Jeanne Cleary Disclosure of Campus Security Policy
and Campus Crime Statistics Act

Calendar Year  2006

Dear Worcester State College Community,

Welcome to Worcester State College Campus. The WSC Police Department is here to assist each student with their safety. However, each student needs to understand the necessity of being vigilant with his or her own personal safety Each year, all colleges and universities are required by law to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. This is a document that provides crime statistics to the WSC community that, over the last four years, have occurred on campus and the immediate adjacent streets that surround the college.

The College Police Department patrols the campus on a twenty-four hour basis throughout the calendar year. It is our goal and priority to prevent and deter any criminal activity that may occur, however it is a community-wide responsibility to always keep safety in mind.

Our philosophy and mission is to enhance the “community policing” model to all members of the campus, including students, staff and faculty. With your help and your prompt reporting of any suspicious activity, along with the campus police and their continued efforts to remain visible by cruisers, foot and bike patrols, we can minimize the dangers of crimes occurring within our community.

The College Police are available to present crime prevention programs not only for student organization and clubs but we are also available to the faculty and staff to present to the classroom or College departments.

If you have any questions regarding the compiled statistics from CY2005, please feel free to contact me at my office on the first floor of Wasylean Hall or at 508-929-8044.

Sincerely,  
Rosemary F. Naughton  
Chief of College Police

Worcester State College

• Consists of 58 Acres
• Has 13 buildings
• Is located in central Massachusetts
• Approximately 5,000 individuals on campus on any given day.

Responsibility for College Police Department

The Worcester State College Police Department has primary responsibility for security on the campus. The Department works closely with the entire College community to ensure that programs and services are systematically coordinated to promote and enhance a safe environment.

The Department officers patrol the campus and answer calls on a 24-hour basis throughout the calendar year. Usually there is a minimum of two officers and a Supervisor assigned to each shift. The WSC Officers are sworn Special State Police Officers. All Officers attend the Special State Police Academy, which consists of 14 weeks of intense training, which is provided by the Massachusetts State Police. The College Police Officers, after successfully completing this academy, have full arrest powers on campus.

As of the date of this publication the College Police Department includes 15 professionally trained police officers. In addition, there is an Emergency Coordinator/Technical Service Manager on staff. Gatehouse employees and desk workers supplement the operational needs of the department. Officers’ training include but are not limited to: Sexual Assault investigation, CPR, First Aid, Crime Prevention, Incident Command Systems, R.A.D., LEAPS/NCIC Computer Crime, Domestic Violence, and many more safety related topics.

The Worcester State College Police Authority

The Worcester State College Police Department derives its power from the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 22c Section 63, which gives the officers authority to arrest anyone involved in any criminal activity that occurs while on any property owned, rented or leased by Worcester State College. The College Police work closely with the Worcester Police Department, Massachusetts State Police and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.

Procedures and Facilities to Report Crimes on Campus

As a community of adults, we invite your involvement in creating a safe campus. If you have an idea you believe would enhance safety; please bring it to the attention of the Worcester State College Police Department. The accurate and prompt reporting of campus crime is essential to the safety and security of the entire college community. The following are ways you may report a crime:

• Calling directly to extension 8044, or 508- 929-8044. Phoning from
  residence halls extension 444 or 508-929-9444.
• Utilizing emergency telephones located throughout campus.
• Direct contact with officers in the held.
• Reporting to College Police Office located in the lobby of Wasylean Hall
• Direct contact with Administrators on campus in the Office of Student Affairs, Human Resources Department and/or Office of Diversity and Affirmative Action.
• Direct contact with the Residents’ Assistants.

College Police will respond immediately upon receipt of a call for service, according to priority of each call. Appropriate investigation of incidents may result in criminal action, college disciplinary proceeding, activation of medical services, or other referrals to on or off campus agencies.

Policies for Preparing the Annual Disclosures of Campus Crime Statistics

Statistics are gathered in various ways, via reports that are received through College Police directly. All members of the community are encouraged to refer persons to voluntarily report crimes that may have occurred on campus so those incidents may be counted in the annual statistics for this report. Worcester Police Department provides data, which consists of crimes that occur on streets and public property bordering the Worcester State College Campus. These statistics are compiled for the calendar year running from January through December and according to this Law shall be disseminated by the first of October each year.

Timely Reporting of Criminal Activity

In the event of a major incident of violent crime on the campus or in the neighboring community, “ALERT POSTERS” will be posted throughout the community by the College Police Department. These postings should be taken seriously.

