Compliance Document for the Jeanne Cleary Disclosure

This information is being provided as part of Thomas College’s commitment to security and safety on campus and is the compliance document for the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1999, which has been amended and is now called the Jeanne Cleary Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1999.

Thomas College is a private institution of higher education, offering undergraduate and graduate programs in the business arts. The campus population consists of 650 full-time day students and another 600 graduate and continuing education students in the evening division. The College is located on 70 acres of rural landscape in Waterville, Maine.

Reporting of Criminal Actions or Emergencies

The Public Safety Department is the unit responsible for campus security and safety. Public Safety can be reached twenty-four hours a day by dialing extension 399 from any campus phone, or by dialing 859-1399 from a private phone. Thomas College public safety personnel are employees of the College. Full- and part-time officers are certified in CPR and First Aid. Public Safety officers make routine vehicle and foot patrols of the campus grounds, buildings, and residence halls. The City of Waterville police and fire departments are the primary providers of law enforcement, ambulance service, and fire protection for Thomas College. In case of emergency, campus community members may dial 911 for the above services or dial Public Safety at extension 399. Public Safety will call local police, fire, and ambulance services. The Department of Public Safety does not have law enforcement powers and will investigate only minor crimes such as petty theft or vandalism. More serious crimes are turned over to the Waterville Police Department for full investigation.

Any victim of rape or sexual assault should do the following:

It is extremely important to tell someone if you have been sexually assaulted. The physical and psychological ramifications of sexual assault are serious for any person having been assaulted is at risk for possible contact with sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection. Women are at risk for possible unwanted pregnancies as well.

In addition, physical injuries may be sustained during the assault--injuries that may go unnoticed by the victim immediately after the assault due to trauma.

Therefore, medical attention is essential, even if the victim does not choose to report the assault to local authorities or the College.

If the victim chooses to report an assault, prompt medical attention is necessary to obtain the forensic evidence necessary to assist in the apprehension of the assailant. Washing or changing clothing before getting help often destroys critical evidence.

The psychological and emotional after effects of sexual assault–or attempted assault–can result in severe emotional and psychological symptoms, including anger, fear, shame, nightmares, nausea, loss of appetite, depression, phobias, crying jags, etc. It is important for the victim to realize that these are normal reactions, and they will eventually subside. Sexual assault is an act of violence against the body as well as the mind. Victims often need help in dealing with their feelings and reactions to this trauma.

In the event of sexual assault, members of the campus community, male or female, are urgently advised to contact New Growth Sexual Violence and Support Center, Inc. in Waterville at 1-800-525-4441. Trained advocates are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions, provide support, and, if you wish, accompany you to the hospital immediately after an assault--whether or not you choose to involve the police. (The Dean of Student Affairs, Director of Student Life, and Director of Residential Life and Housing can answer questions and offer support).

For more details, please refer to the Thomas College Student Handbook or the Employee Handbook.

Access to Campus Facilities

All non-residential buildings and facilities are accessible to the College community. Exterior doors on campus buildings are locked and secured after normal operating hours Student Residence halls are accessed via a card-access system which allows only students living within the building and authorized staff access. Students living in the Village have individual locks on their rooms. Resident student must register any overnight guest with Public Safety, at which time they will be issued a guest pass. Public safety personnel routinely check all buildings on campus, but place a special emphasis on student residence facilities.

Campus Security & Law Enforcement Authority

Public Safety officers are responsible for the security and safety of the campus community, which includes students, staff, and property. Thomas College officers are not armed and do not have law enforcement power. However, they do maintain a close working relationship with the Waterville Police Department. When additional assistance is required or an arrest is to be made, the Waterville Police Department is called.

Security & Maintenance of Campus Facilities

Thomas College regularly inspects its buildings, grounds, and facilities to ensure safety. Public Safety and maintenance personnel closely monitor maintenance and security deficiencies such as campus lighting, door locking systems, etc.

