Campus Crime Policy

It is the goal of Linn State Technical College to involve all members of the College community in a concerted effort to reduce crime.  Students, staff and faculty have the right to work, study and learn in an environment free of crime.  The prevention of crime is viewed as the collective responsibility of all persons associated with the College.  The following procedures are intended to provide tangible evidence of the College's commitment of ensuring a crime free campus.

Any student, staff, or faculty member of Linn State Technical College must report any criminal activity at the earliest possible opportunity (but never to exceed 24 hours) to the Building and Safety Manager.  In addition, persons who are aware of any criminal activity on campus must report that activity to the appropriate law enforcement agency.  These agencies are the Osage County Sheriff's Department (Linn Campus), the Jefferson City Police Department (Capital Region Medical Center), and the Mexico City Police Department (Advanced Technology Center).  This policy extends to alleged criminal activity and information concerning criminal activity.  Criminal activity is defined as any activity in conflict with local, state or federal law.

TIMELY WARNINGS

In the event that a situation arises, either on or off campus, that, in the judgment of the Building and Safety Manager, constitutes an ongoing or continuing threat, a campus wide “timely warning” will be issued.  The warning will be issued through the College communications system to students, faculty, staff and in the campus “Daily Bulletin”.

The particular circumstances of the incident will dictate the measures taken to notify the campus community. In situations that pose an immediate threat to the community and individuals, the warning will be issued via telephone to key locations, campus e-mail,
website posting and other communication systems as deemed appropriate. 

Contact Information 

Anyone with information warranting a timely warning should report the circumstances to:

The Building and Safety Manager at phone 573-897-5184 or 573-338-3316 or e-mail at robert.holtmeyer@linnstate.edu or in person in the office.

The Building and Safety Manager will contact the appropriate law enforcement authority to ensure that the illegal activity was reported, and to determine what action the College should take to cooperate in the investigation.  The Building and Safety Manager will contact, as appropriate, the victim of the crime to determine if the College can provide assistance or information.  Victims in need of counseling will be referred to the Dean of Student Services.  Legal council will be at the discretion of the victim, whether student or employee.

General Procedures for Reporting a Crime or Emergency

Campus Law Enforcement 

Linn State Technical College does not employ campus police.  Security is viewed as the responsibility of the entire College community.  The accurate and prompt reporting of all crimes to the appropriate police agencies is defined in the statement of these policies (below).

To report a crime or an emergency on the LSTC main campus; call the Building and Safety Manager at extension 5184 or from outside the campus phone system, 573-897-5184.  Use this procedure for either a non-emergency or emergency.

To report a crime or an emergency on the Jefferson City campus; call the Physical Therapist Assistant Department Chair at 573-632-5625.  Use this procedure for either a non-emergency or emergency.

If a crime or emergency occurs at Capital Region Medical Center, call the Security Officer at 573-632-5073. 

To report a crime or an emergency on the Mexico campus; call the Executive Director at 573-582-0817 extension 640.  Use this procedure for either a non-emergency or emergency.

In response to a call, the appropriate official will take the required action, by notifying emergency personnel or asking the victim to report to the official to file an incident report.

All College incident reports are forwarded to the Dean of Student Services for review and potential action.

Reporting Sexual Offenses 

If assistance is required from any of the law enforcement agencies, the Building and Safety Manager will contact the appropriate unit.  If a sexual assault or rape should occur, staff on the scene, including the Building and Safety Manager, will offer the victim a variety of services. 

The Linn State Technical College Student Handbook contains information about on-campus and off-campus resources.  That information is made available to provide LSTC community members with specific information about the resources that are available in the event that they become a victim of a crime.  The information about “resources” is not provided to infer that those resources are “reporting entities” for LSTC.

Crimes should be reported to the LSTC Building and Safety Manager to ensure inclusion in the annual crime statistics and to aid in providing timely warning notices to the community, when appropriate.  For example, a crime that was reported only to the Family Counseling Center would not be included in the LSTC crime statistics.

Campus Security 

The Board of Regents has vested the Maintenance Staff at Linn State Technical College with the authority to enforce all College rules and regulations. All access to campus facilities is controlled. In addition, the Maintenance Staff has been informed that they shall maintain a program of crime deterrent activities, including a review of all campus entry/exit points, locks, and individual window and door security devices, (including alarm systems). The Maintenance Staff will review campus lighting at regular intervals.  Campus security cameras are in place; actively recording activities, both indoors and outdoors, and are on at all times.

