Your Safety is our Concern

at Villanova University

2007

Villanova University is concerned about the safety and welfare of its students, faculty and staff, and visitors, and is committed to providing a safe and secure environment.  Because no campus is isolated from crime, the University has developed a series of Policies and Procedures that are designed to help protect persons on the campus.  Villanova developed this brochure to inform students, faculty, and staff about the University's Safety and Security Program. 

The information in this brochure is provided as a part of Villanova's continuing commitment to safety and security on campus in compliance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting Act and the Federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the “Clery Act”).  Concerns, questions or complaints related to this docu­ment or the applicable statutes should be directed to the Director of Public Safety either by mail at Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085, or by telephone at (610) 519-6979.

For additional information, please contact one of the University officials listed on page 5 of this brochure.

Who Is Responsible for Campus Security?
he University's Department of Public Safety is responsible for campus security.  The Department is located in Farrell Hall and consists of approximately 75 officers.  Each officer receives both in-service and out-service training.  Several officers are former police officers.  Although officers do not have powers of arrest, the Department maintains excellent relationships with both the Radnor and the Lower Merion Police Departments and the Pennsylvania State Police.

Additional information regarding the types of services provided by the Department is available on its website at www.publicsafety.villanova.edu.

What is Villanova's Policy on Reporting Criminal Incidents to State and Local Police?
The University's Public Safety Department handles complaints on campus and coordinates investigations with outside agencies as necessary.  The University files a yearly statistical crime report with the state police.  Under its Student Crime Reporting Policy as set forth in the Student Handbook, the University strongly encourages students and employees to report criminal activity immediately to local police and the Public Safety Department.

What is Villanova's Policy About Access to the University's Facilities and Programs by Students, Employees, Guests and Other Individuals?
The facilities of Villanova University are private and exist for the primary purpose of education.  Priority for the use of facilities is given first to University academic or administrative activities and second to programs of University groups.  Prior registration for use of facilities through the appropriate University administrative offices is required.  Identification and/or sign-in registration is not required.

What is the Procedure for Students or Others to Report Criminal Actions or Other Emergencies Occurring on Campus, and How Does the University Respond to Such Reports?
Students, faculty, and staff should report all crimes and medical or fire emergencies to the Public Safety Department.  When a report is received, an officer will be dispatched to the caller's location for investigation.  When necessary, a follow-up investigation is conducted by the department and coordinated with local police agencies.  In the case of a medical, fire or criminal emergency, the Public Safety Department notifies the appropriate emergency personnel. 

Emergency calls should be directed as follows:     

• On campus:  dial 4444 or 9-4444

• Off campus or by cellphone:  dial (610) 519-4444

Non emergency calls should be directed to (610) 519-6979
The University also maintains a confidential hotline for reporting crimes at (610) 519-6999 and a confidential web reporting form at www.publicsafety.villanova.edu.

What is Villanova's Policy on the Possession, Use and Sale of Alcoholic Beverages and Illegal Drugs?

Drugs.  The use of narcotics and dangerous drugs without a prescription on University premises, as elsewhere, is illegal.  Villanova University prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, sale, possession or use of any drug by any of its employees or students in its workplace, on its premises or as part of any of its activities.  In addition, the University may also, under appropriate circumstances in the University's discretion, discipline its employees or students in response to the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, sale, possession or use of any drug outside its workplace or off its campus premises.

Alcohol.  Villanova University permits the lawful keeping and consumption, in moderation, of alcoholic beverages on its property or property under its control by persons of legal drinking age (21 years or older).  Students who are 21 years of age or older are permitted by the University to consume alcoholic beverages in their own residence hall rooms and designated areas in other University facilities.

The University prohibits:

a.      the possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons under the age of 21 on property owned or controlled by the University or as part of any of its activities.

b.     the intentional and knowing selling, or intentional and knowing furnishing of alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21 or to persons obviously inebriated on property owned or controlled by the University or as part of any of its activities.

c.     the consumption of alcoholic beverages by any  University employee or student where the consumption adversely affects job or academic performance and/or endangers the physical well-being of other persons and/or oneself.

d.     the consumption of alcoholic beverages by any University employee during his/her normal working hours regardless of the effect on job performance unless the consumption occurs in the course of an authorized business or special University function which includes alcoholic beverages or the consumption is otherwise approved by the University.

e.     the consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places, including hallways and lounges, buildings or on University grounds without authorization.

f.       with respect to students, beer kegs in any condition, beer balls, any similar type of common source and their equivalents in volume of beer and/or alcohol content in the residence halls or on campus without authorization; or the use or possession of paraphernalia specifically associated with the consumption of alcohol (e.g. funnels, beer-pong tables, any item associated with drinking games, etc.).

