Campus Crime Report

Procedure for Reporting Criminal Actions or Other Emergencies

All emergency situations on or off campus involving:

            l.  A crime in progress

           2.  A medical emergency

           3.  A fire

should be immediately reported by dialing 911.  Shelby County E-911 will immediately switch the call to the appropriate police or fire department including UM Police.  Faculty and staff and students should remember to dial 9-911 from campus phones in offices and residence halls.

Residence halls have emergency phones located near door entrances that connect a caller directly to the University Police.  In addition to providing voice contact with a police dispatcher, the emergency phones also give a location of the caller for the dispatcher.

Non-emergency incidents occurring on campus should be reported directly to the University Police by calling 665-8000 or 665-6155.

Preparation of the Annual Disclosure of Crime Statistics

The University Police prepares this report to comply with the "Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act."  The full text of this report can be located on our web site at www.montevallo.edu/publicsafety.  You will also be able to connect to our site via the University of Montevallo Home page at www.montevallo.edu. and click on Campus Crime Report.  This report is prepared in cooperation with the local law enforcement agencies surrounding our main campus and alternate sites, Housing and Residential Services, the Judicial Affairs Officer, the Division of Business Affairs, and the Division of Student Affairs.  Each entity provides updated information on their educational efforts and programs to comply with the Act.

Campus crime, arrest and referral statistics include those reported to the UM Police, designated campus officials (including, but not limited to, directors, deans, department heads, designated HRL staff, judicial affairs, advisors to students/student organizations, athletic coaches), and local law enforcement agencies.  These statistics may also include crimes that have occurred in private residences or businesses and is not required by law.  The University of Montevallo requires prompt, mandatory reporting to the UMPD by health care practitioners (such as those at the UM Health Center) when they provide medical services to a person they know or reasonably suspect is suffering from injury from assault or abusive conduct. The Counseling Center staff inform their clients of the procedures to report crime to the University Police on a voluntary or confidential basis, should they feel it is in the best interest of the client.  A procedure is in place to anonymously capture crime statistics disclosed confidentially during such a session.

Each year, an e-mail notification is made to all enrolled students that provides the web site to access this report.  Faculty and staff receive similar notification annually via campus wide e-mail announcement.  Copies of the report may also be obtained at the University Police Department located in the Physical Plant Building or by calling (205) 665-6155.  All prospective employees may obtain a copy from Personnel Services in the Puryear House or by calling (205) 665-6055, and the web site address will be attached to UM employment applications.  A partial version of this report is located in the UM Bulletin (campus catalog), The Fledgling (Student Handbook) and the Faculty and Staff handbooks.

Timely Warning Reports

All behavioral violations/criminal offenses occurring on campus should be reported immediately to the University Police Department, in person (in the Physical Plant Building) or by phone (665-6155).  The police will then notify the Vice President of Student Affairs who will submit a warning to students, faculty and staff regarding instances that represent a threat to campus safety.  This warning will be broadcast immediately via email.

Access to Campus Facilities

All buildings are secured as soon as possible after offices close or, in the case of a classroom building, after the last class of the day. The University of Montevallo Police work closely with department chairs and building administrators to maximize security coverage and ensure appropriate access controls.  Police officers make regular checks of each building to ensure that the buildings remain secure.

Access to Residence Halls

All student residence halls are locked 24 hours a day and monitored by University Police through an electronic door access system.  Only residents of a building have access through the use of their student ID cards.  Guest in a residence hall must be admitted and escorted at all times while visiting in the building.  Visitation policies and policies governing on campus residence may be found in A Handbook for UM Residents.

Maintenance of Campus Facilities

Maintenance issues, which affect safety and security, receive a high priority listing for completion.  University Police call in work orders on a nightly basis to repair and/or replace exterior lights that are out.  Periodic surveys are conducted to identity areas on campus in need of additional lighting.  Groundskeepers endeavor to keep campus landscape materials from becoming overgrown so that they might be used as a hiding place for a would-be attacker.  All maintenance employees wear a photo identification badge and shirts with maintenance department logos for identification purposes while working in campus buildings.  While completing maintenance functions, employees are instructed to ensure that all doors unlocked by them are re-locked.  Electrical and mechanical equipment rooms are locked with a special key for safety reasons.  University of Montevallo Police monitor the Physical Plant radio frequency and have communication capabilities with that department so that criminal activity or suspicious persons may be reported immediately.

