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The Jean Clery Disclosure,
has been prepared in compliance with Act 73 of 1988 of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Federal Right-to Know Campus Security Act. Copies are given to applicants to the University upon request, to all part-time and full-time students and employees including contracted employees annually, and to others upon request. Campus Security Policy & Crime Statistics Act... Introduction
The Office of Public Safety and The University Service Center, in conjunction with many other departments at Wilkes University, prepares and distributes the "For Your Safety" annual safety and security report, which serves several purposes:
This annual report is published and released by October 1 of each year.
The University’s final crime statistics are compiled by the The Office of Public Safety and The University Service Center using crime definitions found in the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Handbook. In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, 20 USC 1092(f), the statistics for the three most recent calendar years include crimes that occurred: 1) on Campus (any building or property owned or controlled by Wilkes University within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area and used by Wilkes University in direct support of, or in a manner related to, the University’s educational purposes, including residence halls and any building or property that is within or reasonably contiguous to the area identified above that is owned by the University but controlled by another person, is frequently used by Wilkes students and supports institutional purposes); 2) on non-campus buildings or property (any building or property owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by the institution or any building or property owned or controlled by an institution that is used in direct support of, or in relation to the University’s educational purposes, is frequently used by students, and is not within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the University); and 3) on public property (all public property, including thoroughfares, streets, sidewalks, and parking facilities, that is within the campus, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus) that are reported to a campus safety and security authority, as defined in the Act, or to local police agencies. This report is available in hard copy upon request, during normal business hours, at the Department of Public Safety, 148 South Main Street, Public Safety Desk; the Office of Admissions, Chase Hall, Reception Area; and the Office of Student Affairs, Conyngham Hall, Reception Area. The Office of Public Safety is led by a director who...
reports to the Vice President of Finance and Support Operations. The Public Safety Office and the University Service Center are located at 148 South Main Street. The Office of Public Safety provides uniformed services twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The department consists of a Director, two Managers, 10 full-time officers and one part-time officers. Public Safety Officers make regular patrols of the University grounds and buildings by foot, bike and vehicle. The Office of Public Safety employees attend an annual, mandatory in-service training session. The Public Safety Officers have Pennsylvania Act 235 certification, but do not carry firearms. All Public Safety Officers are apprised of and enforce the policies governing Wilkes University. Each employee is trained in basic emergency medical procedures, first aid, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation within one year from the date of hire. During operating hours, medical assistance is available through the University Health Services Office. Professionally trained medical technicians are provided by Wilkes-Barre and Edwardsville Fire and Ambulance Departments if the need arises. Transportation to a local hospital for minor medical conditions is provided by a private ambulance service. The department cooperates with state and local law enforcement agencies and maintains an excellent working relationship with the Wilkes-Barre and Edwardsville Police Departments. Incidents involving violence, property loss, or felonies are reported to the local police department. All incidents are recorded and kept on file. Everyone is encouraged to report any and all incidents to the Office of Public Safety. A member of the department is then sent to the scene where he/she evaluates the situation and takes the appropriate action. In the event of an emergency, prompt communication is used to inform the appropriate administrators. Members of the Resident Assistant staff, a member of the Student Affairs staff, a General Officer of the University and a member of the Public Safety management staff are on duty each day of the week the University is in session during the academic year and respond to any emergency or unusual incident. The Public Safety Patrol Office is a part of the University Service Center and is linked to all University buildings by calling extension 4999 or '0' for assistance. Wilkes University is considered private property and access to its facilities or its programs is restricted to those individuals who have justification for being present on campus. Identification and monitoring procedures are utilized when required. As in most institutions of higher education, Wilkes frequently sponsors educational programs and lectures open to the University community and to the public. Events such as these may be open admission or admission by ticket only. The University reserves the right to refuse admission for just cause. Safety and Security Programs
All resident students are required to attend residence hall meetings in September and in January at which time they are informed of all safety and security procedures and precautions as they pertain to their specific hall. Resident students are also required to attend meetings throughout the year prior to vacation periods to understand closing procedures necessary to insure that student rooms and the halls are safely secured for the vacation periods. All students also receive written materials on residence hall safety and security procedures through the Student Handbook, Guide to Residence Life Handbook, and handouts distributed from the Residence Life Office and Public Safety Office throughout the year. Timely warning notices, "Campus Community Notifications," are posted of crimes reported to the Office of Public Safety or local police that are considered to be a threat to students and/or employees. Such a notification depends on the circumstances and location of the crime. Each year, members of the Public Safety staff, Student Affairs staff, Facilities Services staff and Student Government tour the campus for the purpose of ascertaining any additional needs for outdoor lighting or other factors which will enhance campus safety and security. The items that require repairs are taken care of immediately, while new requests are prioritized based on importance and facility needs. In accordance with Pennsylvania legislation, daily crime logs containing a chronological report of all valid complaints and reports of crime are maintained. These logs are available to the campus population and the student newspaper, The Beacon. The logs include the names and addresses of persons arrested on campus with the charges filed against them. The names of juvenile offenders under the age of 18 and of victims are not released. The daily log is available at the Office of Public Safety, 148 South Main St. 570-408-4999. Additionally, the Office of Public Safety and Offices of Student Affairs provide the following safety and security programs: "Campus Advisory Reporting Extension" or "C.A.R.E." is a program...