g.       with respect to students, the use or possession of grain alcohol.

h.      with respect to students, possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages in the residence hall or apartment of any student under the legal age of 21.  Moreover, students who are under the legal age of 21 may not permit anyone over the age of 21 to possess or consume alcoholic beverages in the underage student’s room or apartment.  The only exception to this restriction is that if an underage student has a roommate who is 21 years of age or older, the legal age roommate may possess and consume moderate amounts of alcoholic beverages for his/her own personal use in the legal age student’s own residence hall room or apartment. Students who are 21 years of age or older who are not residing on campus are not permitted to bring alcohol to the campus without prior approval.

i.        with respect to students, driving in the local community while under the influence of alcohol.

j.       students or student organizations from organizing non-University sponsored events (e.g. ticket parties or list parties) that result in underage drinking, misbehavior, or criminal activity, regardless of whether the non-University sponsored event is hosted at a third party vendor.

In addition, to the extent that the Villanova community serves society by developing and sustaining this environment, and to the extent that Villanova University confidently expects its membership to comport themselves as to assure continuance and enhancement of the University, the University reserves the right to exercise discretion in taking disciplinary action against employees or students involved in off campus activity. 

Students with substance abuse problems may obtain information and seek support services from the Dean of Students Office, the Office of Campus Ministry, the Residence Hall Ministers, the Campus Ministry Interns, the Office of Health Promotion and the University Counseling Center.  All incoming freshman are required to satisfactorily complete an alcohol education program called AlcoholEdu. 

Information and support services for University employees with substance abuse problems are available from the Human Resources Department, the University’s Employee Assistance Program, the Office of Health Promotion, and the Office of Campus Ministry.  In addition, the University contracts with Ceridian LifeWorks Services for the delivery of the LifeWorks service to University employees.

For more detailed information about Villanova’s substance abuse policies and available support services for those with substance abuse problems, see the University's Policy on Drug-Free Schools, distributed annually and available from the Director of Human Resources or visit the websites for the departments listed above, which are accessible through the University’s main website at www.villanova.edu.

What is Villanova's Policy about the Possession and Use of Weapons by Public Safety Personnel and any Other Persons?
Public Safety Officers do not carry firearms in their official capacity.  Outside law enforcement personnel who are authorized to possess weapons may do so within the scope of their authority. No other persons are permitted to possess weapons on University property.

What Security Considerations does Villanova Use in the Maintenance of Campus Facilities, including Landscaping, Groundskeeping & Outdoor Lighting?
University facilities and landscaping are maintained so as to minimize hazardous conditions.  Malfunctioning lights and other unsafe conditions are reported to the Facilities Department for repair or correction.  In addition, Lighting Reports are compiled monthly by the Public Safety Department and forwarded to the Facilities Department for appropriate action.

What is Villanova's Policy about Students or Employees with Criminal Records?
Background investigations are generally not conducted for prospective students or employees except for certain employee positions, such as Public Safety Officers and other Public Safety personnel, cash handlers, persons with access to residence rooms by key, and new senior administrators.  When information concerning criminal conduct is brought to the University's attention it is given appropriate consideration.

Pursuant to the University's Drug-Free Workplace Policy, any employee who is convicted under a criminal drug statute for a violation occurring in the workplace is subject to disciplinary pro­cedures, and may be required to participate in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program.

Currently enrolled students who are charged with and/or convicted of a criminal offense are subject to the University's judicial process. Students are subject to the full range of available disciplinary sanctions depending on the severity of the offense and whether the student has prior offenses.

The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, a federal law, requires institutions of higher education to advise the campus community where information concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained.  In Pennsylvania, information about sexually violent predators is accessible at the following website:  www.pameganslaw.state.pa.us. 

How and When does Villanova Inform the Campus about Security Matters?
Both the Office of Residence Life and the Department of Public Safety provide the University community with educational materials on safety and crime prevention in the form of brochures and pamphlets and through their departmental websites.  Security and Safety programs, in the form of videos and discussions, are presented to students and other interested community members by professional staff members of both departments. 

Students are encouraged to participate in the Student Security Service and Operation I.D.  Specific policy issues and problems are routinely addressed at residence hall floor meetings or in the student newspaper.  At their respective orientations, first year students and new employees receive a Security briefing by members of the Department of Public Safety.  Through these efforts community members are encouraged to care not only for themselves, but for each other.

