The
following is hereby published in accordance with the Federal Crime
Awareness and Security Act of 1990. Any questions or comments regarding
the following should be directed to the Office of the Vice President
for Student Affairs, Nelson 212.
Reporting Criminal Actions or
Other Emergencies
All
known or suspected violations of University policy or state and/or
federal crime should be reported either to the Office of Public
Safety, located on campus in the first floor of Alumni Hall at
925-3204, or to the Clinton Police Department at 924-5252. Emergencies
should likewise be reported to the Office of Public Safety (x3911)
or by utilizing the "911" system. Any
of the 12 emergency Code Blue phone units strategically placed
around the campus may
also be used to report emergencies. These units are located around
the academic buildings, residence halls and parking areas and are
easily identified by the blue light and the word EMERGENCY displayed
on the white pole. Pushing the button located on the front of the
call box will automatically connect the user to campus security.
Within the residence halls, residence life staff should also be
contacted in the event of an emergency. They can, in turn, contact
an EMT on-call when appropriate.
Accurate
and prompt reporting of all crimes to the Office of Public Safety
and/or Clinton Police are necessary to insure the safety and protection
of students and employees of Mississippi College. Crimes occurring
off campus should be reported immediately to the law enforcement
agency where the crime occurred.
Once
a report has been made, the Office of Public Safety will follow
standard operating procedures in responding and processing said
report. This response will include appropriate notification and
documentation.
Security
and Access to Campus Facilities
Buildings
are secured on campus during nonoperating hours by the Office of
Public Safety. Once a building is secured, access may be gained
only by authorized persons with Mississippi College issued identification
cards using magnetic tape strips or keys. Other authorized access
may be gained by contacting the Office of Public Safety.
All
campus buildings, facilities, and grounds belonging to the institution
are regularly patrolled by both vehicle and foot patrol by security
officers. Specific areas of campus are also monitored by cameras.
Within
all residence halls, outside entrance doors, other than front door
lobby doors, are locked at dusk. All nonresidents entering the
halls after that time must use the front door entrance. All lobbies
which remain open are monitored by lobby workers from 3:00 p.m.
to midnight seven days per week. All nonresidents must be acknowledged
by the lobby worker. All entrances are closed at midnight with
access gained only by Mississippi College issued identification
cards using magnetic tape strips.
Vehicle
registration decals are issued to students and employees in order
that unauthorized vehicles might be more easily recognized. Upon
request, security officers will provide escort services from
vehicles to buildings or from buildings to buildings should individuals
feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Individuals may receive assistance
by contacting the Office of Public Safety.
With
safety concerns in mind, the College maintains appropriately manicured
trees and shrubbery around buildings and on campus grounds. Appropriate
campus lighting is also a priority in an effort to reduce the opportunity
for criminal activity.
The
role of the Office of Public Safety is to work toward ensuring
the safety of all individuals while on campus and provide for the
security of all properties of the college. In doing so, it is recognized
that security at Mississippi College is everybody's business. Although
no community can be totally risk-free in today's society, the office
works toward securing partnerships with students, faculty, staff,
administration and guests in creating an atmosphere that is safe
and conducive to learning. The Office is also responsible for the
control, regulation and flow of traffic on Mississippi College
property. The Office of Public Safety is located on the First Floor
of Alumni Hall and can be reached at 925-3204.
The
Office establishes and maintains communications with the officially
recognized civil and criminal law enforcement authorities of
the City of Clinton and Jackson, and the County of Hinds by way of
operational policy understandings and by way of mobile radio
units
and a stationary base unit, located in the Office of Public Safety.
Officers are authorized and directed to make citizen's arrests
of individuals creating disturbances against the general peace,
interfering with the security of the physical plant, facilities
or grounds, or interfering with or disturbing the safety and
the general welfare of members of the Mississippi College community.
When such a citizen's arrest is necessary, the Office of Public
Safety shall, as promptly as possible, and beforehand if reasonable,
request civil or criminal law enforcement authorities to respond
and assist.
Mississippi
College provides informative programs to students and employees
on the following topics:
Federal
law provides that students and employees be informed during the
most recent calendar year and during the two preceding calendar
years of the reported number of on-campus occurrences of the following
criminal offenses: murder; sex offenses, forcible or non-forcible;
robbery; aggravated assault; burglary; and motor vehicle theft.
Statistics are also maintained as to the number of arrests for
liquor law violations, drug abuse violations, and weapons possessions
on campus. These statistics are provided below and are published
in the Tomahawk. The same information is provided to employees
annually through campus mailers. Copies are also located in the
Office of Public Safety, Office of Enrollment Services, Office
of the Vice-President for Student Affairs, and the Personnel Office.
This
information is presented pursuant to the requirements of the
Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-542, as
amended
by P.L. 102-26 and P.L. 102-235). Click here
to view the current statistics.
Sexual
Assault Policy and Procedures
Mississippi
College provides annual educational programs to promote awareness
among students of rape, acquaintance rape and other sex offenses.
If a sex offense occurs, campus security and/or Clinton Police
should be contacted promptly. There should not be any removal or
destruction of any evidence that might be helpful or necessary
for investigation and followup.
Bathing
or washing clothes or other fabrics which may have come in contact
with the perpetrator before calling the police may hamper or defeat
investigation of the sex offense.
Institutional
sanctions may be imposed following the final determination of an
on-campus disciplinary procedure regarding rape, acquaintance rape,
or other sex offenses, forcible or non-forcible, in addition to
civil or criminal action. Sanctions for students may include sanctions
listed in Article IV, Section B and C of the Student Conduct Code.
The procedure for on-campus disciplinary action will follow the
procedures generally outlined on I Article IV, Section A of the
Student Conduct Code. Both the accuser and the accused are entitled
to the rights afforded in Article IV of the Student Conduct Code.
Students
who believe that they have been victims of sexual assault may contact
both on-campus security as well as local police. If preferred,
students have the option of having campus security notify the proper
local law enforcement authorities.
Campus
Counseling Services are available for students subjected to sexual
or nonsexual assault of any kind or nature. The confidentiality
of all persons will be respected and no information or names will
be released without the consent of the victim.
Students
are expected to contribute to their own safety by being prepared
and alert to their surroundings. In addition students are expected
to:
- Lock
the doors to their residence hall rooms.
- Never
loan dorm keys or ID cards to others.
- Never
prop doors or entrances to residence halls.
- Never
allow strangers to enter residence halls.
- REPORT
incidents which violate the Rules of the College or criminal
activity immediately to Campus Security, residence hall staff,
or local police.
- Secure
personal property such as cars, bicycles, motorcycles, jewelry,
electronic equipment, etc.
- Walk
in lighted areas, preferably with others at night.
- Ask
for an escort by a security officer if warranted.
- Respect
the privacy and personal dignity of others.
- Read
and abide by the rules and regulations of the College and Residence
Halls.