Type and Descriptions of Crime Prevention Programs 

In keeping with the College philosophy of a collective defense against all criminal activity, the following activities have been established:

1. All incoming freshmen receive written notification concerning campus security procedures and current crime statistics.

2. Crime prevention and awareness topic(s) are discussed at student orientation and faculty/staff orientation.

3. Crime awareness topics are a formal part of not less than two Departmental Chair meetings per year.

4. Crime prevention/awareness topics are in the bulletin not less than three times per year.

5. Potential students and employees are given a summary of the report and information about its availability.

Local Law Enforcement

Monitoring Off-campus Activity 

When a Linn State Technical College (LSTC) student enrolled on any of the LSTC campuses is involved in an off-campus offense, the Osage County Sheriff’s Department, Jefferson City Police or the Mexico Police may assist with the investigation in cooperation with local, state or federal law enforcement.  These law enforcement agencies routinely works with and communicates with campus safety officials on any serious incidents occurring on-campus or in the immediate community and business areas surrounding the campuses.  The Linn main campus, Jefferson City or Mexico site operates no off-campus housing or off-campus student organization facilities.  However, many students live in off-campus housing in the community surrounding LSTC as well as the other two campus sites.  While the local law enforcement agencies in all three of the LSTC campus sites have primary jurisdiction in all areas off campus, LSTC safety officials can and do respond to student-related incidents that occur in close proximity to these campuses.  LSTC safety officials have direct communication with the city police, fire departments and ambulance services to facilitate rapid response in any emergency situation.

Sexual Offenses

Linn State Technical College acknowledges sexual offenses as a serious campus concern and a violation of the human rights and dignity of individuals.  Sexual offenses will not be tolerated on College property or at College sponsored events.  The following policies have been established to help prevent sexual offenses.

Educational Awareness Programs on Sexual Offenses

1. All incoming freshman  receive written notification concerning campus crime statistics.

2. Crime prevention including specific prevention of sexual offenses is discussed at student orientation.

3. Sexual offense awareness is a formal part of not less than two Departmental Chair meetings per year.

4. Not less than one campus wide seminar is held for students, faculty, and staff.

5. The Residential Government Association sponsors a seminar each semester; for residents.

Reporting Sexual Offenses 

All sexual offenses should be reported to the Dean of Student Services, no matter which campus site, off-campus location or campus activity was involved.  Any student, staff, or faculty member of Linn State Technical College who observes, or is a victim of, a sexual offense must report the offense at the earliest possible opportunity (never to exceed 24 hours) to the Linn Campus Building and Safety Manager the Advanced Technology Center Executive Director (Mexico site), and the Physical Therapist Assistant Chairperson (Capital Region Medical Center site).  In addition, persons who are aware of any sexual offense, or are a victim of a sexual offense on campus must report that activity to the appropriate law enforcement agency.  These agencies are the Osage County Sheriff's Department (Linn Campus), the Jefferson City Police Department (Capital Region Medical Center), and the Mexico City Police Department (Advanced Technology Center).  This policy extends to alleged sexual offenses and information concerning sexual offenses.  The College’s definition of sexual offense is consistent with local, state and federal law.

PRESERVING EVIDENCE, VICTIM INFORMATION AND CRIME PREVENTION TIPS!
To preserve evidence, DO not bathe or change clothes or do any cleaning up in any manner prior to receiving medical assistance.

• You are the person in control when you contact the police department and you decide how you want the incident handled.  You may press charges against the suspect and ask that College disciplinary action be initiated against the suspect

• You and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during a campus disciplinary proceeding and both parties shall be informed of the outcome of any disciplinary proceeding brought that alleges a sexual assault.

• You may request that your academic and living situation be changed, if reasonably available.

Crime Prevention Tips 

• Never leave valuable within view in a vehicle

• Secure a parked vehicle with locked doors and windows closed

• Don’t leave a parked car running while unoccupied

• Always let friends or family know where you will be

• Avoid unknown locations or new situations at night, especially if alone

• Go in a group and stay with the group - don’t leave friends behind

• Lock car doors when traveling

• Don’t give out social security numbers - get a generated number on your license

• Don’t leave property unattended

• Never leave drinks unattended at a party/social event

• Lock doors at home whether you are there or not

• Don’t answer the door if you don’t know who it is and never let a stranger in to “use the phone”

• If you must drink, DRINK RESPONSIBLY!

