Safe and Secure 2023-2024 | Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

Safe

The

Office of Campus

Security strives to provide a safe and secure environment conducive to and supportive of education, residential living, and campus life. Full time employees of the Department are certified as Campus Security Officers (CSO) and have Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) certification. The Campus Security office is located in Bray Village and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. An officer is also stationed at the Deford gatehouse at the entrance of the University, and a team of officers patrol the campus by foot, bicycle, and vehicle 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year.

Crime Prevention

Working from the assumption that many crimes are preventable, the University’s crime prevention program is based upon the dual concepts of eliminating and minimizing criminal opportunities, whenever possible, and encouraging faculty, staff, students, and guests to be responsible for both their own security and the security of others.

Reporting a Crime or Emergency

On-campus criminal activities and emergencies should be reported immediately to the Campus Security office either in person, by telephone, or through the LiveSafe app. These on-campus incidents will be investigated by a Security Officer to gather information and take appropriate action. Off-campus crimes should be reported to the police department having legal jurisdiction for that area.

Student Responsibility

The cooperation, involvement, and personal support of students in campus safety initiatives are crucial to the success of the program. Students must assume responsibility for their personal belongings by taking simple, common-sense precautions. The students’ awareness of their environment is the best place to start.

UNIVERSITY POLICY REGARDING COLLECTION, REPORTING AND RESPONSE TO CAMPUS CRIME

Introduction

The collection and reporting of campus criminal activity is a requirement of federal law and an important part of the University’s Campus Security function. Originally named the Student Right To Know And Campus Security Act [20 USC Section 1092 (f)(1)(I)]., the Clery Act, in memory of Jeanne Clery, a victim of an on-campus rape and murder, was instrumental in developing the legislation.

The University compiles and publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR), and ongoing campus crime and fire logs. Information and protocol regarding these and other crime prevention efforts are described below. Additionally, the University advises prospective and current students, as well as University employees of Wesleyan’s Campus Security Report. The campus report includes crime statistics that are annually reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Information Gathering Protocol

The Director of Campus Security is designated as the data gathering coordinator for the ASFSR. The Campus Security office collects data from the following campus resources: Residence Life, and the Victim and Survivor Support Specialist. Crime statistics also reflect any reportable offenses that occurred on campus, in certain non-campus buildings or on public property that is immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. Any Information required under Section 485 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 is administered through an internet system that can be accessed only by designated staff with assigned user ID and password. Data compiled from monthly reports from

Campus Security and Residence Life is included in this report. An electronic copy of the ASFSR is available through the University’s Campus Security website at www.vwu.edu/campus-security.

Statistics are compiled by category and entered into security databases for inclusion in the crime log and annual Campus Security Report. Off-campus statistics that occur within the adjacent area of the University are available on the City of Virginia Beach website at www.vbgov.com.

Unfounded Crime and Statistics

Reports of crime that have been unfounded may be removed from University records if and when they are made anonymously and/or are received from second or third hand sources and a subsequent investigation by the Office of Security proves that the complaint was frivolous in nature. For matters relative to sexual misconduct, the Sexual Misconduct Review Committee (SMRC) determines if an investigation is warranted and whether or not a report is sent to local law enforcement and the Commonwealth’s attorney’s office. All noted unfounded crimes as required by the Clery Act, are reported as such in the statistical data section of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report and marked “Unfounded Crime” accordingly.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct

Virginia Wesleyan University fosters a community where everyone feels welcome and valued regardless of race, religion, color , creed, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, covered veteran status, handicap, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected status. As with all criminal acts and as Virginia Wesleyan is an inclusive community, the University prohibits crimes of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In an effort to educate its community and maintain a safe and welcoming environment, the University offers ongoing prevention and awareness campaigns and programs for both students and employees. All students, faculty and staff are required to complete a mandatory Sexual Misconduct/Title IX training program. New students are required to attend Title IX training facilitated by two Deputy Title IX Coordinators and faculty are updated annually about Title IX and changes to regulations during Faculty Pre-session. The University has standing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the Third Precinct of the Virginia Beach Police Department, the First Precinct of Norfolk Police Department and the Virginia State Police, which include response to sexual assaults. Additionally, the University has a Memorandum of Understanding with the YWCA that specifies the ability to utilize their Sexual Assault Support Services. Awareness campaigns include the “It’s on Us...Marlins” initiative and e-mails that include educational messages about personal safety, awareness, risk reduction, and reporting mechanisms.