Additional detail concerning student or residence hall regulations is included in the Student Handbook (the "Blue Book"), which is available to all students through the University’s website and available in the Dean of Students Office.  In addition, the Public Safety Department will provide timely notice to the campus community on crimes considered to be an ongoing or continuing threat to students and employees and reported to Public Safety or local police.  The manner of notification depends upon the particular circumstances of the crime. Means of communication such as telephone voice mail broadcast messages, text messages, electronic mail, flyers, University publications and the student newspaper are available for this purpose.  A list of current safety alerts is also available on the Public Safety Department’s website at www.publicsafety.villanova.edu.

Campus Escort Service
The Department of Public Safety provides vehicle or walking escorts to visitors and campus community members.  If an escort is desired, please call (610) 519-4444.

Residence Halls
Residence halls are of special concern.  During 2006, the University housed approximately 4,450 undergraduates in 26 campus facilities and approximately 50 students in one hall on the Harcum campus and 50 students in one hall on the Rosemont campus.  Accommodations range from traditional residence halls to modern apartment units.  Twenty-three on-campus halls house both genders on alternate floors or wings.  Upper class housing assignments are made via a lottery process, with students registering room and roommate preferences. Changes in room assignments are made upon reasonable request, as space permits. 

Residents are provided with a key or a combination to operate the lock on their own room door.  The main exterior door(s) to most residence halls are controlled 24 hours per day by a computerized card access system, programmed in accordance with the University's "Guests and Visitation Policy".  Secondary exterior doors are designated as "exit only" or "emergency exit only" and locked to the outside.  Windows are equipped with locks operable by room occupants.  Campus security officers patrol the exterior of all on-campus halls and patrol the interior of designated halls as needed. 

The main entry point to many residence halls is staffed by Department of Public Safety officers between 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.  Visitors to the halls during those hours are required to register with the duty officer.  Housing officers receive basic first aid, CPR and human relations training during departmental in-service programs.  Various out-service training opportunities appropriate for housing security personnel are also provided.  Currently, 18 full-time and 2 part-time officers are assigned to this division.

University policies, safety and security measures and behavioral expectations are made available to all students in written form or through the University’s website.  This information is also reviewed at the first hall floor meeting of each semester.  Other topics related to safety and security are discussed via ad hoc educational programs and as particular circumstances require.

During low-occupancy periods, access to the residence halls is restricted via the card access system.  Students who receive permission to remain in residence during these periods are required to register with the Office for Residence Life and the Department of Public Safety.

Guests
All invited guests are expected to share the same responsibility for the community as do its members.  Even so, resident students are personally responsible for the behavior of or damages caused by their guests.  Resident students will be held strictly accountable for violations of University policy by their guests.  Non-resident, overnight guests must be registered with on-duty staff in the appropriate residence hall.

What is Villanova's Policy Regarding the Monitor-ing and Recording through Local Police Agencies of Criminal Activity Engaged in by Students at Off-Campus Locations of Student Organizations, including Off-Campus Housing Facilities?
It is Villanova's policy to communicate on a frequent and on-going basis with local police officials with respect to any crimes engaged in by students at off-campus locations.  Local police have agreed routinely to inform Villanova's Director of Public Safety should such a crime occur.  Villanova has no officially-recognized off-campus facili-ties for student organizations, including housing facilities.

What are Villanova's Policies and Procedures with Respect to Sex Offenses?
For all of its members, Villanova University seeks to foster and protect a community of mutual respect and concern.  There can be no greater violation of the terms of that community, or of the essential dignity of any member of it, than an act of sexual assault.  Thus the University will not tolerate sexual assault in any form.  Where there is reason to believe that Villanova's regulations pro­hibiting sexual assault have been violated, the University will pursue strong disciplinary action through its own channels whether or not action is taken by local law enforcement authorities.

A.  Education programs.

The Department of Public Safety provides crime prevention information for all University community members, especially in­formation concerning the prevention of sexual assault.  A great amount of time is devoted to educating the Villanova community on specific ways to remain safe both on and off campus. 

Education and awareness seminars designed to promote awareness of rape, acquaintance rape and other forcible and non-forcible sex offenses are held in Residence Halls on campus.  These pre­sentations are a combined effort between Villanova students, the Office of Health Promotion, and members of the Department of Public Safety.  Students are encouraged to respect each other and learn about safe dating practices.  The negative consequences associated with the use of alcohol and drugs are stressed.  Specific target groups, such as athletic teams, NROTC and members of the Greek community participate in the crime prevention and sexual assault education sessions.  Incoming freshmen students, as part of their orientation, attend sexual assault seminars given by Public Safety, the Office of Health Promotion and the Counseling Center.  These seminars outline preventative techniques and inform students of options and resources available as well as places to go for help.

The University has adopted policies, procedures and protocol in dealing with sexual assault and promulgates these to University community members.

