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"YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW"
Click here for the Clery Report October 1, 2007 Safety on the university campus is a natural source of concern for parents, students and university employees. Education - the business of
Although the area, with its small-town feel and neighborly attitude, is perceived to have a relatively low crime rate, crime prevention remains a high priority among residents. VSU does its part to ensure the safety of its students and employees. The professionally trained and supervised police force, the closely screened and well-trained residence life staff and the students/employees share in the responsibility of making the VSU campus a safe place to study, work and live. VSU provides full-service police protection to the campus community through its Department of Police and Public Safety (DPPS). Chief of Police 1 Police Captain 1 Police Lieutenant 2 Administrative Sergeant 1 Shift Sergeants 3 Shift Patrol Officers 16 Total 24 Their authority, responsibility and training are the same as required of any police officer in
The on-campus emergency number (524-5411) directly connects any campus phone with the university police department and should be used when fire, police or medical response is required. This number is also published in the university telephone directory, the In addition to a telephone in each student's room there are 10 outdoor telephones located across campus. These telephones are housed in highly visible white call boxes, which provide one-button speed dial for instant communication with VSU Police. Campus Emergencies…………………………………………………524-5411 Information and non-emergencies……………………………………524-5360 Parking Concerns………………….……………………………….....524-5223
Security in University Housing Nearly 2,078 undergraduate students reside in 12 residence halls on the VSU campus and the Howard Johnson hotel. A thirteenth residence hall, Gateway 500, is under construction and will house 504 students. Freshmen are required to live on campus, with the exception of day student commuters. Upper-class students select residence hall assignments depending upon availability. Off-campus housing is provided for students at the Ettrick Apartments in University housing provides co-educational housing for honors students. Each residence hall has set visitation hours. A hall resident must escort guests at all times. Overnight guests in the residence halls must be of the same sex. Access to on-campus housing by university employees is on an "as needed" basis and incorporates strict key control procedures during hours of restricted access. All university repair and maintenance personnel must be in uniform or wearing a VSU photo ID to allow for easy identification by residents. Resident Hall Staff
At the beginning of each semester, floor meetings are held with the residents to discuss safety issues. The Residence Hall Handbook is given to each resident along with the police department conducting safety and educational sessions. A Night Manager is on duty each evening in the office at the main entrance of each hall from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight Sunday through Thursday and from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. the following morning Friday and Saturday. This individual is in immediate telephone contact with university police, if necessary. Following this desk assignment detail, the person on duty remains on call, with the office phone transferred to his or her room. All residence halls are closed during holidays and vacations. During low occupancy periods, such as the summer terms, students remaining on campus are moved into one concentrated area of the residence life complex to enhance security effectiveness. Be assured though that the University Police remain in service during all breaks. A committee of representatives from residence life, facilities management, locksmith’s shop and public safety conducts inspections surveying the security integrity of university housing periodically. In addition, a committee of students meet monthly to discuss security concerns and to provide feedback to the residence life staff. Repairs are made promptly, locks are quickly replaced when keys are lost or stolen, and reports of potential safety hazards, such as broken windows, receive immediate response. Residential living at VSU is categorized as follows: Female Male Co-ed Branch Hall Puryear Hall Langston Hall Seward Hall Williams Hall Whiting Hall Howard Hall Barrett-Jackson Nicholas Hall Taylor-Williams Hall Byrd Hall Eggleston Hall Gateway 500 (coming Spring 2008) Safety/Security/Fire Emergencies The safety and well being of our students is a primary concern. We are especially concerned about Residence Hall Fire Safety. The University insists that all students who live in the Residence Hall comply with the FIRE SAFETY REGULATIONS:
Fire Drill/Evacuation Procedure
When An Alarm Sounds:
FIRE SAFETY IS A STATE OF
These regulations will be strictly enforced Alcohol and Drug Policies VSU is committed to working against the illicit use of drugs and alcohol among students and employees. University police officers enforce all
Convictions for violations of these laws could result in fines, loss of driver's license and imprisonment. University sanctions could include penalties ranging from fines to suspension from the university. Many physical and psychological health risks are associated with the abuse of alcohol and other substances, including the following:
Staff members at the
Depending on the assessment of a licensed professional, interventions may include sending the student to a clinician with specialty in gambling addictions or to a twelve-step program. Peer mentoring is always available where and when appropriate. The school Counselors and Student Activities is available for students with gambling or other addictive or problematic habits to help these students assess their concerns, identify relevant goals and interventions and to assist with finding appropriate treatment and/or support resources. An overview of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules applied and enforced by the Virginia State University Athletics Compliance Office are as follows. NCAA rules prohibit sports gambling of any kind. In addition to student-athletes this rule applies to: Coaches Support Staff Equipment Managers Student Managers Athletic Administrators Athletic Trainers Student Trainers Secretaries What does this mean? None of the aforementioned people may place any bet of any sort on ANY COLLEGE OR PROFESSIONAL SPORTING EVENT. They may not give information to anyone who does place bets on college or professional sports.
