Personal Safety Advisory Committee

MEMORANDUM

To:James VanVoorst, Vice President for Administration

For distribution to:

Dr. Harvey Stenger, President

All faculty, staff, and administrators

From: Personal Safety Advisory Committee

Professor Bill Ziegler, Chair

Date:5/1/2013

Subject: Final Report of the Personal Safety Advisory Committee

Attached is the Final Report of the Personal Safety Advisory Committee in accordance with directives of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York.

Final Report

Binghamton University

Personal Safety Advisory Committee

Table of Contents

I.Executive Summary4

II.Board of Trustees Charge to the PSAC5

III.Committee Composition6

  1. Faculty
  2. Appointed by the President
  3. Students
  4. Male/Female ratio

IV.Binghamton University Security, Safety, Policies and Procedures7-10

  1. Clery Act
  2. Mandatory On-line training for employees
  3. Voluntary Safety Training for Students and Employees
  4. Employee-centered reports/policies include
  5. Campus Safety Resources
  6. Emergency Alert System and Emergency Communications
  7. Other Safety Initiatives
  8. Committees/Groups/Departments that Address Campus Safety Issues
  9. Student Association chartered student groups related to safety concerns:

V.PSAC Log for 2012-1311-36

  1. Executive Summary

The Binghamton University Personal Safety Advisory Committee met frequently during the 2011-2012 academic year.

  1. Committee was restructured to align with the charge of the Trustees:

Faculty:

  • CHAIR: William (Bill) Ziegler, Associate Professor – Watson School of Engineering, Executive Director Binghamton University Scholars Program, Executive Director President’s Scholars
  • Donald Brister, Senior Catalog Librarian, University Libraries
  • Celia Klin, Associate Professor of Psychology

Appointed by the President:

  • Tracey Debnar, Assistant to the Vice President for Administration, ex-officio
  • April Thompson, Dean of Students
  • Wayne Schneider, Assistant Director of Operations, Physical Facilities
  • Madeline Bay, Lieutenant, Binghamton University Police

Students:

  • Sarah Glose: sophomore from Syracuse, NY; Member of the Binghamton University Scholars Program; Intends to major in English with a concentration in creative writing and global cultures
  • Bridget Murphy: sophomore from Islip Terrace (Long Island), NY; Member of the Binghamton University Scholars Program; Intends to major in Psychology
  • Megan Barry: sophomore from Niskayuna, NY, member of the Binghamton University Scholars Program, intends to double major in Mathematics and Economics
  1. PSAC Representation on other Binghamton U. committees:

April Thompson, Dean of Students –

  1. Workplace Violence Prevention Committee (including status on walkthroughs)
  2. Students of Concern Committee

Madeline Bay, Lieutenant, University Police

  1. police and parking concerns (including status on Res-Life program)

Wayne Schneider, Assistant Director of Operations

a. Physical Facilities

  1. The PSAC website contains safety information useful to students, staff, faculty, and visitors
  2. The PSAC toured the entire campus for the traditional Campus by Night review of safety concerns on campus
  3. A PSAC Log tracks every concern reported to the PSAC and is available for public review on the PSAC website.
  4. A PSAC Log tracks every concern reported to the PSAC and is available for public review on the PSAC website.
  5. Activity Summary as of 5/1/2013

Open Systemic Concerns: 0

Open Concerns: 3

Pending Concerns: 13

Long Term Concerns: 8

Closed Concerns: 26

Closed Systemic Concerns 1

TOTAL:51

  1. SUNYBoard of Trustees Charge to the PSAC

  1. Committee Composition

Faculty:

  • CHAIR: William (Bill) Ziegler, Associate Professor – Watson School of Engineering, Executive Director Binghamton University Scholars Program, Executive Director President’s Scholars
  • Donald Brister, Senior Catalog Librarian, University Libraries
  • Celia Klin, Associate Professor of Psychology

Appointed by the President:

  • Tracey Debnar, Assistant to the Vice President for Administration, ex-officio
  • April Thompson, Dean of Students
  • Wayne Schneider, Assistant Director of Operations, Physical Facilities
  • Madeline Bay, Lieutenant, Binghamton University Police

Students:

