Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics

In response to Connecticut General Statute Section 10a-55 and Public Law 101-542, as amended, the following is a summary of Fairfield University's Department of Public Safety policies and procedures.

The Department of Public Safety is authorized by Fairfield University to prevent, investigate, and report any violations of State or Federal Law and/or University regulations on campus. Student behavior, which violates State or Federal Law and/or University regulations, may also be investigated and reported by authorized staff of the Division of Student Affairs. The Department of Public Safety reports directly to the Vice President for Administrative Services and Student Affairs.

Any student, faculty member, or employee of Fairfield University should directly report any potential criminal act or other emergency to any officer or representative of the Department of Public Safety. Dial extension 4090 or 254-4090 for immediate assistance. Reports may also be made by using an emergency telephone linked directly to the Public Safety office, located on the ground floor of Loyola Hall, Room #2. Upon receipt of a call, officers are dispatched to the site; an investigation is conducted and appropriate action taken. Please be as detailed as possible when providing a physical description of a suspect or perpetrator. Along with describing a person's height, weight and build, try to include information pertaining to facial hair, skin complexion, jewelry and tattoos (where applicable). Vehicle descriptions should include, make, model, color and approximate year of manufacture. When possible, try to record marker plate, state of origin, and any notable damage to the vehicle. It is also imperative that crime scenes not be disturbed so as to preserve any physical evidence that may exist.

In addition, the Department of Public Safety maintains a highly professional working relationship with Federal Law Enforcement, Connecticut State Police and Town of Fairfield Police Departments. We follow all applicable policies and laws regarding confidentiality of records and reserve the right to provide police any information obtained as a result of a criminal investigation. We strongly encourage anyone who is the victim or witness to any crime to promptly report the incident to the Department of Public Safety. It is the right of any member of the University community to contact the Fairfield Police Department to investigate any crime. Assistance in contacting the Fairfield Police Department may be arranged through the Department of Public Safety.

The Department of Public Safety is a non-sworn proprietary organization with approximately twenty officers. Officers conduct foot, vehicular, and bicycle patrols of the campus and resident areas 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Officers are trained to provide emergency first aid care and are recognized as "Supplemental 1st Responders" for the Town of Fairfield. The Department of Public Safety does not provide services outside the boundaries of campus property, nor do any officially recognized student organizations exist off campus. Student Affairs and Public Safety enjoy a close working relationship with local and state agencies when violations of federal, state, or local laws involving students occur.

Fairfield University enforces drug and alcohol regulations as required in the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act of 1988 and amendments of 1989. The unlawful possession, use or distribution of alcohol by employees on University property or as part of any University activity is prohibited. Only under those conditions clearly stipulated by University guidelines is the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages by students twenty-one years of age and older permitted. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) as amended in 1998 enables Institutions to release to parents of students under the age of 21 information concerning alcohol or drug related disciplinary violations. All Resident Advisors (RA's) are required to co-ordinate alcohol education programs for their assigned residence hall floors. Peer Educators, who are trained and undergo a selection process, conduct alcohol and other drug education and sexual assault prevention programs each semester during the school year. Students documented for an alcohol violation may be referred to the Director of Health & Wellness Education and/or the University's Substance Abuse Counselor. If more information is desired, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students and/or the Office of Human Resources for a copy of the Alcohol and Substance Abuse policy. Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia are prohibited on the grounds of the University. The possession, sale, manufacture or distribution of any controlled substance is in violation of University regulations and illegal under both state and federal laws. Therefore, any employee or student engaging in such illegal action will be subject to disciplinary procedures, which could result in sanctions, including termination of employment, suspension or expulsion from school, and criminal prosecution.  In addition, the use and/or possession of weapons of any type, including facsimiles, except those in possession of the Department of Public Safety or a bona fide law enforcement agency, are not permitted on campus.

Students, faculty and employees of Fairfield University have access to academic, recreational, and administrative facilities on campus. Access to residence halls, however, is limited to students and their guests, according to University procedures described in the Student Handbook. All residence halls have card access readers requiring University I. D. cards to gain entry. Resident students may use her/his card for entry into all residence halls from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., after 11:00 p.m. cards will only open doors to the students assigned residence hall. Access to the residence halls by University employees is on an as-needed basis pursuant to key and access control procedures. The general public may attend cultural and recreational events on campus with their access limited only to the facilities in which these events are held.

Public Safety meets with a representative for the school newspaper on a weekly basis during the academic year. A Public Safety column appears in each issue describing the previous week's activity. Public Safety Alert bulletins are posted throughout campus via e-mail, posters placed in all buildings and announcements on the Fairfield University Info Channel when an incident is considered to represent a threat to the community.