designed to allow students to phone in anonymous information regarding safety and security concerns (e.g. potentially dangerous situations, suspected criminal activity, etc.) both on campus and in the community. If making the report from an on-campus phone, dial CARE (2273); or if making a report from an off-campus phone, dial 408-CARE (408-2273). All calls will be fielded by a digital answering which will not be able to identify the incoming callers extension or phone number. Each message received will be handled by one of the Managers of Public Safety or by the Director of Public Safety, depending on what it concerns. Additionally, each message will be logged and given it’s due attention and follow-up. "Campus Community Notifications" is a program designed to notify...
the Wilkes Community of any safety and/or security issues on campus or in the surrounding community. A flyer, which will provide key information on the issue, will be posted on several academic buildings and in residence halls. Additionally, a campus-wide e-mail notification will be sent describing what the issue is and a link to the Office of Public Safety’s website for more information. The Office of Public Safety’s website will always contain detailed information on the issue(s), as well as, provide the reader with safety tips for handling themselves if confronted with a situation. The Wilkes Office of Public Safety operates a "Safe Escort Service..."
on campus for any member of the University Community who requires an escort from dusk until dawn. This escort may consist of a vehicle or walking escort depending on the activities at the time of the call. During busy periods, callers may experience a delay in the arrival of the escort. Escorts are provided for safety, not convenience. To request an escort, dial the Public Safety Office at x4999. The Wilkes "Safe Escorts Service" is a service intended to provide escorts for persons who actually need an escort and do not wish to walk alone at night. It is not intended to be a "taxi" service for groups that do not wish to walk from one location to another. "Safe Rides" provides Wilkes students, who are under the influence...
of alcohol, with transportation back to campus. The service is free to the students and each student’s identity will be kept confidential. If you are off campus and are concerned about your ability to get back to Wilkes please do the following...
University Regulations Regarding Alcohol Alcoholic beverages are prohibited outdoors on University property, including, but not limited to Ralston Field and all campus playing fields and parking lots. They are prohibited also in all academic and administrative buildings, the Marts Center, and the Student Center. Exceptions to the above may only be made by the Dean of Student Affairs and when there are no persons under twenty-one years of age participating. Tailgating is NOT permitted in the parking lot adjacent to Ralston Field at home football games. Students of legal drinking age are permitted the use of alcohol within the confines of their rooms or in the rooms of other students of legal age. Within the residence halls, alcohol use is not permitted by anyone in common areas (i.e. lounges, hallways, bathrooms, etc.) The University prohibits common supplies of alcoholic beverages, kegs of beer and/or beer balls (full, partially full or empty), open punch bowls, or any common source from which alcoholic beverages may be served. The possession or consumption of grain alcohol is prohibited. Any behavior resulting from the use of alcoholic beverages that infringes upon the rights of others will be considered a violation and subject to disciplinary action. Students who have a guest on campus or in University buildings are responsible for the conduct of the guest and for advising him or her of the Pennsylvania state laws and University policies pertaining to alcoholic beverages. Students who maintain residences off campus are reminded of their responsibility regarding laws of the Commonwealth. Parties sponsored in off-campus residences must comply with Commonwealth laws and local ordinances. When official University social functions are held off campus, the tickets sold may not include costs of any alcoholic beverages. The University will inform the management of the facility chosen of their legal responsibility for proper identification of those purchasing alcohol and that such responsibility rests solely with the management of that facility. Members of the University Community are especially reminded that the state laws of Pennsylvania pertaining to alcoholic beverages are applicable to the campus and as such, the responsibility for observance of the laws of Pennsylvania remains with each individual. The University will not serve as a sanctuary from the law. The University expects that all members of the University community be aware of the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the city of Wilkes-Barre regarding alcoholic beverages and of their responsibility for compliance with these laws. Drugs and Controlled Substances
