TO: Everglades
University Faculty, Staff and Students
FROM: Fred Pfeffer,
Director Student Financial Services
DATE: August 29, 2011
(Updated 2-23-2012)
RE: Annual Campus Safety and Security Report
For your
information, a copy of Everglades University Annual
Campus Safety and Security Survey is attached. This
report is distributed in compliance with the “Crime
Awareness and Campus Security – Cleary Act.”
The Everglades
University commitment to security includes:
-
Providing a secure and crime free workplace for
employees and a secure and crime free environment
for faculty and students.
-
Performing regular evaluation of security programs
-
Monitoring and following up on each crime reported
at Everglades University
We believe Students, faculty and staff behavior which
promotes security awareness is important in all aspects
of our lives, and we encourage all students, faculty and
staff to accept responsibility for their own security as
well as the security of other members of the Everglades
University community.
As you read
the following report, comments, questions or concerns
may be addressed to:
Everglades
University
Attn: Fred Pfeffer
1900 W Commercial Blvd, Suite 175
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33309
STATEMENT OF CURRENT POLICIES REGARDING PROCEDURES AND
FACILITIES FOR STUDENTS AND OTHERS TO REPORT CRIMINAL
ACTIONS AND POLICES CONCERNING THE INSTITUTION’S
RESPONSE TO SUCH REPORTS
Students, Faculty or staff who wish to report criminal
actions, should immediately contact the academic
administrator or other responsible supervisory
personnel. The criminal action should then be
immediately reported by students, faculty or staff to
the local authorities for assistance and /or
investigation. The Everglades University
Accident/Incident Investigation Report Form is completed
with the assistance of the person reporting the criminal
action. The report should be filed as soon as possible
with the President/Vice President who will either
follow-up on the report personally or assign
responsibility to another appropriate administrator to
follow-up and report on the outcome as well as any
preventative or other actions taken to insure the safety
and security of all staff, faculty and students.
Additional copies of the Everglades University Accident
/ Incident Report Form may be requested from the
Administrative Office.
A STATEMENT OF CURRENT POLICIES CONCERNING CAMPUS LAW ENFORCEMENT,
INCLUDING THE ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY OF INSTITUTIONAL
SECURITY PERSONNEL AND POLICIES THAT ENCOURAGE PROMPT
REPORTING OF ALL CAMPUS CRIME TO THE CAMPUS POLICE AND
LOCAL POLICE
Everglades University is essentially a non-residential
University, and does not have a campus police force.
Therefore, all crimes are reported to local authorities
as described in the first section regarding policies and
procedures to report crimes.
A STATEMENT OF CURRENT POLICIES CONCERNING THE SEXUAL
ASSAULT PREVENTION PROGRAM AND THE PROCEDURES THAT ARE
FOLLOWED
Sexual Assault Policy Statement:
Everglades University prohibits sexual assault,
attempted sexual assault and other sexual offenses on
property owned or controlled by the University and at
any institutionally-sponsored or supervised activities.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Incident
Based Reporting System of the Uniform Crime Report
defines a sex offense in general as “any sexual act
directed against another person, forcibly and/or against
the person’s will; or not forcibly or against the
person’s will where the victim is incapable of giving
consent.” Penalties for violations of this policy by
employees or students may result in termination or
expulsion for instances of sexual assault or attempted
sexual assault, and lesser penalties, including
suspension, probation and assessment of financial
penalties for other offenses, may result as appropriate.
Reporting a Sexual Assault:
Any student, employee or visitor who is the victim of a
sex offense, forcible or non-forcible, is encouraged to
report the assault to local law enforcement. If a victim
so chooses, he/she may be assisted by University
authorities in reporting the assault to the proper law
enforcement authorities. After making the report, the
victim is not obligated to continue with legal or
University disciplinary action. The assault may be
reported in person by contacting the Campus
President/Vice President.
Coping with sexual assault:
Victims of a sexual assault may find it helpful to
discuss their experience with a campus administrator.
Administrators can assist by changing a victim’s
academic situation, serve as a source of referral to
outside agencies, and provide information about
prosecution procedures, and the University disciplinary
process. For more information, contact the Campus
President/Vice President. Victims of a sexual assault
may also receive free, confidential, twenty-four hour,
counseling by calling the Rape Abuse Incest National
Network (RAINN) at 1-800-656-4673, extension 1. Trained
counselors are available twenty-four hours a day, seven
days a week.