Campus Advisories

Campus Advisories are sent to alert the campus community about any reported crime that may pose a threat to students or other members of the community. Advisories are posted via e-mail through the e-mail address SAFE@vwu.edu. Additionally, students are encouraged to sign up for the free LiveSafe app, an emergency notification system that enables University personnel to communicate timesensitive information to the campus community through text messages to personal cell phones.

Campus Crime and Fire Logs

The campus crime and fire logs are maintained by the Director of Campus Security and provide a daily record of reportable offenses and campus fires. The crime and fire logs are available upon request for public inspection in the Campus Security Office during normal working hours.

MISSING STUDENT POLICY

The Virginia Wesleyan University Missing Student Policy was established to respond to and assist with the reports of missing students as required under the Higher Education Opportunity Act Public Law 110-315.

For the purposes of this policy, a student at Virginia Wesleyan University shall be considered “missing” when:

A. After 24 continuous hours, a student’s location is not known and with reasonable inquiry their location cannot be determined.

B. A student’s actions are contrary to an established pattern of behavior or there are unusual circumstances that may have caused their absence.

Through WebAdvisor, the University’s student records database, all students have the opportunity to designate an individual or individuals to be contacted in the event of an emergency. If a student is less than 18 years old, the student’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) will be, by default, considered their emergency contact whether or not they are designated

as such. These persons shall be notified by the University no more than 24 hours from the time it is determined that the student meets the definition of a missing person as indicated in this policy. The designation of emergency contact will remain in effect until changed or revoked by the student.

Protocol

1. All reports of missing resident students shall be directed to the Office of Residence Life and/or Campus Security.

2. An investigation will be initiated to determine the validity and credibility of the missing person report. Staff will gather all essential information about the student from the person making the report and from the student’s acquaintances. The information to be obtained includes, but is not limited to, personal descriptions, clothing last worn, locations where the student may be, persons or witnesses who may have information, vehicle descriptions, information regarding the physical and mental well-being of the student, up-to-date photographs, class schedule, etc.

3. Staff will make every effort to find the student on campus. They will check to see if the student’s vehicle is on campus, if the person has accessed any area via the University’s key card system, or if the student has

registered any guests. Other students, friends, and acquaintances may also be interviewed.

4. After a search of the campus has been completed, and if no further information is forthcoming, the Director of Security or designee, in consultation with the Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management, may choose to notify the campus community to ask for assistance in locating the missing person.

5. After consultation with the Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management, campus officials, and/or the reporting party, and after the student’s listed emergency contacts have been notified and consulted with, a missing persons report will be filed with the Virginia Beach Police Department. All pertinent information relative to the incident will be provided to the responding officer and the University will continue to cooperate in the investigation in accordance with the laws governing the Commonwealth of Virginia.

6. Any and all community inquiries into the matter will be referred to University Communications or a designated spokesperson.

7. If a missing student that is over 18 years old and has not designated anyone as an emergency contact, notification of the Virginia Beach Police Department will suffice.

8. A report of the incident will be generated and shared with the appropriate campus administrators.

LIVESAFE

LIVESAFE

LIVESAFE

LiveSafe is an opt-in program that allows members of the University community to easily share information and safety concerns with Campus Security by submitting texts, pictures, video, and audio, with an option to remain anonymous. Students may also live chat with Campus Security, view a helpful safety map, and allow friends to monitor their location for everyday safety. Students may create a profile, which will include one email address and one telephone number that will be used by the University to notify campus members of emergencies and other timely information. The LiveSafe app works with most smartphones and is available for download in the iTunes and Google Play app stores.

