Annual Safety and Security Report

Augustana College’s Annual Campus Safety and Security Report is published in compliance with federal law. It is prepared by the Campus Safety Department and the Dean of Students Office.

Campus Safety and Security at Augustana College
The Augustana Campus Safety Department is committed to providing safety, protection and service to students, staff and visitors of Augustana College. Located in the Morrison Commons, Campus Safety personnel are available 24 hours a day year round, including weekends and holidays.


Reporting Crime on Campus
All members of the campus community are encouraged to immediately report any suspicious or criminal activity to Campus Safety (274-4014). Upon receipt of a call, the dispatcher will gather preliminary information and if necessary, send a Campus Safety officer to the location of the incident. The responding officer will investigate the complaint or concern and, if appropriate, complete an incident report. Reported violations of federal or state laws, city ordinances, and college policies are documented in reports maintained by the Campus Safety Department.


Authority of Campus Safety Officers
Campus Safety Officers are not sworn police officers and do not carry firearms. They are, however, empowered to enforce Augustana College policies and regulations and can effect a citizen’s arrest under state law (SDCL 23A-3-3). In most instances the Sioux Falls Police Department will be summoned to the campus to arrest an offender.

The College has requested that the Sioux Falls Police patrol the campus, and it is not uncommon for the Sioux Falls Police to be seen frequently on college-owned property.


Building Security and Access
Members of the campus community are asked to notify Campus Safety (ext. 4014) if they notice an unlocked or propped door that should be secured. Residence halls are locked 24 hours a day, year round. They are accessible to residents with an Augustana College identification card functioning as a key card 24 hours a day. They are also accessible to nonresident Augustana students with an approved ID-key card from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. every day. Visitors can gain access by calling residents on phones located outside or in the entry of each residence hall. Family Student Housing is accessible by residents with a pass key. Visitors can summon residents through an intercom system to gain access. Campus Safety Officers routinely check residence hall doors to insure they remain closed and locked. Other college facilities are checked and locked/unlocked at predetermined times by the Campus Safety Department. Faculty, staff and students are authorized on occasion to access campus facilities after hours.


Alcohol and Drug Policies
The possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on campus and at college-sponsored functions. The College prohibits the use, distribution, or sale of any illegal drug or controlled substance. Augustana College acknowledges and supports the Federal “Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989.” Please refer to the Student Handbook (on-line version at www.augie.edu) for the complete alcohol beverage and drug policy statements and information about this federal law. Counseling support and confidential referrals are available through Student Health & Counseling Services.


Firearms and Weapons Possession
Firearms, explosives (fireworks), dangerous chemicals or other dangerous weapons are not permitted on college-owned or controlled property or at college sponsored functions. Hunting weapons must be stored in the Campus Safety Office.


Fire Safety and Prevention
All buildings are equipped with heat or smoke detectors, pull boxes, and fire extinguishers. Fire drills are conducted in the residence halls. Tampering with fire equipment or refusing to vacate a building during an alarm are serious offenses and are violations of state and city fire codes. Violations will be referred to local law enforcement agencies and may result in a fine of up to $1000 and/or imprisonment for up to one year.


Incidents of Crime Known to the College
The statistics reported in the following table reflect incidents which fall within uniform crime categories used by all colleges and universities. This report indicates actual incidents that were investigated by the College and/or law enforcement agencies and may or may not have resulted in an arrest or conviction unless specifically identified as such. Also, reported incidents may or may not have involved students, faculty or staff as perpetrators or victims.

Campus Crime Report for Calendar Years 2003, 2004, and 2005
  On-Campus College Owned Housing Non-Campus Public Property
2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005 2003 2004 2005
Murder/Non-neglect Manslaughter 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Negligent Manslaughter 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sex Offense, Forcible 2 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sex Offense, Non-Forcible 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Robbery 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Aggravated Assault 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Burglary 1 2 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 15 0 0
Motor Vehicle Theft 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1
Arson 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Liquor Law Arrests 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Liquor Law, Judicial System Referrals* 178 158 172 166 150 158 0 0 0 0 0 0
Drug Law, Arrests 0 1 6 0 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 0
Drug Law, Judicial System Referrals 0 2 7 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0
Illegal Weapons Possession Arrests 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Illegal Weapsons, Judicial System Referrals 0 0 0 - - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Notes:

None of the crimes identified above manifested evidence of prejudice as prescribed by the Hate Crimes Statistics Act (28 U.S.C. 534).