University regulations have consistently supported and recognized the concerns expressed in recent legislation regarding Drug Free Campuses and Work Places. Alcohol abuse and the use of illicit substances and drugs constitute obvious hazards to health, safety, and well-being and destroy ability to function in a productive and contributory fashion. Policies have been developed and adopted by the University which strictly prohibit the use, possession, and /or supplying of illicit substances not only on our property, but in the larger community as well. University regulations regarding alcohol stand to preserve the legal and responsible use of this substance, on or off the campus, and at events sponsored by the University. Non-compliance with these regulations will be subject to disciplinary action which may result in suspension or dismissal from the University independent of any external legal action in an effort to protect the health, safety, and well being of all members of the community as well as the violator of the regulations.The University is not a sanctuary from the law and will cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies in support of these regulations. The University supports the efforts of rehabilitation programs and will refer members of the community to appropriate rehabilitation programs. Such referrals may be part of disciplinary sanctions imposed. Sources of drug and alcohol counseling are readily available on campus through the University Health Services and Office of Campus Counseling. Resources for assistance are designed to provide counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation, which will assist in a return to full health. The University is opposed to the use of narcotics and hallucinogenic drugs because of their detrimental effect. Neither does the University tolerate the illegal dispensation or transfer of prescribed medication. Students charged with possession or use of these substances will be subject to disciplinary action, which may result in suspension or dismissal from the University independent of any external legal action. Also, Wilkes is concerned with the problem of drug abuse and is concerned with the complex and serious nature of this problem. For this reason, students found to be involved in supplying drugs to anyone will be subject to serious disciplinary action. Such action may also include recommendation of rehabilitation programs. We define "supplying drugs" as meaning procuring and providing substances in any amount, under any conditions. Wilkes has housing facilities to accommodate 775 under-graduate students.
There are double rooms, single rooms, triple rooms, and quads available. There are no accommodations for graduate students or married couples. Evans Hall, Rifkin Hall, Barre Hall, the South River Street Apartments, Sturdevant Hall, and portions of Fortinsky Hall are coed facilities. The remainder of the residence halls are single-sex facilities. Housing Assignments Students new to campus are assigned to rooms by the Residence Life Office. Each new student completes an information form with the housing contract. This form is used to help facilitate the assignment process. The Residence Life Office will attempt to satisfy as many requests as possible for a specific room or building; however, due to a number of multiple requests and other factors, no request is guaranteed. All first year students are required to live on campus. Upperclassmen (sophomores, juniors, and seniors) go through a room selection process in April during each academic year. Students wishing to retain their own room for the following year may do so. The remaining rooms are then made available to those students wishing to have a new room. Seniority and the use of a lottery system determine how those remaining rooms are selected. Students requesting reassignment during the academic year do so through the Residence Life Office. Reassignments are made as space is available. Residence Hall Personnel The residence halls are the responsibility of the Vice President of Student Affairs and are directly supervised by the Director for Residence Life and Assistant Director for Residence Life. Each residence hall is assigned a Resident Assistant who is a full-time undergraduate or graduate student employed by the University. Resident Assistants are hired on the basis of leadership ability, communication skills, involvement in campus organizations and activities, and cumulative grade point average. Resident Assistants attend a six-day training session in August, which is scheduled prior to the start of the academic year. During this training period, the R.A.’s are trained to create an environment in