Quick and convenient access to safety, here’s how:

1. Download “LiveSafe” from App store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android)

2. Select “Virginia Wesleyan University” as your school

3. Enter your name and contact information

4. Allow push notifications when prompted

The Director of Security will be in close contact with the on-scene Security Supervisor and when necessary, will approve the initiation of LiveSafe, which notifies registered users of relevant information via text message. In cases where time is of an essence, the on-scene Security Supervisor has the authority to initiate a LiveSafe alert. Once this process has begun, the Director of Security will notify the Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management, who will in turn notify other CERT members.

EMERGENCY NUMbER

EMERGENCY NUMbER STATEMENT Of COLLEGE POLICIES

The campus siren and LiveSafe notification system are tested on a regular basis. The fire department and local law enforcement agencies are notified 30 minutes prior to the start of each test. The Departmental Assistant to the Director of Security and the Security Dispatcher coordinate to ensure that the broadcast message is sent out simultaneously with the sounding of the campus siren. The siren is sounded for approximately two minutes along with the sending of the emergency broadcast message indicating that: “This is a test of the LiveSafe emergency notification system.” At the completion of the test, a second message is sent out indicating the test is complete. There were six emergency notification tests during the 2022 year.

STATEMENT Of COLLEGE POLICIES

Additionally, each officer of the Virginia Wesleyan Security Department is trained bi-weekly on the sending of emergency notification messages, as well as the necessary steps required to sound the campus siren.

Evacuation Procedures

Should a decision be made to close the University, students, faculty, and staff will be alerted immediately through a variety of means. Evacuation of Virginia Wesleyan University should only occur upon recommendation of the CERT Team or mandatory orders from the city, state, or federal authorities or the Office of Emergency Management. Information about the University’s evacuation procedures, please visit http://www.vwu.edu/emergency/pdfs/ emergency_operations_plan.pdf.

Fire Safety

Should a fire occur on campus, the Offices of Campus Security and Residence Life should be notified at once. There was one reported case of fire in the residence halls during 2022. The following fire safety systems are in use by on-campus student housing facilities and are equipped with the following.

• Fire extinguishers.

• Battery/hardwired electrical alarm devices.

• Wet system/hard wired electrical alarm devices.

During the past year, there have been four fire drills conducted within the campus student housing facilities. Additionally, fire safety is addressed through the following means:

• Students are directed to leave buildings immediately, quickly, and in an orderly manner via the nearest exits during fire drills and when an alarm unexpectedly sounds.

• Rooms, hallways, and buildings are to remain free of obstructions.

• The hanging of tapestries, linens, or other items is strictly prohibited if they impede or hinder the safe exit from the area. Additionally, students are not allowed to block

building exits with furniture or by any other means.

• Due to the potential of fire hazards, students are prohibited from having the following items in their residential spaces: candles, incense, halogen lamps, live Christmas trees, toasters, toaster ovens, electric skillets, camp stoves, hot plates, or any device that has an open flame or exposed heating element.

• Students are not allowed to have major appliances not supplied by the University

• Smoking in any residential facility is strictly prohibited.

• Students are not allowed to tamper with any fire safety devices, electrical wiring, outlets, or fixtures.

When a fire alarm sounds, Campus Security and Residence Life, as well as available members of CERT, assist with the coordination and evacuation of campus facilities.

EMERGENCY NUMBER

FOR EMERGENCIES DIAL

757.233.8888 for Campus Security (8888 from any campus phone).

STATEMENT OF UNIVERSITY POLICIES

A. Contact Campus Security by calling:

• Bray Village Security Office, during normal business hours, at 757.455.3349

• Deford Gatehouse, in the evening, at 757.455.3289

• Emergencies only, at 757.233.8888

B. Campus Security and Residence Life personnel respond to emergency reports. All validated reported crimes are included in the statistics section of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR).

C. Confidential reports by victims or witnesses of a crime can be made to the Campus Security, Residence Life and Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management Offices. To make a confidential report about sexual misconduct, see item “L”.

