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Statistical data for this publication is gathered by the Public Safety Department. Information about crime is gathered from Public Safety crime statistics, University employees, campus judicial records, Clarion Borough Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Information about criminal activity in which students engaged at off-campus locations of student organizations officially recognized by the university is collected annually from the Clarion Borough Police and Pennsylvania State Police. Individuals who wish to report crimes for inclusion in the campus security document may contact the Public Safety Department at (814) 393-2111. In seeking to maintain a safe, secure educational setting, the Public Safety Department encourages the reporting of crimes and other emergencies. Individuals who report crimes are not compelled to seek criminal prosecution of suspects. University policy requires all employees, except professional and pastoral counselors, to report certain, serious crimes to Public Safety for inclusion in the annual report. The identity of the person reporting the crime to the employee does not have to be disclosed to Public Safety. Information about selected, serious crimes can be found in the table below. This publication, as well as a complete summary of reported on-campus crime for the past three years, is available in printed version and can be obtained by contacting the Department of Public Safety  or the Office of Student and University Affairs at (814) 393-2351.
 

Definitions and Caveats

Residence Halls includes offenses occurring inside university-owned residence halls. This data is a subset of on-campus crime. For example, of the 16 campus burglaries in 2004, 10 occurred in residence halls.

Non-Campus Property includes off-campus fraternity and sorority houses, as well as any off -campus housing that with a contract with the University to provide housing.  The Reinhard Villages housing complex is included under this category ..

Public Property is considered the roads and sidewalks adjacent to, but not part of, university property.

Non-Forcible Burglary is the unlawful, non-forcible entry into a building or room with the intent to commit a crime therein. A forcible "breaking and entering" is not required. For example, entering a residence hall room through an unlocked or open door for the purpose of committing theft is a non-forcible burglary.

Policies

Reporting Crime

Students, employees, and visitors are encouraged to promptly report on-campus crime or other emergencies to the University’s Public Safety Department by calling (814) 393-2111 or 9-911 from on campus. The Clarion campus is situated on 99 acres with 43 buildings in Clarion Borough.  The campus outer boundaries include Greenville Avenue and 8th Avenue as the western boundaries, Corbett Street as the southern boundary, Wilson Avenue as the eastern boundary, and a wooded area to the north of Main Street as the northern boundary. In addition, there is a 27 acre athletic complex at the west end of Main Street in Clarion borough. A campus map is available upon request from Public Safety. Twenty-eight emergency phones, many of which are in outdoor-public areas, can also be used to report crimes or emergencies to Public Safety. Many of these phones are contained in a red column with a blue light at the top, making them easily seen both during the day and at night. When activated, these phones ring directly into the Public Safety building.

Crime that occurs off University property may be reported to either the Clarion Borough Police or the Pennsylvania State Police. Both of these police agencies can be contacted by dialing 911. The Public Safety Department investigates all reported on campus crimes and initiates prosecutions through the legal system, when warranted. The Public Safety Department works in conjunction with the Clarion Borough Police and the Pennsylvania State Police to investigate crimes and other emergencies involving students both on and off campus. University Public Safety Officers can communicate directly via two-way radio with local police departments and the 911 Center. Public Safety officers provide assistance off campus when requested by another police agency.

Publicly posted warnings are distributed when the Department has reason to believe that a reported crime represents a continuing threat to the University community. These warnings are also posted on the Public Safety Website and distributed to students and employees through electronic mail. The university employs eleven full time sworn police officers with full arrest authority. All officers have completed Act 120 Municipal Police Training and receive at least 25 hours of annual inservice training. Officers  carry firearms. The Public Safety Department also employs one security officer to enforce parking regulations. The Department utilizes approximately 20 student officers to assist with clerical duties and building security checks. Security officers and student officers do not have arrest authority.

The Public Safety Department conducts a number of programs to educate students and parents about campus safety procedures. Representatives from Public Safety speak at each of the summer orientation sessions held for new students. Typically, the Director of Public Safety participates annually in orientation leader training and resident assistant training.

Access to Registered Sex Offender Database

The Pennsylvania State Police is responsible for maintaining this registry. Follow the link below to access the Pennsylvania State Police website.

www.pameganslaw.state.pa.us

Access to University Facilities

Academic, administrative, and recreational buildings are locked daily between 9:00 PM and Midnight. The Public Safety Department controls after-hours access to University buildings. The Public Safety Department is also responsible for the issuance and tracking of all university keys. University-related groups may request use of the facilities by contacting the Student Activities Office. Organizations not affiliated with the University may request use of the facilities by contacting the Vice President for Finance and Administration. Public Safety Officers patrol the grounds and conduct security checks of all University buildings. In addition to checking the security of buildings, Public Safety Officers report physical safety and security hazards, including defective lighting, to the Maintenance Department. Hazards that pose a significant risk to health and safety receive priority attention. The Safety Inspector also works closely with the Maintenance Department to identify and eliminate safety hazards in the buildings and on the grounds.