their respective residence hall conducive to student health, safety, and academic achievement. A Resident Assistant manual is provided to all Resident Assistants for further review of specific policies and procedures. In service training sessions are held throughout the academic year. In Evans Hall a desk worker monitors all visitors by being at the main entrance of these facilities from the hours of 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Public Safety Officers monitor the main entrance of Evans Hall from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Sunday through Saturday. They are instructed to confront all persons attempting to enter the residence hall to ensure that they are either residents or welcomed guests. Student desk workers attend training sessions at the beginning of each semester to learn their responsibilities. Visitation The University residence halls are open for invited guests of residents. Visitors should extend courtesy to those living in the facility at all times. Under no circumstances should any resident be inconvenienced by a visitor or guest. Visitation to individual rooms should be decided upon by those residents living in that room. In order to minimize disruption to roommates, the University supplies each residence hall with an area to study with others, entertain guests, and watch television. Visitors to Evans Hall are required to check-in with the lobby desk worker or Public Safety Officer on duty before entering the residence hall corridors. They must sign-in to the building following established procedures, informing the desk worker or Public Safety Officer of their destination and the student they wish to visit. Residents expecting guests must be available to escort their guests to their room. All visitors to other University owned residence halls are to utilize the phones located on the outside of individual buildings. Visitors are to call the room or apartment of the Wilkes resident whose responsibility it is to come to the front door of the facility to grant entrance to their visitor. Residents should be reminded that they are responsible for their visitors and that an environment conducive to studying should be maintained at all times. All visitors to the residence halls are responsible for abiding by University policies. Residence hall members should escort any unidentified person not accompanied by a fellow hall member from the hall. The Resident Assistant on duty should be contacted if a visitor will not leave in order for Public Safety to be called for assistance. Vacation Policy During vacation periods, students with academic or athletic commitments are permitted to remain on campus by obtaining permission via submission of the appropriate paperwork to the Residence Life Office. Students are required to move into those facilities designated to remain open through the vacation period. A complete list of all students remaining on campus, as well as the residence halls in which they are residing, is maintained at the Officce of Public Safety, 148 S Main St. Securing Facilities University policy states that all entrance doors to residence halls are to remain locked at all times. Residents are assigned an entrance door key that will allow them access to only their residence hall. There are emergency call boxes located at the entrance of the house-style residence halls allowing students the opportunity to contact Public Safety from anywhere on campus in an emergency situation. The University Public Safety Officers patrol the entire campus throughout each night. They secure and report any doors that may have been left open. Public Safety Reports are submitted each morning to the Dean of Student Affairs and other appropriate administrative officers. During each vacation period, the locks on each entrance door in all University residence halls designated as closed are changed to insure that no one has access to any facility. Security Features in Student Rooms University policy states that each student is assigned a room key that will unlock only his/her room. The student is encouraged to keep his/her room door locked at all times and is told not to give the room key to anyone. All residence hall windows are lockable from the inside. Windows located on the first floor of all residence halls are equipped with heavy-duty security screens. The possession or use of firearms, explosives, and other lethal weapons...
on University property by unauthorized persons is strictly forbidden. Also prohibited are any CO2 and spring propelled guns (i.e. paintball and BB guns). Those who have a permit to carry a concealed firearm may not bring the firearm on campus or to University sponsored events held off campus. Only authorized law enforcement personnel may possess a firearm on University owned property. Sexual Assault in any form, including acquaintance rape, will not be tolerated...
