities and sororities.
Students are advised if they are apprehended for a violation of a law it is the University's position not to request or agree to special consideration based on student status. Students who violate a local ordinance or any law risk the legal penalties prescribed by civil authorities.
Description of any drug or alcohol abuse education programs and current campus policies on:
- possession, use, and sale of alcoholic beverages
- enforcement of state underage drinking laws
- possession, use, and sale of illegal drugs
- enforcement of federal and state drug laws
The campus complies with state laws regarding the possession, sale, and consumption of alcohol and illegal drugs. All students are provided with an annual Drug Free Schools and Community Act compliance statement, which details campus policies, treatment and counseling programs, and education efforts. Faculty and staff members receive this statement and the campus Drug Free Workplace Policy.
For additional copies of these policies, contact Student Affairs (542 Capen Hall) or Personnel Services (108 Crofts Hall).
Current campus policy with regard to sexual assaults.
The University conducts a number of training and information programs to familiarize faculty, staff, and students with the procedures to follow should a sexual assault occur. Programs are conducted by University Police, University Health Services, University Residence Halls, the Office of Student Activities, and by student groups including the Anti-Rape Task Force and the Sexuality Education Center. Resident students attend mandatory floor meetings on this topic, which is also addressed in the University's orientation sessions. Information concerning the University's sexual assault protocol and prevention are available in a number of University brochures, which receive wide distribution on campus. There is also a recorded sexual assault information line (645-3411), for information on action to take in the event of a sexual assault, options in reporting (including anonymous, confidential proxy and Silent Witness reporting), and resources available to a victim.
The victim of a sexual assault is notified of available counseling, mental health, and other services, both on campus and in the community. He or she is also notified of the importance of preserving evidence for proof of a criminal offence.
The University advises the victim of his or her rights to notify law enforcement authorities and the University's willingness to assist in such a notification. University Police and the University Health Services will provide a Crisis Services Sexual Assault Advocate for the victim and female officers are available to assist at all times.
Students are notified that victims have the right to change their academic and living situations and will be assisted in doing so if they choose.
| FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: |
Department of University Police
645-2222
Office of Student Life
645-6125
Office of Residence Life
645-2171
University Counseling Center
645-2720
Student Affairs
645-2982
Personnel Services
645-2646
|
If victims wish to press charges, the University will arrest and charge the accused offender on campus. The accuser and the accused will have their legal rights maintained, including the same right to have others present during disciplinary hearings, and both will be informed of the outcome of any internal and external proceedings.
Students are informed that in the event of a sexual assault, the University will impose maximum disciplinary sanctions up to and including dismissal from the university.
UB's campus policy on timely reports to the campus community on crimes (reported to University Police or local law enforcement agencies) that may indicate a potential threat to other students or employees.
University Police publishes a weekly listing of crime on campus that details the date, time, location, and offense of all campus criminal incidents. The listing is circulated to campus offices and is summarized weekly in the student newspaper, The Spectrum.
The University Police also maintain a daily log of crimes and incidents that occur on campus that is available for the public to view. This information is recorded by date, time and general location, and disposition of the complaint. This daily log is available at the University Police, Bissell Hall, by contacting the Director's office (645-2230) during the business hours of 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
In addition, University Police uses the student newspaper, The Spectrum, telephone calls, posters (University Police alerts) and local media to communicate more urgent security information and can provide bulletins to departments and units on crime activity as warranted.
Prepared by:
Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and University Police in compliance with the federal Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act (Title II - Crime Awareness and Campus Security). 9/00
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