CRIME AWARENESS AND CAMPUS SECURITY

Macon Campus Report -- 2008 (Covers Calendar Year 2007 / Published October 1, 2008)
 

Mercer University places a high priority on keeping its campus safe for its students, employees, and visitors. The following information on campus security policies and campus crime statistics is provided in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, for the purpose of (a) informing the University community about campus security policies and procedures; (b) encouraging students and employees to take responsible actions to lessen the chances of crime occurring on campus; and, (c) keeping Mercer a safe and secure place to learn and work.
 

Mercer Police Department

The Mercer Police Department has primary responsibility for the security of the campus. All Mercer Police officers are certified by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council as having met the qualifications and training requirements for police officers in Georgia, and they are authorized to exercise law enforcement powers, including the power of arrest, on the campus.
 

Law Enforcement

Students, employees, and campus visitors are subject to all federal, state, and local criminal laws, in addition to campus regulations. The Mercer Police Department maintains a cooperative working relationship with the local and state police to ensure the enforcement of all laws. Mercer Police officers may make arrests of individuals suspected of campus crimes or may detain such individuals for arrest by the Macon Police. Local police agencies also provide back-up assistance to the University for any emergency that might require extensive police services.
 

Campus Security Policies

The Mercer Police Department is a service-oriented department. Officers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In addition to routine patrols, the Department provides an escort service at night for those students or employees needing to go to other areas on campus and for those arriving late from evening jobs.

The Mercer Police Department also works closely with the Student Government Association (SGA) and with the Physical Plant Department with respect to building and parking security, including keeping a maintenance log each day of items that need repair or replacement and regularly reviewing campus lighting needs.

Residence hall safety guidelines and procedures are included in the Lair under "Residence Life Policies and Procedures".
 

Reporting Crimes and Emergencies

Because of the size of our campus, Mercer police officers cannot possibly be on the scene at all times; therefore, it is important that all students and employees of the University report any incident or other unusual activity on or near the campus to the following Campus Security Authorities: Mercer Police Department at 301-HELP (4357) or 301-4866, the Vice-President and Dean of Students at 301-2685, the Associate Dean of Students at 301-2685, the Director of Housing and Residence Life 301-2687, or the Associate Director of Housing and Residence Life at 301-2583. If you have any doubts as to whether to report an incident that has occurred, report it. The Mercer Police Department can then determine whether the event constitutes a crime that must be reported in the University's crime statistics. All crimes must be reported immediately. Crime alerts are published when incidents on or near the campus could present threats to the University community. Your cooperation in making reports promptly assists the University in issuing timely warnings to the campus community.

The Mercer Police Department maintains statistical records of criminal activity on campus, in off-campus buildings owned or controlled by the University, and on public property immediately adjacent to or accessible from the Mercer campus. Statistical data reflected in the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Report are compiled from reports to the Mercer Police Department and from the records of the Student Judiciary. A formal police report or investigation is not needed in order for a crime report to be included in the statistics.

Mercer allows confidential reporting by victims or witnesses of crimes. Further, Mercer encourages pastoral and professional counselors, if and when they deem it appropriate, to inform the persons they are counseling of the procedures for confidential reporting of criminal activity.

When reporting a crime, suspicious activity, or other emergency on campus, be sure to provide the following information:

Before hanging up, be certain the dispatcher has all the information needed. Do not take matters into your own hands; this could result in serious injury.

You can reach Mercer Police by using one of the following phone numbers:
 

The locations of all emergency equipment on the Macon campus are shown below. These phones and other security devices establish contact with the Mercer Police Department as soon as they are removed from the receiver or otherwise activated.

Safety and Crime Prevention Programs

Mercer Police and the Student Government Association (SGA) work together to provide numerous campus safety workshops each year to promote campus safety awareness and to inform students of precautions to enhance their security and that of the University community. Along with these workshops, SGA and Mercer Police have produced several pamphlets and other informational items promoting campus safety awareness.
 

Policies Concerning Alcohol and Drugs on Campus

The possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on campus and at University-sponsored events. Public intoxication, consumption or display of alcoholic liquors, wines or beer on campus is prohibited. Use or possession of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia is also prohibited.

The University has adopted a Drug-Free Workplace and Campus Program as a matter of University policy and in keeping with applicable State and Federal laws, including the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989. Copies of the Program are included in the Policies and Procedures Manual (for employees) and in the Lair and other student handbooks or bulletins. Additional policies imposing higher standards of conduct with respect to drugs or alcohol have been adopted by certain Schools, Colleges, and/or departments. These are included in the student handbooks or other documents available to the students or employees affected.
 

Policies Concerning Sex Offenses

The University's campus security policies and safety and crime prevention programs, mentioned above, are designed to promote awareness of rape and other sex offenses and to prevent such offenses from occurring. Numerous educational programs were provided by Residence Life, Greek Life, Counseling Services, the Office of First Year Programs, and student groups, to promote the awareness of rape, acquaintance rape and other sex offenses:

If a student is sexually assaulted on campus, it is particularly important, for the protection of both the victim and the University community, that the incident be reported to the Mercer Police Department or local police as soon as possible. Mercer Police can assist the student in getting medical attention and in notifying the proper local law enforcement authorities, if the student so chooses. The sooner an assault is reported, the easier it is to preserve and collect the evidence necessary for a criminal prosecution. Reporting the incident to the police does not mean the victim must press charges against the assailant, but it does help assure that the student receives assistance in deciding how to proceed.

Sexual assault by a student or group of students also violates University conduct regulations and may lead to expulsion, suspension, or other disciplinary sanctions, in accordance with established disciplinary procedures. In cases of alleged sexual assault, all University disciplinary procedures shall permit both the accuser and the accused the same opportunities to have others present during the proceeding, and both the accuser and the accused shall be informed of the outcome of the proceeding. The University will take action to enforce its standards of student behavior and to protect the University community, regardless of whether the alleged offense is prosecuted in the criminal courts.

In addition to the Mercer Police (see phone numbers above), some existing services for victims of sexual assault, both on campus and in the Macon community, include:
 

 
 Where appropriate and possible, the University will assist students in adjusting academic schedules or making other reasonable accommodations after an alleged sexual assault incident, if requested by the student. The student's faculty advisor or the dean responsible for student affairs in the student's School or College should be contacted to assist the student in considering and making any such adjustments.

Campus Crime Statistics -- Macon Campus

Statistics concerning certain criminal offenses reported to have occurred on Mercer's Macon campus during the most recent calendar year and the two preceding calendar years are set forth below, and are also posted on the Mercer Police Department's website (http://www.mercer.edu/police/). A printed copy of the Report is available in the Human Resources Office, the Mercer Police Department, and the Campus Life office in Student Center, and will be provided upon request.