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Campus Report
 
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ANNUAL CAMPUS SECURITY REPORT AND GUIDE

INTRODUCTION

This section of our web site is dedicated to providing you with information on campus crime statistics, policies and procedures and other resource material to assist you.

IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS

2111 - University Police Department - 24 hour number
2180 - Infirmary (Student Health Services)
3838 - Sgt. Amanada Murrow, (Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm)
(Questions on traffic regulations, card access, and department services)
313-7171 - Campus Escorts (7 pm (DST)/ 6 pm (ST) to 1 am (DST)/12 am (ST) - all other hours call 294-2111.

After hour (Non-emergency) Maintenance Hotlines for All Housing
(Lakeside Housing, South Housing, Bell Tower Cabins and North Village)
: 294-2092

294-2111 - After hour EMERGENCY Maintenance Hotline

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UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Staffing

The University Police Department provides law enforcement services, communication services, crime prevention/education services, traffic/parking services and support services for campus events and activities. There are 26 staff members in the Public Safety Department: Director, 10 police officers, 1 investigator, 3 civilian Community Service Staff, 3 full time dispatchers, 4 part time dispatchers, and two civilian office staff. A crew of 35-40 event staff, Deputies from the Greenville County Sheriff's Department, and Troopers from the South Carolina Highway Patrol who work special events and activities on campus supplement the department. All of Furman University's police officers are certified and have the power to arrest.

Education and Training

Many of our commissioned law enforcement officers have attended college, are attending college or have college degrees. Officers are often recruited from area law enforcement agencies and come to us with a variety of experience. All officers attend the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy and must attend on-going advanced training to maintain their certification and to meet department standards. Advanced training has included courses at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, US Secret Service, US Treasury ATF, South Carolina Highway Patrol, Greenville County Sheriff's Department, American Red Cross, South Carolina Campus Law Enforcement Association, International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators and a variety of advanced specialty programs.

Patrols On Campus and Investigation of Crimes

It is the responsibility of the University Police Officers to provide law enforcement deterrence and response to violations of state and federal laws and to support physical security programs. The officers provide continuous patrols of university property and facilities to deter acts of crime, and to detect and intervene when criminal activity occurs. An investigator or officer responds to and follows up on all reported crime. In addition to their patrol services, officers investigate traffic accidents, assist in medical emergencies, provide motorist assistance, enforce campus traffic and parking regulations, and provide support services for many campus activities and events.

Working With Area Law Enforcement Agencies

The University Police have an excellent working association with and the support of, area law enforcement agencies. Persons committing similar crimes in adjacent communities cause many of the problems on campus. Our officers also work with area law enforcement agencies when members of the Furman community are involved in crimes and investigations which originate off campus. The Greenville County Sheriif's Deputies and Troopers of the South Carolina Highway Patrol supplement our officer staff for many campus events and activities.

Report a Security or Safety Hazard

If you observe a streetlight not working properly or burned out, an inoperable lock, damage to University property or other security hazard, call the Public Safety dispatcher at 294-2111 to report. The department will follow up with an appropriate work order and/or notification.

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REPORTING CRIMES & OTHER EMERGENCIES ON CAMPUS

Students, employees and visitors are encouraged to immediately report any criminal offense, suspected criminal activity, fire, traffic accident, and injury or requests for medical assistance, directly to University Police Department. This can be done several ways:

  • From any campus telephone dial 2111. Off campus dial 294-2111.
  • There are emergency telephones located at the access points to residence halls, at the Infirmary entrance and on campus elevators. Some telephones require dialing 2111. Other telephones require you to only activate the telephone and it will automatically ring the Public Safety dispatcher.
  • Come to the Public Safety Office in person. The office is open 24 hours and is located adjacent to the loading dock at the rear of McAlister Auditorium.

Furman Public Safety Department's procedures require an immediate response to emergency calls. We work closely with the Duncan Chapel Fire Department, Greenville County Emergency Medical Services, and other area emergency resources to assure a complete and timely response to all emergency calls. Calls are dispatched on a priority basis. We know your call is important to you. The officer must respond to the most critical call first.

  • 1st Priority response is given to crimes against persons and personal injuries.
  • 2nd Priority is provided to crimes not in progress where the victim is not in danger, property crimes, and escort services after the shuttle service stops.
  • 3rd Priority is provided to other services.

CAMPUS EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

Furman has an emergency notification system which will provide emergency information to students, faculty and staff through their cell telephone and email.  To update your contact information go to campus Web Advisor.  Information on that system determines the contact telephone number.

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REPORTING OFF CAMPUS CRIMES & OTHER EMERGENCIES

The Furman Public Safety Department handles criminal matters for all university-owned facilities. Furman University has no off-campus housing or student organizations. Furman does have one off campus facility used by the Physics Department in northern Greenville County. The Greenville County Sheriff's Department assists Furman Public Safety Department with responses to service calls on this property.

