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The office of Campus Safety (OCS) at Muhlenberg College works closely with the Dean of Students Office, and the Allentown Police and Fire Departments to create a campus environment that is both safe and secure. The OCS works to prevent crime, to ensure that the College's Social Code is respected, to provide security patrols, and to respond to the needs of individuals in the College community.
The Office of Campus Safety, located at the main entrance of Prosser Hall, provides 24 hour, seven-day-a-week service and protection to the campus community. The OCS staff consists of a director, 10 commissioned police officers, two commissioned security officers, two full-time dispatchers, five part-time dispatchers and several student employees.
Muhlenberg officers are empowered to make arrests on college property and the area adjacent to and surrounding the college. The police officers also carry firearms. All officers are trained in criminal law, crime prevention, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and human relation skills. In emergency circumstances, OCS provides transportation to the college's Student Health Center, or to local hospitals. Telephone dispatchers are trained in college policies and procedures, and in handling medical emergencies. The OCS works closely with the professional personnel in the Student Health Services center in responding to medical crises or emergency situations.
The Office of Campus Safety enjoys an excellent working relationship with the Allentown Police Department, which assists the OCS on request. Crimes involving violence, forcible and nonforcible sex offenses, major property loss, or felonies are reported, in compliance with the Pennsylvania and federal law. Crime statistics are available from the OCS.
Students, faculty, staff, and guests are encouraged to report any crime, violation of the Social Code, or unusual or suspicious incidents to the OCS. When an incident is reported, an officer is dispatched to the scene, where he or she evaluates the situation and contacts the appropriate authorities. An officer assigned by the OCS director handles cases needing additional follow-up investigation. Suspected violations may result in both criminal prosecutions and, in the case of students, college disciplinary proceedings.
In the event of an emergency or substantiated serious crime, the campus community is notified through appropriate Student Affairs staff members or postings in the residence halls and academic buildings. Pro-active crime awareness flyers are distributed regularly to students, faculty and staff; crime prevention tips are printed in the student newspaper periodically and on the OCS web site. In addition, crime prevention programs are presented regularly in student residences.
The Office of Campus Safety is also responsible for locking and unlocking campus academic buildings. Academic buildings are unlocked during the day, Monday through Friday, throughout the academic year. Access to these buildings at night and on weekends is on an as needed basis. Students who need access to a building during the hours it is secured need to receive a pass from the appropriate faculty member(s). Visitors to the campus gain access to buildings, including residence halls, by contacting a campus host or the OCS.
Access to residential facilities is limited to the residents and authorized personnel. Each resident student is given a key or key card to their residential facility and a key to their individual room. All residential facility entrances are secured by automatic door closures. Doors lock immediately upon closing and are locked 24 hours a day. Students are instructed that guests must be registered by following the Visitor Policy in the Student Handbook. The student host must accompany their guests at all times.
Fire safety is of primary importance to the OCS and to all members of the campus community. Campus Safety and Plant Operations staffs are trained in the use of on campus fire equipment. Fire drills are conducted regularly in all residential facilities. All residential and academic buildings are equipped with smoke detectors and/or other emergency fire equipment. Fire safety and security procedures are reviewed at the beginning of each academic year. Safety and security awareness programs, including fire safety, are made available to students. In addition, the Allentown Fire Department regularly inspects all campus facilities and non-College owned fraternity houses to assure fire code compliance.
The Plant Operations Department maintains the campus buildings and grounds with a concern for safety and security. The staff is trained in safety, security, and fire safety techniques. The normal practices of the department include monthly inspections of the outdoor lighting system, making repairs and providing on-call assistance for off-duty emergencies. The Office of Campus safety assists Plant Operations personnel by reporting potential safety and security hazards such as broken windows, locks, and burned out lights.
Muhlenberg College complies with federal, state, and local laws, including those that regulate the possession, use and sale of alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, and weapons. Copies of the College's policies concerning alcohol, controlled substances, non-discrimination, sex offenses, sexual and discriminatory harassment, and weapons possession are published yearly in the student handbook and are available from the Dean of Students Office.
RAPE
Rape is a first-degree felony; it consists of sexual intercourse by force, threat of force, or with a person unable to give consent or unaware that the sexual intercourse is occurring.
SEXUAL ASSAULT
Sexual assault is a second-degree felony; it consists of non-consensual sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse includes vaginal, anal, or oral sex. There must be some penetration however slight, but ejaculation is not necessary
AGGRAVATED INDECENT ASSAULT
This is a second-degree felony and consists of penetration of the genitals or anus with any part of the offender's body without consent.
INDECENT ASSAULT
The unwanted touching of intimate parts of the body is known as indecent assault. This is classified as a second-degree misdemeanor.
