University of North Carolina at Asheville

2009 Annual Security and Safety Report

Welcome From the Chief of Police

Dear Friends:

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Crime Statistics Act, I am pleased to present this year's Annual Security Report.  The Clery Act requires colleges to produce and make available statistics about selected crimes on campus and certain policy statements.  This report is made available by October 1st of each year and contains data from the previous calendar year.

The University of North Carolina at Asheville Police Department would like to thank each member of the university community for their personal contribution in keeping our campus safe.  Crime prevention is truly the responsibility of all constituents.  In addition, the University Police Department welcomes any comments you might have regarding services currently being offered or ideas for new ones in the future. 

For further information regarding crime statistics on campus, please contact Assistant Chief Jerry Adams at 828-251-6949.

For information regarding crime statistics within the City of Asheville, please contact the Asheville Police Department at 828-252-1110.

For information regarding crime statistics within the County of Buncombe, please contact the Sheriff's Office at 828-255-5555.

Sincerely,
Steve Lewis
Chief of Police

Introduction
The University of North Carolina at Asheville herewith publishes its annual Security Report pursuant to the requirements of The Jeanne Clery Act, the federal Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990, and the Higher Education Amendments of 1992. This report contains safety and security information of interests for all current and prospective students, employees, and visitors.

Several administrative departments at UNC Asheville share responsibility for crime prevention education, reporting of criminal activity, response to criminal activity, and the safety and welfare of the campus community. These departments include University Police, Housing and Residence Life, Student Activities, Counseling Center, and Facilities Management. Since crime awareness and campus security depend largely on personal responsibility and concern for others, crime prevention and education efforts must be assumed by all members of the UNC Asheville community.

This report focuses on several important issues relating to criminal activity such as: 1) reporting an incident or offense; 2) the proactive measures taken to respond to criminal activity; and 3) the preventative measures taken to deter criminal activity. Many university policies are summarized in this report and collectively, these policies serve as the basis for UNC Asheville's crime prevention efforts. The texts of these policies may be found in the offices of the particular department or division authoring the policy. In addition, other significant policies of the university are included in the University Police Standard Operating Procedures Manual, Counseling Center Policy Manual, Residents' Handbook, and UNC Asheville Student Handbook.

This report is organized into specific sections as outlined in The Jeanne Clery Act, the Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990, and the Higher Education Amendments of 1992. Each section addresses a specific topic pertaining to the activities and responsibilities required by the Act.

Each year, an e-mail notification is sent to all enrolled students that provides the web site to access this report.  Faculty and staff receive similar notifications either by e-mail or through the Human Resources Department.

The UNC-Asheville Police Department is responsible for preparing and distributing this report.  We work with many other departments and agencies, such as the Office of the Dean of Students, Citizenship Education and the Asheville Police Department to compile the information.  We encourage members of the campus community to use this report as a guide for safe practices on and off campus.  It is available on the web at www.unca.edu/publicsafety/annualsecurityreport2009.

For a paper copy of the report, contact the University Police at 828-251-6710.

University Police - About the Department
Located on University Heights at Vance Hall, the UNC-Asheville Police Department is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year.  The telephone number for emergency calls is 911 and the telephone number for routine business is 828-251-6710.

The University Police is composed of two divisions, Police and Public Safety. The Police Division consists of thirteen sworn and certified police officers and provides comprehensive law enforcement services. The Public Safety Division includes five police telecommunicators and two non-sworn security officers. This division provides necessary support services including communications, parking/traffic enforcement and building security.

The University Police is committed to supporting UNC Asheville's mission of helping all students realize their full potential. The department's crime prevention activities further this institutional goal by ensuring a safe and orderly environment in which students may learn, faculty members may teach and employees may work to provide a broad range of support services. Furthermore, it is the intention of the University Police to develop in students a respect for and trust in the law, which will serve them well in their professional careers and assist them in becoming more responsible and law-abiding members of society. 

The University Police serves the campus community by providing responsible law enforcement functions in a professional manner. These law enforcement functions include: patrolling, conducting investigations, performing arrests, crime prevention activities, and issuing parking and traffic citations. Such activities are not objectives in and of themselves; rather, they enable University Police staff to deter criminal activity to prevent accidents, and to promote a safety conscious attitude, thereby providing the university with a safer and more secure environment.  .

