For the period Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2004

Timely Warnings

The Campus Crime Alert is designed to give students a timely notification of crimes and to heighten safety awareness as well as to seek information that will lead to an arrest and conviction of the perpetrator when violent crimes against persons or major crimes against property have occurred. Miami University will issue a Campus Crime Alert when a crime is reported to the Miami University Police or the Oxford Police, Hamilton Police, or Middletown Police that represents a threat to the safety of members of the community. Every attempt will be made to distribute a crime alert soon after the incident is reported; however, the release of the crime alert is subject to the availability of facts concerning the incident. The alerts are distributed through a network of on-campus offices and off-campus businesses and property managers. Crime alerts are posted on the Miami University Police website at www.muohio.edu/police and e-mailed to students, faculty, and staff.

The offices of Business Services on the Hamilton and Middletown campuses distribute the Timely Warnings for their respective regional campuses.

Policy for Reporting the Annual Disclosure of Crime Statistics

The Miami University Police prepares this report to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. The report is prepared in cooperation with the local law enforcement agencies surrounding our campuses; the offices of Residence Life, Judicial Affairs (now called Ethics and Student Conflict Resolution), and Business Services; the Women's Center; and the Division of Student Affairs. Each entity provides updated information on their educational efforts and programs to comply with the Act.

Each year, e-mail notification of this website is made to all faculty, staff, and enrolled students. Written notification is provided to new and prospective employees. Copies of the report may be obtained from University Police, 513-529-2222.

Reporting Crime

All crimes should be reported immediately to the police.

IN THE EVENT OF EMERGENCY, CALL 911

Non-emergencies:

• OXFORD CAMPUS
  • On campus—Miami University Police, 529-2222
  • Off campus—Oxford City Police, 523-4321
    
    
• HAMILTON CAMPUS
  • Hamilton Police, 868-5811
  • Campus Security, 785-3222
    
    
• MIDDLETOWN CAMPUS
  • Middletown Police, 425-7700
  • Campus Security, 727-3333

Crimes reported to the following individuals or offices are included in our annual crime statistics report:

Oxford Campus

• Miami University Police, Police Services Center, 4945 Oxford-Trenton Rd., 529-2222
• Oxford City Police, 523-4321
• Office of Judicial Affairs (now called Ethics and Student Conflict Resolution), 229 Warfield Hall, 529-1417
• Residence Life Staff (Including Hall Directors, Advisers, and Resident Assistants)
• Dean of Students, 113 Warfield Hall, 529-1877
• Vice President for Student Affairs, 133 Warfield Hall, 529-4631
• Executive Director of Dolibois European Center, Chateau de Differdange, Luxembourg, 011-352-582222-1
• Advisers to student organizations
• Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and coaches of intercollegiate athletic teams, 230 Millett Hall, 529-3113
• Director of the Women's Center, 205 MacMillan Hall, 529-1510

Hamilton Campus

• Miami University Police, Police Services Center, 4945 Oxford-Trenton Rd., 529-2222
• Hamilton Police, 868-5811
• Executive Director, 202 Mosler Hall, 785-3200
• Director of Business Services, 100 Mosler Hall, 785-3155
• Assistant Executive Director and Director of Student Services, 127 Rentschler Hall, 785-3211
• Campus Security (Securitas), 785-3222

Middletown Campus

• Miami University Police, Police Services Center, 4945 Oxford-Trenton Rd., 529-2222
• Middletown Police, 425-7700
• Executive Director, 116 Johnston Hall, 727-3211
• Director of Business Services, 114 Johnston Hall, 727-3400
• Associate Executive Director for Student Affairs, 124 Johnston Hall, 727-3233
• Campus Security (Securitas), 727-3333

Confidentiality

Crimes reported to counselors at the Student Counseling Services, the Psychology Clinic, or to a physician or nurse at the Health Services Center are confidential by law. Some off-campus reports may also be legally confidential (for example, to clergy, the Community Counseling and Crisis Center, and McCullough-Hyde Hospital). Crimes reported to the above are not included in the annual crime statistics report.

Because of the Ohio public records law, Miami is not permitted to promise confidentiality to persons reporting crimes to individuals or offices that supply crime statistics for this annual report.

Building Security and Access

Oxford Campus

The residence halls are operated and maintained as student accommodations under policies and regulations established by the University Board of Trustees. Visitation is permitted in residence halls during certain specified hours. It is the responsibility of the guest(s) and the host to ascertain the permitted hours of visitation for a given hall. Residents may enter and leave their own hall after closing hours. Residents are permitted on weekends to have overnight guests of the same sex. Guests on any other night may stay only with the permission of the freshman adviser or head resident. All guests must be registered in the residence hall. For more information regarding access to residence halls, see the section on Student Affairs Division, Part XI Residence Halls, of The Student Handbook.