D. Campus community members should promptly report any crimes to Campus Security. The reporting individual, Campus Security, Residence Life and and the Campus Life and Operational Management Offices will collaborate to determine if local law enforcement, professional University counselors or the Victim and Survivor Support Specialist should be contacted to assist in addressing the reported crime and assisting the reporting individual.

E. Campus Security provides crime prevention and personal security programs such as an escort service, emergency call boxes, facility alarm systems, property identification engraving, dangers of drunk driving, and sexual assault awareness initiatives and educational programs.

F. In situations where students are involved in violations of University policies and/or Virginia statutes, the University may pursue both internal administrative and external criminal charges. The Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management will initiate internal disciplinary proceedings according to the University’s Community Standards as they relate to conduct and behavior required of all students.

G. The University is committed to upholding local, state, and federal laws pertaining to the use of alcohol. This commitment is clearly reflected by the standards set forth in the Student Handbook, and the substance abuse policy for employees. For students, fair and consistent application and enforcement of the alcohol and other drug policies is administered through the Community Arbitration System.

H. The University is committed to upholding local, state, and federal laws pertaining to the unlawful possession, use or

distribution of illegal drugs, or of legal drugs improperly obtained or distributed. Any student found possessing, using or distributing illicit and/or unlawful drugs or using lawful drugs not prescribed to such student, is subject to immediate disciplinary or administrative action.

I. The University is committed to providing education awareness and prevention programs addressing alcohol and drug abuse as identified in Section 120 of Higher Education Amendments of 1998. The University’s Campus Security, Health Services, Counseling Services, and Residence Life Offices offer programs in these areas.

J. In accordance with the federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, 20 U.S.C. 1092 (f)(1)(I) (2002), the University informs the campus community of how to access law enforcement agency information concerning any known, registered sex offenders who are enrolled or employed at the University. Such information may be obtained by clicking the “Sex Offender Registry” link located on the Virginia State Police Web site at www.vsp. state.va.us.

K. The University is committed to the prevention of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, and strives to alter behaviors, beliefs, and actions through educational programs and awareness. Practices include:

i. Residence Life, Counseling Services, the Office of Security, and the Title IX coordinators provide published literature and community agency resources to promote awareness of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other violent acts against women.

ii. If you are a victim of sexual misconduct involving sexual intercourse or contact, we encourage you to do the following:

• Get to a safe place as soon as you can.

• Try to preserve all physical evidence. Do not wash clothes or use the toilet. Put all clothing you were wearing at the time of the attack in a paper bag, not in a plastic bag.

• Get medical attention as soon as possible. A medical examination will provide any necessary treatment and collect important evidence. Injuries may not be immediately apparent.

• Consider talking with a counselor who will maintain confidentiality, help explain your options, give you information, and provide emotional support. On campus, you can call the Student Counseling Center at 757.455.3131.

• Consider making a confidential report. Certain on-campus professional staff members are specially trained and available to respond to incidents involving sexual assault, and these

include: the Director of Counseling Services at 757.455.5730, Victim and Survivor Support Specialist at 757.455.3131, Sentara Student Health Center at 757.455.3108 and the University Chaplain at 757.455.3400.

• Sexual Assault Support Services of the YWCA at 757.226.9922 is a local organization that is available on a 24-hour basis and can provide anonymous sexual assault advocacy, counseling information and education. Sexual Assault Support Services of the YWCA has an agreement with the University to provide assistance to any VWU student, faculty or staff member who has been sexually assaulted. When the University is closed, a University counselor is on-call and may be reached by either Security personnel or Residence Life Staff; you only need to say that you would like to speak to a counselor on call.

• Contact the local police department by calling 911 from a personal or campus telephone. A student may choose to contact local law enforcement agencies, and/or other sexual assault support services, with or without the assistance or knowledge of the University. The University will assist at the individual’s request.

• Contact Security by calling 8888 (from a campus phone) or 757.233.8888. On campus, a blue light emergency phone will connect you directly to the Security dispatcher.

