CAMPUS SAFETY AND SECURITY POLICIES

A safe and secure campus depends on the cooperation and assistance of everyone—Baruch students and staff—to be aware of possible safety hazards and of the potential for crime on campus. Crime prevention and prompt reporting of unsafe conditions should be the objectives of every member of the Baruch community.

Campus peace officers make Newman Vertical patrols in all Baruch buildings, and an officer is stationed in the lobby of each building. The officers carry portable radios to communicate with other officers and to summon aid if necessary.

Baruch's policy is that students and employees must report safety hazards, crimes, loss of property, illness, or injury. Proper reporting facilitates apprehension of criminals and assists in making Baruch safe. Incidents can be reported to any uniformed peace or security officer by calling or visiting the Office of Campus Security and Public Safety. A member of this office is in constant touch with the local precinct to monitor and record off-campus crime.

A daily crime log is maintained in the public safety office that records by date any crime that occurred on or off campus within the patrol jurisdiction of the campus Public Safety Department and was reported to the department or the 13th Precinct of the New York City Police Department. Entries into the crime log must include the nature, date, time, and general location of each crime and the disposition of the complaint, if known. The College is further required to issue a timely warning to the College community when a crime that the institution considers to be a threat to students and employees is reported to a campus security authority or a local police agency. This warning and entry into the log must be made within two business days unless disclosing this information is prohibited by law or would jeopardize the confidentiality of the victim. The 1998 amendments to the Clery Act also permit an institution to withhold this information if release of the information would jeopardize an ongoing criminal investigation or jeopardize the safety of an individual, cause a suspect to flee or evade detection, or result in the destruction of evidence. However, once the adverse effect of disclosing the crime information is no longer likely to occur, the institution must disclose the information.

PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY SERVICES

The Office of Campus Security and Public Safety consists of the director of security, an associate director for operations, and three assistant directors who oversee training and procedures, fire safety/fire drills, special events, scheduling, records, officer discipline and supervision, alarm systems, technical equipment, investigations and crime prevention, key control and supervision of locksmiths, lost and found, assignment and maintenance of College vehicles, and the supervision of the CUNY Card ID and Access Control Center. The security unit also includes 62 campus peace officers (6 sergeants and 56 patrol officers), augmented by contract security. Deployment to Baruch College of campus peace officers is part of The City University of New York's security initiative. Campus peace officers are sworn and have arrest powers.

Campus security operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. An assistant director is always present on campus while classes are in session, including Saturdays.

The office is located at 17 Lexington Avenue, Suite 102, phone: 646-660-6000. To report an emergency, call Baruch ext. 3333. However, in the event of immediate danger, dial 911, New York City's emergency assistance phone number.

PERSONAL SAFETY AND SECURITY ON CAMPUS

Baruch College's security and public safety office believes that the best methods for reducing crime are vigilance and education. Vigilance includes limiting access to campus facilities to only those people who have proper Baruch identification.

Students, faculty, and staff must display identification cards while on campus. Invalid ID cards are subject to confiscation. If a visitor does not have a valid Baruch identification card, he/she must show the officer on duty other valid photo identification and sign a roster. When the College is not in session, advance notice must be given to the Office of Campus Security and Public Safety before access can be granted to any Baruch building. The Office of Campus Security and Public Safety is in continuous contact with the Office of Campus Facilities on security considerations related to campus projects.

Members of the security office provide guidance and assistance to crime victims in reporting incidents to the police. If a serious incident occurs on campus, the Baruch security office and the local police should be called. The security office's primary concern is the safety and well-being of the victim. Apprehension of the assailant and preservation of evidence of the crime are secondary albeit important considerations.

When an officer arrives, the initial information needed is a brief account of what happened, a physical description of the assailant, and the assailant's direction of flight. The sooner a crime is reported, the better the chance that the criminal will be caught. Even if a victim does not want to file an official police report, he/she can still provide the police with information that could help in an arrest and the possible prevention of another crime. If necessary, a member of the Baruch security office will guide a victim through the criminal justice system.

PREVENTION

General Security on Campus

• Lock office doors while offices are unoccupied.
• Do not bring unnecessary valuable items on campus.
• Do not leave purses, briefcases, or books unattended.
• Call College security (ext. 3000) to report crimes or suspicious activities.
• Call the police (911) or security (emergency ext. 3333) if immediate danger is suspected or if you are threatened.

In Elevators

• If you are alone and someone suspicious enters, stand near the controls. If necessary, press the alarm button. Security officers will respond.

SEXUAL ASSAULT

This information serves to increase awareness and knowledge about sexual assault and to help you to cope with sexual assault if it does happen. (Further detailed information is found in the Sexual Encounters booklet.)

Friendly Stranger and "Acquaintance Rape"

Many attacks start with casual conversation. If your gut-level response to a stranger or friend is uneasiness, try to get out of the situation as quickly as possible, even if it means being rude or making a scene. Acquaintance rape occurs more frequently than reports seem to indicate. The keys to prevention are awareness, trusting your intuition, and assertive behavior. People have deterred assailants in a variety of ways. Talking and thinking about what you might do if attacked increases your chance of defending yourself.

Who Is the Victim?

Everyone is a potential victim of sexual assault. The most vulnerable target is a woman alone. While a large number of reported victims are in the 13–25 age bracket, indications are that this is due to an increase in reporting in this age group. Studies do not indicate a preference for the young by sexual assailants, nor do they support the myth that assault is provoked by a woman's dress or mannerisms. Opportunity and vulnerability are key factors.