Other campus facilities have specified hours of operation and are secured at closing times. University police officers actively patrol the campus. Shrubbery and trees are regularly trimmed to maintain a safe and attractive landscape. All campus lighting is numbered to ensure accurate reporting and rapid repair of non-functioning lights. Twice annually, a committee of faculty, staff, and students tours the campus to determine where additional lighting may be needed. For more information, visit the Miami University Police web page on Campus Safety.

Hamilton Campus

The Hamilton campus has no residential facilities. Academic buildings are open during class hours and are typically secured by 10:30 p.m. The campus is patrolled 24/7 by Securitas, a private security company hired by the University. For more information, visit the Hamilton campus web page on Security.

Middletown Campus

The Middletown campus has no residential facilities. Academic buildings are open during class hours and are typically secured by 10:30 p.m. The campus is patrolled 24/7 by Securitas, a private security company hired by the University. For more information, visit the Middletown campus web page on Security.

University Police Authority and Jurisdiction

The Miami University Police is located in the Police Services Center, 4945 Oxford-Trenton Road, near Ditmer Parking Lot.

Miami University Police officers are fully sworn and armed law enforcement officers, investigate alleged criminal activity, search and arrest as authorized by law, and use necessary and reasonable force to enforce the law and protect persons and property. They evaluate reported crimes, conduct investigations, and effect arrests.

Miami University Police enforce all state and local laws, including underage drinking, controlled substances and rape, and other forms of sexual assault. They are responsible for enforcing laws on all university-owned property and work cooperatively with the Oxford police and other local law enforcement agencies.

The Miami University Police also work cooperatively with the Office of Judicial Affairs (now called Ethics and Student Conflict Resolution) to enforce Miami's Code of Student Conduct.

Campus Crime Prevention and Safety Awareness Programs

The Miami University Police patrol the Oxford campus 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, using cars, bikes, and officers on foot. Campus Security (Securitas) patrols the Hamilton and Middletown campuses 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, on foot and in vehicles.

Emergency phones have been placed in locations throughout the campuses.

The University Police have developed and implemented "Promises to Sexual Assault Victims," a program designed to assist victims of sexual assault in reporting and prosecuting the matter.

The University Police distribute throughout the Oxford campus flyers promoting personal safety and alerting people to specific crimes or problems. The offices of Business Services and Student Affairs do the same thing for the Hamilton and Middletown campuses.

The University Police has a team of officers dedicated to community relations and crime prevention who coordinate numerous programs for the campus. Paper information such as flyers and pamphlets are distributed regularly from the station, through campus mail, and at fairs. Presentations are made within residence halls, fraternity houses, and to faculty/staff groups. Three videos on personal safety are available for check-out from King Library, and the department also registers bicycles, loans engravers, provides property logs, and videotapes possessions. All services are provided at no charge.

Code of Student Conduct

The Office of Judicial Affairs (now called Ethics and Student Conflict Resolution) is responsible for administering the Code of Student Conduct, which applies to students on all Miami campuses. The Code outlines the rights and responsibilities of students, behaviors prohibited on and off campus, possible sanctions, and the procedural rights of students and student organizations.

This code applies to all undergraduate students, graduate students, and student organizations of Miami University. The Code of Student Conduct primarily prohibits misconduct on University premises (buildings or grounds owned, leased, operated, controlled, or supervised by the University, including the Miami University Dolibois European Center, the Miami University Hamilton campus, and the Miami University Middletown campus), but may address off-campus conduct when the behavior or the presence of the individual, in the University’s sole judgment, impairs, obstructs, or interferes with the mission, processes, or functions of Miami University. Students should be aware that Miami University reserves the right to review and take disciplinary action based on conduct occurring off campus or between academic periods.

If a student breaks a law that also violates the University standards of conduct, that student may be held accountable by both civil authorities and the University. The University may, at its sole discretion, elect to pursue disciplinary action against the student at the same time as criminal proceedings, even if criminal charges involving the same incident are not complete, have been dismissed, or were reduced.

