It is the responsibility of the Department of Public Safety to protect life and property and to advance the educational mission of the College. To address the safety and security needs of Middlebury College, the Department of Public Safety offers a wide variety of services to students, faculty, staff and visitors. This handbook contains information on security programs, procedures and safety practices and contains statistics of certain crimes committed on campus that have been reported to campus officials. The handbook has been compiled in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and will be sent by e-mail to students, faculty and staff. Printed copies will be provided to prospective students and prospective employees and will be available upon request at the Department of Public Safety.
Everyone at the Department of Public Safety is committed to keeping the College safe and secure. In order to accomplish this, we need assistance from every member of the community. Crime reduction and prevention will be effective when everyone is working together. We ask that you carefully review this handbook and incorporate these practices into your daily lives. As the College community participates in crime prevention and strong safety practices, the Department of Public Safety will fulfill its mission.
If you have any questions or suggestions about this handbook or safety and security at Middlebury College, please contact me at 443-5201 or by e-mail at eboudah@middlebury.edu.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth B. Boudah
(Electronic signature)
Elizabeth B. Boudah
Director of Public Safety/Associate Dean of the College
The Department of Public Safety is located at 125 South Main Street between Admissions (Emma Willard House) and Hesselgrave House. The general business phone numbers are 443-5911 or 443-5133.
To address the security needs of Middlebury College, the Department of Public Safety provides a uniformed security staff 24 hours a day. The department maintains
regular foot and cruiser patrol of campus and responds to emergencies. The Department of Public Safety reports to the Dean of the College. The department’s staff includes the Director of Public Safety, an Assistant Director for Patrol
Operations, Museum and Events Manager,Telecommunications Manager and Technical Support Specialist, Night Sergeant (patrol supervisor), eleven (11) full time officers, six (6) full time telecommunicators, three (3) part-time telecommunicators, and four (4) spare telecommunicators and one (1) Administrative Assistant. There are additional departmental staff assigned to the Art Museum. This staff consists of four (4) part time museum monitors and three (3) spare monitors.
Public Safety Officers do not have powers of arrest but work closely with local law enforcement agencies. Incidents of crime are documented and the reports are filed with the appropriate agency. Investigations are managed cooperatively. When arrests must be conducted on campus, they are executed by the appropriate agency with the full cooperation and assistance of the Department of Public Safety. Local law
enforcement agencies include:
• Middlebury Police Department 802-388-3191
• Vermont State Police 802-388-4919
• The State’s Attorney of Addison County 802-388-7931
• Addison County Sheriff’s Office 802-388-2981
• State of Vermont Department of Liquor Control 802-483-6384
Middlebury College Department of Public Safety(DPS) works closely with Middlebury Police Department to uphold a community policing model of security. The Middlebury Police Department readily provides DPS with training in the areas
of traffic enforcement, special equipment use, local ordinance enforcement and other areas of mutual interest or concern.
The DPS maintains two fully equipped patrol vehicles. One of the vehicles is a Ford Escape Hybrid. Through the use of these cruisers, foot patrol and seasonal bike patrol, officers patrol the College’s buildings and grounds. All officers carry radios
and are CPR, First Aid and Automated External Defibrillator certified. The officers attend workshops and training seminars relevant to campus security and safety. These training sessions are provided by professionals in the fields of security, law enforcement, and emergency medical response. Additionally, many of the staff at the Department of Public Safety have extensive prior experience in law enforcement,
safety, security work, emergency medical and fire response. One officer is also a current member of a local volunteer emergency medical service . Two are members
of local volunteer fire departments.
Public Safety officers are often the first responder for assistance in reports of fire, medical emergencies and criminal activity. Fire alarm and intrusion alarm signals are received at the telecommunications center through a computerized alarm processing system. Middlebury College has an enhanced 911 system. This allows for emergency calls from the campus telephone system to be sent directly to the Vermont statewide
911 service. Details regarding the use of the 911 system appear in the Reporting Emergencies, Crime and Suspicious Activity section of this handbook.
Routine calls to the Department of Public Safety should be made to the general business line, 443-5911. This number is answered at the dispatch center and may also be reached by simply dialing the last four digits, 5911, from any campus extension. All calls originating on campus and received at the telecommunication center indicate the phone number from which the call was initiated.
The Department of Public Safety provides transportation for immediate but nonemergency transportation (illness, injury or intoxication) to the Parton Health Center in Centeno, 136 South Main Street, and to Porter Hospital. Emergency transportation is provided by MVAA (Middlebury Volunteer Ambulance Association). To arrange non-emergency medical transport to the Health Center or Porter Hospital, please call
x5911. If it is an emergency, dial 911. If you reside off campus and are in need of emergency medical assistance you can call MVAA directly at 388-3333 or call 911. Students must find their own transportation to medical appointments and to pick up prescriptions at off campus locations.
Academic Buildings Security
Campus academic facilities are open to members of the campus community and to guests and visitors during normal business hours, 8:15 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Some buildings and facilities also have limited designated hours in the evenings and on weekends to accommodate evening classes, research or other
special program needs. Faculty and staff are responsible for securing their own private office spaces and storage areas. Public Safety officers have responsibility for securing some departments that remain open late or keep unusual hours. Public safety officers, night watchmen, and building responsibles share the responsibility for securing college buildings. Public safety officers routinely check buildings through the course of their patrol to maintain security.