• To make an official report and initiate the process for addressing these matters, contact one of VWU’s Title IX Coordinators for students: Director of Human Resources, Regina Barletta at 757.455.3316; Sarah Guzzo, Director of Student Activities at 757.233.8785; Brandon Elliott, Head Softball Coach at 757.455.3307; Heather Campbell, Vice President for Enrollment at 757.455.3389; Jason Seward, Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Student Operational Management at 757.455.2124. They can talk with you about your options on campus and refer you to resources available on campus. Information will only be shared with campus officials on an as needed basis and will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.

iii. The Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management (who will preside as chair), a faculty member, and a staff member shall convene the Sexual Misconduct Board (SMB) to hear incidents involving allegations of misconduct of a sexual nature. Should there be other alleged infractions of University policy reported to have occurred relevant to the alleged incident of sexual misconduct, those infractions will be adjudicated by the SMB. The overtones of a

courtroom are to be avoided and the procedural rules held to the minimum consistent with efficient proceedings and due process. The SMB will use a “preponderance of the evidence” standard to develop its decisions, which will be binding on the parties involved. SMB meetings may be videotaped and/or audiotaped for record keeping and review purposes.

iv. Sexual misconduct is a broad range of behavior that includes, but is not limited to, non-consensual sexual intercourse, non-consensual sexual contact, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, relationship violence, and stalking. Consent is a voluntary and affirmed agreement to engage in sexual activity. Someone who is incapacitated cannot consent. Initiators of sexual activity are responsible for obtaining effective consent. Silence or passivity is not effective consent. Past consent does not imply future consent. Silence or absence of resistance does not imply consent. Consent to engage in sexual activity with one person does not imply consent to engage in sexual activity with another. Consent can be withdrawn at any time. Coercion, force, or threat invalidates consent. Incapacitation, due to the use of drugs or alcohol, when a person is asleep or unconscious, or because of an intellectual or other disability, prevents an individual from having the capacity to give consent. Students violating the University’s sexual misconduct policy may receive sanctions to include, but not limited to probation, suspension, or dismissal from the University, change in living arrangements, and/or required counseling.

v. Victims of sexual assault will receive notification that the University can change a victim’s academic and living situations after an alleged incident of sexual misconduct and of the options for those changes, if they are requested and are reasonably available. Alleged offenders may be temporarily relocated or removed from campus housing and/or have their class schedules altered pending the result of University processes.

vi. The Respondent and the Complainant will be afforded the right to have a mentor. This individual can be anyone they choose, to include a friend, attorney, family member, campus community member, or a representative familiar with the process and proceedings and offered at the suggestion of the Title IX Coordinators.

vii. Written notice of the outcome and sanctions (if applicable) of the SMB hearing, including a brief summary of the rationale for such outcome and sanctions (if any) and a brief description of the appeal rights of the Complainant and Respondent, shall be delivered to both parties as simultaneously as feasible.

L. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): On March 7, 2013, the President of the United States signed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA) (Pub. Law 113-4), which, among other provisions, amended section 485(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), otherwise known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). The Clery Act requires institutions of higher education to comply with certain campus safety-and security-related requirements as a condition of participating in the Federal student financial

aid programs authorized by Title IV of the HEA. Notably, VAWA amended the Clery Act to require institutions to compile statistics for incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking and to include certain policies, procedures, and programs pertaining to these incidents in their annual security reports (ASRs).

“Domestic violence” means a “felony or misdemeanor crime of violence committed by:

• a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim,

• a person with whom the victim shares a child in common,

• a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner,

• a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grant monies (under VAWA), or

• any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction.”

“Dating violence” means “violence committed by a person:

• who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and

• where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:

º the length of a relationship;

º the type of relationship; and

º the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.”

“Stalking” means “engaging in a course of conduct:

• directed at a specific person, that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety/the safety of others or to suffer substantial emotional distress.

• Repeatedly contacting another person when the contact is unwanted constitutes stalking.

• Contact includes but is not limited to communication (in person, by phone, or by computer), following a person, and watching or remaining in the physical presence of the other person.”

For on-campus dialing, dial the last four digits from any campus phone.

For on-campus dialing, dial the last four digits from any campus phone.