Purpose: Establishes procedures to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, otherwise known as the Clery Act.
Process: The WCC Chief of Police has overall responsibility for ensuring compliance with the Clery Act.
A. Timely Warnings
In the event that a situation arises that, in the judgment of the WCC Police Department, constitutes an
ongoing or continuing threat, a campus-wide alert “timely warning” will be issued using the Emergency Broadcast System. The alert will also be posted on the College’s e-mail system to students, faculty, and staff and will also be posted on the College’s website.
Anyone with information warranting a timely warning should report the circumstances to the WCC
Police Department at (252) 246-1393.
Signals
Fire or explosion – signified by a pulsating tone with a flashing strobe light.
Tornado Warning – course of action and instructions will be announced using the Emergency Broadcast System.
Bomb Threat – course of action and instructions will be announced using the Emergency Broadcast System.
Fire or explosion – Pull the nearest fire alarm and exit the building in an orderly fashion as outlined in the building evacuation maps found in each hallway. Alarm locations are noted on each emergency map located in every hallway. If time and safety allow, call the switchboard from an emergency marked phone to report the location of the fire. When calling from a cell phone or other non-campus phone, call (252) 291-1195. Once outside move to the nearest evacuation area marked in red on a campus light pole and do not re-enter the building until instructed to do so by a College official.
Bomb Threat – Call the switchboard immediately from an emergency marked phone or by dialing “1195” on an office phone. Cell phones should not be used by anyone. The switchboard operator will contact the security officer and a College administrator. Remain calm and do not immediately evacuate the building unless immediate danger is present or when directed by security or a College official to do so. If evacuation is necessary, go to the nearest evacuation area marked in red on a campus light pole.
B. Reporting the Annual Disclosure of Crime Statistics
The WCC Police Department prepares this report to comply with the Clery Act. The full text of this report can be read by going to the Annual Campus Crime Report. This report is prepared in cooperation with the local law enforcement agencies surrounding our campus, our security officers, the WCC Chief of Police, and their designees.
Campus crime, arrest, and referral statistics include those reported to security officers, designated campus officials, and local law enforcement agencies. Each year, an e-mail notification that provides the website to access this report will be sent to all currently enrolled curriculum students, faculty, and staff. A partial version of the report is available in the College Catalog and information on how prospective students can obtain a copy of the report will be published in the class schedule. Copies of the report may be obtained at the WCC Police Department (Room C-100) or by calling (252) 246-1393. All prospective employees may obtain a copy from Human Resources or by calling (252) 246-1263.
C. Reporting of Criminal Offenses
If you see a crime in progress or behavior which you suspect is criminal, or are yourself a victim of a
crime, report it as soon as possible by calling the switchboard from an emergency marked phone.
When calling from a cell phone or other non-campus phone, call (252) 291-1195. Any suspicious
activity or person seen in the parking lots or loitering around vehicles, inside buildings, or any area
immediately adjacent to the campus should be reported to the WCC Police Department at (252) 246-1215. In addition you may report a crime to the following College officials and they will ensure
assistance is provided:
- WCC Chief of Police (252) 246-1393, Room D-103
- Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services (252) 246-1221, Room F-104.
- Dean of Continuing Education (252) 246-1290, Room B-101a.
- Dean of Student Development (252) 246-1275, Room F-100h.
- Director of Human Resources (252) 246-1263, Room F-103e.
- Evening Director Dial “1195” from an office phone or or 252-291-1195 from an outside line
Students, employees, community members, and guests are encouraged to report all crimes and public safety related incidents to the College switchboard and/or the WCC Chief of Police as soon as possible. All crimes on campus are investigated by campus security when it is deemed appropriate. Any security concern a student or College employee may have can be e-mailed directly to the WCC Police Department at security@wilsoncc.edu. The safety of our campus is of the utmost importance. Any threat, circumstance, or condition you feel is worthy of reporting will be investigated and taken seriously. All incident reports concerning students are forwarded to the Dean of Student Development. All incident reports concerning employees are forwarded to the Director of Human Resources. Crimes should be reported to the WCC Chief of Police to ensure inclusion in the annual crime statistics and to aid in providing timely warning notices to the community when appropriate.