Our Mission Statement
As a central part of the university community, the mission of the University Police Department is to maintain a safe, secure and peaceful environment with a positive social atmosphere, where meaningful learning can take place.

Our Core Values
Community Concern:  We value input from our community and will work alongside community members to meet their needs.

Problem Oriented Policing:  Through formal and informal contact with the public, we will work to correct problems which may detract from a persons safety or feeling of security.

Respect and Responsibility:  We will treat every member of the community, under similar circumstances, equally and assume responsibility for our actions. 

University Police Jurisdiction
The UNC Asheville Police Department was established by the authority vested in the Board of Trustees, and duly certified and sworn officers derive their police powers from North Carolina General Statute 116-40.5. The jurisdiction in which such authority can be exercised includes all property under the care, custody, or control of the university; on streets and roadways running adjacent to the campus; or beyond the jurisdiction when in continuous pursuit of offenders who have violated the law within the campus jurisdiction.

Interagency Cooperation
The UNC-Asheville Police works closely with the Asheville Police Department as well as the Buncombe County Sheriff's Department.  We rely on these relationships for support on several levels.  In addition to sharing critical information, the UNC-Asheville Police has immediate radio contact with these two departments which gives us immediate access to mutual aid and support when needed. 

Emergency Preparedness
UNC-Asheville's need to be prepared for emergencies is ongoing.  Through proactive training, drills, and involvement with organizations such as the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), we are continuing to build a community that is ready and willing to support and protect the campus.  Through the National Incident Management System (NIMS), we have developed techniques that support our requirements in emergency operations.     

Reporting Criminal Actions / University Response
University Police receives complaints regarding criminal incidents or offenses. Upon receipt of a criminal complaint, a University Police Officer will obtain as much information as possible concerning the incident or offense. This includes interviewing the complainant, and any witnesses or suspects involved. In addition to ensuring the safety and welfare of the complainant, the officer will fully document all information that is received pertaining to the matter. Should University Police require assistance during an investigation or incident, the State Bureau of Investigation, Asheville Police Department, Buncombe County Sheriff's Department, or the Woodfin Police Department could be utilized.

The Department is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Individuals may report criminal activity or request emergency assistance by contacting the department at 251-6710, or by calling 911. Upon receiving the caller's request, a University Police Officer will respond accordingly or other fire/ rescue and medical personnel will be notified and dispatched as needed, along with UNC Asheville personnel.

The University Police communications system is capable of immediate access to other area law enforcement agencies should the need for back-up services arise. In addition, the University Police maintains access to the Division of Criminal Information System. This system affords the department the opportunity to immediately obtain regional, state, and national criminal and vehicle information.

Confidential Reporting Procedures
If you are the victim of a crime and do not want to pursue action within the university system or the criminal justice system, you may still want to consider making a confidential report.  With your permission, the Chief or a designee of the University Police can file a report on the details of the incident without revealing your identity.  The purpose of a confidential report is to comply with your wish to keep the matter confidential, while taking steps to ensure the future safety of yourself and others.  With such information, the university can keep accurate records of the number of incidents involving students, determine where there is a pattern of crime with regard to a particular location, method, or assailant, and alert the campus community to potential danger.  Reports filed in this manner are counted and disclosed in the annual crimes statistics for the institution.

Daily Crime Log
The UNC-Asheville Police maintains a Daily Crime Log that records, by the date the incident was recorded, all crimes that occur on campus, in a non-campus building or property, on public property or within the department's patrol jurisdiction.

The Daily Crime Log includes the case number, date, time, nature of the offense, location and disposition of each crime reported to the department.  The department posts specific incidents in the Daily Crime Log within two business days of receiving a report and reserves the right to exclude reports from the log in certain circumstances. The Daily Crime Log is available for public inspection at the department's headquarters or at www.unca.edu/publicsafety.

