Safety Tips & Information

The Campus Safety Office and Its Function

The Anderson University Campus Safety Office is located at the entrance to the campus on Kingsley Road, the small white house. It is designated as “Campus Safety and Information Office.”

Campus Safety Officers are assigned shifts that provide round-the-clock coverage for the campus of Anderson University. These officers are licensed by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and are certified by a state approved instructor. The officers at Anderson University have the same arrest powers (limited to the university campus) as county deputies do. They are authorized to make arrest for misdemeanors committed in their presence and for felonies with probable cause.

The Campus Safety office has a close working relationship with the Anderson City Police Department. Criminal matters of interest and importance are referred to the police for appropriate action and possible prosecution. Likewise, the police notify Campus Safety of our students who are arrested by them for criminal activities.

A few of the Campus Safety functions are, but are not limited to:

• Assist Student Development with disciplinary matters.
• Monitor camera system for buildings and parking lots
• Make regular tests of fire and burglar alarms.
• Conduct regular fire drills.
• Provide escort service for student, faculty and staff after dark.
• Issue parking decals and enforce university parking rules.
• Make student, faculty and staff university ID’s.
• Assist university motorists with minor vehicular problems.
  • Students and all employees may keep a spare key to their vehicle at Campus Safety to assist with lockouts.

Crime Reduction and Awareness Program

One of the goals of the Campus Safety Department is to prevent crime. The following services are available to you.

• Summaries of Crimes on Campus: In compliance with the Federal Crime Awareness and Security Act of 1990, an annual report setting forth campus crime statistics must be made available. (See Crime Statistics) This report is furnished to all current students and employees and to any applicant for enrollment or employment upon request. In addition, so that you are aware of your environment, a summary of campus crimes and other serious incidents will be provided to anyone upon request as required by law. More severe type incidents will be emailed as they happen. These will include the surrounding community crimes as well.

• Prevention Pamphlets and Lectures: Campus Safety staff are available to provide orientations briefings on services and crime prevention programs to all new students and staff. Special programs may be presented throughout the year that further stresses the importance of student, faculty and staff safety while on and off university property. There are “Emergency Guidelines” posters in each residence hall room relating to student’s personal safety.

  Victims of crimes committed on campus are referred to Campus Safety and advised of their right to report this crime. If an alleged suspect is a fellow student or a university employee, he/she will be disciplined according to the university policies. Disciplinary actions range from “Verbal Warning” to “Dismissal from the university”.

Student Responsibility
It is not only the Campus Safety, Student Development and university administrations responsibility to keep the campus safe, but the students themselves must uphold their part. The following are just a few things students can do to assist in keeping the campus safe:

• Never prop exterior doors to residence halls open.
• Residence Hall suite doors should always remain locked, even when you are leaving your room for only a short length of time.
• Residents should always ask for identification from individuals they do not recognize before allowing them entrance to a building or their room.
• Never lend your keys to others, no matter how well you know them.
• Vehicles should be parked in lighted areas, doors locked and all valuables concealed out of sight.
• Any suspicious looking individual(s) should be immediately reported to Campus Safety at 2060 or Resident Life at 6011.
• Report unusual student behavior to university counselor at (622) 6074.

Basic Security Precautions for Students and University Employees

Residence Halls:
Adult Area Coordinators are employed by the university and reside in the male and female residence halls on campus. At least one Area Coordinator is on duty during the night every night the University is in session.

• Keep windows and doors locked.
• Close blinds after dark.
• Never prop exterior or suite doors.
• Report any harassing, obscene, or anonymous phone calls immediately.
• Report suspicious looking/acting individuals to Campus Safety immediately.
• Never leave clothes unattended in laundry rooms.

Individual Safety on Campus

• Never walk alone after dark.
• Walk in well lit areas and avoid areas where someone could hide.
• Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
• Be aware of everyone in your immediate area and once again, stay in well lit areas as much as possible.

Vehicle Safety

• Park in well lit area.
• Check the area for suspicious looking individuals before leaving your vehicle.
• Any and all valuables need to be locked in the trunk out of sight.
• Make sure you lock all doors when you leave the vehicle.
• Check your vehicle before getting in to insure no one has broken into your vehicle and is hiding inside.
• Keep doors locked when driving.
• Never hitchhike or pick up hitchhikers.

Physical/Sexual Attacks
In the event of a sexual assault, the victim should be aware of the following procedures:

• Report the incident to the following:
  • Anderson University Campus Safety or call 911
  • A victim that is a student should inform the Office of Student Development; Merritt Administration Building; #(864) 231-2075.
• Seek medical assistance (student health center #(864) 622 6063 / 6064) (AnMed Health Downtown Campus Emergency Room.)
• Consider the importance of preserving evidence.
• Consider pressing charges / University officials will cooperate with local officials.

*See additional information on sex offenses that are set forth in the Student Handbook.

Harassing / Obscene Communication

Phone Calls:

• If you receive a harassing phone call, hang up the phone quickly. Do not respond to the caller.
• When receiving threatening phone calls or persistent harassing calls, report the situation to Campus Safety.
• If receiving harassing messages on voice mail, save the message(s) for evidence and report the incident to Campus Safety.

Emails:

• Harassing emails should be reported to Campus Safety. This does not include spam mail.
• Save emails for evidence.

Alcohol and Illegal Drugs

Anderson University is committed to maintaining an environment that is free of alcohol and illegal drugs. The use, possession, distribution, manufacture and sale of alcohol or illegal drugs on campus is prohibited at all times. The University will take action when this policy has been violated. The University will also cooperate with the local, state and federal authorities in the detection and prosecution of persons in violation of law relating to alcohol and illegal drugs.

Drug and Alcohol Policy

SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY 

In accordance with South Carolina law, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) maintains the state-wide sex offender registry. This registry allows for a search of sex offenders by name, city, county, zip code, and under College Report, provides information on any known sex offender registered as a student attending a college within South Carolina. To access the sex offender registry or to find out more information pertaining to the registry, go to www.sled.sc.gov or visit the Campus Safety Office located on the front lawn of campus. You can search the South Carolina Sex Offender Registry here:http://scor.sled.sc.gov/ConditionsOfUse.Aspx. Under South Carolina law, students who are on the sex offender registry cannot reside in our residence halls.