SWU Student Life

REPORTING CRIMINAL ACTIONS OR EMERGENCIES

Students, staff and faculty are directed to report all crimes or violations of university safety policies that they witness to a campus security officer, a residence director or the office of Student Life. Telephones are located in residence halls, faculty/staff offices and the Campus Life Center for the convenience of students and employees. Any of the above listed personnel will immediately notify the local police department. In emergency situations, the witness or victim may notify local police directly by dialing 911.

All such serious crimes or violations must be reported to the office of Student Life by one or more of the above at the earliest possible time. Actions that might endanger the campus community will be reported in a timely manner to students and employees by the office of Student Life.

The following is a list of persons and organizations that are trained to receive crime reports.

Area Code (864)
Southern Wesleyan University 644-5000
Security 644-5121
(mobile) 508-0107
Sara Christensen, Director of Residence Life 644-5198
Lori Herron, Nurse 644-5575
Jerry Cade, V.P. for Student Life 644-5142
Samantha Wilson, Assoc. V.P. for S.L. 644-5144
Jonathan Catron, Maintenance (only for facility emergencies when no one else is available) 644-5662
EMS 911
Central Police Dept. 639-4020
Central Fire Dept. 639-6262
Clemson Police Dept. 653-2040
Sheriff's Dept. 868-2603
Poison Control Center 1-800-922-1117

SECURITY AND ACCESS TO CAMPUS FACILITIES

Southern Wesleyan University affords an open campus where students, faculty and staff are free to move about at will. As an open campus, guests are welcome. Campus facilities are for the use of SWU students, faculty and staff. Visitors may reserve the use of facilities through the appropriate office.

Because we have an open campus, we ask all students, faculty and
staff members to report any strange or suspicious activities to security
personnel, the student life office, residence hall staff or, if necessary, to the local police department.

CAMPUS LOCK-UP PROCEDURE

Security personnel secure and lock all buildings at various times when buildings are not in use or at curfew and lock-up times established by the Academic V.P. & Dean's office, Student Life office and Maintenance. After buildings are secured for the night, security personnel conduct routine door checks of all campus facilities, including residence halls. Regular patrols are made around and in buildings and around campus during the night.

CAMPUS SECURITY

The SWU Security personnel are administratively responsible to the office of Student Life. Security personnel do not have authority to arrest, however they do have authority to enforce all campus regulations and report all violations. Security personnel should be given the same respect due any university employee or law enforcement officer. They are required to immediately report any violations of local, state or federal laws to local law enforcement as well as to the Student Life office. Security concerns should be addressed to the Student Life office.

OFF-CAMPUS SECURITY

Southern Wesleyan University does not sponsor off-campus housing and does not recognize off-campus student organizations.

SECURITY & CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS

Security at SWU is a community effort which means that each person must take an active part in reporting criminal actions, emergencies or unsafe conditions.

The Southern Wesleyan University Campus Security and Crime Awareness brochure is updated annually and distributed to all employees, prospective students and employees, and anyone who requests such information. Near the end of each semester, students are reminded to secure textbooks more than usual because of the higher likelihood of textbook theft. Sometimes security problems warrant special memos to appropriate personnel or campus discussion in chapels, residence hall meetings or open forums.

Because of Southern Wesleyan's commitment to the Christian lifestyle, respect, protection and compassion toward all men and women is emphasized in academic and extracurricular experiences throughout the year.

Security concerns are included in discussions during orientation, dorm meetings and assemblies. Special seminars are offered by student life, residence hall and health services personnel on security issues
considered most relevant to students. Individual counseling is available for victims of violence, abuse or other breaches of safety. Each supervisor is responsible for including relevant security information in each employee's orientation session.

Security procedures and emergency telephone numbers are highlighted periodically in the campus communications.

SEXUAL OFFENSES

Wellness Week workshops, RA training, staff training, announcement of area programs, annual assembly and a variety of small group seminars include information about acquaintance rape, rape and other sex offenses. A detailed discussion of sexual harassment is included in the Student Handbook. In addition, brochures and posters are available that publicize information about these issues periodically during the year.

If a sex offense occurs, one may contact any student life office staff member or residence hall administrator, campus security, the local police or the Pickens County Rape Crisis Council for assistance. Counseling, information, and support for sex offense victims are available through the Student Life offices and residence halls. If desired, Southern Wesleyan personnel will assist a victim in notifying authorities. Key staff members are trained to respond appropriately in referral and protection of the victim and possible evidence. Off-campus services are available by contacting Pickens County Rape Crisis Council. The university Student Life and academic offices will assist a victim in any reasonably available way to address emotional and physical needs, including changing academic and residential situations.

Sex offense cases will be handled according to the SWU disciplinary procedure with appropriate attention to the unique needs such a case requires. Any victim will be fully informed of the final outcome of the institutional disciplinary proceeding in a sex offense case. Institutional discipline may include any of the disciplinary penalties outlined in the Student Handbook including expulsion and other measures appropriate, depending on the case being considered.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE POLICY

Students and employees of Southern Wesleyan University are expected to refrain from possession, use or distribution of alcohol, illegal drugs or tobacco unless prescribed by a licensed physician. The university supports state laws with respect to alcohol and drug violations and reserves the right to report all violations of such to local authorities. This standard is expected regardless of age of the employee or student. This expectation is clearly stated in both the handbook for employees and the handbook for students and implies total abstinence as an indication of one's responsibility to God, to others, to self and to the university. For more information, refer to one of the above mentioned handbooks.

WEAPONS

No fireworks or firearms are to be in possession or discharged on campus property at any time. Weapons are not permitted in the residence halls.