The consequences for violation of these rules are that the Student-Athlete will be declared ineligible to compete in college sports. The VSU Student-Athletes are informed that if they place bets of any kind on any college or professional sport or if they give information to anyone who uses that information to make a bet, they are at risk of being:
Furthermore, they are forewarned that sports wagering can destroy any future plans, dreams, or hopes for themselves. Pretty strong words, but ones based on reality. For this reason, college athletes, college athletic administrators, college athletic staff members and conference staff officials may not gamble on college or professional sporting events. Through a cooperative effort between the Department of Police and Public Safety, residence life, the campus stuent health center, the sexual assault education coordinator, the counseling center, and the School of Health and Human Services, programs on personal safety and security, rape prevention and response, date rape, substance abuse, self-defense and resistance to burglary, larceny and vandalism are conducted regularly throughout the school year. Each fall, the Public Safety’s Crime Prevention Coordinator and the Safety Officer from residence life conduct a safety and security campaign, distributing safety literature to students and persuade all residents to attend hall meetings on personal safety. Resident advisers in each hall are required to offer a number of programs throughout the year to students in their areas on various topics of personal safety. At least one lock check per semester is conducted late at night in each residence hall to ensure that dorm room doors are properly secured. Operation ID, a program that provides engraving and registration services for valuable personal property, is conducted once each semester in residence halls and is available on an ongoing basis through the Department of Police and Public Safety. In addition to programming throughout the year, the university annually sponsors Alcohol Awareness Week, Sexual Assault Awareness Week and Drug Awareness Week, three weeks devoted specifically to sexual assault and alcohol and substance abuse prevention. Through these comprehensive awareness programs, members of the university community learn more about the university's efforts to enhance their safety and become aware of their own personal risk and that of others. Emergencies Involving Students For emergencies involving students, the campus police call on the student affairs staff, including the VSU counseling center and the Sexual Assault Education Coordinator as well as the local Victim/Witness Assistance Program when and where appropriate. The Victim/Witness Assistance Program, established through a cooperative effort between the commonwealth attorney's office, the campus police, Chesterfield County law enforcement agencies, state police, and the Chesterfield County Community Services Board, is designed to lessen the impact of criminal acts on the victims and witnesses of crimes and to ensure that such individuals receive fair treatment while participating in the criminal justice system. The campus police can arrange assistance by the victim/witness coordinator and can also provide a handbook outlining what being a victim or witness can mean and the agencies available to assist in criminal justice procedures. If a member of the University Community has reason to believe that a student is missing, regardless if the student resides on campus or not, all possible efforts are made to locate the student to determine his or her state of health and well being through the collaboration of the University Police and the Office of Student Affairs. If the student is an on-campus resident, the University Police will secure authorization from Student Affairs officials to make a welfare entry into the student's room. If the person of concern is an off-campus student, the University Police will informally enlist the aid of the neighboring police agency-having jurisdiction. Concurrently university officials will endeavor to determine the student's whereabouts through contact with friends, associates, and/or employers of the student. It will be established whether or not the student has been attending classes, labs, recitals, scheduled organizational meetings, academic meetings, or appearing for scheduled work shifts. If located, verification of the student's state of health and intention of returning to the campus is made. When and where appropriate a referral will be made to the Office of Counseling and Student Development and/or the
If not located, notification of the family within 24 hours of receiving the initial report is made to determine if they know of the whereabouts of the student. If the student is an off-campus resident, appropriate family members or associates are encouraged to make an official missing person report to the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction. The University Police will cooperate, aid, and assist the primary investigative agency in all ways prescribed by law. If the student is an on-campus resident, the University Police will open an official investigation and retain status as the primary investigative unit. All pertinent law enforcement agencies, be they neighboring municipal, county, or state; those located along suspected travel corridors; or place of original domicile, will be notified and requested to render assistance, through direct telephone contact or visit, Virginia Crime Information Network (VCIN) message, and/or radio transmission with a comprehensive BOL message based on the totality of up-to date information. Upon closure of the investigation, all parties previously contacted will be advised of the status of the case.