The Greenville County Sheriff's Department normally informs the Furman Public Safety Department of serious off campus criminal activity that may affect the University community. When this information is known, timely warnings and advisories are provided to the campus community. This information will be posted on this web site.

If you are a victim or witness to a crime off campus, dial 911 from any off campus telephone to make a report or request emergency services.

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CRIME STATISTICS

CRIME STATISTICS MANDATED BY THE CLERY ACT

The below statistics reflect crime statistics mandated by the federal "Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act". These statistics represent incidents that have been reported to the Furman University Public Safety Department as well as other University Officials who have significant responsibility for student and campus activity as defined by the Clery Act. Information is not solicited from the Counseling Office or the Chaplains since their activities are protected and confidential. Incidents reported in the below tables do not always result in criminal investigation or prosecution when the victim chooses not to pursue the matter criminally and opts for alternative resolution such as the student judicial process.

Campus Residence : Residence halls, apartments and other facilities used for student or staff housing. Campus Other : All non-residential facilities.
Non-Campus Property: Any building or property owned or controlled by an institution of higher education that is used in direct support of, or in relation to, the institution's educational purpose; or, is frequently used by students and is not within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution. The university has only one off-campus facility used by for astronomy which is located off of Highway 11 in Greenville County.
Public Property :
There is no public property within the university boundaries.


CRIMINAL
HOMICIDE & MANSLAUGHTER
FORCIBLE
SEX OFFENSES
NON-FORCIBLE
SEX OFFENSES
ROBBERY
LOCATION

2006

2007

2008

2006

2007

2008

2006

2007

2008

2006

2007

2008

Campus Residence

0

0

0

2

0

4

0

0

0

0

0

0

Campus Other

0

0

0

0

3

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

Non-campus Property

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0


AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
BURGLARY
MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT
ARSON
LOCATION

2006

2007

2008

2006

2007

2008

2006

2007

2008

2006

2007

2008

Campus Residence

1

0

0

1

12

12

2

4

1

0

0

0

Campus Other

1

0

2

0

2

6

2

2

2

1

1

0

Non-campus Property

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0


DRUG ABUSE VIOLATIONS
LIQUOR LAWS & UNIV. POLICY VIOLATIONS
WEAPONS VIOLATIONS
HATE CRIMES
DISPOSITION

2006

2007

2008

2006

2007

2008

2006

2007

2008

2006

2007

2008 

Arrests

1

0

1

2

 0

0

1

1

1

0

0

0

Student Disciplinary Referral

13

4

5

159

125

154

6

0

0

0

0

0

In 2008 the following crimes or incidents were reported:  153 larcenies, 80 damage to property, 6 simple assaults and 2 intimidation cases. There were 3 fires reported in 2008.  Two were grass fires and one was a trash can fire in a parking lot. Cauaes of the fires was not determined.  There was no monetary damage, deaths or injuries from these fires.

 

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CAMPUS JURISDICTION MAP

OFF CAMPUS CRIME STATISTICS FOR JAN TO DEC 2008

At our request, the Greenville County Sheriff's Department has provided information on crimes and incidents that occurred on public property, streets and roads contiguous to university property for the calendar year of 2008. Areas covered by this report were:

  • Poinsett Highway from Old Buncombe Road to Roe Ford Road (3000-3600)
    • None
  • Duncan Chapel Road (300 to 2805)

    • 2 Other larceny
    • 1 Theft from motor vehicle
    • 7 Theft of motor vehicle parts
    • 2 Burglary/breaking & entering
    • 1 Destruction/damage to property
    • 1 Drug and narcotic violation
    • 2 Robbery
    • 1 Motor vehicle theft
    • 1 Simple assaut
    • 2 Criminal domestic violence
  • North US 25 Bypass from 319 to 205 (Duncan Chapel Road to Roe Ford Road)
    • 1 Larceny
    • 1 Criminal domestic violence
    • 1 Destruction/damage/vandalism of property
    • 1 Stolen property
    • 1 Theft of vehicle parts
    • 1 Disorderly conduct
  • New Roe Ford Road - None
  • Old Roe Ford Road
    • None
  • Glenrose and Marchbanks Drive
    • 1 Burglary/Breaking and entering
  • Property on Highway 11 - None

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AVAILABLE INFORMATION ON WEEKLY SUMMARY OF CRIMES AND INCIDENTS

  1. Check this web site under the News Flash section for weekly summary of crimes or incidents which have occurred on campus.  (THIS SECTION IS CLOSED TEMPORARILY WHILE A NEW WEB SITE IS BEING DEVELOPED.  THESE CRIME SUMMARIES WILL BE PRINTED IN THE PALADIN NEWSPAPER EACH WEEK DURING THIS TIME.