Timely Public Safety Warnings and Alerts 
Information about crimes or emergency procedures that may be vital to ensuring the safety, health, and welfare of the UNC Asheville community is added to the University Police web page and published in the campus newspaper, The Blue Banner.  Depending on the particular circumstances of the crime, more immediate notification may be necessary.  In such instances, an email may be sent to all staff and students and a copy of the notice may be posted in all residence halls and the student center. A public safety alert is issued to the campus community when the Chief of University Police, the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs or the Dean of Students considers a crime or incident to pose an on-going threat to students and employees.  Anyone with information warranting a timely warning should report the circumstances to the University Police by phone (251-6710) or in person at the University Police Office located in Vance Hall. 

Security of / Access to Campus Facilities
The UNC Asheville Police Department and Facilities Housekeeping Staff monitor and secure access to all academic buildings 24 hours a day. For fire and security reasons, police officers and security officers periodically walk through all university buildings. Exterior access doors to all non-residence buildings are checked and secured approximately 30 minutes after closing time. Windows are checked, and any windows found ajar are closed. Buildings are not opened after they are secured except:

1. When the student has a building pass from the department chairperson.
2. When items of importance are left in the building. The officer will then accompany the student. 
3. When the student is on an approved list for entry.
4. Faculty and staff may be admitted to buildings in which they work by providing proper UNC Asheville identification.

Security of / Access to Campus Residence Halls
Residence halls are monitored by Community Directors, Resident Assistants and Night Assistants. Each residence hall remains locked 24 hours a day with access controlled by a card access system, with the exception of Governors Village, which is accessed by combination lock keypad.  From 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. all resident students will have full access to all card accessible doors.  From 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. all resident students will have access to all main entrances at West Ridge, South Ridge, Governors Hall, Mills Hall and Founders Hall.  From 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. all resident students will have access to only the buildings where they are residents.  Students entering Mills, Founders, South Ridge, West Ridge and Governors residence halls between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. must show a UNC Asheville ID that displays a valid resident sticker. Students living in the Governors Village residence halls must use the combination locks to enter 24 hours a day. Resident students must enter through the main entrance of each residence hall after 8 p.m. All visitors entering the residence halls after 8 p.m. must sign in at the reception desk. Visitors may enter with an approved overnight guest pass, or by checking in with a picture ID. A logbook is maintained by residence hall night assistants from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Maintenance
Maintenance of all buildings and grounds and general upkeep of residence halls is performed by the Department of Housing maintenance staff and Facilities Management personnel. Such activity includes repair to windows and door locks, maintenance of exterior and interior lighting, trimming shrubbery and trees, and periodic inspection of fire safety equipment and mechanical systems. Maintenance items deemed to present a security hazard are handled on a priority basis. All exterior lighting is checked on a weekly basis by the University Police and a report is submitted to the Facilities Management and Housing departments.

Campus Crime Prevention / Safety and Security Programs for Students and Employees
The University Police provides informational and educational programs on crime prevention and personal safety throughout the year. All crime prevention programs are available to faculty, staff, and students upon request. Programs include drug and alcohol awareness, personal safety, sexual assault prevention, active shooter response and other special topics as requested. Educational materials and brochures are also provided.

Safety and security programs are held in the residence halls, generally within the first month of school, and periodically throughout the academic year. These programs are planned in conjunction with the Office of Housing and Residence Life. The University Police also provides, upon request, safety and security assessments of facilities and department operations. A property engraver is also available to the campus community.

At orientation, The Director of University Police or the Investigations Sergeant answer questions of concern about safety and security issues, provides and overview to students and parents concerning susceptibility to crime, and provides tips on how to avoid becoming a victim and the steps to take if victimized. They also provide, upon request, educational and informational programs on personal safety, date and acquaintance rape, security issues and other topics of interest.

As a part of their responsibility to the students and employees, all University Police Officers are expected to provide informational assistance to members of the campus community concerning crime prevention. Each officer is aware of the department's expectations of effectively conveying to the public information that will enhance the safety and security of the institution.

Monitoring Criminal Activity at Off-Campus Locations
As needed, the University Police provides police and security services to off-campus facilities utilized by the University.  Crimes that occur in these facilities while being utilized by the university are counted and disclosed in the annual crimes statistics for the institution.

Alcohol and Illegal Drug Policies
Illegal or abusive use of drugs and alcohol adversely affects the educational environment and interferes with the personal, social and educational goals of an individual. UNC Asheville's Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy emphasizes addressing the problem of substance abuse through education and, where appropriate, through institutional disciplinary action or criminal prosecution. Pursuant to the direction of the Board of Governors, the UNC Asheville Board of Trustees has adopted a policy on illegal drugs. All students, faculty members, administrators, and other university employees are responsible for being familiar with, and complying with, the terms of this policy.