D. Access Policy
During normal business hours (Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during the fall and spring semesters; summer hours vary), the College will be open to students, parents, employees, contractors, guests, and invitees. During non-business hours, access to all College facilities is by key if issued, or by admittance via campus security.
Emergencies may necessitate changes or alterations to any posted schedule. The WCC Police Department and the Security Committee semi-annually examine security issues such as landscaping, locks, alarms, and lighting.
E. Campus Security Authority and Jurisdiction
Campus police officers have complete police authority to apprehend and arrest anyone involved in illegal acts on campus and areas immediately adjacent to the campus. If a student or employee commits a minor offense involving College rules and regulations, campus security officers may refer the individual for disciplinary action.
All campus police officers are sworn law enforcement agents who work closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
F. Security Awareness Programs
During “new student” orientation, students are informed of services offered by campus security. Students are told about crime on campus and in areas adjacent to the campus. Similar information is presented to new employees.
Periodically during the academic year, the WCC Chief of Police, in cooperation with other College organizations and departments, may present crime prevention, personal safety awareness sessions, and critical incident exercises which provide strategies, practice and tips on how to protect yourself from crimes. A common theme of all awareness and crime prevention programs is to encourage students and employees to be aware of their responsibility for their own security and the security of others. In addition, information is disseminated to students and employees through security alert postings, tips on the College website, and announcements through e-mail or campus bulletins.
G. Criminal Activity Off Campus
Campus police do not provide law enforcement services to off-campus activities on behalf of the College.
H. Alcoholic Beverages or Controlled Substances
The possession, consumption, sale, manufacture or the distribution of alcohol or controlled substances on the College campus is strictly prohibited and is illegal under both state and federal laws. The College is a “drug free” area and the WCC Chief of Police has primary responsibility for the enforcement of alcohol/controlled substance laws on campus. Violators are subject to College disciplinary action, criminal prosecution, and/or fine and imprisonment. College organizations violating alcohol/substance policies or laws will be subject to sanctions by the College.
I. Alcohol and Substance Abuse Education
The College has developed a program to prevent the illicit use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students and employees. The program provides services related to drug use and abuse including dissemination of informational materials, referrals, and college disciplinary actions.
J. Sexual Assault Prevention and Responses
The College may offer sexual assault education and information programs to College students and employees upon request.
If you are a victim of a sexual assault at the College, your first priority should be to get to a place of safety. You should then obtain necessary medical treatment. Campus security strongly advocates that an accuser of sexual assault report the incident in a timely manner. Time is a critical factor for evidence collection and preservation. An assault should be reported directly to a security officer or a College official. If the report is made to a College official, the accuser will be guided through the available options and will be supported in their decision on whether or not to file a police report. Filing a police report will not obligate the accuser to prosecute, nor will it subject the accuser to scrutiny or judgmental opinions from officers. Filing a police report will ensure that an accuser of sexual assault receives the necessary medical treatment and tests, provide the opportunity for collection of evidence helpful in prosecution, and assure that the accuser has a referral to confidential counseling from counselors specifically trained in the area of sexual assault crisis intervention.
College disciplinary proceedings and due process procedures are detailed in the Student Handbook. In cases involving sexual misconduct, the accused and the accuser will each be allowed to have one person with no formal legal training to accompany them throughout the disciplinary proceedings. Both the accuser and the accused will be informed of the outcome of the College disciplinary proceeding. A student or employee found guilty of sexual misconduct could be criminally prosecuted and/or suspended or expelled from campus or have their employment terminated. Student accusers have the option to change their academic situations after an alleged sexual assault, if such changes are reasonably available.
K. Sexual Offender Registration
In accordance with the “Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act” of 2000, the Jeanne Clery Act, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the College is providing a link to the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry. This act requires institutions of higher education to issue a statement advising the campus community where law enforcement information provided by a state concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained. It also requires sex offenders to provide notice of each institution of higher education in that state at which the person is employed or is a student.
Certain individuals required to register with the local sheriff’s office as a sex offender may be in violation of the law simply being “in any place where minors gather for regularly scheduled educational programs or activities”.