Safety programs for undergraduate students begin at Freshman Orientation and continue throughout the year in cooperation with the Office of Residence Life.

Crime prevention material is on display for one week in the Barone Campus Center during the month of October, and programs focusing on officer/student interaction are conducted throughout the year. We also offer Rape Aggression Defense System (RAD) training to the campus community. It is a comprehensive course which, along with basic hands-on defense training, focuses on awareness, prevention and risk reduction.

Public Safety programs are also given at employee orientations for new employees and at "Brown Bag" lunch programs for faculty and staff. Crime Prevention video presentations are shown on the campus television system. Safety whistles are given to anyone interested as part of a crime awareness program.

Fairfield University employs an in-house electrical department with licensed electricians who conduct monthly inspections to assure the proper working condition of all lighting in buildings and parking lots. Parking lot posts contain high-pressure sodium or metal halide bulbs, which are replaced on an as needed basis.

The University employs full-time system mechanics, who monitor temperature control equipment, while assisting in a wide range of routine maintenance requests. A University employed carpenter is on-call at all times for off-hour emergency repairs.

Fairfield University employs a state certified Fire Marshall responsible for coordinating the University's fire prevention and training programs, designing fire safety policy and procedures, and ensuring that Fairfield University is in compliance with the fire safety codes of the state of Connecticut. Additional information about Fairfield University's fire safety program is available by contacting the Fire Marshall's Office at (203) 254-4000 ext. 2546.

Fairfield University Policy on Registered Sex Offenders

In compliance with the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2000, members of the Fairfield University community may contact the Connecticut State Police at their website http://www.state.ct.us/dps/sex_offender_registry.htm for information concerning registered sex offenders.

Fairfield University Policy on Sexual Assault, Rape, or Misconduct

(taken from the Student Handbook)

Any behavior that constitutes a sexual offense under this policy will subject the offender to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal, whether or not criminal charges are filed and without regard to whether the conduct occurred on or off campus. Prohibited conduct includes sexual assault, rape, attempted sexual assault or rape, indecent exposure, voyeurism, or possession or distribution of illegal pornography. In addition, sexual assault, rape and other sexual offenses are illegal under Connecticut criminal statutes and may be prosecuted in a court of law.

Sexual assault occurs when a person performs or compels another person to perform any sexual act or to have any form of sexual contact without consent. Rape is a specific kind of sexual assault that involves any vaginal, oral, anal, or urethral penetration with any body part or object without consent. Consent requires mutually understandable and communicated words and/or actions demonstrating agreement to participate in the proposed sexual act. Lack of consent may result from inability because of mental impairment of the victim (due to, for example, intoxication), or physical helplessness of the victim (due to, for example, being asleep). Lack of consent may also result from intimidation (due to, for example, the aggressor's language, size, or threatened or actual use of force) that silences the victim. Attempted sexual assault or rape occurs when a person intends to commit the offense and engages in conduct that would lead to it.

Students will also be disciplined for other sexual offenses which are criminal in nature or which violate other community standards.

Victims of sexual offenses should be assured that the University provides many resources, including immediate treatment, counseling support and police assistance, if desired. Care and consideration of the victim's wishes will be taken into account throughout the intervention process. The University will consider requests for changes in residential and academic accommodations and work with victims to reach available and reasonable solutions. Individuals who feel that they are victims of any sexual offense are urged to file a complaint with the Fairfield Police Department and/or the University's Department of Public Safety or the Office of the Dean of Students. Victims should seek immediate medical assistance from the University Health Center, St. Vincent's Hospital, or other medical facilities. A victim may have internal or external injuries and may need treatment for disease or infection. Additionally, victims should seek counseling and emotional assistance. Counseling is available through Counseling & Psychological Services at all times, and a full range of support services can be initiated through the University's resources or the Bridgeport Center for Women & Families.

The University's standards of conduct and student disciplinary process are outlined in the Student Handbook. This Handbook provides, in part, that the accused and victim are entitled to have others present during a disciplinary proceeding, and will be notified of the outcome. For further information about the disciplinary system, contact the Office of the Dean of Students, Barone Campus Center, ext. 4211.

The University presents a number of educational programs about sexual assault and rape. A formal program is part of the Freshman Year Experience (FYE) program that is required of all full-time, undergraduate freshmen. In addition, RAs coordinate floor programs for their residents, and student peer educators provide information and other programs for students. In addition, the Department of Public Safety sponsors seminars on women's self-defense and rape prevention, which are open to all women of the University community.