Non-curricular use of university facilities requires an approved Space Request. Authorized persons are issued keys for after-hours access to specific areas.

Residence Halls

 Clarion University houses approximately 1,300 undergraduate and graduate students in five campus residence halls.  Individual halls range in size from approximately 100 residents to 400 residents in predominantly double rooms.    Two residence halls are coed by floor or wing, two halls are all female and one hall is all male.

 Security

 Security concerns for resident students are addressed in several ways.  Individual residence hall rooms are equipped with deadbolt locks and latching windows.  Outside main entrances to all of the residence halls except Becht are locked 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Students must use their ID cards for access to their assigned residence hall.  Becht Hall, due to the offices on the first floor, is unlocked from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm each day, however, the interior stairwells are locked at all times.   

 Residence Hall Assignments

 New students are assigned by date of application.  Student preferences for residence halls, areas of special designation and smoking/non-smoking are honored when possible.  Mutual roommate requests are honored when possible, if space is available and if received by July 15.  Changes are made in assignments which are not in conflict with university affirmative action policies if space is available.  Residence hall staff investigates all student complaints.

 Residence Hall Staff

 Residence halls are supervised by professional Area Coordinators.  Graduate Hall Managers oversee the day to day operations of the halls, with supervisory functions of the staff.  Each residence hall floor/wing is staffed by a resident assistant who goes through a competitive selection process and they receive extensive training prior to the start and throughout the semester. 

 There are two area desks on campus, which are open 24 hours to serve students.  The desks provide services for the residence hall students including, but not limited to: mail delivery, package pick-up, temporary key sign-out, laptop sign-outs, computer labs, contact point for the residence hall staff on duty, etc.  The North Area Desk is located on the ground floor of  Nair Hall and serves Nair and Wilkinson Halls.  The South Area Desk is located in the lobby of Givan Hall and serves, Givan,  Becht and Ballentine Halls.  Each desk has a full time Area Desk receptionist and approximately 15 student desk clerks. 

 Residence Hall Security Aides are students who work from 9:00 to 3:00 am seven days a week.  The RHSA’s are responsible for doing rounds throughout the residence halls, keeping alert for policy violations and assisting in maintaining and providing a safe environment for our students.  Residence Hall Security Aides are a collaborative effort between the Department of Public Safety and Residence Life Services, and are supervised through the department of Public Safety.

 The University employs two full time Area Coordinators, six graduate hall managers, two area desk receptionists, and approximately sixty resident assistants, desk clerks and residence hall security aides. 

 Guests and Visitors

 Overnight guests of resident students are required to be signed in at the area desk and must be accompanied by their student host at all times.  Visitors must be invited by a resident of that hall during specific visitation hours and escorted at all times when in the building. 

 Information to Resident Students

 Resident students receive information concerning residence hall and campus policies and procedures from several university offices.  Incoming students are sent residence hall information prior to signing Housing Agreements, and information is presented to parents and students during the Orientation (Transitions) Program.  Hall or wing meetings are held at the beginning of each semester and periodically during the semester.

 Programs and information on various topics, including safety, are presented each semester in residence halls and on campus. 

 The Student Rights, Regulations, and Procedures Handbook Online is available online at:  http://www.clarion.edu/studentrights.pdf

Paper copies may be obtained by contacting the Office of Judicial & Mediation Services, 204 Egbert Hall, (814) 393-1918.  A brochure highlighting the Student Rights, Regulations, and Procedures Handbook Online is sent to all students, staff, and faculty at the beginning of each academic year.

 The Residence Hall Handbook is also available online at:  http://www.clarion.edu/reslife/.  Paper copies may be obtained by contacting the Office of Residence Services, 230 Egbert, (814) 393-2352. 

 The annual crime statistics compiled by the Department of Public Safety are available online at: 

http://www.clarion.edu/admin/publicsafety/securityinfo/index.shtml

Paper copies may be obtained by contacting the Office of Judicial & Mediation Services, 204 Egbert Hall, (814) 393-1918.