As of 1998, Thomas College residence hall fire alarm systems tie directly into the Waterville Fire Department headquarters, cutting response time to a minimum. Residence facilities have smoke detectors and audible and strobe alarm systems. Students are required to participate in fire drills that are conducted several times per year.

Security Awareness and Crime Prevention Programs

Crime prevention and sexual assault brochures are made available through the Student Affairs office and the Health Center. In addition to printed materials, workshops and programs are offered during the New Student Orientation to cover a variety of topics such as date rape, sexual assault, drug and alcohol awareness, and other pertinent topics. Workshops of this type are also presented during the academic year. Residence hall staff is responsible for providing residents with programs addressing issues such as fire safety, alcohol awareness, and other health and security issues.

Reporting a Crime

Thomas College is committed to keeping the College community well-informed about campus crimes and crime-related problems. The following outlines these efforts:

1. Daily Crime Log - the Public Safety Department maintains a daily log of reported crimes. This report is available upon request. It includes the date, time, location, and nature of the crime, along with the status of the complaint.

2. Crime Alerts and Emergency Notifications - the College community is informed via crime alerts identifying dangerous or potentially dangerous situations. These alerts appear in the following forms: campus e-mail, posted alerts on bulletin boards, campus “events” channel, and through residence life and security safety briefings.

3. Certified Crime Reporting - the Public Safety Department at Thomas College, as required by law, makes its crime statistics available to the U. S. Department of Education.

Policies Related to Campus Crime

Sexual Assault/Harassment

Sexual assault, including rape by an acquaintance or stranger, is prohibited by Thomas College policy and Maine State law. Thomas College does not tolerate sexual assault in any form. Violators of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the College. Maine laws have now replaced the term “crime of rape” with “crime of gross sexual assault.”

Sexual harassment of either students or employees is a violation of Federal and State laws. It is the policy of Thomas College that no member of the College community may sexually harass another. Thomas College will regard freedom from sexual harassment as an individual student or employee right; one that will be safeguarded as a matter of policy. Any student or employee will be subject to disciplinary action for violation of this policy.

The following is a partial list of examples of sexual assault/harassment:

-- Deliberate touching, leaning over, cornering, or

pinching

-- Comments about someone else’s body

-- Sexual remarks or suggestions

-- Conversations or letters of a sexual nature

-- Pornographic pictures or stories

-- Obscene gestures

-- Offensive display of sex-related objects

-- Sexual jokes

-- Looks, leers, noises, or gestures

-- Pressure for dates or sexual favors

-- Actual attempted rape or sexual assault

Any reports of incidents involving sexual assault or harassment will immediately be referred by the Director of Student Life or Director of Residential Life and Housing to the Judicial Review Board.

Depending upon the seriousness of the potential violation(s); local, state, and federal authorities may also be asked to assist with any investigation of the facts.

Such disciplinary action may include verbal or written warning, required counseling, suspension from school or employment, or termination of student or employee status. In addition, violators may be referred to law enforcement authorities for prosecution.

Sexual Assault Information

While recognizing the different needs of victims, there are a number of ways to report the perpetrator’s behavior. A student may pursue any or all of these options. If the victim desires criminal prosecution through the courts, the matter should be reported to the proper law enforcement authorities.

If the alleged violation involves a Thomas College student and the victim does not want to take action through the courts he/she may request the College to take action through the campus Judicial system. The matter should be reported to the Dean of Student Affairs, Director of Student Life or Director of Residential Life.

The victim is entitled to be informed of the Judicial Board decions and any sanctions imposed. Restrictions of confidentiality shall apply equally to all involved.

A victim of rape or sexual assault may request a change in living areas or academic situations. If reasonably available, the student will be reassigned to another room or class as required.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Thomas College prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of any illegal drug or substance by students and employees on college property or at any activities associated with the institution.

Students are expected to be aware of and to observe the State and Federal statutes concerning the illegal possession, use, distribution, sale, and manufacturing of those drugs that have been designated as subject to State and Federal drug laws.

