WestmontCollege

Public Safety

Annual Security Report

2006

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crimes Statistics Act (formerly the Campus Security Act of 1990) of 1998. The Act requires Colleges and Universities to annually distribute information about its campus safety procedures and crime statistics to the Federal Department of Education, as well as to the institution’s current and prospective students, parents, and employees. The URL addressfor this report is distributed annually to current students and employees thru the campus mailboxes. Printedcopies of the report are available at the Admissions Office, the Human Resources Office, the Student Life Office, and the Public Safety Office upon request.

Public Safety Services

The Public Safety Department employs one full-time Director, four full-time 12 month staff, 2 full-time nine month staff, and shared clerical support staff. The Public Safety Department assists in preserving a safe environment, and protects faculty, staff, students, and property from crime and safety hazards. Specific services include but are not limited to 24 hour a day 7 days a week security patrols, the locking and unlocking of buildings, parking regulations enforcement, campus escorts, and dissemination of safety-related information. The Public Safety Department reports to the Physical Plant Director, who reports to the Vice President of for Administration. The Ocean View apartments are serviced by a contracted private security guard company which provides periodic patrols between the hours of 8pm-4am 7 days a week.

The arrest authority of the Public Safety officers is the same as private citizens as specified in the California State Penal Code. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department has the jurisdiction over criminal matters on the Campus. At the Ocean View apartments located in the City of Santa Barbara, the Police department of Santa Barbara has jurisdiction over criminal matters.

All officers receive training through the CaliforniaCollege and University Police Chiefs Association. All campus buildings are key locked with a removable core system designed to insure the prompt re-keying of locks when keys have been lost. Burglary alarms are located in special areas to protect property. All of the residence halls and major buildings have fire alarm systems in place that are monitored by in house staff and an alarm monitoring company. Many buildings are also protected by fire sprinkler systems. Westmont is committed to a retro-fit program that is installing fire sprinklers in all the residence halls and major buildings.

All of the residence halls are locked daily between midnight and 6am.

In the event of an emergency, all faculty, staff, students, and visitors should call 911, and then call the Public Safety Department. The Public Safety Department can be reached from any campus phone by dialing ex. 6222 or (805) 565-6222 from an off campus phone. The Public Safety Department is located in the office area of the Physical Plant Department building.

Westmont posts warnings of crimes committed that may impact the safety of staff and students. These postings may take the form of all campus voice mails and or flyers on the bulletin boards through out the campus. These warnings are for the purpose of raising the awareness of staff and students of their surroundings and personal safety.

Cooperation with Local Law Enforcement

Westmont enjoys an open and positive relationship with local law enforcement officials and shares information about criminal activity when it involves the College. We collect statistics of reportable crimes, as required and defined in the Clery Act from the local law enforcement agencies.

Westmont encourages victims of crime to report incidents to Campus Public Safety regardless of how insignificant the crime may appear. To report a crime, a victim or witness need only call extension 6222 or 565-6222. (In all emergencies, always call 911 first.) A Public Safety officer will take the information. The officer will make an official report and send a copy to the victim upon request. College administrators are notified about any receive reports about of crime on a regular basiscampus.

Westmont Public Safety officers will also assist victims who want to report crimes to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department.

Alcohol Policies

Westmont’s Community Life Statement includes “specific expectations for the trustees, administration, faculty, staff, and students of the Westmont community: …

  • The college upholds the laws of the local community, the nation, and the state of California. Such laws include prohibitions against … purchasing or consuming alcoholic beverages by persons under the age of 21, drunkenness, and driving under the influence of alcohol. …
  • … Under no circumstances shall any member of the community use or possess (alcohol) on campus or when attending a college-related student activity.”

The college’s Student Handbook includes these additional Community Standards:

Westmont expects all faculty, staff, and students to uphold both California state laws and these college policies regarding alcoholic beverages.
State Law
In the state of California, persons under the age of 21 shall not purchase, consume, or possess alcoholic beverages. In addition, it is against California law to sell or furnish alcoholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age.
Possession and Consumption
Westmont prohibits the presence or consumption of alcoholic beverages on campus and at off-campus Westmont sponsored or related activities. Any student in the presence of alcohol on campus (regardless of who actually owns it or who brought it to campus) will be considered in violation of this policy.
Alcohol Containers
Westmont prohibits the presence of full or empty alcoholic beverage containers anywhere on campus, including vehicles. Students are responsible to ensure that no guest brings full or empty alcohol containers on campus.
Drunkenness
Westmont expects students of legal drinking age who choose to drink alcoholic beverages to be moderate in their consumption. Any consumption of alcoholic beverages by any student that results in impairment or intoxication is a serious violation of community standards.
Off-Campus Hosting Responsibilities
Westmont expects students of legal drinking age who choose to serve alcoholic beverages to student guests in off-campus settings to be responsible in their hospitality. It is a serious violation of both California law and community standards to directly or indirectly provide alcoholic beverages to underage guests or to require any guest to pay a cover charge for admission to the host's residence. Off campus residents are also expected to insure that underage visitors do not bring their own alcoholic beverages to consume on their premises. It is also a serious violation of community standards to allow student guests 21 years of age or older to drink alcoholic beverages excessively. Any off campus student who lives where these activities occur and is present at such time, will be considered in violation of this policy.

