Security and Safety Department
The philosophy of the St. Lawrence University Security and Safety
department is to provide a safe and secure environment for the entire
University community. The
Security and Safety department offers a wide variety of services to assist students,
staff and faculty members in their day to day living. All services are
widely publicized. We asked that all students familiarize themselves with
this handbook and all the services provided by this department. The first
step in a successful security and safety program is public awareness.
St. Lawrence
University Security and Safety will initiate campus safety alerts on
a “timely
basis” to inform students and University employees of
current criminal activity in and around our campus community. These
alerts comply with the “Timely Notice” provisions of the
Federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus
Crime Statistics Act of 1998.
Students may access campus crime statistics
as reported to the United States Department of Education at www.stlawu.edu/securityhomepage.html. You
may also access crime statistics for all colleges and universities
at the US
Department of Education website.
General Information…
The Security and Safety department is located on the1st floor of the
Diana B. Torrey ‘82 Health and Counseling Center, 76 Park St. The
office is opened 7 days per week, 24 hours per day and 365 days a
year. In an emergency you can call the Security and Safety
office from any campus telephone by dialing 5555 or
you may use any of the 42 blue light and access emergency phones
located throughout the university campus. Incoming calls (on 229-5555
only) are taped for emergency purposes only and to be consistent
with procedures of other private and public safety departments. Calls
transferred from the 229-5555 line to a private line for Security
administration are not recorded. You may feel certain that
confidential discussions with Security will remain so.
The Security
and Safety department consists of seven full-time security officers,
four full-time dispatchers and a strong representation of student
workers called the Student Safety Team and the First Response Team. The
department administration consists of a director, one assistant director,
a technical services coordinator, and an administrative secretary. Security
and Safety is charged with the responsibility of enforcing all University
rules and regulations as well as state and federal laws. During their
patrols, officers constantly monitor and evaluate campus security
and safety. They routinely identify
and report such problems as broken locks, windows, lighting in need
of repair and overgrown shrubbery. In addition, they immediately
address problems considered to be a threat or hazard.
The Security and
Safety department is always available to make presentations to student
groups, clubs and organizations (which includes Greek houses and theme
cottages). These presentations often include but are
not limited to personal safety, crime prevention, fire safety, sexual
assault/harrassment, right to know issues.
What You Can Do...
Student involvement is essential to the prevention of crime on campus. Disinterest
and complacency are the prime contributors to the success of criminals. The
burden of crime prevention rests not only with the Security and Safety
department but with each member of the St. Lawrence University community. Security
officers cannot be everywhere at once and therefore we depend on you
to recognize and report suspicious and criminal activity. The
extent of your cooperation greatly influences the security officers’ effectiveness
in fighting crime.
Doing your part means:
• Being aware of your vulnerability and following suggestions
outlined in this handbook which will help you protect yourself and your property.
• Being alert for suspicious or criminal activity
and or conditions that may represent a hazard to the University community.
• Getting involved by becoming more security conscious
and by reporting all incidents or criminal activity to the Security and Safety
department.
Many times solving a crime depends on how accurately and promptly
the incident is reported. Therefore, when reporting an incident
it is important that you be able to provide as much of the following
information as possible:
1. Nature of the incident.
2. When the incident occurred.
3. Where the incident occurred.
4. Who was involved (names, gender, race, age, height,
glasses, etc.)
5. Direction and mode of travel.
6. Vehicles involved, type and description.
7. Description of stolen property.
Protection of Persons or Property...
General:
a) Be aware and recognize your vulnerability.
b) Report all suspicious persons, vehicles and activities
to the Security and Safety department immediately by using an emergency
blue phone or by calling 229-5555.
c) Use the “buddy system” when at parties or
in an uncommon location.
d) Watch out for your neighbor. If you see someone
being victimized, notify Security and Safety immediately.
Walking:
a) Avoid walking alone after dark. Utilize the Safety
Escort Service by calling x5555 from dusk till dawn or use one of the
42 emergency phones located throughout campus.
b) Walk in well-lighted, regularly traveled walks or pathways. Avoid
shortcuts and keep away from shrubbery, heavy bushes, alleyways and
areas where assailants may be lurking.
c) Don’t hitchhike or accept rides from strangers.
d) Report lights that are out and any other hazardous conditions
to the Security and Safety department.
e) When walking to your vehicle...keep your keys in your
hand.
f) If you think or feel as though you are being followed,
cross the street and if needed keep crossing back and forth. If
you are pursued, draw attention to yourself by yelling and run to a
lighted building or residence hall. Don’t be afraid if
need be to break a window or pull a fire alarm to draw attention to
your situation. In this type of situation yelling “FIRE” may
be more effective than yelling help.