General Security Procedures The VSU campus is well lit and further improvements in campus lighting are continually being made, including the placement of high-intensity metal halide or sodium vapor lights on buildings, in parking lots, in areas with heavy landscaping and along sidewalks and pathways frequently traveled by students. Lighting and shrubbery checks are conducted periodically during the year by representatives from all segments of the campus community, including student government representatives, staff from Student Affairs, Facilities Management, the crime prevention specialist and Public Safety. Safety and security concerns are identified and recommendations for improvements are made. In addition, the university Safety Officer makes regular safety and health inspections, serves as a liaison with public health and safety officials, schedules regular safety lectures and follows up on recommendations with the Locksmith and Facilities Management personnel. VSU students, faculty and staff have access to academic, recreational and administrative facilities on campus. The general public may attend cultural and recreational events on campus, with access limited to the facilities in which these events are scheduled. The university's trespass policy, enforced by university police and posted in all university housing, is as follows: Only those persons having legitimate business with
University police officers may serve verbal or written trespass notices on nonmembers of the university community present on campus and may make immediate arrests of persons in secure areas for which they have no legitimate business. If a person served with a prior trespass notice reappears on campus, or if a person is found in a posted facility with no legitimate purpose in that building, he or she is subject to immediate arrest. Firearms and dangerous weapons of any type are not permitted in the residence halls or other university facilities, except when carried by bonafide law enforcement officers within their jurisdictions. Intentional use, possession or sale of firearms or other dangerous weapons by students is strictly forbidden and is a violation of university policy as stated in the student handbook. The university community is kept aware of reported incidents on campus and in the nearby community by viewing the police log at the Department of Police and Public Safety. The University Police will make the crime log for the most recent 60 day period open to public inspection during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, except holidays and closure of school. Any portion of the log beyond 60 days, if not immediately available will be made accessible within two business days of a request for public inspection.
Timely Warnings Depending on the particular circumstances of the crime, especially in all situations that could pose an immediate threat to the community and individuals, the Department of Police and Public Safety may also post a notice on the campus-wide electronic bulletin board, providing the university community with more immediate notification. In such instances, a copy of the notice is posted on the front door of each residence hall. On campus the electronic bulletin board is immediately accessible via computer by all faculty, staff and students. Anyone with information warranting a timely warning should report the circumstances to the Department of Police and Public Safety, by phone (524-5411), or in person. Sex Offender Registry and Access to Related Information Incarceration may remove a sex offender from the streets, but it does nothing to prevent the offender from committing another crime when released. The federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act was enacted on October 28, 2000. The law requires institutions of higher education to issue a statement advising the campus community where law enforcement agency information provided by a State concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained. It also requires sex offenders to register in a State to provide notice, as required under State law, of each institution of higher education in that State at which the person is employed, carries on a vocation, or is a student. In the