  • Sarah Glose: sophomore from Syracuse, NY; Member of the Binghamton University Scholars Program; Intends to major in English with a concentration in creative writing and global cultures
  • Bridget Murphy: sophomore from Islip Terrace (Long Island), NY; Member of the Binghamton University Scholars Program; Intends to major in Psychology
  • Megan Barry: sophomore from Niskayuna, NY, member of the Binghamton University Scholars Program, intends to double major in Mathematics and Economics

Male/Female (as per committee charge of at least 50% female) :

3 males and6 females (1 additional ex-officio female)

  1. Binghamton University Security, Safety, Policies and Procedures
  1. Clery Act Information

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (The Clery Act)

As per the requirements of the Clery Act, on an annual basis all faculty and staff are informed of the website containing information about crime statistics at the University. A copy of Binghamton University’s Annual Security Report is available by accessing the following website: . This report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Binghamton University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning sexual assault, and other matters. This report is the responsibility of the Binghamton University Police and University Counsel – Barbara Westbrook-Scarlett

  1. Mandatory On-line training for employees

Right to Know,Sexual Harassment,Internal Controls andWorkplace Violence Prevention at:

  1. Voluntary Safety Training for Students and Employees:

Safe Zone Training: The Binghamton University Safe Zone was established to provide a visible institutional support network for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender and questioning individuals. Its mission is to create a safe, supportive and welcoming environment for all LGBTQ people. The Safe Zone initiative is consistent with Binghamton University's anti-discrimination policy and its commitment to building an inclusive community. Allies of the Safe Zone are committed to providing an environment in which every student and University employee can live and work in a community based on respect. Allies of the Safe Zone have undergone training and are supportive of LGBTQ individuals.

  1. Employee-centered reports/policies include:

•Clery Act reporting:

• Campus and Workplace Violence Prevention:

• Policy Statement on Discrimination and Harassment, Including Sexual Harassment:

  • Alcohol-Free and Drug-Free Workplace Policy. Refer to management procedure #629 for more information on alcohol and substance abuse in the workplace at

• The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can provide information and referral assistance to faculty and staff dealing with drug or alcohol-related problems. Our EAP Coordinator, Heather Hubeny () can be reached at x76655.

• Domestic Violence in the Workplace Policy at

to the contact information included within the policy.

E. Campus Safety Resources

•Campus Safety – General:

•Environmental Health and Safety (fire, general, lab safety):

•Campus Safety - Specific Measures and Activities:

•Facilities Master Plan , includes many safety features

•Binghamton University Emergency Management website at

•Safe Ride:

•Walking Escorts:

  1. Emergency Alert System and Emergency Communications.

RAVE alerts.

Binghamton University has an emergency communications system including use of an outdoor siren. The system utilizes the University's website, BU Alert Line, Dateline, B-line listserves, campus cable channel 42, voicemail and electronic message boards. For more information, visit

In an emergency, students, staff and faculty receive critical information through multiple official sources:

1) RAVE Alert text/e-mail messages: A text message would be sent out to all students, faculty and staff with information regarding the emergency. To register:

2) Binghamton University Website: The University home page ( is the official site of Binghamton University. This page will contain important information regarding critical incidents.

3) Outdoor Emergency Siren: This public address speaker/siren is designed to warn only individuals who are outdoors on the Vestal campus. It is not intended to be heard by people inside buildings on campus. The alert tone may or may not be followed by voice instructions. Regardless if you can comprehend the voice instructions, the default action anytime the siren is sounded is to: Take shelter in the nearest building and seek further information.

4) BU Alert Line at 607-777-7700: Calling this number will provide a recorded message with updated information regarding all emergency incidents and weather-related information for the Binghamton University campus.

5) Campus TV: Students, staff and faculty can turn their on-campus televisions to channel 42 for more information.

6) Electronic LED message boards and TV screens: The University manages a series of electronic message boards and TV screens that are placed at various locations throughout the campus. Common locations for these types of signs include the entrances to campus as well as dining facilities. These boards may be quickly 'captured' and programmed to display emergency messages whenever necessary.

7) Campus Listserves (B-Line, Dateline): E-mail messages can be sent to all students, staff and faculty with up-to-date information on the emergency and all relevant safety information.

8) Campus voicemail: All University-owned, hard-wired phones are capable of receiving voicemail messages. During an emergency incident, a recorded message containing critical information can be distributed to all campus phones.

