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Security

Southern Vermont College is committed to providing its students, faculty, and staff with a safe campus on which to study, work, and live by making each student and employee aware of how to reduce the possibilities of incidents and create a better campus environment.

How do I contact Security?

It is the policy of Southern Vermont College that all faculty, staff, and students be responsible for acting in a safe manner and reporting those situations or individuals that jeopardize their safety or the safety of others.

Suspicion is the only reason you need for calling the campus Security Office to report any crime or suspicious activity. A security officer can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week by dialing 447-4001 (Security Office) or 384-1648 (Security cell phone).

If you do call, please be prepared to provide the following information:

• Your name, which will be disclosed only to the Dean of Students
• Location of the incident you are reporting
• A description of the scene and suspects
• A description of any vehicle involved, particularly the license number

What to do if...

you are assaulted

Call Security as soon as possible at 447-4001 (Security Office) or 384-1648 (Security cell phone). Try to remember important details about the persons involved such as: gender, race, hair color, size, clothing description, scars or other noticeable markings, mode of travel, vehicle type, color, and license number. The campus will be searched and the police will be notified.

you witness suspicious activity

If you see anyone behaving suspiciously, contact Security immediately. Report what you have witnessed trying to recall the aforementioned important details.

you learn of any threat to personal safety

If you learn of any threat to personal safety, it is important to obtain as much information about the threat as possible and contact Security immediately at 447-4001 (Security Office) or 384-1648 (Security cell phone). The campus Security Office will work in cooperation with the appropriate authorities to determine what should be done.

you discover any criminal activity

If you have knowledge of any criminal activity, you should immediately report to the campus Security Office by calling 447-4001 (Security Office) or 384-1648 (Security cell phone).

Building Security

Non-residence Buildings

1. Keys to non-residence areas of the College are issued only with authorization from the president or her designee. Anyone else needing access must get approval from the Director of Security.
2. Security officers control the unlocking of non-residence areas of the College each morning and the locking of them each evening.

Residential Buildings

1. All residence halls are to be locked 24 hours per day.
2. Each student is responsible for securing the door as he/she enters or leaves.
3. No one should be allowed into a residential building unless that person is a resident of that building with current and valid college ID in his/her possession or is a registered guest of a resident of that building with current and valid college ID in his/her possession.
4. Anyone caught altering a door so that it does not close properly or propping a door open will be subject to a $50 fine.
5. Any deficiencies that may compromise building security should be reported to Facilities and Security.

Campus Security and your Local Police

The Southern Vermont College Security Office provides year-round safety for the campus community. The Director of Security is responsible for the management of the Security Office. Our officers are available 24 hours a day and, with the support of our local police department and rescue squad, will be able to assist you in any emergency. They can instantly contact the Fire Department or EMS and can also summon the police if necessary. Emergency calls should be made to 447-4001 (Security Office) or 384-1648 (Security cell phone).

Crime Prevention

Southern Vermont College has taken sound steps to promote a safe and secure environment. However, no institution can guarantee safety against all risks. Therefore, the entire campus community shares responsibility for crime prevention. The cooperation and participation of each person will help establish a safer learning atmosphere.

We maintain community awareness through the use of posters, pamphlets, special talks with students and other resources. The Student Government Association and the Residence Life Office provide valuable assistance to this effort. The SVC Security Office offers an on-call campus escort service designed to prevent students from walking great distances after dark. This is just an example of how we will be taking aggressive measures to discourage criminals. Crime prevention at Southern Vermont College is a community-based program. Involvement by all members of the campus community is essential to its success. The Security Office strives to provide leadership and direction in this effort. The main goal is to improve the quality of life for members of the campus community.

Alcohol and Drug Policy

The fundamental purpose of Southern Vermont College is to maintain an environment that encourages the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge. Therefore, possession or consumption of alcohol in any location not specifically authorized by the college or the possession or consumption of any illegal drugs on Southern Vermont College property is strictly prohibited and may be grounds for immediate suspension or dismissal of students, faculty members, administrators, or other staff. Our Security Office may also notify the local police department of anyone in violation of local or state drug or alcohol laws, and arrests may be made. These laws include: possession, sale or trafficking of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia, possession of alcohol by persons under 21, providing alcohol to a minor, driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances, or possession of prescription drugs not in their original packaging and in the possession of someone other than the original person for whom the prescription was written.

Alcohol/Drug Education

The Security Office, in coordination with the Residence Life Office and the Director of Counseling, will establish and maintain a program of education designed to help all members of the community avoid involvement with drugs and alcohol. These programs will:

1. Provide a system of current, accurate information on the health risks and symptoms of alcohol and drug use.
2. Promote and support institutional activity programs that discourage alcohol and drug use.
3. Establish a relationship with outside agencies for the purposes of education,
   treatment, and referral.
4. Include information about drug and alcohol abuse for family members in orientation programs. Prescription drug use will also be addressed.
5. Support and encourage faculty in incorporating alcohol and drug education into the curriculum where appropriate.