Enforcement Authority and Arrest Authority of the University of Montevallo Police

The University of Montevallo police officers are all certified by the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission and are sworn with all the powers of a peace officer in Alabama.  Officers are charged with enforcing the laws of the State of Alabama and ordinances of the City of Montevallo and have jurisdiction coextensive with the City of Montevallo Police.  UM police officers conduct investigations into all crimes and offenses committed on University property and, where appropriate, make arrests.  In dealing with students, UM police often consider alternatives to arrest.  The close working relationship between the Police Department and the Division of Student Affairs often results in referrals rather than arrests.

Working Relationship with State and Local Agencies

The University of Montevallo Police Department has close working relationships and mutual assistance agreements with the Montevallo Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.  Assistance from state agencies is requested as the need arises.  University Police communicate directly with city and county police agencies and, if necessary, communicate directly with state agencies through the use of a mutual aid radio frequency.

University Police personnel have access to the National Crime Information Computer System and the Alabama Criminal Justice Information System. These computer data bases are used for accessing criminal history data, nationwide police records and driver/vehicle identification as well as other local, state and federal law enforcement information.

Reporting Crimes to Campus Police and/or Appropriate Police Agencies

The University Police Department is open 24 hours a day with communication operators on duty to assist students, faculty and staff with accurate and prompt reporting of all crimes that occur on campus.  Communication operators, through direct contact with police officers, advise and assist callers reporting crimes occurring off campus.

All reports will be investigated.  The University does not have procedures for voluntary, confidential reporting of crime statistics.  Violations of the law will be referred to the appropriate federal, state and city judicial system and when appropriate, to the University Disciplinary Committee for review.  When a potentially dangerous threat to the University community arises, timely reports or warnings will be issued through e-mail announcements or other appropriate means.

Programs to Inform Students and Employees about Security Procedures and Practices

The Division of Student Affairs provides programming and information on security and crime prevention procedures and practices. When a new employee is hired, the Office of Personnel Services provides access to the annual disclosure form and encourages all employees to participate in crime prevention and safety programs offered by the University.

During orientation sessions each year, new students are made aware of security procedures and crime prevention information posted on the public safety website.  Information about the annual disclosure form is available to all new and current students each year and students are encouraged to visit the Public Safety web site and participate in crime prevention and safety programs offered by the University.  Students and employees are continually reminded they must be responsible for their own security and security of others through the programs and the “timely warnings” issued to the campus community.

Programs and Information to Inform Students and Employees about Crime Prevention

The Offices of Housing and Residence Life, Student Life, Counseling Center, Personnel Services, and University Police offer crime prevention programs and information.  These programs include, but are not limited to, marking personal property, safety awareness, date rape awareness and prevention, alcohol and drug education.

Monitoring Off Campus Criminal Activity

The University of Montevallo Police Department monitors criminal activity occurring at off-campus locations through direct radio contact with the Montevallo Police Department.  The Montevallo Police provide copies of incident reports on incidents which involve students and/or student organizations which occur at off campus sites.

Possession, Use and Sale of Alcoholic Beverages 

The possession, use, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in or on any property owned or controlled by the University of Montevallo is prohibited except as specifically stated in University policy.  All city and state laws pertaining to the illegal use, sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages are enforced by University Police.   It is unlawful to sell, furnish or provide alcohol to a person under the age of 21.  The possession of alcohol by anyone under 21 years of age in a public place or a place open to the public is illegal.  It is also a violation of the University of Montevallo Alcohol Policy for anyone to consume or possess alcohol in any public or private area of campus without prior University approval. Students and/or organizations violating alcohol/substance policies or laws may be subject to sanctions by the University.  Additional information may be found in the student handbook The Fledgling, employee handbooks or via the University web site.

Possession, Use and Sale of Illegal Drugs

Possession, use and sale of illegal drugs are a violation of Federal and State laws as well as University policy.  Any student, faculty or staff member found in possession of illegal drugs will be referred to a university judicial system and/or arrested.  Additional information may be found in the student handbook The Fledgling, employee handbooks or via the University web site.

