Disclosure of Campus Security and Campus Crime Statistics & Related Policies

In compliance with the Federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 U.S.C. 1092 (f)) the University of St. Thomas publishes specified information on campus crime statistics and campus policies.

Policy/Procedure 

The information summarized in this document is available in the University Police Department in the Moran Center and at http://www.stthom.edu/Campus_Student_Life/University_Police_Department.

1. Procedures and facilities for reporting criminal actions or other emergencies occurring on campus and the University response to such reports.
   1. Individuals wishing to report criminal activity, or other emergencies on the UST campus may avail themselves of the following methods of reporting:
      1. Calling UPD at (713) 525-3888, twenty-four hours a day (ext. 3888 from campus phones).
      2. Calling UPD from one of the emergency call boxes.
      3. Calling 911 from any internal telephone or 911 from any external telephone for direct access to the local emergency services.
   2. University Police will take reports of alleged criminal activity and an officer will either come to the scene immediately, or the case will be referred for investigation, depending upon the nature and seriousness of the alleged offense. All criminal incidents are investigated by UPD, and if deemed necessary, by the appropriate outside law enforcement agency. University Police responses include, but are not limited to:
      1. Immediate response to the scene of the criminal activity by one or more University Police personnel.
      2. Investigations of alleged reports in accordance with University of St. Thomas Police Department’s procedures.
      3. Issuance of a timely warning to the campus community, if on-going concern for safety exists.
      4. Detaining suspects and filing the appropriate charges against them, dependent upon the circumstances of the offense.
      5. Inclusion of criminal activity in the daily crime log, available at UPD and online on the UPD webpage.
      6. Referring alleged offenders to appropriate campus officials, such as the Vice President for Student Affairs, for action.
2. Security and access to campus facilities including campus residences, and security considerations used in the maintenance of campus facilities.
   1. The campus and properties of the University are maintained for the use of students, faculty, staff and authorized visitors. As a private university, access to campus facilities may be restricted as necessary to comply with UST rules and regulations and to meet the safety and security standards set forth by University officials.
   2. The University has instituted safety and security procedures and services, but each individual who enters the campus must assume the responsibility for his or her own personal safety. The University will continue to promulgate new safety security procedures, but no measure can succeed without the support of the faculty, staff, students, and visitors of the University community.
   3. On campus housing provides a range of services and security procedures to ensure a reasonable comfort for residents and their invited guests. Residents are provided information concerning these programs and services, but are advised that each person’s safety and security is his or her own responsibility. Trained residential staff, who are assisted in their efforts to maintain a secure environment in on-campus housing by UPD and the UST Facilities Operations, are on duty around the clock.
      Services provided in an effort to maintain a safe environment include attention to lighting issues (including emergency lighting during power outages), locking of the main entrance to on campus housing on a regular schedule and the Security Escort Program.
3. Authority of University Police personnel, relationships with other law enforcement agencies, and programs that encourage the prompt and accurate reporting of all crimes to campus police and local law enforcement agencies.
   1. The University employs sworn police officers and non-sworn community service officers.
   2. The University Police Department maintains a cooperative relationship with all other Federal, State, and Local law enforcement agencies.
   3. The University Chief of Police provides information to all incoming students at orientation on a semi-annual basis, making them aware of how to contact UPD and of the importance of reporting criminal activity. Additionally, UPD personnel also give verbal crime prevention tips to students on an informal basis, encouraging them to approach police officers with information about crime on campus.
4. Programs designed to inform students and employees about campus security procedures and to encourage students and employees to be responsible for their own safety and the safety of others. 
5. Programs designed to inform students and employees about the prevention of crime.  There are numerous programs that are available at the request of the various groups or individuals on campus including Sexual Assault Protocol, Drug Awareness, and Theft Prevention. A variety of literature is also available to any student upon request, as well as one-on-one discussions.
6. Policy concerning the monitoring of local police reports at off campus student organization owned property including residential facilities owned by recognized student groups.  The University of St. Thomas does not have any recognized student groups that maintain off campus properties.
7. Statement(s) concerning possession, use and/or sale of alcoholic beverages and enforcement of State underage drinking laws and statement(s) regarding the possession, use, and sale of illegal drugs and enforcement of Federal and State drug laws. Description of drug/alcohol abuse programs as required under Section 1145g.
   Alcohol (beer and wine only, no hard liquor) is permitted on campus for people of legal drinking age, with the prior approval of the Vice President for Student Affairs. All laws of the State of Texas in regard to the underage consumption, sale, or possession of alcohol by underage persons are in effect on the University of St. Thomas campus.  Illegal drugs, narcotics, or hallucinogens are not permitted on the campus of the University of St. Thomas. Offenders will be dealt with accordingly, pursuant to State and Federal narcotics laws.
   The Offices of Counseling & Disability Services, Residence Life, and Health Promotion & Wellness have programs in place to deal with issues relating to drug and alcohol abuse.
8. Campus crime statistics are provided annually to the Department of Education by UPD, and reported to the campus community in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR), which is issued on or before October 1, each year and available on the UPD website.  The email notification of the ASFSR to all campus community members on or before October 1st provides a link to the report, as well as how to secure a printed copy of the report.