In addition, all persons convicted of violations under the laws of the or any other state substantially similar to an offense for which registration is required shall provide to the local agency all necessary information for inclusion in the State Police Registry within ten days of establishing a residence within the Commonwealth. Any person required to register shall also be required to reregister within ten days following any change of residence, whether within or without the Commonwealth. Nonresident offenders entering the Commonwealth for employment, to carry on a vocation, or as a student attending school who are required to register in their state of residence or who would be required to register under this section if a resident of the Commonwealth shall, within ten days of accepting employment or enrolling in school in the Commonwealth, be required to register and reregister pursuant to this section. For purposes of this section "student" means a person who is enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis, in any public or private educational institution, including any secondary school, trade or professional institution, or institution of higher education. Information concerning offenders registered with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry may be disclosed to any person requesting information on a specific individual in accordance with the law. Information regarding a specific person requested pursuant to the law shall be disseminated upon receipt of an official request form, which may be submitted directly to the Commonwealth's Department of State Police or to the State Police through a local law-enforcement agency. The Department of State Police shall make Registry information available, upon request, to criminal justice agencies including local law-enforcement agencies through the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN). Registry information provided under this section shall be used for the purposes of the administration of criminal justice, for the screening of current or prospective employees or volunteers or otherwise for the protection of the public in general and children in particular. Use of the information for purposes not authorized by this section is prohibited and a willful violation of this section with the intent to harass or intimidate another shall be punished as a Class 1 misdemeanor. The Commonwealth's State Police maintains a system for making certain Registry information on violent sex offenders publicly available by means of the Internet. The information made available includes the offender's name; all aliases which he has used or under which he may have been known; the date and locality of the conviction and a brief description of the offense; his date of birth, current address and photograph; and such other information as the State Police may from time to time determine is necessary to preserve public safety. The system is secure and is not capable of being altered except by or through the State Police. The system is updated each business day with newly received registrations and re-registrations. Pertinent web site addresses for securing related information are: http://sex-offender.vsp.state.va.us/cool-ICE/ http://sex-offender.vsp.state.va.us/Static/Search.htm http://sex-offender.vsp.state.va.us/Static/Background.htm http://sex-offender.vsp.state.va.us/Static/Statutes.htm The VSU Office of Residence Life Housing contract provides for the cancellation of the housing contract of a sex offender, or any other convicted person, who is disruptive to the educational environment of the residence hall.
Sexual Assault Prevention, intervention and education programs specifically addressing rape, acquaintance rape and other sexual offenses are regularly sponsored by a variety of organizations at VSU. The
If a sexual offense should occur, the victim should take the following actions:
Once an incident is reported to the campus Counseling and
Following an incident, victims are encouraged to make a report to campus or local police. This action does not obligate prosecution, but it does make legal action possible if the decision to prosecute is made at a later date. The earlier an incident is reported, the easier it is to collect valuable evidence. Victims have the option of keeping their report of sexual assault in complete confidence, protecting their right to anonymity, when making a report through the university's Counseling and
University judicial action, criminal prosecution and civil suits are all options available to victims of sexual assault. To begin university judicial action, the counselor, police or victim should contact the university judicial officer. During campus judicial proceedings, both the victim and the accused may be present and may have a counselor, attorney and/or adviser present to provide support and advice. Both the victim and the accused will be informed of the results of the proceeding. Sanctions for sexual assault may range up to and include suspension or expulsiotn from VSU.