On Jan. 1, 1974, the Ohio Campus Disruption Act, which was originally introduced as House Bill 1219, became part of the Ohio Revised Code. House Bill 1219 contained sections that pertain to "control of campus violence." The initiation of a 1219 proceeding against a student does not prohibit the University from taking University disciplinary action against that same student under the Student Conduct Regulations for the same conduct that gave rise to the 1219 proceeding. A student arrested for any of the 33 enumerated offenses in House Bill 1219 will automatically be subject to disciplinary procedures.

Any person, agency, organization or entity may make a complaint to the Office of Judicial Affairs (now called Ethics and Student Conflict Resolution) alleging a violation of the Code of Student Conduct. In addition, criminal acts such as sexual assault, assault, burglary, robbery, murder, and motor vehicle theft may also be reported to the Office of Judicial Affairs (now called Ethics and Student Conflict Resolution), which will contact the University Police.

The Office of Judicial Affairs (now called Ethics and Student Conflict Resolution) is located in Room 229 Warfield Hall and can be reached at 529-1417.

Criminal Activity Off Campus

The University does not own any off-campus residences of recognized fraternity or sorority organizations. The City of Oxford has law enforcement responsibility for off-campus fraternities and sororities. The City of Oxford and the University do, however, have a mutual aid agreement. As a result, Miami police officers may assist the Oxford Police Department with off-campus incidents. Oxford Police also communicate with University officials when off-campus student organizations are engaged in off-campus criminal incidents. In accordance with the Code of Student Conduct, Miami University will address off-campus conduct when the behavior or the presence of the individual or student organization, in the University's sole judgment, impairs, interferes, or obstructs the mission, processes, or functions of the University.

Alcohol and Drug Enforcement Policies

In accordance with The Student Handbook, Code of Student Conduct, Student Conduct Regulations, Sections 105, 106, and 202 and Appendix F:

Legal and responsible use of alcohol

The right to consume alcoholic beverages is limited by society through laws that establish minimum drinking ages, drinking and driving laws, and so on. Miami University also has established policies on alcohol use on campus and by campus groups. It is incumbent on students to become knowledgeable regarding these policies, whether for individual decision making or for planning programs and events for student organizations.

Because of Miami University's commitment to the responsible consumption of alcohol by those of legal age, mandatory minimum penalties will be imposed upon a student found to have committed a violation of this alcohol policy. For penalties, see Section 305 of the Student Conduct Regulations.

Other drug use

The use, offer for sale, sale, distribution, possession, or manufacture of any controlled substance or drug except as expressly permitted by law is prohibited. The use, offer for sale, sale, distribution, possession, or manufacture of chemicals, products, or materials for the purpose of use as an intoxicant except as expressly permitted by law is also prohibited. Examples of prohibited behavior include huffing or sniffing glue or paint, and the use of nitrous oxide (whip-its). Possession of drug paraphernalia is also prohibited. Drug paraphernalia as it applies in this section means any equipment, product, or material of any kind that is used in propagating, cultivating, growing, harvesting, manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, preparing, testing, analyzing, packaging, storing, containing, concealing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing into the human body a controlled substance.

Alcohol and other drug education

Miami University encourages education as the first step in assisting students to take responsibility for their behavior and to understand the consequences of current and future behavior as it relates to drug and alcohol use. Miami University currently has two education programs, the Alternatives Program and the Chemical Abuse Education Program.

The Alternatives Program is a two-hour program that focuses on decision making and responsible actions around alcohol use. The Chemical Abuse Education Program (CAEP), which is a four-hour program, focuses more specifically on drug use, abuse, and dependence. The primary focus of each program is to help students gain a broader knowledge regarding alcohol and other drug use by providing factual information about alcohol and other drug use and the negative consequences that may result from chemical use. Each program encourages abstinence and informs students of the health risks involved with continued use or abuse of alcohol or other drugs. These education programs also help students examine attitudes and influences, both internal and external, that affect their choices regarding chemical use.

Campus Sexual Assault Prevention Programs

Education programs to promote awareness

Several programs that promote awareness and prevention of sexual assault are offered to students at Miami. In addition to presentations and printed literature, the University Police offers Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) training for women on the Oxford campus. This 12-hour class taught by a police officer is a nationally recognized program that teaches women how to avoid potentially dangerous situations and how to use defensive measures to escape from them if they can't be avoided. It is currently offered at $25 per class, which includes a copy of the RAD manual. More information can be obtained by calling 529-1922.

The Nighttime Door to Door escort service on the Oxford campus is provided through Parking and Transportation Services. This program provides a safe escort for students traveling alone during the hours of darkness. An escort can be obtained by calling 529-2277 from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. Monday through Wednesday and until 4 a.m. the remainder of the week. In addition to these programs, the Women's Issues Student Educators (WISE) provide programs, as do residence hall staff. On the Hamilton and Middletown campuses, Campus Security will provide escorts to parked vehicles.

