The Campus Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 (The Clery Act) requires colleges and universities to a) publish and distribute through publications or mailings an annual report of campus security policies and crime statistics to all current students and employees, b) provide copies of the annual report to any applicant for enrollment or employment upon request and c) upon request, submit a copy of the annual report to the secretary of education. The crimes to be reported are: murder, sex offenses (forcible or non-forcible), robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft and crimes involving bodily injury to a victim because that person was intentionally selected because of their actual or perceived race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity or disability. A crime is considered to be “reported” when the police officer or the dean of students has been notified that a crime has occurred. Bluffton must also report the number of arrests for the following crimes that occur on campus: liquor law violations, drug abuse violations and weapons possession. An arrest has occurred when a law enforcement officer has detained an individual with the intention of seeking charges against the person for a specific offense and a record is made of the detention.
As stated in the Bluffton Catalog and the Bluffton University Student Handbook, all members of the campus community are expected to obey local, state and federal laws. Failure to do so may result in referrals to the university through the campus judicial system and the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Victims of any crimes are urged to inform the Bluffton police immediately about the criminal activity.
The dean of students is responsible for monitoring and maintaining records on criminal activity occurring on campus. Students, faculty and staff should notify the dean of students immediately about any criminal activity. Residential students may obtain report forms from the hall directors for this purpose. Any type of criminal activity considered to be a threat to the safety and security of members of the campus community will be shared with members of the campus community via announcements posted on the bulletin boards, e-mail or voice mail. An annual report on crime statistics will be compiled by the dean of students and printed in the Student Handbook each September (see crime statistics) and it will be made available to prospective students and prospective employees upon request.
Security for the campus is provided by night security personnel and the Bluffton police patrol the campus on a 24-hour basis. The night security personnel are not police officers and, therefore, report all suspicious activities to the Bluffton police. The night security personnel and the dean of students work closely with the Bluffton police in dealing with criminal activities on campus.
Anyone who is facing an emergency situation should call 5-911 on any campus phone. The dispatcher who answers the call will send a police officer immediately to the location of the incident.
Firearms or other kinds of weapons are not permitted in any of the Bluffton University buildings or on any part of the campus.
The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of a controlled substance is prohibited at Bluffton University. Any member of the campus community who participates in such activities will be subject to disciplinary actions which may range from a ‘warning’ to suspension. In addition, he/she may be required to participate in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program. Those who distribute controlled substances to others will normally be suspended from Bluffton. In addition, those involved in these kinds of activities will generally be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Penalties may range from fines to imprisonment.
Bluffton's policies regarding the use and possession of alcohol and other drugs are stated under Students' Rights and Responsibilities (Expectations). In brief, members of the campus community may not possess or use alcohol on campus or possess alcohol-related containers. In addition, the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of a controlled substance is prohibited. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in the university's drug/alcohol education programs and activities that are held throughout the year. Many of the activities are sponsored by the Peer Awareness Leaders (PALS).
Information about special counseling, rehabilitation and assistance programs can be obtained from staff in the student life office.
In summarizing our position, Bluffton is opposed to the illegal use and selling of drugs. The health risks are well documented and this type of behavior disrupts the life of the individual and the campus community. Our response to this activity is one of counseling coupled with compliance with the standards of campus conduct and the law.
Educational programs to promote the awareness of rape, acquaintance rape and other sex offenses are provided through various means: residence hall programming, staff training, PALS programming, Forums, etc.
In the event of a sexual offense, the victim is urged to contact the campus counselor, a residence hall staff member or the dean of students. The staff member will assist the victim in obtaining medical attention and, if desired by the victim, contacting the police and/or making a referral through the campus judicial system. In the event of judicial action, both the accuser and the accused have the same opportunity to have others present during the proceedings and both will be informed of the outcome. If the victim of a sexual offense chooses not to report the offense but needs any type of help, the campus counselor is available to be of assistance. If the offense is reported to the police, all evidence must be preserved in order to demonstrate proof of assault. This means that all clothing should be preserved and no shower taken until the medical authorities have assisted the victim. Bluffton is committed to assisting victims of sexual assaults by providing counseling, academic assistance, making room changes if deemed helpful, etc.
Sexual assaults, including date rape and acquaintance rape, are serious violations of campus standards and the law, and individuals committing such offenses will be subject to serious sanctions that may include suspension or dismissal from Bluffton University.
Sex offender registry
The federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act requires institutions of higher education to issue a statement advising the campus community where law enforcement agency information, which is provided by a state, concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained. It also requires sex offenders already required to register in a state to provide notice, as required under state law, of each institution of higher education in that state at which the person is employed, carries on a vocation, volunteers services or is a student.
In the State of Ohio convicted sex offenders must register with the County Sheriff of the county of residence address within seven days. The registry was established pursuant to 2950.01 to 2950.14 of the Ohio Revised Code. Every person convicted on or after July 1, 1997, including juveniles tried and convicted in the courts pursuant to ORC 2950.03, whether sentenced as adults or juveniles, of a offense for which registration is required shall be required as a part of the sentence imposed upon conviction to register and re-register with the County Sheriff of the residency county as provided in ORC 2950.04.
In addition, all persons convicted of violations under the laws of the United States or any other State substantially similar to an offense for which registration is required shall provide to the local agency all necessary information for inclusion with an Ohio County Sheriff within seven days of establishing a residence with the Ohio county. Any person required to register shall also be required to re-register within seven days following any change of residence, whether within the county or any other county.
Bluffton University maintains a Web link to the Attorney General's Office of the State of Ohio for registered sex offenders within the state. Click on the sex offender search and locate the county of your choice.
For the calendar year 2008, there were no murders, aggravated assaults, robberies, motor vehicle thefts or crimes involving bodily injury to a victim because that person was intentionally selected because of his/her actual or perceived race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity or disability on campus that were reported to the dean of students or to the police. There was one sexual offense—forcible or non-forcible, one motor vehicle theft, 30 burglaries or thefts and no aggravated burglaries reported to the dean of students and/or the police. There were no arrests for on-campus liquor law violations, and no arrests for on-campus drug abuse violations or weapons possessions. There were 36 disciplinary referrals for violations of Bluffton’s alcohol policy and one for violation of the drug policy.
For the calendar years 2005, 2006 and 2007, there were no murders, aggravated assaults, robberies, one motor vehicle theft, and no crimes involving bodily injury to a victim because that person was intentionally selected because of their actual or perceived race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity or disability on campus that were reported to the dean of students or to the police. There were 42 burglaries or thefts, five sexual offenses—forcible or nonforcible—and no aggravated burglaries reported to the dean of students and/or the police. There were no arrests for on-campus liquor law violations, drug abuse violations or weapons possessions. There were 108 disciplinary referrals for violations of the university’s alcohol policy.
Definitions of crimes for this report are based on the Uniform Crime Reporting Handbook published by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