Support Organizations Office of Substance Abuse and Sexual Assault (804) 524-5939, was established to serve
SANE, is a program set up specifically to gather forensic evidence from victims of sexual assault. SANE nurses are on call for duties to be performed at the Southside Regional Medical Center (SRMC) Emergency Room. As a routine, police investigators suggest that victims receive an exam by a SANE nurse if they are interested in pressing charges, though SANE exams are administered to walk-in victims. If a SANE nurse is unavailable a qualified SRMC Emergency Room physician will administer the recovery of forensic evidence utilizing the PERK kit. The SRMC Emergency Room is located on the corner of Sycamore and Adams Street in Petersburg. SANE nurses are trained in examination techniques, forensic practice, how to collaborate with law enforcement officers, and how to present evidence as an expert witness in the courtroom. The SANE exam is an evidentiary exam, not a diagnostic one. If the victim does not wish to support a police investigation or declines a forensic exam, she/he will be referred to the Emergency Room Physician. There is a SANE nurse available 24/7 and exams are done for both adult and pediatric victims. For the exam, the SANE nurse obtains a brief medical history and may ask some details about the assault that will help he or she to know what areas of physical examination are most important for a thorough collection of forensic evidence. Blood, hair, and specific body fluids will be collected and packaged in a manner prescribed by the Virginia State Crime Lab (they are located in the Roanoke region - that lab is about two hours distant). Specimens are labeled in detail and then sealed in a box that is remitted to law enforcement, following the rules of chain-of-custody. The investigating agency is then responsible for carrying the sealed evidence to the crime lab. At the completion of the exam, the victim is offered prophylaxis for sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) and pregnancy and is given follow-up instructions depending on any findings during the exam. Follow-up can be through a private physician,
When the victim is a student from a local college/university, the SANE nurse will call a professional counselor from that school to let them know of the assault. The SANE nurses are bound by the limits of confidentiality, however, and may be able to only let the counselor know that an assault occurred on a student, but be unable to name that student if the victim wishes not to be named. The SANE nurses’ experience has been that students rarely decline their school’s counseling services. Date rape drugs can be placed in any drink, not just alcohol. Effects may range from a feeling of well-being and short term memory loss to an apparent aphrodisiac and intoxication effect. Serious adverse effects can occur such as seizures, insomnia, anxiety, nausea, dizziness, hallucinations, coma, and even death. Common side effects of these drugs include a drunken appearance, drowsiness, light-headedness, staggering, confusion, muscle relaxation and amnesia that last up to 24 hours. If one suspects they or someone they know has been drugged and/or assaulted, first, go to a safe place, call the university police or local police if off campus, go to the University Student Health Center or the local hospital’s emergency room for immediate treatment of any injuries, plus urine, blood, pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing, and call the university’s Office of Substance Abuse and Sexual Assault Prevention. Resources For Support and Assistance
Crime Victim and Witness Rights As a victim or witness of a crime, individuals have certain rights under There are specific steps one needs to take in order to receive these rights. The victim/witness program at the Commonwealth Attorney's Office has been implemented for the benefits of victims and witnesses of crime. A victim is defined as a person who has suffered physical, psychological, or economic harm as a direct result of a crime. As a victim one may be entitled to information about:
As a victim one may also be entitled to assistance in:
As a victim one may also be entitled to notification of:
As the witness to a crime, one may be entitled to information about:
As a witness one may also be entitled to assistance with:
A crime victim or witness is subject to receiving a subpoena, which is a court document requiring them to be present in court at the time and place stated. Steps one takes to receive confidentiality, notification, or release of information if one becomes a crime victim: Confidentiality: To request confidentiality, the crime victim must file a Request for Confidentiality by Crime Victim Form (DC-301) with the Magistrate, court, commonwealth’s attorney, or law enforcement agency in the locality where the crime occurred. Court Dates: A crime victim must give the Commonwealth’s Attorney their current name, address, and phone number, in writing, if they wish to be notified in advance of the scheduled court dates in their case. Information about release or status of defendant: The crime victim must give the sheriff, jail superintendent, or Department of Corrections their current name, address, telephone number and defendant name, in writing, if they wish to be notified about the changes in the status of the defendant or inmate. Domestic violence is any violent or controlling behavior by a person toward a spouse or partner. Although the partner is the primary target, domestic abuse also affects the children in the household, extended family members, and even the community at large. If anyone has ever been hit or abused by spouse, domestic partner, or boy/girlfriend and they want to report it as a crime, they should immediately call the police. The victim or the police officer will need to go to the magistrate to see about getting an arrest warrant and/or restraining order. If a warrant is issued, the offending spouse or friend will be arrested. An arrest warrant charges someone with committing a crime, usually assault and battery. If you are a student or employee victim, please inform the University Police of any such warrant or restraining order.