Residence Halls Access Control...
Every night, professional security officers and Student Safety Team
make foot patrols in and around the residence halls as well as other
campus buildings. Security officers and the Student Safety Team
work closely with the residence hall staff to prevent problems before
they occur.
a) Letting someone else use your access card and/or propping
doors open compromises the safety of other students in the residence
hall. These actions are violations of University policy, which
may result in a fine or judicial board action.
b) Keep doors and windows to your room locked at all times.
c) Never sleep in an unlocked room.
d) Don’t put your name and address on your key ring.
e) Don’t study in poorly lighted or secluded areas
of a building.
f) Should you receive a harassing phone call or calls
with no one on the line, hang up and immediately notify the Security
and Safety department
g) If you find that your room has been entered, don’t
go inside. Notify a CA, or security officer immediately. If
you are inside do not touch anything until an officer arrives as you
may disturb valuable evidence.
h) If your lock or combo is not operating properly contact
your CA. Avoid having large amounts of cash or other valuables
in your room.
i) NEVER GIVE YOUR COMBINATION TO ANYONE!
j) Check with your family insurance agent to determine
if your property is covered under their homeowners insurance. If
not, you should strongly consider purchasing insurance.
Athletic Facilities...
a) Use the “buddy system”. Work out or
use the pool with a friend and make arrangements to go to and from
the gym together.
b) Immediately report all incidents of indecent exposure
and voyeurism to the Security and Safety Department.
c) Avoid bringing cash, wallets, or other valuables to
the gym. Keep your locker locked whenever unattended. This includes
when you are briefly in the shower. Most thefts in athletic facilities
take place in the locker rooms and from unlocked lockers.
Bicycles
Students are strongly urged to register their bicycles with the Security
and Safety Department. There is no cost for registering bicycles
and registering bicycles greatly increases the chance for recovery
in cases of theft.
1. Always lock your bike! Bicycles
should be locked around the frame and through both wheels to a bike
rack.
2. Invest in a good bike lock or a strong padlock and chain.
3. Whenever possible keep your bike inside at areas designated
by Residence Life.
4. Find out if your bike is covered under your parents’ insurance
policy. If not, it is advisable to insure it.
5. Don’t be an accident victim. Follow the
same rules of the road as you would if you were driving a car.
Bicycles should not be left in hallways or stairwells or rooms since
the personal safety of others may be jeopardized. When school
is not in session, secure your bike in your room or take it home with
you.
During the fall, an announcement is made about where various bicycle
storage areas on campus. Any bicycles stored or locked in hallways
and stairwells are moved to approved storage areas. If bikes
are moved by University personnel, the owner may be subject to a $25
fine and is responsible for any damages to chains or locks.
Parking
and Vehicle Storage
Parking is provided on a first-come first-served basis. If a
lot is full, then you need to check another for an appropriate space. “J” lot
would be a good alternative when the other areas are full. All
vehicles using University parking lots must be registered with the
Security and Safety Office. Registered vehicles may part in “J” lot
when on University sponsored trips or during vacation periods. Guests
and visitors must register and will be provided a permit free of charge.
The
University does not provide storage for motorcycles, all terrain vehicles,
mopeds, snowmobiles, or other vehicles. Fire safety
codes and insurance underwriting requirements prohibit storage of any
motor vehicle or internal combustion machine in a residential unit
or its basement.
Lost and Found
Keys or valuable items found unattended on campus should be turned
over to the campus security and safety office. Such items are
subject to a search for the purpose of discovering ownership. Unclaimed
items will be donated to an appropriate charity or otherwise disposed
of after one semester has passed. Items
found in the residence halls should be turned over to the residential
coordinator who will then give the items to Security.
Theft
Theft, or a suspicion of theft, should be reported immediately to the
resident assistant, residential coordinator or house manager, and the
security and safety office.
Theft includes unauthorized use of another’s cable or laundry
services, jamming or tampering with vending equipment, and entering Dana Dining Hall, concerts, performances and
athletic events without paying.
The victim of a theft has the right
to report the theft to the local police or refer the matter to the
Student Judiciary Board. Where
theft against the institution is involved, the University agent with
responsibility for the area in which the theft occurred chooses the
appropriate course of action. Any student found guilty of theft
will be considered for immediate suspension from the University.
The University is not liable for personal property lost, stolen,
or damaged. It is advised that you protect your belongings
with insurance through your family’s homeowner or other insurance
policy. It is further recommended that you keep doors locked, avoid
keeping large sums of money and other valuables in your room, and report
any suspicious persons or behavior to residence staff.
