 Judicial
Affairs: Annual Security Report |
| General Procedures
for Reporting a Crime or Emergency |
Timely Warnings |
| Crimes Disclosed to
a Pastoral or Mental Health Counselor |
Preparing the Annual Disclosure
of Crime Statistics |
| Access to Campus Facilities |
Security in Residence Halls |
| University Police Authority
and Jurisdiction |
Security Awareness Programs |
| Crime Prevention |
Criminal Activity Off Campus |
| Alcohol and Other Drug
Abuse |
Sexual Assault Policy |
| Sex Offender Registration |
Campus
Crime Statistics |
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In 1990, U.S. Congress
passed the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act, which
required all postsecondary institutions participating in Title
IV student financial aid programs to disclose campus crime
statistics and campus security information and polices. The
act was amended in 1992, 1998 and 2000. The 1998 amendments
renamed the law the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security
Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.
The Clery Act requires institutions to disclose three general
categories of crime statistics:
- Types of Offenses – Criminal
Homicide, including: a) Murder and Non-Negligent Manslaughter;
and b) Negligent
Manslaughter; Sex Offenses including: a) forcible, and
b) non-forcible; Robbery; Aggravated Assault; Burglary;
Motor
Vehicle Theft;
and Arson.
- Hate Crimes – Disclose whether any of
the above-mentioned offenses, or any other crimes involving
bodily injury, were
hate crimes; and
- Arrests and Referrals for Disciplinary
Action for illegal weapons possessions and violation
of drug and liquor laws.
Fort Hays State University’s Annual
Security Report includes statistics for the previous three
years concerning
reported
crimes that occurred on campus. The report also includes
institutional policies concerning campus security, alcohol
and drug use,
crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault
and other matters. A paper copy of this report may be obtained
by contacting the Office of Student Affairs, Sheridan Hall
208, (785) 628-5824.
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General Procedures for
Reporting a Crime or Emergency
Community members, students, faculty, staff, and guests are
encouraged to report all crimes and public safety related incidents
to the University Police Department in a timely manner. To
report a crime or an emergency call 911 (9-911 from an on-campus
phone) or the University Police Department, 785-628-5304.
In response to a call, University Police will take the required
action, dispatching an officer or asking the victim to file
an incident report. If assistance is required from the Hays
Police Department or the Hays Fire Department, University Police
will contact the appropriate unit. If a sexual assault or rape
should occur, staff on the scene, including University Police,
will offer the victim a wide variety of services.
Fort Hays State University Police uses the Kansas Standard
Offense Report, designed by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation,
to record criminal activity. Each month, the number of incidents
in each crime category is tabulated and reported to the Kansas
Bureau of Investigation. At the end of the year, these reports
to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation are used to compile the
FHSU Annual Security Report. The Fort Hays State University
Police makes no provision for including confidential reports
of crime in this Annual Security Report.
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Timely Warnings
On occasion, there will be timely warning notices describing
recent crime trends or dangerous incidents in an effort to
provide the campus community with information about the incidents
and crime prevention recommendations. If it is determined
that a specific danger to the campus community, or specific
segments of the campus community exists, an appropriate notification
to the community of that danger will be made. This determination
will be jointly made by FHSU Police and the Office of Student
Affairs in consultation with the University General Counsel.
The warning will be issued through the University e-mail
system to students, faculty, and staff, and posted in each
residence hall. |
Crimes Disclosed to a
Pastoral or Mental Health Counselor
Crimes disclosed to a pastoral or mental health counselor,
serving in that capacity at the time of disclosure, are not
subject to mandatory reporting. The term “pastoral counselor” is
defined as a person who is associated with a religious order
or denomination that recognizes him/her as someone who provides
confidential counseling. The term “mental health counselor” is
defined as a fully qualified and/or licensed professional whose
official responsibilities include providing mental health counseling
to members of the University’s community and is functioning
within the scope of his/her license or certification. This
exemption does not relieve counselors of the duty to exercise
reasonable care to protect a foreseeable victim from danger
posed by the person being counseled. When speaking to a victim
or witness to a crime, counselors are encouraged to inform
the individual to report the crime to the police.
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Preparing the Annual
Disclosure of Crime Statistics
Crime statistics that are provided in this annual report are
based upon incidents reported by the University Police Department,
Office of Student Affairs and Residential Life. FHSU annually
reports statistics for the three most recent calendar years
concerning the occurrence on campus, in residence halls, and
on public property. Campus crime, arrests, and referral statistics
include those reported to the FHSU Police, Residential Life
and the Office of Student Affairs. Each year, an e-mail notification
is made to all faculty, staff, and enrolled students that provides
the web site to access the University’s Annual Security
Report. Copies of the report may also be obtained at the Office
of Student Affairs, Sheridan Hall 208, or by calling (785)
628-5824. |
Access to Campus Facilities
FHSU is committed to maintaining an environment in which students,
faculty, staff, and guests can work together free from all
forms of harassment, exploitation and intimidation. The University
will act as needed to discourage, prevent, correct, and if
necessary discipline behavior that violates this standard
of conduct.