In addition to the postings, the Chief of College Police will disseminate information to the community regarding any such incidents via e-mail, college bulletin boards, and through the following offices/locations:

• Admissions’
• College Police
• Counseling
• Human Resources
• Student Activities
• Student Affairs
• Student Center information desk.

A positive relationship with both Worcester Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police helps ensure the exchange of information regarding known criminal activity in the immediate area, which allows for timely notifications when necessary.

Access to Campus and Facilities

Worcester State College maintains an open campus environment and encourages the general public to utilize its library and outdoor athletic field when the field is not being used by the College. During times when classes are in session, people using the field are required to register with the College Police Department. Parking Tags for all commuter students are available for purchase. It should be noted that there are limited reserved parking for resident students and resident students must qualify for parking spaces.

After classes end for the day, and all commuting students have left campus, College Police close all entrances to the campus except the May Street entrance.

Resident students have access to campus at all times except during defined break periods. Guests of resident students must register with the desk clerks at Wasylean and Dowden Halls. Guests are allowed on campus only if they are accompanied by the sponsoring resident student, unless prior written approval has been obtained.

Resident students are absolutely responsible for the actions of their guests. The Student Handbook and Resident Hall Handbook support this concept. A resident may be charged with a violation of Campus Policy for the actions of a guest, and may be required to pay a monetary fine for damage done by the guest. For additional policies regarding overnight guests in the residence hall, please refer to the Student Handbook and Resident Hall Handbook.

Lighting surveys are routinely conducted and new lighting is installed as needed. Shrubbery and natural overgrowth are trimmed routinely, especially near walking trails and pathways. The security of doors and windows are reviewed periodically and locks are replaced when needed. Consideration is given to manual systems, to new state of the art electronic systems and card access systems. Every effort is made to maximize parking on campus, as well as to monitor the flow of traffic throughout I the campus to better insure the safety of the College’s large number of pedestrians.

In addition to lighting surveys, the College has installed emergency telephones throughout the campus, these phones are easily identifiable by the blue light affixed to the top of each one.

Campus community members are encouraged to report any safety hazard on campus such as malfunctioning lights, icy sidewalks, broken windows to either College Police at 508-929-8044 or Facilities Department at 508-929-8025 or Residence Life at 508-929-8074.

The College Police Department is responsible for maintaining all locks and issuing keys for the academic buildings. Access to keys is restricted to designated individuals. All requests for residence halls’ keys are made through the Office of Residence Life and Housing. All other requests may be made through the College Police Department located in the lobby of Wasylean Hall. In the event that a key is lost or stolen please notify College Police at 508-929-8044 or Residence Life and Housing at 508-929-8074 immediately. Tampering with locks and/or theft, duplication, or unauthorized use of any keys belonging to Worcester State College is a serious violation and may be subject to criminal prosecution. Residents will be charged for a lock change in the event of a lost key.

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Types and Frequencies of Informational Programs about Campus Security and Crime Prevention

The College Police Department offers programs to the Worcester State College community on the following
topics, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Club Drugs, Binge Drinking and the Dangers of Alcohol and overall Street Smart program.

Every year a College notice, entitled Police Informer is made available to each student that attends Orientation. This will describe medical emergency services, safety tips and the method for reporting a crime to the College Police.

This booklet is provided to all resident students and is made available to all commuters, staff, and faculty by being placed throughout the campus at the following offices/locations: • Admissions’ College Police. Counseling • Human Resources • Student Activities • Student Affairs • Student Center information desk.

The College Police and the Office of Residence Life and Housing maintain a strong working relationship and assist in training the Resident Assistants on an annual basis. As part of this training, Residents’ Assistants are
familiarized with procedures for reporting crimes and other incidents that occur on campus. Resident Assistants also request College Police’s assistance in crime prevention and educational programs for the resident student population as well as the commuters.

College Police will conduct programs at the request of any group or organization as well as schedule various safety programs throughout each semester. Employees and faculty of the College are encouraged to attend.

Most crime prevention programs consist of lecture, video and interactive methods along with handouts. Each topic has a number of resources on and off campus, readily available to the Worcester State College community. Some resources utilized in the past have been the District Attorney’s office, Worcester Police
Department and the Massachusetts State Police.

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Possession, Use and Sale of Alcohol and Drugs

Worcester State College Police Department enforces all State and Federal laws, in addition to all College regulations regarding the possession, use and sale of alcoholic beverages. College policy further restricts when, where, and how alcohol may be served.