  1. Other Safety Initiatives:

Advisory Board member, Lisa Havtur, serves as the Domestic Violence in the Workplace prevention liaison for the BU campus and works with NYSUP in that capacity. DV employee statistics are provided in a report every six months to SUNY. Lisa attended certificate training in Albany in 2009 and 2011and coordinated the Risk Assessment site visits campus-wide in 2010 and 2011. Tied to this are two annual surveys, the Risk Assessment Survey, which is intended to solicit workplace safety concerns and input from department heads and the All-Employee Workplace Violence Survey, intended to solicit workplace safety concerns and input from ALL Employees.

  1. Binghamton University Committees/Groups/Departments that Address Safety Issues on Campus

•Affirmative Action -

•Alcohol and Other Drug Committee (AOD) - Smart Choices -

•Campus Life works to prevent drinking – see Alcohol and Other Drug Committee (AOD)

• Domestic Violence in the Workplace –

•Environmental Health and Safety (fire, general, lab safety) -

•Greek Life -

•Green Dot -

• Harpur's Ferry -

•ISSS -

•MultiCultural Resource Center -

•New York State University Police -

•OCC/Dave Husch works with the Binghamton Coalition -

•Office of Student Conduct - •Ombudsman -

•Personal Safety Advisory Committee -

•Residential Life -

•Sexual Assault Programs – see Team20:1

•Student of Concern Committee, Chair, Dean of Students , also see Dean Of Students web page at:

• Team20:1 -

•Women's Studies -

• Workplace Violence -

• CSEA Safety/Tool Crib Safety (CSEA reps and PF reps)

  1. Student Association chartered student groups related to safety concerns:

•PEACE Out:

•Powerful Unite Ladies Striving to Elevate (PULSE):

•Rainbow Pride Union:

•Right Side of History Campaign at Binghamton University:

•SHADES (trying to create a safer campus):

•Voices Against Violence:

•Women's Student Union:

  1. 2012-2013 PSAC Log of Concerns and Actions

Personal Safety Advisory Committee

Log of Concerns and Status Report 2012-2013

Last update: 5/1/2013

LOG Table of Contents:

SUMMARY

OPEN SYSTEMIC CONCERNS

OPEN CONCERNS (not reviewed or no solution yet):

PENDING CONCERNS (solution in progress):

LONG TERM CONCERNS

CLOSED CONCERNS

CLOSED SYSTEMIC CONCERNS

SUMMARY:

Opening Summary 2012-13 (as of 9/1/2012)

Open Concerns: 3

Pending Concerns: 22

Long Term Concerns: 5

Closed Concerns: cleared

TOTAL: 30

Closing Summary as of 5/1/2013

Open Systemic Concerns: 0

Open Concerns: 3

Pending Concerns: 13

Long Term Concerns: 8

Closed Concerns: 26

Closed Systemic Concerns: 1

TOTAL: 51

OPEN SYSTEMIC CONCERNS

None.

OPEN CONCERNS (not reviewed or no solution yet):

Dickinson Community:

Lighting Johnson and O’Connor

Date: 4/25/2013

The stairs between the current Johnson & O'Connor are not well lit, and now with all of the construction going on and students need to use those stairs as a detour, it seems that this is a safety issue. I was hoping that a lamp could be installed. I talked to Physical Facilities, and they said this was an issue to bring up with the RD. Johnson doesn't have one (at least that I know of) so that is why I am coming to you guys with this issue.

Jeff Horowitz

AD – Dickinson

email:

phone: 607-777-2826

Ravi Prakriya (student)
Jason Boring

Resident Director

Champlain-Whitney-Johnson

email:

phone:607-777-7250

Physical Facilities:

Lighting to McGuire Building

I think more lighting needs to be installed near the crosswalk between Physical Facilities and the McGuire Building. It is very dark there and difficult to see folks walking from Physical Facilities to the parking lot. I’m afraid someone might get hit by a car.

Joy S. Tassey

Administrative Assistant

Philosophy Department

607-777-3616

Resolution:

The PSAC reviewed the area and determined that lighting is not a problem but that due to the four lanes of traffic, signage is desired to alert drivers to the crosswalk in that area.

Hinman to Paid Lot

I just returned from a Workplace Violence Prevention walk-through at ISSS and Trisha Marrapese, the new director, mentioned to me that she had fallen on a few occasions on the somewhat disquieting, unlit and uneven pathway leading from Hinman Commons to the Paid Parking Lot. This is a pathway she traverses frequently after dark. From what I understand, this walkway suffers from some other issues as well, in terms of its structure, so it may already be on your radar.

