ANNUAL CRIME REPORT FOR 2008

YOUR SAFETY IS IMPORTANT!

Education is an important element in maintaining a safe and secure Eastern Kentucky University community.

That is why the EKU Police Department has developed a variety of informative crime prevention and safety programs for students, faculty and staff.

This report provides helpful information about our programs and services, as well as other facts required by the Jeanne Cleary Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998.

Your safety is important to us. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with our policies and take advantage of our programs. Only through the cooperative efforts of everyone in the University community can we make Eastern and our regional campuses safer learning environments.

Chief Mark W. Merriman
EKU Police Department

EKU POLICE

The EKU Police Department is located in Mattox Hall behind the Student Services Building.

EKU Police provide 24-hour patrol of the EKU campus buildings, parking lots, residence hall exteriors and campus grounds. Patrol is by motor vehicle, bicycle and on foot. Local law enforcment agencies provide patrol services to the regional campuses.

Officers receive a minimum of 18 weeks of basic training at the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training Police Academy in Richmond. Training includes first-aid, firearms, defensive tactics, law, evidence collection and traffic collision investigation, among other topics. Each officer then completes a 12-week field training program and a minimum of 40 hours annually of additional training offered by DOCJT.

Eastern Kentucky University has 26 sworn police officers who have full law enforcement authority on all University property and concurrent jurisdiction on all roads and streets adjacent to campus. Officers also have the authority to investigate crimes originating on Eastern Kentucky University property anywhere in the state. Non-sworn employees of this department have no arrest authority.

The EKU Police Department maintains a close working relationship with the Richmond Police, Kentucky State Police, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Law Enforcement Agencies and other appropriate elements of the criminal justice system. The University is in daily contact with the Richmond, Corbin, Danville, Lancaster, and Manchester Police Departments to exchange criminal incident information, including off-campus locations owned or leased by student organizations recognized by the University.

CRIME REPORTING POLICY

It is the policy of EKU that all employees of the University considered to be “Campus Security Authority” must report immediately to the EKU Police Department all crimes or reports of criminal activity that are brought to their attention. Eastern Kentucky University considers all faculty members, administrators, managers, supervisors, employees of the Police Department, and employees with significant contact with students, including but not limited to contact through student campus activities, student discipline, student housing, student life administration and intercollegiate athletics to be “Campus Security Authority.” Professional mental health, pastoral or other licensed professionals legally bound by professional/client privileges when functioning in that capacity are not subject to this policy. The University permits the anonymous reporting of crimes. All reported crimes will be investigated by the University and may become a matter of public record.

The statistical information in this report has been compiled using information about crime and criminal activity obtained from campus security authorities, local police and others. Information is supplied on a daily basis.

Students and others are encouraged to report crimes immediately to the EKU Police Department or to appropriate University employees. Only through your help in promptly reporting criminal activity can the University take effective action to prevent crime and provide timely warnings of possible danger to the community.

HOW TO REPORT CRIMINAL ACTIONS OR EMERGENCIES

The EKU Police Department is open 24 hours a day. All criminal activity and other emergencies on the Richmond campus should be reported immediately by dialing 911 from any campus telephone. Non-emergency calls can be made by dialing 859-622-2821. The hearing impaired may access the Department’s TDD by calling 859-622-6279.

Telephones with direct access to the Department’s Communications Center are located in some parking facilities, along certain walkways and in certain buildings and may be used for emergencies, information or evening shuttle van service.

All criminal activity or emergencies at EKU’s regional campus centers in Corbin, Danville, Lancaster, and Manchester are to be reported directly to the local police department and to the center’s staff. The numbers for these departments are:

SPECIAL REPORTS

Eastern Kentucky University is committed to making timely reports to the University community of crimes reported to campus security authorities or local law enforcement that are determined by those authorities to present a safety or security threat to students or employees. Special reports will be made available to students and employees within 24 hours of the time that the incident is first reported to campus security authorities. After determining that an incident requires a special report, the University will do the following:

• The EKU Police Department will post all special reports on its website (www.police.eku.edu).
• Each residence hall will post a copy of the special report on a bulletin board designated for that purpose. Other bulletin boards on campus may also be used.
• The Division of Public Relations & Marketing will prepare a news release for dissemination to the media.
• Campus security authorities will determine the best and most effective method of disseminating special reports to the university community. This may include e-mail, flyers and direct mailings.
• All special reports will provide a general description of the incident and will provide crime prevention information that will aid in the prevention of similar occurrences.