Worcester State College Police Department enforces all State and Federal laws in regards to possession, use, or sale of illegal drugs. Persons apprehended by the College Police Department for possession, use of, or distribution of illegal drugs may be criminally charged.

The College Police Department along with other offices such as Residence Life and Housing, and the Office of Judicial Affairs provide educational seminars and brochures on alcohol related issues.

Weapons Policy

The possession or concealment of any type of firearm or other dangerous weapon, including but not limited to stiletto, dagger, dirk knife, any knife having a double-edged blade or a switch blade, or any knife having an automatic spring release device by which the blade is released from handle, having a blade of over one and one-half inches, or a sling shot, blackjack, metallic buckles or knuckles or any substance which could be put to the same use, is strictly prohibited on the properties owned and Worcester State College. Violators of the above will be subject to legal and/or disciplinary action.

Sexual Assault Policy Statement

Worcester State College is committed to providing a learning, living and working environment that is free from al/forms of coercive, harassing, or abusive conduct. As such, the College will not tolerate sexual assault in any form.  The College is committed to: educating members of the campus community about issues related to sexual assault, engaging proactive measures, and providing ongoing support services for accusers of sexual assault.

Sexual assault is illegal, and includes any sexual act directed at another person forcibly, or against the person’s will, or not forcibly where the victim is incapable of giving consent. Examples include forcible rape, forcible sodomy, acquaintance or date rape, forcible fondling and sexual assault with an object. In addition to any criminal or civil penalties, perpetrators are also subject to College disciplinary action and sanctions which include suspension, dismissal, or expulsion from the College.

The Office of Residence Life and Housing is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all its residents. In the event of a sexual assault, the Office of Residence Life and Housing will take appropriate action based on individual circumstances, which could include changing the survivor’s living and academic situation if necessary The College Police Department will also assist accusers in securing any necessary support services either short term or on an on-going basis.

The Counseling Center at Worcester State College will provide on campus confidential counseling to the accuser of a sexual assault. The Sexual Assault Services Coordinator can be reached at extension 8851 or 508-929-8851. If the Sexual Assault Services Coordinator is unavailable, the accuser may contact one of the other counselors at extension 8072 or at 508- 929-8072. Should the accuser choose to receive support services outside the community, the Sexual Assault Coordinator or other counselor will provide appropriate information and referrals.

While the accuser of a rape/sexual assault is not required to file a complaint, it is the policy of the Counseling Center in all cases of sexual assault to suggest to the accuser to meet with a sexual assault investigator assigned to the College Police Department. In the event of a first response situation, the Sexual Assault Services Coordinator will advise the accuser about important medical and legal issues, and procedures related to incidents of rape/sexual assault.

The Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs is responsible for the College judicial system. Both the accuser and the accused have clearly defined rights and responsibilities in the judicial process, including the right to confront one another, present evidence, call witnesses and appeal the results.

The hallmark of the Worcester State College judicial process is its recognition that progressive discipline is appropriate in an educational setting. However, under certain circumstances, the College will impose severe penalties in the first instance. A finding of RESPONSIBLE for a sexual assault would be an example of such a circumstance. A list of potential penalties are available in the Student Handbook.

The College Police Department offers educational programming in sexual assault. This program includes the definition of sexual assault, what to do if you are a survivor of sexual assault. It also contains the facts of the law and how College Police can assist you or anyone you may know who has been a survivor of sexual assault.

In the event that an accuser would rather be assisted by an off-campus agency, the College Police has a list of referral numbers to several agencies including Worcester Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, Worcester Rape Crisis Center.

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Sexual Offender Registry Board Requirement

The federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, enacted on October 28, 2000 went into effect October 28, 2002. The law requires institutions of higher education to issue a statement advising the campus community
where information provided by the State concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained.

Please contact the Sexual Offender Registry Board at 978-740-6400 or at www.mass.gov/sorb. It also requires sex offenders already required to register in a State to provide notice, as required under State law, to each institution of higher education in that State at which the person is employed, carries on a vocation, or is a student

Worcester State College Police Department - Crime Statistical Report by Calendar Year

This chart includes offenses that were reported to law enforcement agencies other than the Worcester State College Police Department and to any official of the Worcester State College Community who has significant responsibilities for student and campus activities. These offenses are compiled in accordance with the provisions of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.