The policy provides that all members of the university community are responsible for knowing about and complying with the provisions of North Carolina law that make it a crime to posses, sell, deliver, or manufacture those drugs designated as "controlled substances" by Article 5, Chapter 10, of the North Carolina General Statutes. Any member of the university community who violates the law may be subject to both criminal prosecution and disciplinary action by the institution.

The UNC Asheville Counseling Center provides a Drug Education and Prevention Program, and offers counseling and referral for community treatment and support services. In addition, it sponsors annually a Drug and Alcohol Awareness Week, and provides classroom and residence hall presentations and forums. The State Employees' Assistance Program provides free and confidential assessment, counseling, consultation, and referral service for all employees and their family members.

The University Police provides drug and alcohol awareness programs to the residence halls. The Student Health Service provides short-term counseling and referral in cooperation with the Counseling Center. Drug and alcohol information is also included in the curriculum of selected Health and Fitness classes. The Athletics Department provides drug and alcohol abuse seminars for all student athletes and coordinates random drug testing as required by the University of North Carolina system.

Disciplinary proceedings against any member of the university community who has a substance abuse problem will be initiated when the alleged conduct is deemed to affect the interests of the university or welfare of the individual. All disciplinary action imposed against university employees will be in accordance with the policies and procedures outlined by the State Personnel Act of North Carolina. Disciplinary action imposed against students will be in accordance with sanctions outlined by the university Student Code of Conduct. Students and employees who are experiencing substance abuse problems are encouraged to take advantage of the resources offered by the university.

Sexual Assault Policy Statement
UNC Asheville recognizes the importance of assisting students who are victims of sexual assault in regaining a sense of their personal dignity and control of their lives, and by providing guidance relative to future decisions. Sexual offenses, and concern about potential offenses, obstruct the working and learning conditions which are valued and desired aspects of a university environment. The psychological damage created by a sexual assault continues long after the physical trauma has ended. No form of sexual offense will be tolerated or condoned at UNC Asheville.

It should be noted that excessive use of alcohol and other drugs often precedes many incidents involving a sexual assault. Use of these substances may interfere with one's capacity to either consent to or refuse sexual activity. Use of these substances may also interfere with an individual's judgment regarding sexual aggression. The use of alcohol or other drugs, however, does not diminish personal responsibility for behavior that is socially unacceptable or aggressive. It is for this purpose that several UNC Asheville departments have collaboratively developed policies and procedures for responding to the needs of students who are victims of a sexual assault.

Educational Programs
Educational programs pertaining to the prevention of sexual offenses are provided by the Counseling Center, University Police, Student Health Services, and Office of Housing and Residence Life. Programs are often supported by community agencies. Individuals interested in arranging or attending a program should contact one of the offices listed.

Procedures to Follow if a Sexual Offense Occurs
The following departments are responsible for responding to victims of sexual assault and for providing the necessary assistance in keeping with department protocol: the Counseling Center, University Police, Student Health Services, and Office of Housing and Residence Life. Students may request a copy of each department's Sexual Assault Response Plan. In addition to offering a range of services for victims of sexual assault, staff members of each department are on hand to inform students about other community assistance programs which complement university services. Anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault should immediately contact one of the departments listed. Once a personal request for assistance has been made by a victim of a sexual assault, the primary concern of the person responding should be that of support. The following procedures should be used when offering initial assistance to the victim of a sexual assault:

1. Calmly maintain a supportive and listening posture at all times.
2. Determine the location of the victim and, if possible, the whereabouts of the perpetrator.
3. Determine whether the victim is now safe or is injured and if medical assistance is needed.
4. Determine what type of help the victim would like to have. For example, does the victim want law enforcement assistance, counseling assistance, or wish to visit the hospital. Offer these options to the victim in an attempt to build trust and support.
5. Politely suggest that the victim consider visiting the hospital for a check-up before bathing, washing, or cleaning any body parts, or before changing clothes or disposing of any other evidence that may be valuable in apprehending the suspect.
6. As soon as the victim indicates a willingness to accept assistance, attempt to contact and request the assistance of a response person (police, counselor, friend, or family member).
7. Offer unconditional support to the victim by staying on the telephone or by accompanying the victim to the hospital.