SECURITY AWARENESS AND CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM

The University offers a variety of informative programs for students and employees dealing with how to report and prevent crimes. These programs are available on request by student groups, employees or individuals. Please call 859-622-2821 for further information on these programs.

The programs include the following:

• Student Orientation: Informs attendees of department services, general crime prevention and how to report crimes.
• Residence Hall Safety: Informs attending staff of safety concerns and proper responses to emergency situations in the residence halls, including response to fires and fire alarms.
• Sexual Assault Prevention: Informs attendees of methods to protect themselves from sexual assault from strangers and acquaintances. The Department conducts Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) classes for females several times each semester using RAD certified instructors.
• Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention: The Police Department co-sponsors and participates in forums to assist University community members in preventing drug and alcohol abuse.
• Assault Prevention: Informs attendees of ways to protect themselves from assaults.
• Property Protection and Engraving: Provides instructions and engravers to assist persons in engraving their personal property.
• Harassing Communications Prevention: Informs attendees of ways to prevent harassing communications and of available resources if the crime occurs.
• Crime Prevention Publicity: Provides information on crime prevention both routinely and on an emergency basis by print, electronic media, direct postings, and mailings.

Additionally, the University provides the following crime prevention services developed to make the campus safer:

• Escort Service: The department operates a campus shuttle van service during evening hours. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to use this convenient service. The shuttle can be accessed by using telephones located in several parking facilities and areas around campus or by calling 859-622-2821. If the shuttle is not operational, a walking escort will be provided when requested.
• Emergency Telephones and Call Boxes: The University provides emergency telephones and blue-light call boxes at strategic locations on campus so persons can immediately and easily report crimes and other problems.
• Alarm Systems: The department provides alarm systems and alarm system monitoring for alarms for fires, elevator safety and area intrusion security.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

The possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages on Eastern Kentucky University property is subject to Kentucky statute, city ordinances and University regulations. All members of the EKU community are expected to obey these laws and regulations. Eastern Kentucky University desires to provide an environment for under-age students where alcohol is not made available, alcohol consumption is not encouraged, and further, where alcohol education and counseling programs are promoted. Consistent with this philosophy, the Board of Regents approved an alcohol policy that regulates the possession and consumption of alcohol on University-owned or -controlled property. The complete policy can be viewed on our website at www.police.eku.edu/alcohol.

ILLEGAL DRUGS

The University does not permit the possession, use or distribution of illegal drugs on campus. An individual who possesses, uses or distributes such drugs is subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the University, arrest and imprisonment or fine according to state law.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Consistent with its mission, the University provides a variety of alcohol and drug-free social and recreational opportunities. The University also provides services and resources for community members who experience alcohol and drug-related difficulties.

Keeping yourself informed is an important step in developing a healthy lifestyle and in knowing how to cope with problems. The University provides informative prevention programs throughout the year, including a variety of workshops and lectures on alcohol- and drug-related issues, to support and encourage healthy, productive lifestyles. These programs are made available through:

For students with substance abuse problems or concerns, assistance is available at the Counseling Center. Experienced professional counselors at the Center offer support in an atmosphere of understanding and confidentiality. The Center offers individual assessment and referral to both on- and off-campus resources.

SEXUAL ASSAULT

Eastern Kentucky University is committed to enforcing all laws and regulations that deal with sexual assault, including acquaintance rape. Where there is probable cause to believe that University regulations prohibiting sexual assault have been violated, campus disciplinary action, which may include suspension or dismissal from the University will be pursued. University procedures allow both the accused and the accuser to have an adviser of their choice selected from the University community present during a disciplinary hearing. The results of the proceedings will be made available to both the accused and the accuser.

A student charged with sexual assault can be prosecuted under Kentucky Revised Statutes and disciplined under the Code of Student Conduct. Even if the victim chooses not to prosecute, the University can pursue disciplinary action.

If you have been sexually assaulted on campus, you should report the incident immediately to the EKU Police by calling 911. Assaults that occur off-campus should be reported to local or state police. Please try to remember as many details of the incident as possible and do not shower, bathe, douche or throw away clothing.

Rape crisis assistance is available from the University Counseling Center at 859-622-1303 or the EKU Police Department at 859-622-2821. The Department will help you find rape crisis counseling or other help. Assistance also is available from the Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center at 859-625-0213 or 800-656-4673.