During business hours, the University is open to students,
parents, employees, contractors, guests and invitees. During
non-business hours access to all University facilities is by
key, if issued, or by admittance via the University Police
Department.
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Security in Residence
Halls
The Department of Residential Life is committed to providing
a safe environment in the residence halls. Students are made
aware of safety concerns as well as tips on prevention through
floor meetings and presentations. While there are many safeguards
in place for residence hall students, each student must do
his/her part to assure a safe and secure environment by adhering
to the safety related policies and procedures. Each hall or
apartment is supervised by a Hall Director or Apartment Manager
who lives and works in the residence hall.
On every floor there is a Resident Assistant. A Resident Assistant
(RA) is an upper class student who has received extensive training
in many different aspects of residence hall living. The hall
staff undergoes training in enforcing residence hall safety
and security policies as well as being aware of potential safety
hazards and concerns. The Department of Residential Life provides
an "on-duty" staff member in each hall every night
and weekends for assistance with any problems. The names and
telephone numbers and locations of on-duty hall staff are posted
in the residence halls. Each resident should locate this information
in advance of an emergency.
All residence halls lock their exterior doors between the hours
of 11 pm and 6 am. Night Watch personnel are on duty in McMindes
Hall and Custer Hall to admit residents during those hours
when the doors are locked. Residents of halls for upper-classmen
admit themselves using either their University ID card or a
key.
Residents can protect themselves and their property by responsible
decisions. Exterior doors should not be propped open at any
time. Keeping every room door locked at all times will deter
crime, as almost every theft in a residence hall is a result
of an unsecured room or unattended belongings. Every security
measure taken by the residence hall staff depends on the responsible
actions of each resident for its effectiveness.
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University Police Authority
and Jurisdiction
FHSU Police have full power of arrest and work cooperatively
with the Hays Police Department, Ellis County Sheriff’s
Department, Kansas Highway Patrol and Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
The University Police are responsible for investigating and
prosecuting criminal cases, enforcing Kansas Statutes pertaining
to traffic laws and enforcing FHSU rules and regulations. In
addition to preventing crime, considerable effort is devoted
to crime intervention. All reported crimes are investigated
immediately. Follow-up investigation occurs to identify the
criminal(s). When caught, offenders are dealt with swiftly
and firmly through the Ellis County Court system and, when
appropriate, FHSU Administration. Victims and witnesses are
strongly encouraged to report criminal activity to the University
Police. |
Security Awareness Programs
A common theme of all awareness and crime prevention programs
is to encourage students and employees to be aware of their
responsibility for their own security and the security of
others.
The University Police Department works collaboratively with
Student Residential Life, Student Affairs, Drug and Alcohol
Awareness Network (DAWN), and Kelly Center to offer series
of lectures and presentations to university groups each semester,
as well as, on a request basis covering all areas of personal
safety. Students are encouraged to make use of these informative
opportunities to help them eliminate concerns about personal
safety.
When time is of the essence, information is released to the
university community through security alerts posted through
the university’s e-mail system to students, faculty and
staff, and postings in the residence halls.
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Crime Prevention
A common theme in crime prevention is awareness of your surroundings
at all times. FHSU encourages students and employees to take
responsibility for their own security and the security of
others. Members of the campus community are urged to secure
their valuables and be aware of their surroundings. To assist
in this endeavor, there are educational programs each semester
on a variety of topics including personal safety awareness
and security, rape awareness education, and crime prevention.
Information of safety and security is also provided on request
to students and employees regularly via presentations, posters,
brochures, college and student newspapers, and other printed
materials.
Emergency Call Boxes serve as a means of communicating with
the University Police in times of emergency. They have been
installed in various locations on campus. Any student in the
vicinity who needs help for themselves or someone else can
access these phones, and press the call button. The student
is connected to the Campus Police. Even if nothing is said,
police are notified and dispatched to the location.
Each year the University has a campus safety walk program sponsored
by the Student Government Association (SGA). University officials
walk the entire campus with SGA members noting any safety concerns
such as lights burned out, trees or shrubs that need to be
trimmed or any dark sidewalk paths. The University then addresses
any needs listed and reports back to Student Government on
the resolution and the date and time it was completed.
The Physical Plant Department maintains the campus buildings
and grounds with a concern for safety and security. The staff
inspects campus facilities regularly, promptly makes repairs
affecting safety and security, and responds immediately to
reports of potential safety and security hazards, such as broken
windows and locks. If you have concerns about the physical
safety of campus buildings and grounds, call the Physical Plant
Office, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at (785)
628-4424. For emergencies that occur during off business hours,
call the University Police Department at 625-1011.