Who Is the Sexual Assailant?

A sexual assailant is generally a person who is emotionally unstable, yet conducts his or her day-to-day life in a reasonably normal and competent manner. He or she often has difficulty in relating to others on a permanent or lasting basis. He or she is often a friend, date, relative, co-worker, or casual acquaintance of the victim.

Where Can Sexual Assault Occur?

Sexual assault can happen virtually anywhere, but most reported incidents occur in the home of the victim or the home of the offender. It is important to be aware that many areas of daily activity are potentially dangerous. Sexual assault often occurs in conjunction with other crimes, such as burglary, so the more commonsense precautions one takes, the less the chance of becoming a victim. Remember: a locked door can give a potential victim adequate time to call the police (911). Remember, too: the victim does not provoke the attack. Sexual assault is a crime of violence and not of sex.

Survival Is the Goal

Preventive measures can reduce the risk of attack, but they are not 100 percent effective. Recent studies show that, if you are attacked, an immediate aggressive response will be twice as likely to increase the possibility of escape but can also aggravate the situation. However, submitting does not guarantee that violence will not occur. Look for ways of escape. If one method does not work, try another.

Checklist for Victims of Assault

• Report the crime immediately to the police by dialing 911 and to the Baruch College Office of Campus Security and Public Safety at 646-660-6000.
• Do not disturb any evidence.
• Do not bathe or shower.
• Have a medical examination as soon as possible.
• Report every detail of the attack to the police officer.
• WHEN CALM, make notes of the attack, including any unusual details and description of the attacker.

Procedures for Rape Survivors

If you are assaulted at Baruch, call security's emergency number: x3333. Security personnel understand that sexual assault victims experience emotional trauma and will follow a procedure designed to help the victim. This will include finding out details about the assault, taking action toward detaining the assailant, and informing the victim of services available at Baruch and elsewhere.

Students should report all incidents of sexual assault to the Office of Campus Security and Public Safety at 646-660-6000 and to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs at 646-312-4570. A professional staff member will meet with you confidentially and will pursue formal disciplinary action only with your consent. After a complaint is lodged, the vice president for student development will arrange an investigation and hearing to determine culpability and the appropriate sanctions, if any. Both the accused and the accuser are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during such proceedings, and both the accused and the accuser are informed of the outcome of such proceedings. Anyone may initiate such an action against a Baruch student. A Baruch student who is found to have committed rape, sexual assault, or any other sexual offense, either forcible or nonforcible, is subject to arrest and disciplinary action that can include admonition, deprivation of certain privileges, probation, suspension, or expulsion. The sexual assault survivor will have the option and all available assistance to change classes.

NEW YORK STATE SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY

The Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains the Sex Offender Registry. Inquiries may be made at www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us/nsor/.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE POLICIES

Baruch College is dedicated not only to teaching and to the advancement of knowledge but also to the development of ethical and responsible individuals. The College seeks to achieve these goals through a sound educational program and policies that encourage maturity and independence. The regulations that govern student and employee conduct have been formulated with those objectives in view.

The U.S. Department of Education has issued regulations implementing the provisions of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989. These regulations require that a college distribute information annually about the possession, use, and distribution of alcohol and illicit drugs at that college.

Members of the Baruch College community are bound by federal, state, and municipal laws as well as by the regulations of the Board of Trustees of The City University of New York.

The unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession, or use of illegal drugs or other controlled substances and the unauthorized use of alcohol by students on campus and by College employees at work is prohibited. Student clubs and organizations may petition the Office of Student Life or the Office of the Vice President for Student Development in advance of a planned event for the use of beer or wine at "duly authorized functions." Organizations must adhere to stringent guidelines that comply with the New York State Alcoholic Beverage Control Law prohibiting the sale, delivery, or providing of alcoholic beverages to people under the age of 21. In addition, organizations granted permission to serve alcoholic beverages must provide adequate supervision for distribution and consumption. Specific details pertaining to the "Permit for the Use of Alcoholic Beverages at an Authorized Student Program" may be found in the student organization handbook, The Informer, available in the Office of Student Life, Newman Vertical Campus, Room 2-210.

Any person found to have violated the College policy on alcohol and drug use is subject to discipline by City University officials.

The legal age for drinking alcohol in New York State is 21, and state laws deal harshly with underage drinking. As stated earlier, it is also against the law in New York State to sell or give away alcohol to anyone under the age of 21.

The possession or use of illegal drugs is a crime in the State of New York. Anyone found in possession of or using such drugs on College property will be dealt with severely and may be suspended from the College, in addition to facing criminal charges and arrest.

WEAPONS

No one within the University community, except peace officers pursuant to authorization of the college presidents, shall have in their possession a rifle, shotgun, firearm, or any other dangerous instrument or material that can be used to inflict bodily harm on an individual or damage to a building or the grounds of a campus.

INSTITUTIONAL SANCTIONS

Students are expected to comply with the Rules of Conduct printed in the Undergraduate Bulletin and Graduate Bulletin. A student found to be in violation of these rules can be subject to disciplinary action. Sanctions may include admonition, warning, censure, disciplinary probation, restitution, suspension, expulsion, and/or complaint to civil authorities, as stated in full in Baruch College's bulletins.

A student who is experiencing difficulty with alcohol or chemical dependency may seek direct assistance or be referred by members of the institutional staff to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management or to the appropriate counseling center. The vice president for student development may take disciplinary action or recommend that the student meet with a counselor for assistance through self-help organizations or other outside agencies.