Anyone found in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary actions. Such actions may include fines, required counseling, verbal or written warnings, suspension from school or employment, or termination of student or employee status. Violators may also be referred to law enforcement authorities for prosecution.

Thomas College views alcohol and substance abuse as a serious problem that all institutions of higher learning must address. In compliance with the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act and the Drug Free Workplace Act, the College publishes and distributes a student handbook to all day students and an employee handbook to all full- and part-time employees. Each document contains in-depth information regarding substance abuse, sexual harassment, sexual assault protocols, and where to get help. Also covered in depth are the State and Federal alcohol and drug laws, criminal and civil offenses, and the sanctions that can be imposed.

For a copy of the student handbook, contact the Student Affairs office. The employee manual may be obtained through the office of the Director of Human Resources.

Counseling Services

Thomas College has counseling services available to help students deal with issues around substance abuse and sexual assault. You may discuss problems with Health Center personnel, the Dean for Student Affairs, the Director of Student Life, the Director of Residential Life, the resident life staff, or through your supervisor if you are an employee. These individuals can also help you get assistance from trained professionals in the community.

Resources for Substance Abuse

Cocaine Hotline (800) COCAINE

Maine Alcohol and Drug Abuse (800) 322-5004

Clearinghouse (for treatment

services information)

Maine Bureau of Drug Enforcement (800) 452-6457

(Anonymous & confidential-you may

report illegal drug activity)

Maine General Medical Center (800) 225-3131

New Directions (207) 873-1127

Resources for Sexual Assault

Family Violence Project (800) 498-1930

Inland Hospital (207) 873-0731

Kennebec County District (207) 872-2240

Attorney’s Office

Kennebec County Sheriff’s (800) 498-1930

Department

MaineGeneral Medical Center (207) 872-1000

Maine State Police (800) 482-0730

New Growth Sexual Violence (800) 525-4441

and Support Center

Rape Crisis (800) 871-7741

Statewide Sexual Assault Hotline (800) 871-7741

Waterville Police Department (800) 872-5551

CAMPUS CRIME STATISTICS FOR 2005

(OC) = On Campus

(RH) = Of those On Campus, offenses that occurred within the Residence Halls

(NC) = In or on a non-campus building or property

(PP) = On Public Property*

(*Statistics provided by the Waterville Police Department for the City of Waterville. The crimes are not associated with Thomas College.)

2003 2004 2005

Criminal Offenses OC RH NC PP OC RH NC PP OC RH NC PP

I. Murder 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

II. Sex Offense-Forcible 1 1 0 4 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 0

Sex Offense-Non-Forcible 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

III. Robbery 3 2 0 5 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0

IV. Aggravated Assault 0 0 0 273 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

V. Burglary 0 0 0 84 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

VI. Motor Vehicle Theft 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

VII. Arson 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

VIII. Negligent Manslaughter 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2003 2004 2005

Arrests OC RH NC PP OC RH NC PP OC RH NC PP

I. Liquor Law Violations 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

II. Drug Law Violations 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

III. Illegal Weapons Violations 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 0 0

2003 2004 2005

Disciplinary Action/Judicial Referrals OC NC PP OC NC PP OC NC PP

I. Liquor Law Violations 55 0 1 108 0 0 84 0 0

II. Drug Law Violations 10 0 0 7 0 0 13 0 0

III. Illegal Weapons Violations 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0

2003 2004 2005

Hate Crimes OC RH NC PP OC RH NC PP OC RH NC PP

I. Murder 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

II. Sex Offense-Forcible 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Sex Offense-Non-Forcible 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

III. Robbery 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

IV. Aggravated Assault 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

V. Burglary 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

VI. Motor Vehicle Theft 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

VII. Arson 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

VIII. Negligent Manslaughter 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

IX. Any Other Crime Involving 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Bodily Injury