Option to Notify Law Enforcement Authorities
Any victim of a sexual assault has the right to file a complaint with the law enforcement authorities. If the sexual assault occurred on campus, then the victim should immediately notify the University Police. If the sexual assault occurred off campus, then the incident should be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

The University Police will provide complete assistance to victims wishing to file a complaint in another jurisdiction. The victim should be encouraged to preserve all evidence, not wash or otherwise cleanse any body parts, remain in the clothes worn during the assault or retain all clothing worn during the assault, and not disturb anything in the location where the assault occurred. If possible, the victim should remain in the general area until the police arrive.

Sexual Offense Disciplinary Procedures
The UNC Asheville student disciplinary system responds to all violations of the Student Code of Conduct at the referral of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs; therefore, the disciplinary system will respond to all violations of sexual offenses, forcible or non-forcible, that are campus inclusive. Any UNC Asheville student, staff, or faculty member may file a report against a student of the university community based on violations of the Student Code of Conduct. Complaints should include specific details of the incident, time, date, location, people and addresses involved, and witnesses' names and addresses. This report should be given to the Director of University Police and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

If it is decided that the university should handle the case, the incident will be referred to the Student Conduct Committee and will be handled via the established student disciplinary procedures outlined in the Student Code of Conduct of the Student Government Association and approved by the Chancellor. Both the alleged victim and the alleged perpetrator will: 1) be informed of the hearing date and time; 2) be entitled the same opportunity to have others present during campus disciplinary proceedings; 3) be entitled to hear the information given from the opposite party; and 4) be informed of the entire outcome of the hearing, including the finding and any sanctions imposed.

Sexual Offense Possible Sanctions
The Division of Student Affairs is structured on the premise of student development; therefore, it is important that the result of any disciplinary sanctions applied is positive and growth-oriented. In an effort to help students take responsibility for their actions with regard to sex offenses, any of the following sanctions may be applied: judicial or administrative reprimand, general or specific probation, suspension, expulsion, work/ educational assignment, area relocation, and exclusion from on-campus residency. These sanctions are outlined in the Student Code of Conduct, which is printed in its entirety in the UNC Asheville Student Handbook and distributed to students in the fall of each year.

Services for Victims of Sexual Assault
Services for victims of a sexual assault are offered both on and off campus. The Counseling Center provides counseling to students who are victims of any sexual offense, and also provides referrals to community resources. The Counseling Center also assists students in notifying proper authorities if the student chooses. Student Health Services provides medical information and referrals to community agencies. Student Health Services also assists students in notifying proper authorities if the student so chooses. The Office of Student Affairs, in conjunction with Academic Affairs, will make every reasonable effort to assist the victim of a sexual assault by providing options for changing living or academic conditions.

Sex Offender Registration
In accordance to the “Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act” of 2000, which amends the Jeanne Clery Act, the University Police is providing a link to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s Sex Offender Registry.  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.  Follow the link below to access the North Carolina Sex Offenders and Public Protection Registry.

http://sexoffender.ncdoj.gov/

Annual Crime Statistics
The following information is required to be reported to the U.S. Department of Education in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act:

How we compile these statistics:
The UNC-Asheville Police collects crime statistics through a number of methods.  University Police Officers enter all reports of crime incidents made directly to the department through a computerized reporting program and data base called Police Pak.  After an officer enters a report into Police Pak, a department supervisor reviews the report to ensure it is appropriately classified in the correct crime category.  The department periodically examines the data to ensure that all reported crimes are recorded in accordance with the crime definitions outlined in the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Handbook. 

Statistics for crimes that occur on public property adjacent to any campus owned property are collected annually from other local law enforcement agencies.  These agencies are sent a letter outlining specifically what statistics are being requested of them to help ensure accurate reporting.    

Emergency Telephone Numbers

University Police - (828) 251-6710
Health Services - (828) 251-6520
Counseling Center - (828) 251-6517
Facilities Management - (828) 251-6564
Fire and Emergency - 9-911
TDD Users - 9-911

 Back     To Top of Page