Whenever a victim reports an alleged sexual assault violation, the University will inform the victim of the following:

• The option to notify law enforcement authorities and the option of assistance to do so.
• The existing counseling, mental health or student services for victims of sexual assault both on and off campus.
• The opportunities and assistance to change academic and on-campus living arrangements after an alleged sexual assault if reasonably available. The office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs should be contacted for any change in the academic arrangements, and the Office of Housing will be responsible for changes in on-campus living arrangements.

Each year, the department provides rape awareness, education and prevention programs to the campus community designed to heighten awareness of rape and sexual assault and to improve education and prevention on campus. Please contact the EKU Police at 859-622-2821 for further information.

KENTUCKY STATE POLICE SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY

The Kentucky State Police maintain a registry of persons required to register as sex offenders. This registry contains the names and addresses of registered sex offenders in the State of Kentucky, including Madison County and the City of Richmond. If you would like to view this registry you may do so at the Kentucky State Police website at www.kentuckystatepolice.org/sor.htm.

MAINTENANCE AND SECURITY OF CAMPUS FACILITIES

The Division of Facilities Services maintains University buildings and grounds with concern for safety and security. Staff inspect campus facilities regularly, make repairs affecting safety and security and respond to reports of potential safety and security hazards. The University Safety Committee routinely reviews campus lighting and other environmental concerns for safety and makes recommendations for improvement.

Motor vehicle parking lots, pedestrian walkways and building exteriors are well-lighted, and the University’s design criteria calls for a high level of illumination on all new buildings and surrounds.

Formal exterior lighting surveys are conducted by the Police Department on a weekly basis and forwarded to the Division of Facilities Services for action. Members of the University community are encouraged to report any exterior lighting deficiencies to the Division of Facilities Services at 859-622-2966 or to the EKU Police Department at 859-622-2821.

Exterior doors on campus buildings are checked each evening by employees of the Police Department. Door and security hardware operating deficiencies are also reported by these employees.

Shrubbery, trees and other vegetation on campus are trimmed on a regular basis by Facilities Services.

ACCESS TO RESIDENCE HALLS

Eastern Kentucky University provides housing in residence halls, apartments and on-campus family housing. Off-campus housing includes apartments, individual homes, and individual rooms in private homes. The University does not provide supervision for off-campus housing.

Members of the residence hall staff live in the residence halls and are on-call 24 hours a day. Each staff member is trained in enforcing residence hall security procedures. Desk personnel are on duty at the entrance of each hall 24 hours a day.

During the regular semester, all exterior doors to residence halls are secured at all times. Students access their residence halls by use of their issued proximity device. Exterior doors are checked periodically by the staff.

In cases where students are locked out of their room, procedures for unlocking rooms have been established to keep unauthorized people from obtaining room keys. These procedures are strictly enforced. Door-to-door soliciting is not permitted in residence halls. Visitors to residence halls must register at the main desk, and visitation is only permitted during established times. Visitors must be escorted through the residence halls by the resident. Residents are encouraged to challenge the presence of strangers in the residence halls by reporting to hall staff or the EKU Police Department.

ACCESS TO UNIVERSITY FACILITIES

Most campus buildings and facilities are accessible to members of the University community and to guests and visitors during normal business hours Monday through Friday. Some facilities are open for limited periods on Saturday and Sunday. Most campus facilities are closed during holiday and break periods. Use of facilities after hours is limited to authorized persons only.

CRIME STATISTICS 2005-2007

1. OC -- ON CAMPUS -- On Campus property includes all property owned by the institution and any reports taken by institution law enforcement officers on adjacent streets.
2. RF -- RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES -- These are not additional crimes, they are the number of crimes that were reported in residence halls, student apartment housing, and employee housing. These numbers are included in the on-campus property totals.
3. NC -- NON-CAMPUS PROPERTY -- These are any of the officially recognized/owned/leased/controlled institution properties that are located off the main campus area.
4. PP -- PUBLIC PROPERTY -- Public Property within the same reasonable contiguous geographic area of the institution (sidewalk, street, other thoroughfare or parking facility) or adjacent to a facility owned or controlled by the institution. These crime statistics are those reported to the Richmond Police Department, the Corbin Police Department, the Danville Police Department, and the Manchester Police Department, or other law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction for these areas.
5. HATE CRIMES -- These are not additional crimes. They are crimes already reported in the various crime categories listed above and were motivated by one of the categories of prejudice listed.

The Lancaster Center opened Fall 2006.