  2. Come by the Public Safety Office and request to see the log of criminal incidents reported to Public Safety. This log is posted every 48 hours. Sixty days of records are maintained in the log. This record is maintained for 3 years.

  3. Read The Paladin newspaper which publishes the weekly summary of crimes and incidents.

  4. When a serious crime occurs a special bulletin will be posted on this web site in addition to notification of various campus offices and personnel.

  5. Special crime alerts of upstate crime trends are also posted on this web site.

  6. Heard a rumor and want the facts? Call Bob Miller, Director of Public Safety at 294-2111.

REGISTERED SEX CRIME OFFENDERS

A list of Sex Crime Offenders registered with the State of South Carolina is available through this web page. Go to original web page, click on "Safety Links", click on "South Carolina Sex Offenders" and follow the directions on this web site.

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SECURITY PLANNING

Security planning is an integral part of any successful security program. Plans for new and renovated facilities are reviewed for security and safety impacts. Planning and maintaining the landscaped areas of the campus are important to the campus appearance as well as maintaining good security. Campus administrators and student leaders review security and safety procedures and considerations when planning campus events and activities. Facilities Services Department responds to work orders daily to repair locks, windows and lighting. A continuous program of lighting improvements, with input from both the students and staff, has made some significant improvements in the past several years. There have been continuous improvements each year in campus fire detection and alarm systems. There are over 100 security alarm systems on campus which are monitored by the Public Safety Department. Security and safety planning is an on-going process on the Furman campus.

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ACCESS TO RESIDENCE HALLS AND OTHER FACILITIES

Access to Campus

The campus is accessible on a 24-hour basis from Poinsett Highway and Duncan Chapel Road. Some other gate access points are closed to reduce access to the campus at night. During the fall break when there are no activities on campus, all campus gates close at 7 p.m. During the summer months when there are many camps with young children, all campus gates close at 10 p.m. During these times, you may access the campus through the main gate from Poinsett Highway provided you have either a current parking decal on your vehicle or a current Furman identification card with you.

Access to Residential Facilities

We expect resident students to secure their individual rooms and apartments and report suspicious persons to both Public Safety and the Housing staff. Lakeside Housing has card access equipment at the exterior entry points and door prop alarms on all exterior doors. South Housing has an exterior key door locking system. Blackwell Hall has a similar card access and door prop alarms. These exterior locking systems are designed to keep strangers out of the residence halls. For everyone's safety, do not prop open these exterior doors. Visitors must use the security telephones located at the entry points to call the person they are visiting and are allowed into the halls only when escorted by a resident.

Lakeside Auxiliary Housing units (Cain, Shuck, Cottage and Hut) have individual security alarms. North Village apartments have dead bolt locks and the first floor apartment windows have security screens. The common laundry rooms are controlled by a card access system.

Access to Other Campus Facilities

Campus facilities have different operating hours and policies. The facility manager and heads of the departments occupying that facility determine these policies. In 1999, a program was initiated to install card access systems to various labs, athletic locker rooms and entry into some facilities. This program has been continually expanded since its initiation. All campus facilities have at least one on-campus telephone in which to contact Public Safety.

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CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS

All new and freshmen students are required to attend an orientation session with the Public Safety Department for a briefing on crime on campus, security procedures and department services. Although there is no set schedule for presentations of other crime prevention/education programs, topics on campus crime or related topics are offered by various departments on campus throughout the year.

The Public Safety Department has free crime prevention pamphlets on 50 topics in its office. The department maintains a security video library on various topics to include date rape, securing your room, alcohol, drugs and similar topics that can be borrowed at no cost. Alcohol 101, an interactive CD Rom program, is offered by the Public Safety Department, Housing Office, Counseling and Testing Office, Infirmary, Student Services, Sports Medicine and HES Department. The Public Safety Department offers customized education programs to any student or employee group on campus by request. Different crime prevention/education posters are displayed throughout campus facilities each month.

FIREARMS, WEAPONS AND EXPLOSIVE DEVICES

Firearms are not allowed on university property. The possession of a firearm on the campus is a violation of South Carolina state law. There are no provisions at this time to store firearms for the purpose of sport. Fireworks, air guns, BB guns, pellet guns and paint ball guns are also prohibited.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG POLICIES

MISSING PERSON POLICY

Most missing person reports in the university environment are a result from a student changing their normal routine and failing to inform roommates or friends of this change. All reports made to the Public Safety Department of missing persons are followed up with an on-going investigation. Parents are normally notified between 8 and 16 hours, dependent on circumstances, of unresolved missing person reports.