Weapon Policy

No person is allowed to possess, display, or use weapons of any kind on campus at any time. Any object that could inflict injury or harm that is used in a threatening, aggressive, or careless manner will be considered a weapon. Items prohibited include, but are not limited to, handguns, rifles, pellet guns, BB guns, swords, bow and arrows, balloon slingshots, martial arts weapons, and knives or the ammunition for any of the above. Any deviation in this policy could result in immediate dismissal from the College.

Summary

A college campus is a very important asset to a community, and in that same vein can be expected to mirror its surrounding community in various ways, not the least of which is crime. Southern Vermont College students must realize that living in a small college environment does not exempt them from the outside world, and they should take precautions to prevent assault and crime against themselves and fellow students. For your own protection, you are required to carry your college ID card at all times and to show it to any Southern Vermont College staff employee when requested to do so.

The risk of fire requires each person within the community to take each fire drill seriously and to familiarize himself/herself with all of the emergency and fire safety procedures and the location of all life-saving equipment on campus. Tampering with this equipment can create a serious risk for all of us and will not be tolerated.

The Southern Vermont Security Office will work diligently to provide protection for the entire campus; however, each person must also take action to protect himself or herself.

Most criminals look for and take advantage of vulnerability. The less vulnerable the vehicle, residence, or person, the less chance the criminal will follow through.

In any community, such as Southern Vermont College, there is the risk of crime, especially petty thievery of personal property when it is not properly secured. The actions we take can cause a criminal to think twice and be deterred. Simple actions include:

1. Locking doors at all times.
2. Not "propping" doors open.
3. Not leaving your keys in a door.
4. Being cautious when exiting or entering potentially unsafe areas.
5. Traveling with a friend.
6. Being aware of suspicious persons or conditions.
7. Reporting suspicious activity to Security Personnel.
8. Calling Security or 911 if threatened or if you suspect danger.

With your assistance, we are confident that Southern Vermont College will be a very safe place to live, play and learn. Remember the Security Officers are here to serve this College in whatever way necessary. Please do not hesitate to call 447-4001 (Security Office) or 384-1648 (Security cell phone).

Victim Assistance Information Sources

The Southern Vermont College Security Office cannot be responsible for the content contained within each Web site or supplied by the organization. However, we do believe they are able to supply helpful information in times of need. As you visit some of the Web sites, you may need to search that site for specific information which pertains to crime victim information.

• Vermont Attorney General's Victims Services Home Page - 1-802-828-5512 http://www.atg.state.vt.us/display.php?smod=165
• Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services - 1-800-750-1213 1-800-845-4874 TTY - www.ccvs.state.vt.us
• Deaf Victim Advocacy Services - 1-800-303-3827- www.dvas.org
• National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) - www.try-nova.org
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children - www.missingkids.com
• Department of Corrections, Director of Victim Services - 802-241-2302
• Vermont Sex Offender Registry - 802-244-8727
• Vermont Network Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault - 802-223-1302 802-223-1115 TTY
• Emergency Relief from Abuse Orders - 1-800-540-9990
• National Center for Victims of Crime - www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence - www.ncadv.org

Statewide Hotlines

• Project Against Violent Encounters - 1-800-228-7395, 1-802-442-2111, 1-802-442-2370 V/TTY, collect calls accepted, e-mail - pave@adelphia.net
• Sexual Assault - 1-888-489-7273
• Child Abuse Hotline - 1-800-649-5285
• The Vermont State Employee's Assistance Program - 1-888-834-2830
• "Safe at Home" Address Confidentiality Program - 1-800-439-8683
• Justice Information Center - www.ncjrs.org

Crime Statistics

In full compliance with the student right-to-know and Campus Security Act of 1990, crime statistics for the College are prepared each calendar year. The statistics are routinely posted and distributed throughout the campus. Statistics are obtained from College Security, Director of Residence Life, and the Dean of Students. Statistics are prepared by the Director of Security.

Criminal Offenses

On Campus

Offense	2003	2004	2005	2006
a. Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter	0	0	0	0
b. Forcible sex offenses (including forcible rape)	0	0	0	0
c. Nonforcible sex offenses	0	0	0	0
d. Robbery	0	0	0	0
e. Aggravated assault	0	1	0	0
f.  Burglary	0	5	5	4
g. Motor vehicle theft	0	0	0	0
h. Arson	0	0	0	0
i.  Negligent manslaughter	0	0	0	0
*Upon investigation, allegations were unsubstantiated.

On-campus Residence Halls

Offense	2003	2004	2005	2006
a. Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter	0	0	0	0
b. Forcible sex offenses (including forcible rape)	0	0	0	0
c. Nonforcible sex offenses	0	0	0	0
d. Robbery	0	0	0	0
e. Aggravated assault	0	0	0	0
f.  Burglary	0	5	3	4
g. Motor vehicle theft	0	0	0	0
h. Arson	0	0	0	0
i.  Negligent manslaughter	0	0	0	0
*Upon investigation, allegations were unsubstantiated.