Dating Violence
VSU offers support and counseling for individuals who have experienced dating violence. That support may be through individual or group counseling. Counseling is also available for friends and partners of people who have experienced this kind of violence. Additionally, VSU offers psycho-educational programs for students on issues of relationships (this includes such topics as avoiding "toxic" relationships and violence to oneself by a dating partner). Call 524-5360. Likewise, the Office of Substance Abuse and Sexual Assault Prevention does not strictly limit its services to those who are victims of sexual assault. Rather it is committed to enhancing the development of students by supporting, educating, and collaborating with them as they learn to make healthy choices. It is ready and able to extend its services to those who are victims of dating violence. Call 524-5939. A student victim of dating violence has the right, in addition to filing charges through the criminal justice system, to file a complaint with the universities Office of Judicial Affairs, relative acts of violence toward them or another committed by VSU student(s). It does not matter whether the act of violence occurred on or off-campus since the university reserves the right to hold students accountable for certain types of off-campus behavior. Disciplinary action will result if a student’s behavior jeopardizes the educational atmosphere or mission of the institution. Examples of such off-campus behavior would include but not be limited to crimes of violence, sexual assault and/or alcohol or drug violations. Judicial response to a referral(s) related to an act(s) of dating violence can result in a charge of “Violence to Persons” (Section 8 Student Handbook) against the accused; “no student shall engage or attempt to engage in any form of violence directed toward another person or group of people.” Campus resources for dealing with dating violence are:
Victim, Witness, Domestic & Dating Violence Resource and Assistance:
Voluntary Confidential Reporting of Crimes, On Campus Locations For those wishing to make a report of a criminal incident, be they victim, witness, or third party, may be made in confidence to the following offices where further options will be discussed with the reporting party.
Please check the latest VSU phone directory for any address, phone additions or changes. The Individual's Responsibility Although VSU works hard to ensure the safety of all individuals within its community, students and employees themselves must take responsibility for their own personal safety and that of their personal belongings. Simple, common sense precautions are the most effective means of maintaining personal security. For example, although the VSU campus is well lit, and may appear safe, all members and guests of the University community, walking across campus or to/from parking lots at night, whether male or female, should utilize police escort services. Students living in residence halls should keep their room doors locked at all times and should never prop open external doors. A resident should escort all guests in the halls at all times. All valuable personal property should be engraved with the owner's vehicle operator’s permit number, using equipment provided through Residence Life or Dept of Police and Public Safety. Bicycles should be registered with University Police and secured with a good lock. Cars should be locked and parked in well-lighted areas with all valuable items locked in the trunk. Students and employees should notify University Police or Residence Life staff of any individual present in a building or on campus who appears to have no legitimate business there or who arouses suspicion in any way. Judicial Procedures The Vice President for Student Affairs shall schedule special training for Hearing Officers once every year, covering the University’s policies governing sexual assault, and the special needs of the accuser and the accused in these cases. Upon notification of an alleged violation, the accused shall not initiate any contact, directly or indirectly, with the accuser. Retaliation against the accuser or against any witness involved in the case by the accused or others acting on behalf of the accused shall be considered violation of the Code of Student Conduct. Sexual Offenses/Disciplinary Proceeding Both the accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have other persons present during the campus disciplinary proceedings. In addition, both the accuser and the accused shall be informed of the outcome of any campus disciplinary proceeding brought as a result of the allegation of a sex offense. Disciplinary Sanctions Any of the following sanctions may be imposed individually or cumulatively upon students who violate the University’s Code of Conduct. Sanctions imposed by a hearing body may not be increased under any circumstances.
Prohibition of Hazing Activities State Law on Hazing Section 18.2-56 Hazing unlawful: civil and criminal liability, duty of school, etc., officials Fraternity/Sorority and Student Organizations are prohibited from engaging in hazing. Hazing - includes actions by fraternity/sorority individuals or organizations that mistreat individual(s) in such a way as to cause or could cause bodily harm. Hazing activities that jeopardize the health of students are subject to criminal prosecution in Virginia and University disciplinary action, even though the action is not severe enough to warrant criminal prosecution. Additional Definition of Hazing: Any act that causes or is likely to cause serious physical or mental harm, or which tends to or actually injures, frightens, demeans, or disgraces any person; to annoy any student by playing abusive or ridiculous tricks upon them, endangering his/her life, frightening, scolding, beating, or harassing them, or subjecting them to personal indignity. Americans With Disabilities Act (
It is the policy and practice of
Crime Statistics The Virginia State University Police Department’s crime statistics include offenses that were reported to the University police, law enforcement agencies and other University officials of
The following definitions are used to report crimes listed in accordance with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime reporting guidelines and training guide for hate crime data collection. The definitions for murder and non-negligent manslaughter, negligent manslaughter, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson, illegal weapons possession violations, drug abuse violations, and liquor law violations are excerpted from the Uniform Crime Reporting Handbook. The definitions of sex offenses are excerpted from the National Incident-Based Reporting System Edition of the Uniform Crime Reporting Handbook or the UCR Reporting Handbook: NIBRS EDITION.
