Campus Safety and Security
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Campus Safety and Security:
A Shared Responsibility
- Campus safety and security at the University of Pennsylvania is a shared
responsibility. Clearly, the best protection against campus crime is an
aware, informed, alert campus community -- students, faculty, and staff
who use reason and caution -- along with a strong law- enforcement presence.
-
- The vast majority of our students, faculty, staff and visitors do not
experience crime at the University of Pennsylvania. However, crime sometimes
occurs despite our best efforts and yours. This information is provided
because of our commitment to campus safety and security and in compliance
with the Federal Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act and the Pennsylvania
College and University Security Information Act. It is meant to be useful
to you. If you have concerns, questions or comments about the requirements
of federal or state law or Penn's compliance with these laws, please contact
Thomas M. Seamon, Managing Director, Division of Public Safety at (215)
898-7515.
- Note: The statistical information is amended for 1994, 1995
and 1996.
-
- The Division of Public Safety
-
- The Division of Public Safety is committed to enhancing the quality
of life of the campus community, integrating the best practices of public
and private policing with state-of-the-art security technology. Its 129
full-time employees, 217 contract employees and 40 security marshals work
in three areas: University Police, Special Services and Security Services.
-
- University Police maintain police patrols 24-hours-per-day,
seven-days-a-week on campus, by foot, car and bicycle with a police force
of 99 sworn officers, the largest private police force in the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania. University Police also work closely with the Philadelphia
Police Department as both agencies patrol and respond in neighborhood areas
west to 43rd Street, south to Baltimore, east to 30th Street and north
to Market Street. University Police officers have full enforcement powers,
including the authority to make arrests for criminal violations. While
it is seldom necessary to use force in their work, University Police officers
are authorized to carry firearms when on duty, and they do so. Otherwise,
the possession of air rifles or pistols, firearms, ammunition, gunpowder
or other dangerous articles or substances is strictly prohibited on Penn
property or at University-sponsored events.
-
- University Police officers have completed rigorous training prescribed
by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under the Municipal Police Officer's
Training Act. Once an officer has completed police academy training, he
or she participates in a Field Training Program, developed and coordinated
through the Division of Public Safety. Officers remain in probationary
status for one year following graduation from the police academy, and continuing
in-service training is provided in accordance with established standards
for continuing professional education for municipal police officers.
-
- To contact University Police in an emergency, dial 511 from a campus
telephone, use one of more than 250 blue light emergency telephones on
campus and in the surrounding neighborhood or dial 573-3333 from off-campus.
-
- The Communications Center (PennCom) of the Division of Public Safety
and all University Police vehicles monitor the radio frequency used by
the Philadelphia Police Department in its patrols of the area in and around
the campus. University Police officers respond to assist the Philadelphia
Police Department in certain situations, and they respond to those addresses
or locations owned by the University or associated with a recognized student
organization. University Police detectives also are in regular contact
with the 18th District of the Philadelphia Police Department to obtain
information on criminal incidents reported to the Philadelphia Police Department,
but not to University Police, for addresses or locations owned by the University
or associated with a recognized student organization.
-
- The Special Services Unit is responsible for safety education
and outreach programs, coordinating victim support services and community
liaison for the Division of Public Safety. The evolution of this unit,
formerly known as Victim Support/Special Services and Victim Support/Crime
Prevention, dates from the activism of the 1970s and concern about the
response of the University and its police to violence against women.
-
- Specially-trained police and civilian personnel provide more than 120
crime prevention seminars, forums and other presentations each year to
student groups, members of the faculty and the staff. Self-defense clinics
and other workshops or special presentations can be designed to meet the
particular needs of the group requesting services. Special Services personnel
are available to consult with individuals or departments regarding crime
prevention and safety. The Walking Escort Service (PennWalk), safety literature
and sales of bike locks and car clubs are additional components of the
crime prevention program.
-
- The Special Services Unit offers a comprehensive program to assist
crime victims and other persons with special problems requiring police
intervention, with an emphasis on services to victims of crimes against
persons. Highly-trained personnel are available to offer immediate assistance
and support at the scene of the crime, including crisis intervention, accompaniment
to legal and medical proceedings and linkages to other University and community
resources. Special Services can interact with an academic department or
with the Office of Housing and Residential Life, given the individual's
authorization, to coordinate support in these areas. Every effort is made
to protect the confidentiality of private information.