College response to a sexual assault:
Sexual assault is a criminal act which subjects the
perpetrator to criminal and civil penalties in state and
federal courts. Besides the sanctions that can be
imposed in court, Everglades University will respond
administratively if a sexual assault or other criminal
offense involves a student or employee as the offender.
Students and employees are subject to applicable state
policies and disciplinary procedures, including policies
prohibiting sexual harassment. Sanctions may include
suspension or expulsion for student offenders or
termination of employment for employees.
Victims may commence a disciplinary action by submitting a
written, signed statement detailing the incident to the
Campus President/Vice President. The accuser and accused
are entitled to the same opportunities to have others
present during the disciplinary hearing, and in the case
of sexual assault, both the accuser and accused shall be
informed of the outcome.
Everglades University has a sexual assault prevention program
that includes, but is not limited to the following:
§
Use a “Buddy System” when walking to parked cars at
night
§
Leave the Building in a group when classes are dismissed
§
If an assault occurs, notify the Campus Vice President
immediately
§
Do not disturb the crime scene
§
Notify local law enforcement officials
§
Secure counseling for the victim
§
Change the academic schedule if the victim requests
§
Disciplinary actions can include dismissal from the
University
A STATEMENT OF PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS AND
EMPLOYEES ON CAMPUS SECURITY, PERSONAL SAFETY AND CRIME
PREVENTION
Everglades University provides in each campus library a
display of literature on personal safety and crime
prevention. The librarians distribute literature
covering these subjects and make available to all a copy
of the campus security report.
The Student Services office has a directory of services
that are available, within the community, to assist
those who have suffered from a criminal act. These
services are usually free and are provided by the
community.
A DESCRIPTION OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE PREVENTION
PROGRAMS
As required by CFR 86.100 Everglades University publishes and
distributes annually to all current students faculty and
staff a copy of the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention
Program. Below are the details related to this important
subject matter.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention
Drug abuse affects all aspects of American life. It
threatens the workplace, our homes, our schools and our
community. The U.S. Department of Education requires
institutions of higher education to implement a drug
prevention and awareness program for their students and
employees through the Safe and Drug Free Schools and
Communities Act. All students are expected to conduct
themselves as mature adults and as members of an
academic community. The consumption of alcohol or drugs
while attending class is prohibited and may be subject
to disciplinary action.
Standards of Conduct
The University community must adhere to a code of
conduct that recognizes the unlawful manufacture, sale,
delivery, unauthorized possession or use of any illicit
drug is prohibited on property owned or otherwise
controlled by Everglades University. If an individual
associated with the University is apprehended for
violating any drug-or alcohol-related law when on
University property, or participating in a University
activity, the University will fully cooperate with all
law enforcement agencies. Underage possession or
consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted on
property owned or controlled by the University and the
state laws will be enforced. Intentionally or knowingly
selling, or intentionally or knowingly furnishing
alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21, or
to persons obviously inebriated, is not permitted on
property owned or controlled by the University.
Health Risks Associated with the use of Illicit Drugs and the
Abuse of Alcohol
Moderate to high doses of alcohol cause marked
impairments in higher mental functions and the loss of
memory. High doses of alcohol can cause respiratory
depression and death. Long-term consumption,
particularly when combined with poor nutrition, can also
lead to dependence and permanent damage to vital organs
such as the brain and the liver. Physical effects of
drugs include increased heart rate, bloodshot eyes, dry
mouth and throat, and increased appetite. The use of
drugs may impair or reduce short-term memory and
comprehension, alter sense of time, and reduce the
ability to perform tasks requiring concentration and
coordination. Motivation and cognition may also be
altered making the acquisition of new information
difficult. As you can see from the above there are major
health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs
and the abuse of alcohol.
Pell Grant
Federal guidelines state the grantee must certify that
he or she will not engage in unlawful activities related
to controlled substances during the period covered by
the grant.
Federal Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Violations
Federal guidelines focus strongly on illicit drug use
and distribution. The Higher Education Opportunity Act
states students convicted of an illicit drug violation
can be denied federal financial aid for a specific
period, in addition to other legal penalties. The Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) asks
students if they have been convicted of a drug-related
offense: “Have you ever been convicted of possessing or
selling illegal drugs?” If you answer “yes,” the
University will send a worksheet in the mail to
determine if your conviction affects your eligibility
for aid. Failure to answer the question automatically
disqualifies students from receiving federal financial
aid. Answering this question falsely could result in
fines up to $20,000, imprisonment or both. More
information about federal penalties and sanctions is
located at
http://www.justice.gov/dea/agency/penalties.htm
Penalties for Drug Convictions
If the student was convicted of both possessing and
selling drugs, and the periods of ineligibility are
different, the student will be ineligible for the longer
period.