Illegal Drugs

In association with the Drug-FreeSchools and Communities Act, Westmont has adopted and implemented policies that are intended to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illegal drugs and the abuse of prescription drugs by students and employees. College policy prohibits the use or presence of all controlled substances and any related paraphernalia. Students and employees are also prohibited from exceeding the dosage of physician prescribed medications. Substance abuse affects the individual, the family, and the community. Violation of college policy with respect to drug use or possession is a serious breach of our behavioral standards, and students who violate this policy are subject to the full range of disciplinary consequences, including expulsion from the college.
If you need help or know someone with a drug-related problem, please know that the counseling center, the health center, our resident directors, deans, faculty, and all other college personnel will provide assistance to those who come forward seeking help. The counseling center provides confidential consultations with trained psychologists and marriage & family therapists, and also makes referrals to outside counseling and treatment services.

Weapons Policies

Possession of firearms, explosives (including firecrackers and dry ice), weapons, (including but not limited to: swords, knives, air soft guns, beebee guns and toys that replicate or could be mistaken for real guns) or dangerous chemicals on college premises is expressly prohibited.

Sexual Assault

This section needs to be updated to reflect the current policy. (See page 27 and following in the 2006-2007 Student Handbook.

Sexual Assault Policy and Procedures

Westmont is deeply concerned about any incidents of sexual assault. Anyone can be a victim of sexual assault or sexual misconduct — women, men and children. Perpetrators of sexual assault can be anyone: a stranger, someone you have known for a long time or someone you have just met. Statistics indicate that one in four women will be raped during their life and that often rape is perpetrated by an acquaintance. The Student Life Office will work to provide a safe place for the victim of the sexual assault to work through the range of emotions and questions that arise after the assault. Victims will be encouraged to take advantage of referrals to professional counselors, community support groups and other personal avenues of emotional support.
Westmont College insists that all members of its community shall be able to pursue their interests free from sexual assault and other forms of sexual harassment. This policy pertains to incidents of sexual assault between students or where the alleged perpetrator is a student. To report a violation of this policy when the alleged perpetrator is a student, follow the procedures outlined below. To report a violation of this policy when the alleged perpetrator is a faculty or staff member, contact the director of human resources at 805-565-6101. For information regarding reporting other forms of sexual harassment see the college’s Harassment Policy on page 22.
Sexual Assault (Category I) is defined as engaging in sexual intercourse with any person without that person’s consent. Sexual intercourse is the penetration, however slight, of the vagina, or anus with any object or body part and of the mouth with a sexual body part or sexual object.
Sexual Assault (Category II) is defined as the act of making sexual contact with the intimate body part of another person without that person’s consent. Intimate body parts include the sexual organs, the anus, the groin or buttocks of any person, or the breasts of a female.
Students found responsible for having committed a sexual assault will be suspended for a minimum of one(1) semester and will be subject to the full range of disciplinary sanctions, up to and including expulsion from the college.
Consent is defined as unambiguous and willing participation or cooperation in an act or as an attitude that is commonly understood to be consistent with the exercise of free will. Consent requires participants who are fully conscious, are equally free to act, have clearly communicated their willingness, cooperation, or permission to participate in a specific sexual activity, are positive and clear in their desires, and are able to cease ongoing consensual activity at any time. Refusal to consent does not have to be verbal; it can be expressed with gestures, body language or attitude. A prior sexual history between the complainant and respondent does not constitute consent. Consent is not freely given if one of the following applies:

  1. A reasonable person in the position of the alleged perpetrator at the time the alleged conduct occurred should have known* that the other person was unable to give consent for any of the following reasons:
  2. The individual is unable to make an informed decision as a result of alcohol or other drugs (including but not limited to predatory drugs or prescribed medications); or
  3. The individual is unconscious, asleep, or suffering from shock; or
  4. The individual is under the age of eighteen and therefore legally unable to give consent; or
  5. The individual has a known mental disorder or developmental or physical disability, and therefore legally unable to give consent.
  6. **It is important to note that in the Westmont disciplinary process, use of alcohol does not diminish personal responsibility or act as a mitigating factor in disciplinary sanctions should a violation be found to have occurred.
  1. The individual has acted or spoken in a manner which expresses he or she refuses to give consent.
  2. It is obtained through the use of force, or through the fear of or the threat of force.

