Criminal or Suspicious Behavior

DEALING WITH CRIMINAL OR SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIORS
Everyone is asked to assist in making the campus a safe place by being alert to suspicious situations and promptly reporting them.

Promptly notify University Police at Ext. 36222 or 410-543-6222 to report the incident, including the following:

• Nature of the incident

• Location of the incident

• Description of person(s) involved

• Description of property involved

If you observe a criminal act, or whenever you observe a suspicious person on campus:

• Immediately notify University Police at Ext. 36222 or 410-543-6222.

• Assist the officers when they arrive by supplying them with all additional information and ask others to cooperate.

• If there is gunfire or an explosion, you should take cover immediately using all available concealment. After the disturbance, seek emergency first aid if necessary.

SEXUAL ASSAULT
Definitions
In addition to sexual offenses as defined by Maryland Annotated Code, the University System of Maryland Board of Regents has adopted the following definitions.

Sexual Assault I - by stranger or acquaintance, rape, forcible sodomy, or forcible sexual penetration, however slight, of another person's anal or genital opening with any object. These acts must be committed either by force, threat and intimidation, or through the use of the victim's mental or physical helplessness of which the accused was aware or should have been aware.

Sexual Assault II - by stranger or acquaintance, the touch of an unwilling person's intimate parts (defined as genitalia, groin, breast or buttocks, or clothing covering them) or forcing an unwilling person to touch another's intimate parts. These acts must be committed either by force, threat and intimidation, or through the use of the victim's mental or physical helplessness of which the accused was aware or should have been aware.

Sexual Assault Prevention Programs
Information on preventing sexual assault is presented as a topic in the New Student Experience curriculum, a course taken by all freshmen and incoming transfer students who have less than 25 credit hours. Outreach programs are also scheduled on request for student organizations, residence hall groups and classes by Student Counseling Services, Student Health Services staff and University Police.

Reporting Sexual Offenses
Victims of sexual assault should immediately contact the police in the jurisdiction where the offense occurred. If the assault took place on campus, the University police should be called at Ext. 36222. It is important that any evidence of the crime be preserved for the investigating officers. This includes any physical evidence from the victim and from the area where the assault occurred. Victims should specifically avoid bathing or washing clothing or bed linens.

Victim Services
Victim services are available on campus through the Crisis Management Team, which includes professional staff from the Office of Student Affairs, the Office of Residence Life and Residential Services, Student Counseling Services, Student Health Services and the University Police. Similar services can be accessed off campus through the Life Crisis Center (410-749 HELP or 1 800 422 0009). Victims will be given information regarding contacting off-campus services.

Services for sexual assault victims include:

• assistance in reporting sexual assault to the proper law enforcement authority

• counseling

• health services and

• assistance in changing academic and/or living situations as requested by the victim if such changes are reasonably available.

Rape Aggression Defense Training (RAD) is available on campus to faculty, staff and students who desire to participate in a self-defense class. A University Police officer is a certified RAD instructor and will schedule periodic classes as requested.

SU THREATS OF VIOLENCE POLICY
Salisbury University is committed to providing a learning and working environment that provides the highest possible sense of safety and security for all members of the University community. Conduct, including threats (verbal or other) to kill or do harm, or comments that can be construed as threatening constitute a violation of this policy. Prohibited conduct also can include threats which might have been meant to be humorous or exaggerated by the speaker but whose intent is not apparent to a reasonable person, or threats not necessarily directed at a named individual.

Individuals who have experienced or witnessed incidents of violent acts or threats are encouraged to report the incident to University Police at Ext. 36222 or their supervisor immediately. Alleged threats of or acts of violence will be investigated and may result in criminal charges being filed and the accused being arrested. Victims of violent acts or threats will be advised of University action and the University will assist them in filing criminal charges to the extent permitted by law.

If the continued presence of the accused on campus is dangerous, threatening or disruptive to the conduct of University business, the University also reserves the right to temporarily remove the person from the campus pending further action. In addition, the University reserves the right to require the accused to undergo a psychological assessment. The results of the assessment will be reviewed by appropriate University personnel and will constitute part of the record in subsequent judicial proceedings.

If the accused is a student, a judicial hearing will be held at the earliest practical time to establish the facts and to take appropriate disciplinary action, which may include suspension or expulsion from the University. The rights of the accused and the victim(s) are outlined in the Judicial System Policies and Procedures section of the Student Handbook.

If the accused is a faculty member or staff/administration employee, the matter will be handled through the appropriate grievance and/or disciplinary processes and may include suspension and/or termination from the University. The rights of the faculty member are outlined in the Faculty Handbook and the rights of staff/administration employees are outlined in the respective grievance and disciplinary policies for regular, state exempt and non exempt staff. (Contingent employees should contact their supervisor or HR to discuss any grievance and/or disciplinary issues.)

 

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE SUMMARY
Salisbury University is committed to maintaining a work environment that is as free as possible from acts or threats of violence or intimidation. The safety and security of staff, faculty, students and visitors are of vital importance. Violent or threatening behavior will not be tolerated. SU's Threats of Violence Policy applies to any acts of violence or threats made on SU property, at SU events, or under other circumstances that may negatively affect SU's ability to conduct business. Included in this prohibition are such acts or threats of violence made directly or indirectly, by words, gestures, or symbols that infringe on the University's right or obligation to provide a safe workplace for its employees, students and visitors.

If any member of the University community feels that an incident of this nature has happened or may happen, they should contact University Police (Ext. 36222 or 410-543-6222) or their supervisor immediately.