-
- The Director of Special Services is the University-designated person
when incidents of rape or attempted rape, acquaintance rape, sexual or
domestic violence or hate/bias crimes occur. Hate/bias crimes include acts
of violence or bias motivated by racial, religious, sexual, ethnic or sexual-orientation
bigotry.
-
- The Special Services Unit also serves as the community liaison for
the Division of Public Safety, maintaining communication with neighborhood
town watch, victim support and other community groups.
-
- To contact the Special Services Unit during normal business hours,
call 8-4481 from a campus telephone or (215) 898-4481 from off-campus.
For emergency support 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week, call 8-6600
from a campus telephone or (215) 898-6600 from off-campus. On evenings
or weekends, PennCom will answer all calls to 898-6600 and will notify
Special Services personnel.
-
- Security technologies and professional security guard services, combined
with effective community policing, are vital components of the Division
of Public Safety's programs to provide a safer campus environment. Security
Services provides technical expertise and planning to develop a state-of-the-art
electronic security infrastructure on campus. Currently, this includes
emergency blue light emergency telephones, building alarm systems, electronic
access control systems, and closed-circuit video monitoring for security
purposes. Security Services designs and coordinates the monitoring of the
various electronic security technologies.
-
- The University of Pennsylvania has retained SpectaGuard to provide
skilled security services on campus and in the surrounding neighborhood
to supplement its police force and the patrols provided by the Philadelphia
Police Department. This security force is well-trained, but the individuals
are not police officers. Security guards may be assigned to conduct highly-visible
security patrols on and off-campus, to screen access to student residences
and other buildings and to provide security services at special events.
SpectaGuard patrols, working in concert with both University Police and
the Philadelphia Police Department, also are used to patrol some streets
in the surrounding neighborhoods in the evening hours. The Hospital of
the University of Pennsylvania and the Medical School use a separate uniformed
security force that screens access and egress at public entrances to buildings
and provide routine patrols of these facilities 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week.
Reporting Crime
- The Communications Center (PennCom) of the Division of Public Safety
is maintained 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week. All criminal incidents
should be reported to the Division of Public Safety for response and documentation.
Incidents known in common parlance as Part I crimes that are identified
to the Division of Public safety are reported to the Philadelphia Police
Department to ensure that all agencies charged with providing services
are aware of these incidents. The relationship and exchange of information
with city, state and federal authorities is extremely important, and it
is an ongoing process. The Philadelphia Police Department alerts the Division
of Public Safety to reported incidents in the surrounding neighborhoods
that are jointly patrolled by both University Police and the Philadelphia
Police Department.
-
- To report a criminal incident, dial 511 from a campus telephone,
use one of more than 250 blue light telephones on campus and in the community,
or dial 573-3333 from off-campus. You also can report a criminal incident
in person at the Division of Public Safety, 4040 Chestnut St., which is
staffed with professional personnel 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.
-
- Criminal incidents are assigned to an investigator within the Division
of Public Safety who is responsible for the investigation of the crime
or for coordination with the Philadelphia Police Department. When necessary,
an officer from Special Services will be available. If the incident involves
a student who has violated policies, procedures, codes of conduct or the
law, the Division of Public Safety will advise the victim or complainant
of the option to report the incident to the Office of Student Conduct or
the responsible University office. Information pursuant to the Crime Awareness
and Campus Security Act on any person arrested by University Police and
charged with a criminal offense is available to the campus community.
-
-
- The Division of Public Safety maintains a computerized database for
all reported criminal incidents, including those that occur on campus,
those that occur in the surrounding neighborhood and those that occur well
beyond the campus community. This data is the basis for crime statistics
reported to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting System, for compliance with
the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act and the College and University
Security Information Act and for reporting crime statistics to the campus
community.
-
- The Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act requires Penn to provide
information on its security policies and procedures and specific statistics
for criminal incidents and arrests on campus to students and employees,
and to make the information and statistics available to prospective students
and employees upon request. The College and University Security Information
Act requires Penn to provide information on its security policies and procedures
to students, employees and applicants, and to provide crime statistics
to students and employees and to make those statistics available to applicants
and prospective employees upon request. This information is available by
calling the Division of Public Safety at (215) 898-7297.
-
- All crimes against persons that occur on campus and in the surrounding
neighborhood, including the areas jointly patrolled by University Police
and the Philadelphia Police Department, are published in Almanac,
the weekly journal of record, opinion and news, published by the University
of Pennsylvania. The Division of Public Safety maintains an Incident Journal,
a chronological listing of all crimes and significant incidents reported
to University Police, which is open for public inspection at the Communications
Center (PennCom) of the Division of Public Safety.