College and Community Resources The following resources are available to students and other members of the Westmont community for information and support concerning sexual assault and sexual misconduct: Westmont Sexual Assault Crisis Response Team

The college’s Sexual Assault Crisis Response Team is available for referral and support services. Members of the team are trained to assist victims by providing information and discussing available resources and options (medical, legal, emotional, and academic), by making referrals and providing access to appropriate college and community services as needed, and providing on-going follow-up to the victim. Members of the Sexual Assault Crisis Response Team do not act as counselors.

The Sexual Assault Crisis Response Team assures confidentiality if contact is made via the two following team contact members listed below if they contact them and state, “I would like to make a confidential report of a sexual assault.” The contact members are:

  • Angela D’Amour, Director of Campus Life, 565-7421

Audrey Stigall, Assistant Director of Residence Life, 565-6597

The victim’s name and personal information will be kept confidential within the team unless written permission is received to release the information or unless one of the following exceptions exists:

  • Knowledge of suicidal or homicidal thoughts; or
  • Knowledge that child/elder abuse has occured; or
  • Information release is court-ordered; or
  • There is an imminent threat to the safety of the victim, another student and/or a member of the college community.

If any of the above exists, the Sexual Assault Crisis Response Team coordinator will consult with appropriate staff regarding next steps.

Students who believe they have experienced a violation of the Sexual Assault Policy may choose to contact the Sexual Assault Crisis Response Team for assistance via the above contact people. When an individual contacts one of these individuals and states, “I would like to make a confidential report of a sexual assault,” no college discipline action will take place unless the individual chooses to move forward and make a formal report to the Dean of Students or Director of Human Resources as described in the following section on Reporting. Any reports not initiated through a response team contact member with the stated wish of confidentiality will be considered formal reports and will initiate college action.

Campus Resources

Westmont Sexual Assault Crisis Response Team

Contact members: Angela D’Amour, Director of Campus Life, 565-7089;

Audrey Stigall, Assistant Director of Residence Life, 565-6597

Counseling Center, 565-6003, Information and resource referral, Lower Campus

Health Center, 565-6164, Medical and information resource, Lower Campus

Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students, 565-6028, Information about the discipline process & list of advisors, Kerrwood Hall, Second Floor

Associate Dean of Students, 565-6038, Information about the discipline process & list of advisers, Kerrwood Hall, Second Floor
Associate Dean for Residence Life, 565-6029, Information about the discipline process & list of advisers, Kerrwood Hall, Second Floor Resident Director on Call, 565-7362, Emergency Response, Information, and referral resource Public Safety Department, 565-6222, Emergency Response

Community Resources

Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center Hotline, (805) 564-3696, 24-Hour Hotline Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center, 963-6832, 111 North Milpas Street, sbrapecrisiscenter.org Cottage Hospital Trauma Center, 569-7451, Pueblo at Bath Street, Medical assistance and evidence collection

Reporting

If a student believes a violation of the Sexual Assault Policy has occurred, there are several reporting options available. Students may contact the Sexual Assault Crisis Response Team for information about all available reporting options by contacting either of the designated team contact members (Angela D’Amour, Director of Campus Life, 565-7089, or Audrey Stigall, Assistant Director of Residence Life, 565-6597). When an individual contacts one of these contact members and states, “I would like to make a confidential report of a sexual assault,” no college discipline action will take place unless the individual chooses to move forward and make a formal report. Note: any reports not initiated through the response team contact members with the stated wish of confidentiality will be considered formal reports and will initiate college action.

To the College

Individuals are strongly encouraged to report alleged incidents of sexual assault to the college and the police. All reports of alleged violations of this policy received outside of the procedures described in the above paragraph will be investigated and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken regardless of whether a police report has been filed. The college will evaluate allegations of sexual assault and, when appropriate, will take disciplinary action in accordance with the student discipline process set forth in this policy. All complaints must be made within: (a) one year of the date of the incident and (b) prior to the actual physical receipt by the respondent of the terminal degree from the college. Reports can be made directly to the Student Life Office. If the alleged perpetrator is an employee, reports should be made directly to the director of human resources.

To the Police

Individuals are strongly encouraged to report all incidents to the police; however, it is the individual’s decision whether or not to file a police report. If the individual wishes, the college will provide assistance in contacting the police and accompanying her/him to the hospital and/or police station. Individuals will have access to support and referral services on-campus regardless of whether or not she/he decides to report the incident to the police. Individuals are strongly encouraged to have both a medical exam to ensure their well-being AND a rape kit collected in order to gather forensic evidence.