 Drug and Alcohol Abuse

The University recognizes that the illegal use of alcohol and other drugs contributes to the problem of crime on campus. Possession of alcohol and illicit drugs on campus is prohibited by university policy. It is the policy of the Public Safety Department that individuals found violating Pennsylvania’s Underage Drinking and Drug Laws are criminally prosecuted. Individuals found in possession of a large amount of illegal drugs may also be referred to Federal law enforcement agencies.

Clarion University provides alcohol and other drug prevention and intervention services to its students and employees through the Health Promotions and Programs Office located in the Keeling Student Health Center. Some of the services provided include alcohol education, intervention programs, Clarion University Alcohol and Violence Task Force, alcohol education/intervention classes, educational programs to classes and groups, Clarion University Drug Task Force, alcohol and drug assessments, research and project information, treatment referral services, student field experiences, and literature distribution. Students and employees are welcome to visit the offices in Keeling Student Health Center or telephone 814-393-1949.

Employees of the state and their immediate families are also provided services by the State Employee Assistance Program (SEAP). This service is voluntary and confidential. The SEAP was established to help employees cope with personal problems which affect their lives at home and on the job. SEAP helps the employee focus on the primary problem and determine the kind of professional assistance needed. Services focus on the following areas: alcohol and drug abuse, emotional problems, family/marital, legal and financial. SEP will assess your needs and provide a referral to an appropriate community service. SEAP offices may be contacted by calling 800-692-7459. Supervisors are encouraged to make employees aware of SEAP as an aid in the early intervention and treatment of employee problems which affect job performance.

Assistance is also available from Clarion County Counseling Center Inc., 214 South 7^th Avenue, Clarion, PA 16214, telephone 814-226-6252.

The Clarion University Counseling Center is available to students. It is located in 148 Egbert Hall, telephone 814-393-2255.

Hate Crimes

The Campus Security Act of 1990 requires the University to collect and distribute information about hate crimes that occur on university property, in residence halls, on non-campus property and on public property.  During the past three years, the number of hate crimes that has occurred in these areas is zero.  A hate crime, for purposes of the act, is any of the crimes listed in the above chart, or any crime resulting in injury to any person, where there is manifest evidence that the victim was intentionally selected because of the victim's actual or perceived race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or disability.

 Sexual Assault Policies and Procedures

Educational programs to promote awareness of sex offenses include presentations during new student orientation, programming in the residence halls and Greek Affairs. There is also a recognized student organization, Students Together Against Rape (STAR) on campus. Two Public Safety Officers are also certified as Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) instructors. R.A.D. is a nationally recognized self-defense course for women that teach practical crime prevention skills. The R.A.D course also teaches techniques for avoiding and escaping from potentially dangerous situations. The R.A.D. course is offered several times a semester and at least once during the summer. The course is open to all female students and employees. A similar program is also offered to male students and employees.

The University’s Office of Social Equity is able to provide information about the rules, regulations, and statutes dealing with sexual harassment and sexual assault. The Office of Social Equity can also assist persons who wish to file a complaint of such conduct.

If you are the victim of sexual assault:

• Report to the Public Safety Office – 393-2111 – Inasmuch as all allegations of sexual assault and rape have the potential to involve criminal conduct, the university strongly advises all victims to first report directly to Public Safety. If the assault occurred off campus, call 911 and the appropriate police agency will respond.
• Get medical attention immediately – You could be injured—externally and internally. You could become pregnant, or you could get a sexually transmitted disease. A medical examination could also provide important evidence of rape for prosecution. Community police officers will help. PASSAGES (226-RAPE, hot line 9-1-1) also provides trained support staff to assist you.
• Don’t bathe or douche – Bathing or douching might be the first thing you want to do—but don’t. You might literally be washing away valuable evidence. Wait until you have had a medical examination.
• Save your clothing—It’s all right to change clothes, but save what you were wearing. Your clothing could be used as evidence for prosecution. Place all items in a paper bag.
• We are here to help – Understanding officers will be assigned to work with you, to help you to apprehend the offender. Your contact with the police officers will be confidential. The assigned officer will explain the various aspects of criminal prosecution should the offender be identified.

In the event a student is the victim of a sex offense which precipitates a problem in academic or living arrangements, the student can receive assistance from the college dean or Director of Residence Life Services, respectively.

Conduct regulations pertaining to sex offenses, disciplinary procedures in dealing with such offenses, and possible sanctions are contained in the Student Rights, Regulations, and Procedures Handbook Online, which is available online at:  http://www.clarion.edu/studentrights.pdf

The necessity for quick reporting cannot be overemphasized. If an attacker rapes you, rapes someone you know, or attempts to commit a rape on the campus, notify Public Safety immediately at 393-2111.