-
- The Division of Public Safety does not hesitate to use a "Crime
Alert" to notify the campus community of a serious crime or series
of crimes in order to prevent additional incidents.
Acquaintance Rape and Sexual Violence
- For more than 20 years, the University of Pennsylvania has addressed
the issues of rape and sexual violence through firesides, seminars, forums
and other presentations. Students Together Against Acquaintance Rape (STAAR),
Penn's nationally recognized student-operated program, also addresses these
issues through its workshop programs. Penn also conducts educational and
training programs for its employees who interact with students, including
University Police officers, coaches, student service personnel in the Office
of University Life, members of the campus ministries and those who provide
services in the student residences.
-
- Acquaintance rape is a form of sexual violence defined under our policy
as any act in which a person forces another person with whom he or she
is acquainted to engage in sexual activity against his or her will or without
his or her consent. Assent does not constitute consent if it is given by
a person who because of youth, mental disability or intoxication is unable
to make a reasonable judgment. This policy applies to groups as well as
individuals.
-
- Penn will provide support for victims of acquaintance rape or sexual
violence, and it is committed to provide resources and processes for prevention,
education, reporting, adjudication, protection from retaliation and sanctions.
Incidents that are reported to the appropriate departments at Penn will
be addressed promptly and will be confidential. The procedures that govern
the investigation of charges under these policies will take into account
both the need to gather the facts and the confidentiality rights of all
parties involved in the incident.
-
- Anyone who is a victim of an acquaintance rape or sexual violence at
Penn is encouraged to seek support and assistance and to report the incident.
While students are encouraged to contact Special Services at 8-6600
from a campus telephone or (215) 898-6600 from off-campus, contact also
can be made through University Police emergency lines by dialing 511 from
a campus telephone, by using one of more than 250 blue light telephones
on campus and in the community, or by dialing (215) 573-3333 from an off-campus
telephone; or through contact with Counseling and Psychological Services
by dialing 8-7021 from a campus telephone or (215) 898-7201 from off-campus;
or through contact with the Penn Women's Center by dialing 8-8611 from
a campus telephone or (215) 898-8611 from off-campus.
-
- When a victim of a sex offense contacts Special Services, the individual
will be advised of all the health, legal, and support services available
on and off campus, and the victim will be assisted in accessing these services.
If the victim elects to go through the criminal justice system and/or receive
medical treatment, personnel from Special Services will accompany the victim
to the sexual trauma unit at Jefferson Hospital for evaluation, treatment,
and evidence collection. The Director of Special Services at Penn is the
designated coordinator of support services for students who have been victimized.
Whether the victim chooses to report an incidence of acquaintance rape
or sexual violence to Special Services, the University Police or another
resource center within the campus community, the victim will be informed
of all options for filing a complaint, including the right to report the
incident fully and completely to the Philadelphia Police Department, the
right to file an anonymous report with the Philadelphia Police Department
or the right to file no report.
-
- Due to the sensitive issues involved in acquaintance rape and other
sexual assaults, the victim may first disclose the incident some time after
it has occurred, but the victim is nonetheless encouraged to contact Special
Services for support and assistance and to report the incident.
-
- Those within the campus community who are found responsible for acquaintance
rape or other sexual violence are subject to University sanctions, which
may include suspension, expulsion or separation from the University. In
any University disciplinary proceeding involving charges of sexual assault,
the accused and the accuser are entitled to the same opportunities to have
others present during the proceedings, and both the accused and the accuser
are informed of the outcome of the proceedings. The individual also may
be subject to prosecution by the Office of the District Attorney under
Pennsylvania criminal statutes.
-
- The Acquaintance Rape and Sexual Violence Policy is stated on page
23 of the Penn Book: Resources, Policies & Procedures Handbook,
which is available through the Office of the Vice Provost for University
Life by calling (215) 898-6081.
Alcohol and Drugs
- The University of Pennsylvania and its programs and policies regarding
the possession, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages encourages
all within the campus community to make safe, responsible decisions about
alcohol that are consistent with existing state and federal law. The possession
or consumption of alcoholic beverages on campus by persons under the age
of 21 is strictly prohibited by Penn and by the laws of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania. Consistent with its educational mission Penn provides
programs that promote awareness of the physical, psychological, social
and behavioral effects of alcohol consumption.