B.    Procedures students should follow if a sex offense occurs, including: who should be contacted; the importance of preserving evidence as may be necessary to the proof of criminal sexual assault; to whom the alleged offense should be reported; the student's option to notify proper law enforcement authorities, including on-campus and local police, and the option to be assisted by campus authorities in notifying these authorities if the student chooses to do so.

If you are a victim of a sexual assault, your first priority should be to get to a place of safety.  You should then obtain the necessary medical attention.  The Public Safety Department strongly urges that a victim of sexual assault report the incident to it in a timely manner by calling 610-519-4444 or 610-519-6979 or by going to the Public Safety offices at Farrell Hall.  Timely reporting is critical  for purposes of collecting and preserving evidence, which is important for proof of a criminal offense. 

It is the victim's decision on how to proceed once the incident has been reported.  The University urges victims of sexual assault to report the incident to the local law enforcement authorities. If the victim requests, Investigators from the Department will assist the victim in notifying the appropriate law enforcement agency.  These investigators will also conduct an internal investigation,  process appropriate reports and initiate the University’s judicial process against the accused should the victim wish.

An investigator in the Department of Public Safety has been identified by the University as the Sexual Assault Interventionist.  When a sexual assault is reported, the Sexual Assault Interventionist is notified and explains options and internal/external resources available as well as accompanies the victim through the process.  The victim may choose to pursue criminal prosecution, University judicial action, both, or may decide to take no action.  The Sexual Assault Interventionist provides information and support for the victim and attempts to obtain valuable information regarding the assault. 

The University encourages victims of sexual assault to seek immediate medical attention.  Through the services of the local community hospital, the victim may receive the treatment needed and may provide valuable evidence should the victim decide to prosecute through the criminal justice system.  The Sexual Assault Interventionist will accompany the victim through this medical process as well as any court proceedings.

C.    Procedures for on campus disciplinary action.

Villanova's procedures for on-campus disciplinary action are set forth in full in the Code of Student Conduct contained in the Student Handbook (the "Blue Book") which is available to all students through the University’s website at www.villanova.edu/studentlife/dean or in hard copy from the Dean of Students Office in Dougherty Hall.  Under these procedures, the complainant and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities to present relevant witnesses during a campus disciplinary hearing; and both the complainant and the accused are informed of the outcome of any campus disciplinary proceedings brought alleging sexual assault.  The Code of Student Conduct provides for a hearing before either an Administrative Hearing Officer or a University Judicial Board depending upon the circumstances.  Hearings are held in University facilities and are not open to the public.  The Hearing Officer or the University Judicial Board, as the case may be, determines by a preponderance of the evidence whether the accused student has violated the Code of Student Conduct.

D.  Possible sanctions if the University finds a student responsible for rape, acquaintance rape, or other sex offenses (forcible or non-forcible).

  Should a student be found in violation of the University's sex offenses policies, sanctions can include, but are not limited to, suspension or expulsion from the University.

E.    Existing campus and community counseling, mental health, or student services for victims of sexual assault.

University Departments such as the Counseling Center, the Office of Health Promotion, Campus Ministry and the Dean of Students Office can provide support and valuable assistance for victims of sexual assault.  Community counseling is also available from Women Against Rape at (610) 566-4342.

F.    Options for change in academic or living arrangements.

Villanova's Dean of Students and Director of Residence Life will provide assistance in changing academic and living arrangements to victims of sex offenses upon request if these changes are reasonably available.

What is Villanova's Policy on Preparing the Annual Campus Security Report?

The University has advised all “campus security authorities,” as defined by the federal law, of their duty to report all crimes to the Department of Public Safety for inclusion in the annual disclosure of crime statistics.

Pastoral and professional counselors, as defined by the federal law, who act in such capacities, have been advised that, while they are not obligated to report crimes for the purpose of compiling these statistics, they are encouraged, when they deem it appropriate, to inform the persons they are counseling of their ability to report any crimes on a voluntary, confidential basis for inclusion in the annual statistics. 

Each year, representatives from the Department of Public Safety, the Office of the Vice President for Student Life, the Dean of Students, the Office of the Vice President and General Counsel, and the Department of Human Resources review the current campus security report and provide information to update the report and compile the crime statistics for the most recent calendar year.

CONTACT:

1.     Director of Public Safety, (610) 519-6979

2.     Dean of Students, (610) 519-4200

3.     Director of Residence Life, (610) 519-4155

4.     Director of Human Resources, (610) 519-4236

OR VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES:

1.       http://www.publicsafety.villanova.edu

2.       http://www.villanova.edu/studentlife/dean

3.       http://www.villanova.edu/studentlife/reslife

4.       http://www.hr.villanova.edu

5.       http://www.villanova.edu