at Wilkes University. Sexual assault and acquaintance rape are violations of laws of the Commonwealth as well as regulations of the University. Educational programs designed to promote the awareness of rape, acquaintance rape and other forcible or non-forcible sex offenses begin during the summer orientation programs and continue throughout the academic year. Sexual assault and acquaintance rape are defined as any action in which one person forces another to engage in sexual activity against his/her will or without his/her consent.Assent does not constitute consent if such assent is given by a person because of youth, mental disease, or intoxication, and is unable to make a reasonable judgment concerning the nature or harmfulness of the activity. Behavior that does not constitute assault, yet which is deplorable to the University will also, upon report, result in disciplinary action against the perpetrator. For example, the attempt to obtain sexual favors through psychological coercion is behavior that may result in disciplinary action even though that behavior is not defined as sexual assault. Offenses such as unwanted touching or actions that a reasonable person would consider intimidating or offensive such as obscene phone calls and indecent exposure are also covered under policies governing sexual misconduct. The University encourages the reporting of any sexual assaults to the proper University authorities: the Residence Life Office, the Offices of Student Affairs, Campus Counseling, University Health Services, and the Office of Public Safety. There are procedures to be followed when a student or a member of the Wilkes University community is a victim of a sexual offense. 1) Get the victim to a safe place as soon as possible. 2) Try to preserve all physical evidence. The victim should not wash, use the toilet, or change clothing. This is very important and necessary to aid in the proof of sexual assault and criminal prosecution. 3) Seek immediate medical attention for the victim. 4) Contact appropriate University Personnel. Victims will have their complaints taken seriously, subject to full and prompt investigation by both civil and University authorities; will have access to legal assistance and representation as allowed the accused; will have cooperation from campus personnel in the collection of evidence; will have access to independently obtained counseling services; are entitled to live in a habitable environment; and will not be subject to pressure from University and/or police authorities. Victims of sexual offenses may utilize the services of personnel in the University Counseling Center or services available in the Wilkes-Barre Community such as the Victims Resource Center, Center for Domestic Violence or Community Counseling Services of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Wilkes will not shield members of its community from the law, nor will it intervene in any legal proceedings against members of the University community. Regardless of criminal prosecution, the University will pursue disciplinary action when it has reason to believe the University’s regulations have been violated. Civil or criminal prosecution in such situations may occur independently. Internal fact-finding and disciplinary procedures will follow established channels; due process and confidentiality will be respected. Students who are victims of sexual assault or who are accused of sexual assault have recourse through disciplinary channels as established by University policy. The accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during campus disciplinary proceedings. Consistent with Federal legislation this statement does not mean that either party be allowed an advisor except as is in concert with University policy. It does guarantee, however, that both parties are allowed the same opportunities to have others present. Disciplinary sanctions can range from dismissal of the case to dismissal of the accused from the University. As is consistent with Federal legislation a victim of a crime of violence will be notified as to the outcome of the campus disciplinary hearing. University policies include the right of the alleged victim to freedom from encountering the alleged perpetrator in living and learning situations. The institution will change a victim’s academic and living situation after an alleged sex offense if requested by the victim, or independent of such request, if the changes are reasonably available. The Dean of Student Affairs in discharging responsibilities for the health, safety and welfare of all students will make decisions relative to such cases. Information on Registered Sex Offenders The federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, enacted on October 28, 2000, provides for the tracking of convicted sex offenders enrolled as students at, or employed by, institutions of higher education. The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act amends the Clery Act by adding a new provision to require institutions of higher education to include a statement in their annual security reports that advises the campus community where information on registered sex offenders, provided by a State, pursuant to the federal Violent Crime Control Law Enforcement Act of 1994, may be obtained. The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act also amends the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act, to require sex offenders who are already required to register in a state to provide notice to each institution of higher education at which the offender is employed, carries on a vocation, or is a student (and each change in enrollment or employment status at that institution of higher education). The amendment requires that the state adopt procedures to ensure that the updated information is promptly made available to the appropriate jurisdictional law enforcement agency. This amendment expressly provides that there is no obligation for a campus’ Office of Public Safety to request this information from the state if the state does not provide the information to a campus’ Office of Public Safety. In order to comply with the Clery Act component of the new federal law, the annual security report must include a notification of how members of the campus community can obtain information about registered sex offenders on campus. Specifically, the report should provide notice that the campus Office of Public Safety maintains information about individuals who are required to register as sex offenders under state and federal law, and who have complied with their obligations to register with the campus’ Officce of Public Safety. Location of Registered Sex Offender Information The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires sex offenders to register with the police in the jurisdiction in which they reside. Pennsylvania makes this information available to law enforcement agencies. This information is available to the public at the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, 15 North Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711, (570) 208-4207 and the Edwardsville Police Department, Borough Building, 470 Main Street, Edwardsville, PA 18704, (570) 288-8463. This information is also available at the Office of Public Safety, University Center, 148 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766, (570) 408-4999. Questions regarding safety issues and/or University Policy may be addressed...
to the Officce of Public Safety, Wilkes University, 148 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766, or the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs. Wilkes University conforms to Pennsylvania Act #73 and the Federal Student Right-to-Know Act of 1994. Both Acts require the University to report all crime occurring on campus including any building or property owned or controlled by the institution. Such information is given to all employees, students, or applicants for admission or employment upon request. Campus Crime Statistics
The offense rate is calculated by taking the number crimes and dividing by the gross number of full-time equivalent (FTE) students and employees.
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