-
- The use, sale and possession of narcotics and dangerous drugs is illegal
and is strictly prohibited on campus.
-
- Employees are required to adhere to the University's Drug-Free Workplace
Policy and the Drug and Alcohol Policy, which strictly prohibits the unlawful
manufacture, distribution, dispensation, sale, possession or use of drugs
by its employees in the workplace. Those who violate these policies may
be subject to disciplinary procedures or may be required to participate
in drug or alcohol rehabilitation programs.
-
- Students who have questions or concerns about alcohol or drugs are
encouraged to use the medical or counseling resources provided by the University
of Pennsylvania. These services adhere to all applicable laws governing
the confidentiality of patient information.
-
- The Alcohol and Drug Policy is stated on pages 23-26 of the Penn
Book: Resources, Policies & Procedures Handbook, which is available
through the Office of the Vice Provost for University Life by calling
(215) 898-6081.
Disciplinary Policies
- Any student who fails to comply with University, local, state or federal
laws may be subject to discipline under the University Code of Student
Conduct. Sanctions can include, but are not limited to, disciplinary probation
for a specified period of time, withdrawal of privileges, indefinite probation,
term suspension, indefinite suspension without automatic right of re admission
and expulsion. When a student's presence on campus is considered a threat
to order, health or safety, the Provost or his or her designee may impose
a mandatory leave of absence or conditions on the student's attendance.
-
- Generally, prospective students are not asked about previous criminal
records, with the exception of applicants to certain graduate and professional
programs, such as the Law School. Employees, however, are required to disclose
any and all convictions for a felony, crime of violence, dishonesty or
crime against property or involving the threat of violence in the past
10 years. A criminal record, if relevant to the position in question, is
a factor that is considered in the employment process.
-
- University Policies and Procedures are stated on pages 15-22 of the
Penn Book: Resources, Policies & Procedures Handbook, which
is available through the Office of the Vice Provost for University Life
by calling (215) 898-6081.
Student Residences
- The University of Pennsylvania offers a variety of housing options
on campus, ranging from high-rise apartments to College Houses to standard
residence halls and fraternities and sororities both on and off-campus.
Penn's College House system is designed to enhance the undergraduate experience
for all residents through faculty-directed, academically supportive environments
that promote intellectual, social and recreational opportunities. The Graduate
Towers consist of Nichols House and Graduate Tower B, housing graduate
and professional students. Mayer Hall provides housing for married students
and their families. If you have questions on room assignments, rents
and billing, call (215) 898-8271; questions or concerns about residential
services, call 573-DORM; or questions about the student residence program,
call (215) 898-3547.
-
- The Division of Public Safety has regular contact with those responsible
for the campus grounds and lighting to ensure that the shrubs, bushes and
greenery throughout the campus is appropriate and well-maintained and that
campus lighting is appropriate.
-
1997-98 Academic Year
Undergraduate Student Enrollment: |
11406 |
Graduate and Professional Student Enrollment: |
10237 |
No. of Undergraduate Students in Campus Housing: |
5000 |
No. of Graduate and Professional Students in Campus Housing: |
970 |
No. of Non-Student Employees as of Jan. 1, 1998: |
22883 |
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- Housing for first-year undergraduate students is processed randomly
by computer program for those applications received by May 1; the program
attempts to assign students to one of their top three choices. Students
applying after May 1, including transfer students, are processed in order
of the receipt of their application. Upper-class students are assigned
housing through a retention, lottery or special program process. Graduate
and professional students are assigned housing in the order of the receipt
of their application. Room changes are made during scheduled periods in
October, December and February, given availability of space. Emergency
room changes can be made at any time upon the recommendation of a member
of the residence hall staff.
-
- The University of Pennsylvania maintains three undergraduate high-rise
residence halls, two graduate high-rise residences and one graduate low-rise
residence as open residences during the winter break between semesters.
All other residences are closed to students, who are welcome to stay in
an open building during the break.
-
- Entrances to all student residences are either locked or closely monitored
by security personnel, and access to these facilities is limited to residents,
faculty, staff and authorized contractors, who are admitted only during
certain hours and only with valid identification. Access to most student
residences at Penn is monitored electronically by a card access system.