Reportable Crimes Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter- The willful (non-negligent) killing of one human being by another. Negligent Manslaughter- The killing of another person through negligence. Robbery- The taking, or attempting to take, anything of value under confrontational circumstances from the control, custody, or care of another person by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear of immediate harm. Aggravated Assault- An unlawful attack by one person upon another wherein the offender uses a weapon or displays it in a threatening manner, or the victim suffers obvious severe or aggravated bodily injury involving apparent broken bones, loss of teeth, possible internal injury, severe laceration, or loss of consciousness. Motor vehicle Theft-The theft of a motor vehicle. Arson -To unlawfully and intentionally damage, or attempt to damage, any real or personal property by fire or incendiary device. Burglary/Breaking and Entering -The unlawful entry into a building or other structure with the intent to commit a felony or a theft. Sexual Offenses, Forcible -Any sexual act directed against another person, forcibly and/or against that person’s will; or not forcibly or against the person’s will where the victim is incapable of giving consent. Forcible Rape-The carnal knowledge of a person, forcibly and/or against the person’s will where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity (or because of his/her youth). Forcible Sodomy-Oral or anal sexual intercourse with another person, forcibly and/or against the person’s will; or not forcibly or against the person’s will where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her youth or because of his/her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity. Sexual Assault With An Object- To use an object or instrument to unlawfully penetrate, however slightly, the genital or anal opening of the body of another person, forcibly and/or against that person’s will; or not forcibly or against the person’s will where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her youth or because of his/her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity. Forcible Fondling-The touching of the private body parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification, forcibly and/or against that person’s will; or not forcibly or against the person’s will where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her youth or because of his/her temporary or permanent mental incapacity. Sex Offenses, Non-forcible- Unlawful, non-forcible sexual intercourse. Incest-Non-forcible sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by law. Statutory Rape-Non-forcible sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent. Larceny/Theft Offenses-The unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession, or constructive possession, of another person. Liquor Law Violations-The violation of laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possession, or use of alcoholic beverages. Weapon Law Violations-The violation of laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale purchase, transportation, possession, concealment, or use of firearms, cutting instruments, explosives, incendiary devices, or other deadly weapons. Hate Crime
A hate crime is one in which the victim is selected intentionally because of his or her actual or perceived race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or disability.
GEOGRAPHICAL CATEGORIES Crime Statistics must be reported by location:
On Campus
Student Residences
Public Property
Further information about campus safety can be obtained from the director of Public Safety at (804) 524-5360 as well as the Public Safety web site: http://www.vsu.edu/pages/259.asp (1) From page 59063, Federal Register/Vol. 64, No. 210/Monday. November 1, 1999/(Final) Rules and Regulations: "For example, a dean of students who oversees student housing, a student center, or student extra-curricular activities, has significant responsibility for student and campus activities. Similarly, a director of athletics, team coach, and faculty advisor to a student group also has significant responsibility for student and campus activities. A single teaching faculty member is unlikely to have significant responsibility for student and campus activity, except when serving as an advisor to a student group. A physician in a campus health center or a counselor in a counseling center whose only responsibility is to provide care to students are unlikely to have significant responsibility for student and campus activities." The Office of Public Safety collects and compiles pertinent information to be disclosed to the public from on and off campus sources, those described above as well as law enforcement agencies with concurrent and neighboring jurisdiction for publishing on an annual basis. Virginia State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation or disability (in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act) with respect to employment or admissions, or in connection with its programs or activities. Inquiries or requests for reasonable accommodations may be directed to the activity coordinator, the appropriate university office, or the: EEO
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