Non-campus

Offense	2003	2004	2005	2006
a. Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter	0	0	0	0
b. Forcible sex offenses (including forcible rape)	0	0	0	0
c. Non-forcible sex offenses	0	0	0	0
d. Robbery	0	0	0	0
e. Aggravated assault	0	0	0	0
f.  Burglary	0	0	0	0
g. Motor vehicle theft	0	0	0	0
h. Arson	0	0	0	0
i.  Negligent manslaughter	0	0	0	0

Public Property

Offense	2003	2004	2005	2006
a. Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter	0	0	0	0
b. Forcible sex offenses (including forcible rape)	0	0	0	0
c. Nonforcible sex offenses	0	0	0	0
d. Robbery	0	0	0	0
e. Aggravated assault	0	0	0	0
f. Burglary	0	0	0	0
g. Motor vehicle theft	0	0	0	0
h. Arson	0	0	0	0
i. Negligent manslaughter	0	0	0	0

Hate Offenses

The following criminal offenses that manifest evidence of prejudice based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability or ethnicity and can be classified as Hate Crimes as prescribed by the Hate Crimes Statistics Act (28 U.S.C 534) occurred.

On Campus

Offense	2003	2004	2005	2006
a. Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter	0	0	0	0
b. Aggravated assault	0	0	0	0
c. All forcible sex offenses, including forcible rape (if available)	0	0	0	0
d. Forcible rape	0	0	0	0
e. Arson	0	0	0	0
f.  Negligent manslaughter	0	0	0	0
g. Simple assault	0	1	1	0

On-campus Residence Halls

Offense	2003	2004	2005	2006
a. Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter	0	0	0	0
b. Aggravated assault	0	0	0	0
c. All forcible sex offenses, including forcible rape (if available)	0	0	0	0
d. Forcible rape	0	0	0	0
e. Arson	0	0	0	0
f. Negligent manslaughter	0	0	0	0
g. Simple assault	0	0	0	0

Non-campus

Offense	2003	2004	2005	2006
a. Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter	0	0	0	0
b. Aggravated assault	0	0	0	0
c. All forcible sex offenses, including forcible rape (if available)	0	0	0	0
d. Forcible rape	0	0	0	0
e. Arson	0	0	0	0
f. Negligent manslaughter	0	0	0	0
g. Simple assault	0	0	0	0

Public Property

Hate Offenses	2003	2004	2005	2006
a. Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter	0	0	0	0
b. Aggravated assault	0	0	0	0
c. All forcible sex offenses, including forcible rape (if available)	0	0	0	0
d. Forcible rape	0	0	0	0
e. Arson	0	0	0	0
f. Negligent manslaughter	0	0	0	0
g. Simple assault	0	0	0	0

Arrests

On campus

Offense	2003	2004	2005	2006
a. Liquor law violations	0	2	0	1
b. Drug law violations	0	0	0	0
c. Illegal weapons possessions	0	0	0	0

On-campus Residence Halls

Offense	2003	2004	2005	2006
a. Liquor law violations	0	0	0	0
b. Drug law violations	0	0	0	0
c. Illegal weapons possessions	0	0	0	0

On-campus Disciplinary Actions/Judicial Referrals

(includes actions reported in "On campus - Residence Halls" below)

Offense	2003	2004	2005	2006
a. Liquor law violations	24	55	108	43
b. Drug law violations	3	6	10	7
c. Illegal weapons possessions	0	1	0	0

On-campus - Residential Halls Disciplinary Actions/ Judicial Referrals

(included in actions reported in "On campus" above)

Offense	2003	2004	2005	2006
a. Liquor law violations	24	50	97	34
b. Drug law violations	3	5	10	7
c. Illegal weapons possessions	0	1	0	0

Non-campus

Offense	2003	2004	2005	2006
a. Liquor law violations	1	0	0	0
b. Drug law violations	0	0	0	0
c. Illegal weapons possessions	0	0	0	0

Non-campus Disciplinary Actions/Judicial Referrals

Offense	2003	2004	2005	2006
a. Liquor law violations	1	0	0	0
b. Drug law violations	0	0	0	0
c. Illegal weapons possessions	0	0	0	0

Public Property

Offense	2003	2004	2005	2006
a. Liquor law violations	0	0	0	0
b. Drug law violations	0	0	0	0
c. Illegal weapons possessions	0	0	0	0

Public Property Disciplinary Actions/Judicial Referrals

Offense	2003	2004	2005	2006
a. Liquor law violations	0	0	0	0
b. Drug law violations	0	0	0	0
c. Illegal weapons possessions	0	0	0	0

If you have questions, please feel free to approach any on-duty Campus Security Officer. With your help, collectively we can make Southern Vermont College a more safe and secure learning community.

Security Office
Aldis Hall, First Floor
802-447-4001
security@svc.edu

Important Phone Numbers

On Campus College Security

Security

security@svc.edu

• 802-442-5427, ext. 4001
• "0"
• 802-447-4001
• Cell Phone: 802-384-1648

Dean of Students

• 802-442-5427, ext. 6323
• 802-447-6323

Residential Life

• 802-442-5427, ext. 4013
• 802-447-4013

Counseling

• 802-442-5427, ext. 6343
• 802-447-6343

Weather Line

802-447-4694

Off Campus Police/Fire/Ambulance

911

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