Those without a valid PENNCard are considered visitors and will be admitted
only after the presentation of valid identification and with the approval
of their host, who will be responsible for their conduct. All student rooms
are equipped with dead bolt or Mortis locks with anti-carding devices.
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- The Division of Public Safety is available to provide firesides, seminars,
forums and other presentations on campus safety and security to those living
in student residences. Campus safety and security is discussed as a matter
of course at residence hall meetings.
Use of Facilities
- The facilities at the University of Pennsylvania exist to house or
support the tripartite mission of the institution: teaching, research and
service. The use of these by University groups is permissible, given the
facilities are available, and by approved non-University organizations
under certain circumstances. Permission to use these facilities does not
constitute University endorsement of the activities. The policy on use
of facilities is stated on pages 35-36 of the Penn Book: Resources,
Policies & Procedures Handbook, which is available through the
Office of the Vice Provost for University Life by calling (215) 898-6081.
If you have questions on the use of the facilities at Penn, please contact
the Director of Student Life Activities and Facilities by dialing 8-5552
from a campus telephone or (215) 898-5552 from off-campus.
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
- The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) maintains a proprietary
security department that is committed to providing a safe and secure environment
in hospital facilities, and for its patients, staff and visitors. Security
officers are stationed at the major entrances to the hospital and engage
in regular patrols of the facilities. Officers respond to all requests
for assistance, whether routine or emergency. An Operations Center of the
Security Department is maintained 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week,
and it monitors the CCTV/Controlled Access System as well as safety and
security alarms.
-
- To contact the HUP Security Department in an emergency, dial 2677
(COPS) from a hospital telephone or (215) 662-2677 from outside the hospital.
-
- Most of the hospital's population do not experience crime at HUP. However,
crime sometimes occurs despite our best efforts and yours. Security awareness
and the cooperation of all employees in reporting potential problems have
been invaluable.
The Security Department
- The HUP Security Department consists of 41 employees divided into three
areas:
- Security Administration consists of the Director of Security,
who is responsible for all functions of the HUP Security Department, as
well as an investigator, an operations officer and a secretary, who also
manages the Photo ID/Controlled Access System.
-
- Security Operations consists of 37 uniformed officers on three
shifts, all of whom are supervised by a sergeant with support by a corporal.
The Security Operations Center is located on the ground floor of Silverstein
Pavilion, just inside the entrance to the Emergency Room. Security Operations
is responsible for providing safety and security services 24-hours-per-day,
seven-days-per-week, and it responds to requests for routine and emergency
services. The lieutenant/operations officer has day-to-day responsibility
for the Operations section.
-
- Crime Prevention and Investigations are the day-to-day responsibility
of the investigator. This area is responsible for crime prevention programs,
security surveys of hospital spaces and security information and education
throughout the hospital. The investigator also is responsible for the investigation
of all criminal matters.
-
- The HUP Security Department has the same powers of arrest as any private
citizen and, when necessary, coordinates its activities with the University
Police and the Philadelphia Police Department.
Reporting Crime at the Hospital of the University
of Pennsylvania
- All criminal incidents and requests for assistance should be reported
to the Security Operations Center. The HUP Security Department reports
all criminal activity as well as other data to the Hospital Safety Committee,
which reports data to the Health System Board of Trustees on a quarterly
basis. The HUP Security Department also reports criminal statistics to
the Division of Public Safety at the University of Pennsylvania.
-
- To report a criminal incident at HUP, dial 2677 (COPS) in an emergency
from a hospital telephone or (215) 662-2677 from outside the hospital.
-
Access to Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
- Security monitors all major entrances to HUP during normal hours; entrance
to HUP is restricted to the main entrance and the emergency room after
hours.
Security Education
- Crime prevention programs and security awareness education are presented
annually to the HUP staff and, when necessary, on a departmental basis.
-
- Note: The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks
talented students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds. The University
of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual
orientation, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability
or status as a Vietnam Era Veteran or disabled veteran in the administration
of its educational policies, programs or activities; admissions policies;
scholarship or loan awards; athletic or other University-administered programs;
or employment. Questions or complaints regarding this policy should be
directed to the Executive Director, Office of Affirmative Action and
Equal Opportunity Programs, 3600 Chestnut Street, Nichols House, Suite
228, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104-6106 or by calling (215) 898-6993
(voice) or (215) 898-7803 (TDD).
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- Return
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Return to:Almanac, University of Pennsylvania, March
17, 1998, Volume 44, Number 25 |