As a former PSAC member (Trisha, PSAC is the Personal Safety Advisory Committee), I suspected your campus-by-night tour is likely on the horizon and I am writing to ask that you and your team investigate and escalate as appropriate.

Thank you for your help. And best wishes to all for a happy holiday weekend!

~Lisa

Lisa Havtur

Time and Attendance Coordinator

Human Resources
Binghamton University

PO Box 6000
Binghamton, NY 13902
607-777-3734

PENDING CONCERNS (solution in progress):

Reporting of safety concerns is not clear

  1. Bill tried to report a problem and was told:
  2. Contact Environmental Health and Safety (incorrect)
  3. File it online (could not because a password is needed)
  4. Res-Life thinks they cannot submit a concern. For example – referring to the sidewalk in front of CIW (along lot Q1): Well, that’s not a “Residential” area so we can’t put in a request officially….but we’ve been asking to have it fixed for ages. Am not sure who the walk “belongs” to but it’s not us.
  5. If neither Bill nor Res-life know how to submit a concern, then who does?

Resolution: Staff and students need to be instructed to call Customer Service at x2226 or email to report routine maintenance issues. Possible postings on Dateline.

Nature Preserve Road closed during winter

Contacts: Dylan Horvath and Julian Shepard

Resolution: A study is being conducted to review pros and cons.

Escorts

  • Date Logged: 4/29/2012

I think it would be vitally important to have an escort system in which a student can call a number and have someone to walk with them after dark. For the past four years I have called the escort number that Binghamton University provides but have always been told to "wait for the safe-ride shuttle." It is not safe for young women to be waiting on the side of the brain or main road waiting for a van that may or may not see them in the dark. That's why, again, I think it is vitally important for volunteers to be available to walk with students across campus if need be.

Samantha B. Van Adelsberg

  • Responsible Party (name and email contact): NYSUP
  • Action Taken: Finding students to work the midnight to 8am shift is difficult and priority goes to staffing the shuttle. Daniel Chambers, Deputy Chief of Police is contacting Harpur’s Ferry to determine if some sort of joint program could be implemented to provide coverage.

Resolution: Staff and students need to be instructed regarding their expectations for escorts. Escorts cannot be provided as merely a convenience, but only for true safety concerns. Possible postings on Dateline. One recommendation, is a phone app that shows the location of the safe ride vehicle on campus, so that students will know of its arrival at certain locations.

Dickinson Community:

Lots T1 and T

From: Jessica L Krohn [mailto:
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 12:47 PM
To:
Subject: Safety advisory council

I wanted to express concern about the lack of visibility when exiting the T1 lots or when backing out of parking spaces that are outside of the T1 lots, along the road, near the construction. I believe the visibility is limited due to the pick up trucks from the construction workers. I was wondering, perhaps now or maybe when construction is completed, that the spots along the road, near T1, would be changed to only allow compact cars to park there, thus enabling a greater level of visibility.

Jessica Krohn, LMSW

Interpersonal Violence Prevention Coordinator

Binghamton University, C4 rm 120

Phone: (607) 777-3062

Website:

Resolution:

Dear Jessica,

The PSAC has studied the areas of lots T (along the road) and T1 (offset from the road) and have made a formal recommendation to Vice President VanVoorst and Associate Vice President Lawrence Roma, that lot T be closed to parking. Lot T1 would remain open, but would be much safer to exit without cars parked along the road in lot T.

MEMORANDUM

TO: James VanVoorst, Vice President

SUBJECT: Recommendation from Personal Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) regarding parking lot T

FROM: W. Ziegler, Chair - PSAC

DATE: 12/12/2012

Vice President VanVoorst,

On the recent Campus-by-Night tour by all voting members of the Personal Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC), a review was made of Parking Lot T. Upon review of the concern forwarded to us, a visit to Lot T, and a subsequent meeting to discuss the situation, the PSAC wishes to recommend strongly the closing of Lot T to parking. When Dickinson Community opens late this summer, there will be approximately 3000 students living in Newing and Dickinson and those students will most likely walk through the area of Lot T to get to destinations in the main classroom area of campus. With cars and trucks parked along the street in the Lot T location, visibility is minimal, and especially dangerous as cars and truck attempt to leave Lot T. Adding another 1,500 students crossing the street in that area when Dickinson opens, on top of the current danger in that area, will create an even greater risk of a car/pedestrian accident.