Possession of Illegal Drugs
• For a first offense, a student loses eligibility for
federal financial aid for one year from the date of
conviction.
• For a second offense, a student loses eligibility for
federal financial aid for two years from the date of
conviction.
• For a third offense and subsequent offenses, a student
has indefinite ineligibility for federal financial aid
from the date of conviction.
Sale of Illegal Drugs
• For a first offense, a student loses eligibility for
federal financial aid for two years from the date of
conviction.
• For a second offense and subsequent offenses, a
student has indefinite ineligibility from the date of
conviction.
How to Regain Eligibility
A student can regain eligibility for federal student aid
funds the day after the period of ineligibility ends or
upon successful completion of a qualified drug
rehabilitation program that must:
• Include at least two unannounced drug tests;
AND
• Have received or be qualified to receive funds
directly or indirectly under a federal, state or local
government program.
Students denied eligibility for an indefinite period can regain
it after successfully completing a rehabilitation
program, passing two unannounced drug tests from such a
program, or if a conviction is reversed, set aside or
removed from the student’s record so that fewer than two
convictions for sale or three convictions for possession
remain on the record. In such cases, the nature and
dates of the remaining convictions will determine when
the student regains eligibility. The student is
responsible to certify that a rehabilitation program was
successfully completed. As with the conviction question
on the FAFSA, the University is not required to confirm
the reported information unless conflicting information
is determined.
Convictions During Enrollment
Federal regulations require enrolled students convicted of a drug
offense after receiving federal financial aid to notify
Everglades University immediately. The student will then
become ineligible for further federal financial aid and
must repay federal financial aid received after the
conviction.
Drug and Alcohol Counseling
Available to all students is the 211 Helpline Center.
Students can call 211 to receive referrals to local
resources and support to individuals who need drug and
alcohol counseling.
Institutional Sanctions for Alcohol and Drug Violations
• Any member of the University community found consuming
or selling drugs on University property shall be subject
to discipline on a case-by-case basis.
• Discipline will be based on the seriousness of the
situation.
• A case may result in dismissal from the University.
• In all cases, the University will abide by local,
state and federal sanctions regarding unlawful
possession of drugs and the consumption of alcohol.
• Additional state penalties and sanctions may also
apply.
• The University has adopted a zero-tolerance policy
regarding underage drinking.
Biennial Review
A biennial review of this program will be conducted to
determine its effectiveness and to implement changes to
the program if they are needed.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement – Florida Sexual
Offenders and Predators
Information on sexual offenders and Predators can be
obtained by contacting The Florida Department of Law
Enforcement (FDLE) Sexual Offender & Predator Unit, P.
O. Box 1489 Tallahassee, FL 32302 or by phone at (850)
410-8572, toll free at (888) 357-7332 and email at
sexpred@fdle.state.fl.us or
on the FDLE website:
http://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/homepage.do;jsessionid=
YntbMNThZ2GSLnQrJSRT7lQNBlMPh1vnC1GYcLLYbWkF4vS2cvc9!-521741232
Information is also available in the United States Department of
Justice national sex offender registry -
http://www.nsopw.gov/Core/Portal.aspx
EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND EVACUATION PROCEDURES- STATEMENT OF POLICY
Everglades
University has in place at each campus facility a Campus
Response Team (CRT) that utilizes the SAFER manuals and
Operational Protocols. The Office of the President
(OOP) has its crisis response command center consisting
of senior management.
In an
emergency or a dangerous situation, upon confirmation
with the CRT of the need for mass notification, the OOP
Command center will, without delay, taking into account
the safety of the community, determine the content of
the notification and initiate the notification system,
unless issuing a notification will, in the professional
judgment of the responsible authorities, compromise
efforts to assist a victim or to contain, respond to, or
otherwise mitigate the emergency.
The CRT will
simultaneously use the local means in its disposal to
notify the campus students, staff and faculty of the
situation.
Members of the
OOP command center will disseminate information to the
relevant public entities. In addition, members of the
OOP command center will post relevant information on the
appropriate University website and on the automated
“1-800” emergency hot line.
Training,
exercises and tests will be conducted annually by the
CRT on the campus level and by the individuals relevant
to mass notification at the OOP command center level.
The OOP crisis management department