SEXUAL ASSAULT SUPPORT SERVICES

Furman University is an academic community committed to the goal of educating men and women to become responsible citizens and leaders in society. The university aims to develop individual excellence and to prepare students for life during and after college. Student Services, Public Safety and Counseling Services Departments all provide educational programs. Furman is committed to having a campus environment which will neither tolerate nor condone sexual violence.

The Furman Public Safety Department staff are available on a 24 hour basis to receive and investigate reports of rape and sexual assault, assist and accompany victim in securing medical attention, participate in evidence preservation and collection, conduct investigations, and inform the victim of legal and administrative options both on and off campus.

What to do if you are a victim of sexual violence:

  • Find a friend for support.
  • Get medical attention. A physical examination will help to assure that any injuries will be identified and treated and that sexually transmitted disease testing will be provided and followed up.
  • Evidence may be obtained and kept in case the victim decides to pursue criminal charges. Do not bathe, shower, douche or change clothes before the exam.
  • Report the crime. The decision to report is the victim's. There are several ways to take action, criminal prosecution or through the university's disciplinary system or both. Contact the University Police or Vice President for Student Services.
  • If you are a victim of an off campus assault, you should report this to the local police authority having jurisdiction. If you want assistance from the Public Safety Department with this process, a Furman police officer will accompany you upon request. We provide these types of support services and have a victim advocate in the department.
  • Seek counseling. Support through a trained counselor can help the victim understand and work through the trauma.
  • The Office of Student Services is responsible for university disciplinary procedures following a report of rape or sexual assault between students. Both accuser and accused are entitled to have an advisor present at all hearings and proceedings. Both parties shall be informed of the outcome of any disciplinary hearing. Possible sanctions for being found guilty include but are not limited to, expulsion, probation, counseling and other sanctions as deemed appropriate by the hearing body. The victim's academic and living situation will be changed upon request if reasonably available.

Surviving Crime with Assistance

The issue in life is not whether we will experience tragedy; the issue is how will we recover from it. If you are a victim of crime, it is helpful to recognize that the experience is traumatic. Feeling violated and vulnerable because someone has forcefully entered your private space and rifled through your personal belongings is an understandable reaction to property crime. Fear that other types of crimes may happen is also a common reaction. Responses to a crime range from temporary sleep or appetite problems to problems of concentration or irritability. Most of these symptoms are temporary and may gradually fade after you talk with friends, family or a counselor. If you have been a victim of a personal crime by a stranger or acquaintance that involved a physical, armed or sexually aggressive confrontation, we encourage you to seek support. All services listed below are confidential.

On Campus Support

      Counseling Services 294-3031
      Chaplain's Office 294-2138
      Earle Infirmary 294-2180
      Vice President for Student Services 294-2202
      Director of Public Safety 294-3555
      Public Safety Victim Advocate 294-2111

Off Campus Support

Rape Crisis 24 hour line 232-8633
Victim-Witness Assistance, Solicitor's Office 268-8612

    FIRE SAFETY

    There have been several dormitory and residential fires on college campuses in the last few years that have claimed the lives of several students. As a result of these recent fires, concern has been raised among fire protection professionals, university officials and the public concerning fire safety in campus housing. That concern was felt strongly at Furman University. Although Furman has not experienced a fatal fire since it was founded in 1826, university officials recognized that almost any fire has potentially fatal consequences.

    Furman University has a major residential system on campus consisting of 12 dormitory structures and 9 apartment buildings that house approximately 2000 students. The structures vary considerably in construction and fire protection capabilities as a result of prevailing fire codes in effect at the time of construction. This situation is normal for any university similar to Furman. The university has devoted considerable resources since 1985 to upgrading fire safety in the residential buildings.

    The Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Office is vitally concerned with fire safety in residential buildings. The EH&S Office is responsible for oversight of fire prevention programs on campus. A State-Certified Fire Marshal manages the program. The EH&S Office works closely with Residence Life to ensure proper response to fire alarms and elimination of fire hazards. A close working relationship also exists between the University and the nearby Duncan Chapel Fire Department (DCFD). DCFD responds to the campus for all fire alarms.

    Although the University fire prevention resources are directed at the entire campus, a major aim of the program is specifically directed at the residence halls. The campus fire prevention program requires a balanced effort consisting of education, emergency planning, inspection of buildings and testing of fire protection systems. Fire drills are conducted periodically to familiarize the students and staff on proper procedures to follow during fire alarms.

    All residential buildings are protected with an automatic alarm system monitored 24 hours a day at the Public Safety Office. This alarm system consists of smoke detectors (all residential rooms and corridors), heat detectors and pull stations. There are sprinkler systems in the newly constructed North Village apartments and partial sprinkler protection in other residential halls.

    Since we feel that early detection is the key to fire safety on campus, we are continuing to upgrade our automatic detection and alarm systems in our residential buildings to ensure the quickest detection and response available.

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