Policies and Information on University Security

Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act

Policies and Information on University Security
Student Right-to-know and Campus Security Act
Public Law 101-542

Administrative Policy on Campus Crime, Security Awareness and Crisis Management
Approved for use by the Safety and Security Committee: Fall 2006 Final Approval Pending University Review Golden Gate University seeks to provide for its students, faculty, staff and administration, an environment that is responsive to incidents and events that are disruptive, threatening, dangerous, traumatic, and/or difficult. The following policy statement and procedural guidelines address campus crime, security awareness, and crisis management. This policy also covers incidents and events ranging from behavioral disturbances in the classroom to public safety disturbances to natural disasters. It is the policy of Golden Gate University to respond to and diffuse any incident with the best available care and precaution. To help create a safe environment, the university encourages students, employees, and guests to be aware of university policies and to be responsible for their safety as well as the safety of others. Any crime or suspicious activity must be reported immediately.

The university is committed to timely reports to the university community of any crimes that were reported or known to have occurred at any of its locations. The Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act was passed by Congress in 1990 in response to concerns about crime and security at post secondary education institutions. This Act requires institutions participating in student financial aid programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to disclose information about campus safety policies and procedures and to provide statistical information concerning whether certain crimes took place on campus.

Golden Gate University will seek to maintain confidentiality in accordance with the ethical standards of the American Counseling Association. It is a requirement that written permission be obtained from the recipient of counseling and advising sessions before any information may be released to individuals or agencies (i.e., advisors, faculty, parents, family members, hospital staff, therapists, etc.). Exceptions can be made only when the courts are involved, to initiate commitment proceedings, or to otherwise protect the recipient against clear, imminent risk of serious physical or mental injury, disease, or death. Only designated university employees should provide information to any outside organization or person concerning a crisis incident.

A member of the university community who experiences an incident that is disruptive, threatening, dangerous, and/or traumatic should immediately bring it to the attention of a member of: security, Student Affairs, campus administrative staff, or local authorities. In the case of medical emergencies or public safety, members of the university community should immediately contact the local authorities (i.e., police, ambulance). After the authorities are contacted, the appropriate university authorities must be informed. When appropriate, a crisis team (consisting of members from Enrollment Services, Student Affairs, Business Services and Facilities, Human Resources, Academic Affairs, the Law School, and Regional sites) will develop and recommend intervention strategies for a particular incident. The Crisis Task Force, Dean of Undergraduate Programs and Dean of Students, Associate Dean of Student Services (Law School), and Director of Marketing and Communications are responsible for administering this policy and disseminating information to the university community. Communication may occur through, and is not limited to, student publications, course schedules, newsletter, flyers, and on-line postings.
The university's facilities are generally open to students, faculty, staff, and guests during regular hours of operation. Restrictions may apply at other facilities that the university doesn't own. For further information, please contact individual regional sites for operating hours.
University Identification Cards are not transferable and are the property of the university. They must be surrendered upon request by a university official. Policy statements regarding alcohol and drugs may be found in Appendix V of this handbook. Disciplinary actions that Golden Gate University may impose for violations of university policy are located in Appendix VI.

San Francisco Campus: At the San Francisco Campus, contracted or university security personnel monitor the facility. To provide special protection during the evening hours, the university employs the SFPD Patrol Special Forces for foot and vehicle patrol at and around campus, and security personnel monitor the facilities with special equipment. An escort service is available.

The San Francisco Police Department can and will be summoned for emergencies, assistance, or to report criminal activity. State Police Officers are located one block from the campus at the Transbay Terminal.

Regional Campuses: University staff members are on duty at each location whenever the facilities are open. Local police will be summoned for emergencies, assistance, or to report criminal activity.
Programs such as alcohol/drug awareness and safety precautions, and services such as counseling and referrals for treatment, are offered through the office of Student Affairs. Please contact Student Affairs for additional information.
Business Services and Facilities is responsible for security operations at the San Francisco Campus. Working closely with the Dean of Student Affairs, and the Crisis Intervention Task Force, Business Services and Facilities helps monitor security procedures at the regional sites. Any crime or suspicious activity should be reported immediately.

San Francisco Campus:

Dial "0" from any house phone to reach the university switchboard, or dial 911 from any office phone to reach San Francisco emergency personnel. If calling 911 directly, please contact the university switchboard afterwards so that the switchboard operator is aware of the situation. The university switchboard is located on the first floor to report a crime or suspicious activity to one of the following University staff members: • Mike Koperski, Director of Business Services and Facilities • Tony Ng, Materials Manager • Michael Torres, Operations Manager • Craig Winkley, Facilities Engineer

Regional Campuses:

Contact the administrative staff member on duty (if available) or Contact 911. Report crimes and suspicious activity to one of the following (as appropriate): • Administrative Person on Duty • Kirk Paxson, Director of Southern California Tax Program - Los Angeles site • Ann McElyea, Director of Administration - Monterey site • Elizabeth DeStefani, Director of Administration - San Jose site • Gregory Roer, Director - Seattle site • Charyl Fuller, Director of Administration - Walnut Creek site • John Fyfe, Dean of Regions
If an incident is occurring, a member of the university will respond to the scene to assist and contact local emergency authorities if necessary. If an incident occurred, the university will collect and disseminate appropriate information. In appropriate situations, the university's Crisis Task Force will review and respond to the incident. Regional Campus Provosts and San Francisco security staff will display emergency procedures, including phone numbers, and any recent security violations. Information will be available online and security alerts will be posted in troublesome locations. All incidents must be documents on an Incident Report Form by the appropriate university employee. Forms are available from Business services and Facilities.