Sexual Assault Resources

• Public Safety, Ext. 2111 – Explanation of process; investigation of incident; arrange transportation to hospital; brochures and printed materials; referrals to other appropriate agencies.
• Counseling Services, Ext. 2255 – Free and confidential services; short-term counseling; group support; self-help materials/videos; referrals to other appropriate agencies.
• Student Affairs, Ext. 2351 – Investigates allegations/Student Conduct Code; brochures and printed materials; referrals to other appropriate agencies.
• Social Equity, Ext. 2109 – Investigates allegations of sexual harassment; provides support training; brochures and printed materials; videos; referrals to other appropriate agencies.
• Keeling Health Center, Ext. 2121 – Medical treatment, STD testing; brochures and printed materials, referrals to other appropriate agencies.
• S.T.A.R., Ext. 2720 – Students Together Against Rape, recognized student organization; peer counselors; pro-active events and services.
• PASSAGES – Rape Crisis Center – 226-7273, 7 South Fifth Avenue, Clarion, Pa 16214

Campus Disciplinary Procedures

Conduct Regulations

As members of society, students have a responsibility to be familiar with the law. Among the acts prohibited by law and university regulations are sexual acts against people, including rape, deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault or indecent exposure.

The Public Safety Department refers both students and employees who are suspected of violating University policy to the university disciplinary system or the Office of Human Resources.

Formal Hearings

Such hearings shall be held, as warranted, by the vice president for student and university affairs or the University Conduct Board. The university’s rules of procedure for formal hearings shall provide students with the following procedure guidelines:

1. Reasonable specific advanced written notice of charges containing a description of the alleged acts of misconduct, including time, date, and place of occurrence and the rules of conduct allegedly violated by the student.
2. Reasonably advanced written notice of the date, time and place of the hearing, unless such right is waived in writing by the student.
3. A reasonably sufficient interval between the date of service of charges and the date of the hearing, to allow the student to prepare a defense.
4. An opportunity for submission of written physical and testimonial evidence, and for reasonable questioning of witnesses by both parties.
5. An impartial hearing which may consist of a committee, board, panel, or individual appointed by the university.
6. Maintenance of a written summary or audiotape record of the hearing at university expense, though students may be required to pay the cost of copies of requested records.
7. A decision based upon presented evidence sufficient to make a reasonable person believe that a fact sought to be proved is more likely than not.
8. A written adjudication in which the facts and reasons for the decision are set forth with reasonable specificity shall be issued within 30 working days after the close of the proceedings. In cases of alleged sexual assault, the accuser shall be informed of the outcome of the hearing.
9. A student may identify an advisor, who may be an attorney, to be present at hearings. The advisor may only consult and interact privately with the student, unless otherwise determined by the university regarding a particular case. In cases of alleged sexual assault, the accuser is entitled to have an advisor present at the hearing.
10. Any member of the university community may file a complaint alleging student misconduct. Complaints are filed using an Incident Report Form.

Disciplinary Sanctions

Dismissal

This action is taken when the student’s misconduct or disciplinary involvement is of such seriousness that it merits the student’s separation from the university community. A dismissal action will specify the conditions, if any, under which the student may become eligible for readmission.

Suspension

This action is taken when the seriousness of the student’s misconduct or disciplinary involvement merits interruption of the student’s enrollment. A suspension action will specify a date and/or requirement for reinstatement.

Probation

This action is taken when the student’s misconduct or disciplinary involvement merits a period of official censure. A probation action will specify any conditions with which the student must comply or any privileges which may be withheld.

Reprimand

This action is taken when the student’s misconduct or disciplinary involvement merits an official admonition.

Additional Actions

Any disciplinary sanction may include, if appropriate, a requirement that the student fulfill some specified act of restitution or correction.

When warranted, a disciplinary action not specified above may be imposed.

Due to the recent amendments to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) / Buckley Amendment by the U.S. Department of Education, it is now permissible for Clarion University to notify the parent or guardian of dependent students when those students have been found responsible for alcohol and drug related offenses.

Disciplinary sanctions are implemented by presenting to the student a letter explaining the decision. A copy of the letter will be placed in the university disciplinary files. Appropriate university offices and personnel will be notified when necessary for sanction implementation.

Crime Statistics for:

• Clarion University - Venango Campus - Oil City, PA