Victims of sexual assault should:

1. Seek immediate medical assistance. A victim may have internal or external injuries and may need treatment for disease or infection.
2. Report such acts to the University's Department of Public Safety and/or the Town of Fairfield Police Department. At the victim's request, officers or administrators will assist in the notification of local law enforcement. The University's disciplinary system may proceed against any alleged violator of University policy, whether or not state or federal criminal proceedings exist or are pending. Reports made to the Department of Public Safety are shared with the Office of the Dean of Students for disciplinary review or action.
3. If necessary, seek counseling and/or emotional assistance and support. Speaking with a trained counselor can be critical to the emotional or mental well-being of the victim. Counseling is available through Counseling & Psychological Services and Campus Ministry.

Fairfield University Policy on Sexual Harassment and Equal Educational Opportunity

(taken from the Student Handbook)

Fairfield University provides an equal educational opportunity to all students and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran's status, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, or disability in the administration of educational programs, admission and employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. The University, as a Jesuit institution, is dedicated to the proposition that all human beings possess an inherent dignity. The University strongly condemns any unlawful or wrongful discrimination against the rights of others.

I. Prohibited Conduct

A. Acts of Intolerance, Racism, or Harassment

As the University is committed to maintaining a multicultural academic community in which the dignity and worth of each of its members is respected, it is the policy of the University that acts of intolerance, abuse, or harassment by students, faculty, staff and visitors, will not be tolerated. Any individual who violates this policy will be subject to appropriate action, including, but not limited to, counseling, suspension, expulsion, termination from the campus, or civil or criminal action.

Acts of intolerance and abuse are defined as any offensive verbal, written, or physical conduct directed at a person or group based upon race, color, national and/or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, veteran's status, age, or association with persons different from oneself where such behavior is intimidating, hostile, demeaning, or could or does result in emotional or physical harm, embarrassment, or fear of one's personal safety.

Abuse and harassment include offensive behavior that interferes with a person or group's educational status or participation in campus activities, or which creates a hostile academic, social, or living environment. Prohibited behaviors include threatening or offensive letters, use of threatening or demeaning language, vandalism, or graffiti to student residences, and stalking or aggression relating to dating relationships.

B. Sexual Harassment

Fairfield University does not condone or tolerate any behavior (verbal, electronic, or physical) by a university employee, student, or visitor that would constitute sexual harassment. Such behavior will subject the harasser to appropriate sanctions, including, but not limited to, counseling, suspension, expulsion, or civil or criminal action. Sexual harassment is a form of illegal discrimination referring to a wide range of inappropriate behaviors and/or unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that effectively denies the victim of the harassment the opportunity to work and/or study in a non-threatening, stress-free environment.

Fairfield University defines sexual harassment in the following ways: Sexual harassment shall include, but not be limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, direct or indirect sexual demands, requests for sexual favors, sexual comments, gestures, or other physical actions of a sexual nature when:

1. Submission of such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's educational success.
2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for educational decisions affecting the individual.
3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.

Furthermore, the University considers it a violation of an individual's rights to retaliate against a person who has initiated an inquiry or complaint having to do with abuse or harassment, and/or to instigate any other person to participate in such activity.

II. Reporting of Incidents of Abuse or Harassment

1. Any incident of criminal misconduct, such as physical assault or destruction of property, should be promptly reported to the University's Department of Public Safety and may be reported to the Fairfield Police Department.
2. Any incident of abuse or harassment by a student or an unidentified perpetrator should be promptly reported to the Department of Public Safety.  Public Safety's report will be sent to the Office of the Dean of Students for reviewed and, if appropriate, the student disciplinary process will be initiated.
3. Any incident of abuse or harassment by a University employee should be promptly reported to the compliance coordinator in the Office of the Dean of Students. The procedures for resolution are set forth below.

III. Equal Opportunity Grievances by Students Involving University Employees

Students who feel that they have been discriminated against or subjected to harassment by a University employee in violation of the above policies or federal statutes Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, or the Americans with Disabilities Act, are urged to promptly report the matter to the compliance coordinator in the Office of the Dean of Students.

1. Investigation and Informal or Formal Resolution

The complaint will be referred to the compliance coordinator for appropriate action. If the reported incident is not of a serious nature or in situations where miscommunication is occurring, the compliance coordinator may attempt to resolve the matter through discussion and mediation with the alleged harasser's supervisor. In situations where serious misconduct is reported, the University's designee will investigate and determine the appropriate action. The complainant and the alleged perpetrator will be notified of the disposition within 45 days.

2. Formal Grievance Process

If the student is not satisfied with the above resolution, the student may submit a written grievance within 30 days to the compliance coordinator stating the nature of the complaint, a description of the incident(s) and any possible witnesses, and the remedy sought. The compliance coordinator will seek a resolution of the grievance. If it cannot be resolved, the compliance coordinator will convene a resolution committee consisting of representatives of the University community. The committee will consider the evidence presented, determine the facts, and recommend a decision to the University President.