Sex offense procedures, including preservation of evidence and to whom to report

Victims of sexual assault are strongly encouraged to report the incident to the police. The victim should not change clothes or otherwise cleanse her/himself before going to a hospital in order to preserve physical evidence that may be needed for investigation and prosecution. If the victim is reluctant to contact the police initially, she/he should still seek treatment at a hospital to preserve evidence and address any health concerns.

Notify police; university's assistance in notification

The university will provide whatever assistance the victim requires in notifying the police. On the Oxford campus, reports should be made to the University Police (529-2222), while off-campus incidents should be reported to the Oxford Police (523-4321). On the Middletown campus reports should be made to the Middletown Police (425-7700) and on the Hamilton Campus or Hamilton Police (868-5811). Emergency assistance can be obtained anywhere by dialing 911. If the victim does not wish to prosecute the offender or even report the offense to police, she/he can still file a report with the Office of Judicial Affairs (now called Ethics and Student Conflict Resolution), 529-1417, and, provided the offender is a student, the university's disciplinary process may be initiated.

Counseling resources

Counseling is available to victims 24 hours a day by calling the independent Butler County Rape Crisis Program at 523-4146. Student victims may also seek assistance from the university’s Oxford Student Counseling Service at 529-4634 during normal business hours, Hamilton Campus Counseling (785-3211) and Middletown Campus Counseling (727-3431). On-call counselors can be reached at any time through the university police dispatcher at 529-2222.

Changing victim's academic and living conditions

Miami University will make changes in the victim's academic (all campuses) and living conditions ( Oxford campus) if the victim wishes. In addition, the university police make a number of promises to victims of sexual assault:

• Every effort will be made to accommodate a victim's preference as to the gender of the reporting officer;
• Every victim will be treated with respect and sensitivity;
• Every case will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated, regardless of the victim's gender or the gender of the assailant;
• The police will assist the victim in obtaining necessary medical attention and counseling and will continue to assist victims as they navigate the legal system.

For a complete copy of these promises to sexual assault victims, call the police department's community relations officer at 529-1922 or visit the Miami University Police website at www.muohio.edu/police.

University internal disciplinary procedures

The Student Conduct Regulations, as detailed within the Code of Student Conduct in The Student Handbook, clearly state the rights and responsibilities of students, behaviors prohibited, possible sanctions, and the procedural rights of students and student organizations. The policy on sexual assault is found in Section 103 (Physical or Mental Abuse or Harm) of the regulations, which provides:

Section 103. Physical or Mental Abuse or Harm. Intentional or reckless acts that do cause or reasonably could cause physical or mental harm to any person are prohibited. Actions that threaten or reasonably could cause a person to believe that the offender will cause physical or mental harm are also prohibited. Examples of prohibited behavior include murder, assault, battery, stalking, telephone harassment, computer harassment, sexual assault, sexual harassment, rape, threats, intimidation, physical abuse, verbal abuse, and any other conduct that threatens the health or safety of any person.

The policies, procedures, and sanctions outlined in the Code of Conduct apply to all violations of the code, and sexual assault violations are no exception.

As outlined in Part IV Hearing Procedures for Code One Offenses, the accused and the accuser are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during a disciplinary proceeding and to present evidence. Both shall be informed of the outcome of any institutional disciplinary proceeding brought alleging a sex offense or crime of violence. Compliance with this subsection does not constitute a violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Sanctions to be imposed upon students are varied and depend upon the violation and discipline history of the individual(s). Sanctions include disciplinary probation, suspension, and dismissal. In addition, "1219" Procedures (see The Student Handbook) may be initiated by the university upon the arrest of a student for sexual assault.

Prosecution

Survivors of sexual assault have the right and are strongly encouraged to pursue prosecution of the assailant under criminal law as well as a complaint under the Code of Student Conduct. In addition to legal and disciplinary action, a victim of sexual assault may consider retaining a private attorney to pursue a civil action for the recovery of damages.

For further information on the Student Conduct Regulations, contact the Office of Judicial Affairs (now called Ethics and Student Conflict Resolution), 229 Warfield Hall, 529-1417.

Sexual Offender Registration

Under Ohio's Sex Offender Registration and Notification (SORN) law, responsibility for registration of sexual predators has been assigned to the sheriff's office. Information concerning the presence of registered sex offenders is available at the Butler County Sheriff's website, www.butlersheriff.org.