On-Campus: Crimes/incidents reported in the “on-campus” category occurred on property owned by Augustana College including college-owned housing.

College-Owned Housing: Incidents reported in the residence halls, family student housing apartments and theme houses.

Non-Campus: Incidents reported in the “non-campus” category occurred on property not owned by the college in which college-related activities are located.

Public Property: Crimes/incidents reported in the “ public property ” category occurred on property adjacent to the campus but not owned by the college.

Reported liquor violations: Augustana College holds students in violation of the Code of Student Conduct if they are present in a residence hall room or like space where an alcoholic beverage is found, regardless of whether a student consumed or was in possession of the alcoholic beverage. Reported data includes only those students under the age of 21 who violated the alcoholic beverage policy per federal reporting guidelines.

*Judicial Referrals: Judicial referrals are responded to by Augustana College's judicial system.

Incidents reported as "On Campus" judicial referrals do not identify the campus location where the incident(s) occurred per federal reporting guidelines. However, almost all judicial referrals designated as liquor and drug law violations took place in residence halls or other college-owned housing.


Addressing Sexual Assault
Augustana College is committed to an environment that promotes the physical and emotional well-being of each individual. Unwanted sexual contact threatens that well-being. Therefore, Augustana encourages all members of the student body to be aware of both the consequences of sexual assault and the options available to victims.

In the event of a sex offense, students may contact personnel at Student Health & Counseling Services, the Dean of Students Office, Campus Safety, or a Residence Life staff member. A directory of resources is available via voice mail by dialing HELP (4357) from on campus or 274-HELP (4357) from off campus.

Sioux Valley Hospital provides medical services to victims of sexual assault. A medical exam is important to the victim’s health and for preserving evidence. The College encourages prompt medical attention. In order to preserve evidence, victims should not bathe or change clothing. Campus Safety can provide transportation to the Hospital if a victim is on campus. Counseling support and referrals to off-campus counseling agencies are available through Student Health & Counseling Services (274-5552).

In addition to reporting incidents of sexual misconduct to campus personnel, the College recommends filing a report with local law enforcement authorities, and will assist victims with this process. A publication titled, “Augustana College Sexual Misconduct Policies and Resources” is available in print as well as in an online format at www.augie.edu that outlines victim’s options. Contact Campus Safety, Student Health & Counseling Services, or the Dean of Students Office for a copy.


Safety & Crime Prevention & Awareness
The Augustana College Campus Safety Department would much rather prevent a crime or injury than react to it after the fact. For that reason Campus Safety, in cooperation with the Dean of Students Office, Residence Life and other college departments, administer a number of programs designed to encourage students and staff to be responsible for their own safety. The following are examples of programs and notification systems used by Augustana College:

  • Campus Escort Program - This program provides an escort 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for persons walking on campus. It is available by calling Campus Safety. Officers can meet persons in a parking lot by calling ahead and arranging a time.
  • Campus Safety Notices - Designated sites are reserved in each residence hall for notices pertaining to recent events that may effect the safety of students or staff. Notices are also placed on bulletin boards in academic buildings throughout the campus.
  • Crime Prevention Presentations - Safety related programs are offered on a regular basis. Emphasis is placed on informing students early in the academic year as most programs during orientation and the fall semester emphasize sexual abuse and alcohol-related topics.
  • Crime Prevention Materials and Reporting - Crime prevention materials are made available throughout the year. The College makes timely reports to the campus community when any actual or potential crime is considered to be a threat.
  • Campus Lighting - The College maintains a program of adding exterior lighting to minimize dark areas used by pedestrians on campus. All facilities on campus are accessible by sidewalk routes that are well lit. Students and staff are advised to stay on lighted sidewalks and walk in groups of two or more.