Rape and Sexual Assault can be committed by a stranger, acquaintance, close friend, relative, date, or spouse. Alcohol or other drug use can impair an individual's ability to give consent. Therefore a person whose judgment has been impaired by drugs or alcohol may be incapable of legally recognizable consent. The penalties range from up to two years imprisonment for indecent assault to imprisonment for up to ten years for sexual assault and twenty years for rape, in addition to fine and restitution. The statute of limitations for reporting rape, sexual assault, and aggravated indecent assault is five years and two years for reporting indecent assault.
In addition to the above, Muhlenberg College also prohibits sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
Rape is a significant problem on college campuses across the nation, where most victims are acquainted assailants. A major research study has shown that one in eight college women is the victim of rape during college years, while one in four is the victim of an attempted rape. The effects of rape on these student victims can be devastating, creating emotional trauma-related difficulties, consequently, disrupting or ending their academic careers.
Muhlenberg College offers programs and training to promote awareness and/or prevention of rape, acquaintance rape, and other sex offenses. First year student orientation includes a program on sex offenses. During the year, programs on date rape, self defense and assertiveness are offered through formal residence hall programming, through Pledge Plus for Greek students, and at supplemental programs sponsored by Campus Safety and other offices. Training in awareness of, sensitivity to, and procedures to follow upon receiving a report of a sexual offense is provided to appropriate college staff. The OCS also has a safety pamphlet available to all students, which specifically addresses how to report a sexual assault and the assistance available from the OCS and Counseling Center.
The OCS should be contacted to report a sexual assault, although a student may first choose to contact the local police. If Campus Safety is contacted, we will first assure the student's medical and psychological needs are addressed and then assist the student in any further process the student wishes to follow. This might include notification of the local police, as well as medical and counseling professionals. The student will also be provided assistance in changing academic and living arrangements precipitated by the assault if requested by the victim and if the changes are reasonably available.
Muhlenberg College provides four options for reporting a sex offense. An individual may choose to use one or more of the following to report the incident:
- Remain calm and alert
- Get to a safe place: your room, a friend's room, your RA's room or the Campus Safety office in Prosser Hall
- Because physical evidence is of the utmost importance:
DO NOT change your clothing DO NOT shower, bathe or douche DO NOT apply medication to any injuries you may have sustained unless absolutely necessary DO NOT disturb anything in the area where the assault occurred, if in an area where you have control IF you do change clothing, place all clothing worn at the time of the offense in a PAPER BAG, NOT a plastic one - Make certain to get MEDICAL ATTENTION, even if you need time to deal with the situation before reporting the crime to college officials or to the police
- Call someone to be with you - a friend, sorority sister, a family member - someone with whom you are close.
- Call your local rape crisis center (CRIME VICTIMS COUNCIL OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY 610-437-6611). Many centers have counselors who will accompany you to your medical examination and sit with you while you talk to the police.
- Write down as much as you can remember about the circumstances of the rape and the individual(s) involved
- Rape, regardless of the offender, is dehumanizing and can cause a variety of emotional problems. Be sure to seek counseling and emotional support from the college counseling center (x3178), or the local rape crisis hotline (610-437-6611).
Rape, regardless of the offender, is dehumanizing and can cause a variety of emotional problems. Be sure to seek counseling and emotional support from the college counseling center (x3178), or the local rape crisis hotline (610-437-6611).
OPERATION IDENTIFICATION
Operation identification is a crime prevention system whereby all valuables are permanently marked with an identifying code. It has invariably reduced burglaries and thefts in areas where it is used. The service is free, and easy to obtain. You will be given advance notice when an officer will be in your dorm to engrave any items of value to you. We urge you to take advantage of this service. Feel free to call us at Campus Safety or stop by.
CRIME PREVENTION SERVICES
Campus Safety has available, at no cost, a full range of crime prevention services designed to help you in properly securing your property, and to help reduce your chances of becoming the target of a potential burglary or assault. Please contact the Crime prevention team at Campus Safety. Crime Prevention programs are held for each residential facility at the start of the academic school year and at various times during the school year.
ESCORT SERVICE
Campus Safety offers an escort service to all students from the hours of dusk till dawn. This is usually done by our student patrol. You can call for an escort from any college property, to be taken to a college property. We encourage students to use this service; students should never walk alone at night on campus, and to be aware of emergency phone locations.
R.A.D. PROGRAM
R.A.D. stands for Rape Aggression Defense System, a system of self-defense for women. The R.A.D. program is a comprehensive course for women, which includes awareness, prevention, and hands-on defense training. A certified RAD instructor teaches the course. Please contact Campus Safety for more information.
AFTER HOURS CALLS
Campus Safety also takes after hours' maintenance calls for Plant Operations. We also handle after hours' calls for the Health Center and the Counseling Center; we can put you in contact with a health professional or a counselor.