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Criminal Activity Off-Campus
FHSU sororities and fraternities are located off campus and
fall under the jurisdiction of the Hays Police Department.
The Office of Student Affairs maintains contact with recognized
fraternity and sorority organizations. Student Affairs and
University Police have a close working relationship with
the Hays Police Department when violations of federal, state,
or local laws occur. This cooperative team approach addresses
situations as they arise as well as future concerns. |
Alcohol and Other Drug
Abuse
FHSU Philosophy | Policy | Sanctions | Referral Sources |
Sexual Assault Policy
Sexual assaults violate the legal rights of individuals and
undermine the university as a civil and caring environment
within which to learn and work. To address the myriad issues
presented by sexual assaults, the university will: (1) provide
educational information about the nature of sexual assaults
and how they can be prevented; (2) offer support and assistance
for those who have been sexually assaulted; and (3) administer
appropriate consequences to those who have been judged responsible
for sexually assaultive acts.
Definition of Sexual Assault
A sexual assault is an act of rape, forcible sodomy, and forcible
sexual penetration, however slight, of another person’s
anal or genital opening with an object. Touching an unwilling
person’s private intimate parts (defined as genitalia,
groin, breast, buttocks or clothing covering them) or forcing
an unwilling person to touch another’s intimate parts
is also assaultive behavior. When committed either by force,
threat, intimidation or through the use of the victim’s
mental or physical helplessness of which the perpetrator was
aware or should have been aware, these acts constitute sexual
assaults.
Policy
No form of sexual assault will be tolerated at FHSU. This policy
prohibits acts defined as sexual assaults as well as attempts
to coerce an unwilling person to engage in sexual activity.
In order to implement this policy, the university will engage
in timely educational activities to inform members of the community
about the types of sexual actions deemed unacceptable and how
assaultive situations can be prevented and/or avoided. The
university will also take action against those who violate
this policy.
Procedure
Any individual can report an incident that he/she perceives
to be a sexual assault. However, university staff, including
residence hall assistants, is required to report incidents
of which they become aware to the Director of the Kelly Center.
Victims of sexual assaults will be encouraged and assisted
to report assaults to civil authorities. The university has
established procedures for investigating and administering
sanctions in instances of sexual assaults.
Reporting Procedures
1. University Police should be notified immediately after an
incident. The purposes of this initial contact are to render
immediate assistance to the victim, to protect evidence associated
with the assault, and to protect others who may be assaulted.
2. The person who has been sexually assaulted should seek immediate
medical attention from the Student Health Center, a hospital
or a personal physician. The medical examination is important.
The physician will collect specimens and make detailed notes
about the physical evidence such as bruises, cuts and traces
of semen. The victim of sexual assault can decide later whether
or not to pursue legal action against the attacker. However,
evidence can only be collected immediately after the assault.
It cannot be retrieved later. The healthcare professional can
test later for sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy.
3. As soon as possible, University Police should contact the
Kelly Center on-call psychologist to provide psychological
support to the victim. The goals of this intervention are to
stabilize the victim’s condition, to present to the victim
alternatives for continued support and to present options for
redressing the assault through administrative and/or civil
procedures.
4. The on-call psychologist will notify the Director of the
Kelly Center (campus sexual assault coordinator) that a sexual
assault has occurred. The university will make changes to a
student’s academic and living situations after an alleged
sex offense, as long as the victim requests those changes and
they are reasonably available. A report of the incident will
be filed in the Kelly Center and a copy of all documents associated
with it forwarded to the Assistant Vice President for Student
Affairs in charge of campus judicial procedures in the Office
of Student Affairs.
Administrative Review Procedures
1. The Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs will follow
the disciplinary procedures of the University.
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Sex Offender Registration
In accordance to the “Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act” of
2000, which amends the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children
and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act, the Jeanne
Clery Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
of 1974, the Fort Hays State University Police Department is
providing a link to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation Sex
Offender Registry. This act requires registered sex offenders
to indicate when they are enrolled or employed at institutions
of higher learning.
The law further requires state law enforcement authorities,
in this case the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, to provide
the Fort Hays State University Police Department with a list
of registered sex offenders who have indicated that they are
either enrolled or employed at Fort Hays State University.
Fort Hays State University is required to inform the campus
community of the existence of the list and where it is available
for review. The list is available at http://www.fhsu.edu/police/list.shtml.
Hard copies of the files can be viewed by contacting Ed Howell,
Fort Hays State University Police Department. Ph# (785) 628-5304.
For additional information on the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against
Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act visit
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/what/02ajwactcontents.html.
A list of registered sex offenders is available from the Kansas
Bureau of Investigation at http://accesskansas.org/kbi/ro.shtml.
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