Campus Disciplinary Procedures for Sexual Offenses

1. Sexual offense violators will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action and/or legal prosecution.  Permanent suspension [EXPULSION] from the College, termination of employment, and/or referral for prosecution may be the consequence of infractions of this policy.  Loss of eligibility for financial aid may also result.  In cases of an alleged sexual offense, a disciplinary proceeding will be conducted as soon as possible, usually within five (5) working days, to make a final institutional determination of whether the alleged sexual offense actually occurred and if any College sanction should be imposed against the accused. In every case the following rules shall apply:

1. The accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during a College disciplinary proceeding; and

2. Both the accuser and the accused shall be informed of the outcome of any institutional disciplinary proceeding brought about alleging a sexual offense.  Compliance with this subsection does not constitute a violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g).  For the purpose of this paragraph, the outcome of a disciplinary proceeding means only the institution’s final determination with respect to the alleged sexual offense and any sanction that is imposed against the accused.

3. Criminal charges are a separate matter from College sanctions.

2. Criminal action for sexual offenses remains the right of the victim, regardless of campus disciplinary action against the accused.

Campus Counseling and Support Services

1. Counseling is available through the Student Services department to any student, faculty or staff member who is a victim of a sexual offense on campus.

2. If one of the Counselors determines that a licensed professional counselor is necessary, a list of referrals will be given to the individual.

3. A list of additional support services can be obtained by contacting the Student Services Dean or directly from the Clinical Counselor/Vocational Rehabilitation Educator or College Counselor.

Campus Crime Statistics 

In compliance with the Campus Security Act of 1990 and the Amendment of 1992 (Public Law 101-542), Linn State Technical College publishes and distributes the following statistics.

Reporting the Annual Disclosure of Crime Statistics

 The Campus Security Survey Administrator prepares this report to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act.  The full text of this report is located on our website at www.linnstate.edu/current/pdfs/
StudentHandbook.pdf.   You will also be able to connect to our website via the Home Page at www.linnstate.edu.  This report is prepared in cooperation with the local law enforcement agencies surrounding the main campus and alternate sites, Housing and Residential Services, Building and Safety Manager, Administration and Business Department and Student Services.  Each entity provides updated information on their educational efforts and programs to comply with the Act.

Campus crime, arrest and referral statistics indicate those reported to the Building and Safety Manager; designated campus officials (including but not limited to directors, deans, department chairs, advisors to students/student organizations); and local law enforcement agencies.  These statistics may also include crimes that have occurred in private residences or businesses and is not required by law.  Missouri law requires prompt, mandatory reporting to the local law enforcement agency by health care practitioners (such as those at Student Health Services) when they provide medical services to a person they know or reasonably suspects is suffering from wounds inflicted by a firearm or is a result of assaultive or abusive conduct.  The Counseling staff informs their clients of the procedures to report crime to the Building and Safety Manager on a voluntary or confidential basis, should they feel it is in the best interest of the client.  A procedure is in place to anonymously capture crime statistics disclosed confidentially during such a session.

Each year, an e-mail notification is made to all enrolled students which provide the website to access this report.  Faculty and staff receive similar notification with their paycheck.  Copies of the report may also be obtained in the office of the College Counselor in the Nilges Technology Center, Room 103 or by calling 573-897-5228.  All prospective employees may obtain a copy from Human Resources in the Administration Office located in the Nilges Technology Center, Room 117 or by calling 573-897-5108, and the website address will be attached to the Linn State Technical College employment applications. 

This report covers the Linn campus, the Capital Region Medical Center Location, in Jefferson City, Missouri and the Advanced Technology Center in Mexico, Missouri.  The Physical Therapist Assistant program is located in Jefferson City, Missouri; the Nuclear Technology program and Automation and Robotics Technology program; which include a Laser/Photonics Technology option are located in Mexico, Missouri.  All other programs are on the Main Campus in Linn, Missouri.

The following tables list the number of criminal offenses and arrests reported on each campus for the past three years.