Drug and Alcohol-Abuse Education Programs 

The Division of Student Affairs, through the offices of Housing and Resident Life, Student Life and the Counseling Center provide alcohol and drug awareness programs, an alcohol awareness week and alcohol and drug abuse education literature that detail the dangers of alcohol and drug consumption.  Drug and alcohol abuse education programs are presented as a part of new student orientation three times each year.  Individual counseling is available to help students explore and expand their decision-making and problem solving skills.  When necessary, counselors make appropriate referrals on campus or in the community in order to utilize all available resources in meeting student needs.

Drug and alcohol concerns are routinely referred off campus.  A violation of any law regarding drugs and alcohol is also a violation of the University’s Student Code of Conduct and will be treated as a separate disciplinary matter by the University.

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response

The Counseling Center sponsors sexual assault and prevention programs, programs for organizations and residence halls and provides counseling for victims.  The Counseling Center prints a date-rape bookmark with instructions of what to do if the individual or a friend is raped and is distributed to residents through the Office of Housing and Residence Life.

If you are the victim of a sexual assault, get medical attention    immediately.  The primary purpose of a medical examination is to check for physical injury, the presence of sexually transmitted disease or pregnancy as a result of the assault. The secondary purpose of medical examination is to aid in the police investigation and legal proceedings.  Do not change your clothing, urinate or bathe until after a medical examination. Bathing may literally wash away valuable evidence.  It is all right to change clothing, but save what you were wearing for the police.  Clothing may be used as evidence for prosecution; therefore, each item of clothing should be placed in a separate paper or plastic bag. The University Police, Counseling Center and other members of the Division of Student Affairs will assist the victim of a sexual assault in notifying the appropriate authorities. Victims will receive information regarding the campus counseling and procedures for initiating campus disciplinary action and criminal charges.

Students and employees are encouraged to report sex offenses immediately to the Counseling Center or the University Police.  Counseling services are free and confidential for University students, faculty and staff.  The Counseling Center staff encourages individuals who may be victims of crime to report the crime to the proper authorities.  The choice is completely left to the individual.  The Counseling Center will only release statistics without the written consent of their client.  Additional information on the University of Montevallo’s Sexual Assault Policy may be found on the University Web Page. (www.montevallo.edu/faculty/Policies/01125.shtm).

Statement Addressing Sex Offender Registration 

In accordance to the “Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act” of 2000, which amends the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act, the Jeanne Clery Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the University of Montevallo Police Department is providing a link to several Sex Offender Registries.  This act requires institutions of higher education to issue a statement advising the campus community where law enforcement information provided by a State concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained.  It also requires sex offenders already required to register in a State to provide notice of each institution of higher education in that State at which the person is employed, carries a vocation, or is a student.  In Alabama, convicted sex offenders must register with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry maintained by the Department of Public Safety.

The Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry for VIOLENT SEX OFFENDERS is available via Internet pursuant to Section 13A-11-200, of the Code of Alabama.  Registry information provided under this section shall be used for the purposes of the administration of criminal justice, screening of current or prospective employees, volunteers or otherwise for the protection of the public in general and children in particular.  Unlawful use of the information for purposes of intimidating or harassing another is prohibited and willful violation shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. 

 The Alabama Department of Public Safety is responsible for maintaining this registry.  Information on Registered Sex Offenders can be obtained on the Alabama Department of Public Safety web site (www.dps.state.al.us) or the Alabama Attorney General’s web site (www.ago.state.al.us).

Justice Council

In all Justice Council hearings students are notified of the time, place and specific charges.  Each student has the right to be represented by the student defender or another student of his/her choice.  The Case Manager will notify the student defender and prosecutor of the hearing.  The student or the body bringing the charges may call witnesses.  After presenting their statement, witnesses will be dismissed from the hearing.  (Witnesses are those persons who have direct knowledge of the incident upon which the case is based; the testimony of “character” witnesses or other such supporters is neither appropriate nor allowed.)

 Sanctions vary widely depending on the particular circumstances of each case.  Sanctions for rape, or other forcible or non-forcible sex offenses may include social probation, removal from campus housing (for a designated period of time or permanently), suspension or expulsion.  Both the accuser and the accused shall be informed of the outcome of any institutional disciplinary proceeding brought alleging a sex offense.