Security and Access to Student Residences
Middlebury College residence halls are locked 24 hours, seven days a week. Residence halls are not open to the public but may be accessed by members of the College community on official College business. Students are issued keys to their rooms and are strongly encouraged to keep their doors and windows locked at all times.
The main entrances of most residential halls have been equipped with a card reader system. All students are issued an access identification card that allows students to gain access . The enhanced access system is monitored 24 hours a day and 7 days a week by the Public Safety Department. The system will display alarms when a door is propped open; the components are tampered with; forced entry occurs; and if unauthorized person(s) attempt to access with an invalid access card. When an alarm is displayed at Pubic Safety, the telecommunicator will acknowledge the alarm and dispatch
an officer to investigate when appropriate. Students are encouraged to report all unauthorized persons and suspicious activities to the DPS.
Guests
The expectation is that guests must be escorted by their student host. A guest of a student may stay in a dormitory no more than three days in any one term. The resident assistant must be told in advance where the guest is staying. Guests must register their vehicles with the Department of Public Safety. No guests may stay overnight in residential lounges. Students are responsible for the behavior of their guests. The College reserves the right to remove any guest whose behavior is uncooperative or inappropriate.
Red emergency phones are located in dorms and academic buildings all over campus. Pick up the receiver and the call
will be automatically connected to the DPS telecommunication center.
Campus phones (tan) require the caller to dial 911 for police, or 5911 for Public Safety. They may also be used for nonemergency inter-campus calls by simply
dialing the college extension.
Both the red phones and the campus phones are located in easily accessible hallway and common areas of all buildings. Please familiarize yourself with the phone locations in buildings and dormitories that you frequent in case you need emergency assistance.
Parking lots that are primarily used by students have emergency phones that can also be used to make calls to campus extensions. These phones can be recognized as they are on black pedestals with blue globes on top. At night the blue light on the emergency phone is illuminated. These phones have no receiver, but have a keypad and speaker system. For emergencies, press the Red button and the call will ring directly to the Department of Public Safety.
To operate as a college phone push the black button for a dial tone and dial the number. You may also dial x5911 or “0” to be connected to the Department of Public Safety. These
phones may also be used to make non-emergency calls, for example, to contact Midd Rides call RIDE (x7433) for an escort back to a residence hall. Push the black button again to end the call or stop the dial tone.
Emergency phones are located in the main student parking lots: C Lot (FIC); D Lot (Atwater A and B Halls); E Lot (Johnson); Q Lot (Center for the Arts); R Lot (Ridgeline); T Lot (Field House/Kenyon); and the Track Lot at the corner of Porter Field Road and South Street. There are emergency phones in the Kirk Alumni Parking Lot, K lot (Robert A. Jones) and in S Lot (McCardell Bicentennial Hall), on the walkway near Bicentennial Hall and Freeman International Center. A new phone will be installed near the walkway of DKE and at Twilight Hall.
All residence halls with the card access control system have as part of the system. Hall Entrance Phones. The emergency phones are available at the main entrances near the card readers. These phones are the same phone found in the parking lots. Each phone has an emergency button but also has a black call button to make calls to
College extensions.
The Middlebury College Department of Public Safety notifies the College community concerning any incident or crime that poses an immediate threat to the community’s safety and welfare. Bulletins notification via e-mail to all campus e-mail addresses, and posted as necessary. Notification may also be made via voice mail on all campus
extensions.
Middlebury College Department of Public Safety (DPS) encourages you to report suspected crimes and emergencies as promptly and as accurately as possible. If you need to report a crime in progress or other emergency you should dial 911. Please be prepared to provide the dispatcher with your name, a description of the type of emergency and the location of the emergency. Please dial 911 only in an emergency, which means you are in need of immediate police, fire or medical response. All 911 calls from campus telephones automatically dial a Vermont State Police emergency dispatcher. Both the State Police and DPS receive immediate information indicating
the address where the call initiated. While the caller is speaking to the Vermont State Police dispatcher, DPS is dispatching an officer to the location.
If you mistakenly dial 911, please do not hang up, since all calls are captured. Stay on the line and talk to the 911 dispatcher before you disconnect. In the event of a hang-up, emergency service personnel will attempt to call you back, or if there is no answer, will send someone to the location you called from.
To contact Middlebury College DPS directly use a red emergency phone or dial x5911 from any campus phone or 443-5911 from an off campus phone. Suspicious activity that could indicate a crime is in progress could be evidenced by
some of the following:
• A scream or call for help
• The sound of a whistle or loud horn
• A strange car repeatedly driving down the street
• Seeing someone you don’t know or recognize enter your neighbor’s room or home, enter an office or lab with no appa
rent business or transaction, or loiter in a parking area or at a bike rack near your home, dorm or work.
Remember, public safety officers cannot be everywhere at once, and they dependon individuals in the community to assist them in crime prevention by reporting suspicious activities. Many times crime solving depends on how accurately and promptly the incident is reported. It is important that you be able to provide as much of the following information as possible:
1. Nature of the incident
2. When the incident occurred
3. Where the incident occurred
4. Individuals involved (including names and descriptive information)
5. Direction and method of travel
6. Vehicles involved (including descriptive information)
How to Describe a Suspect and Automobile
Try to note the following characteristics of suspicious persons and automobiles and report these to Public Safety officers or police:
Person
Sex Race Height Weight
Complexion Hair Mustache Beard
Glasses Eye Color Teeth Tattoos
Piercing Amputations Speech Styles Clothing
Earrings Gait or Limp Jewelry Age
Sideburns Scars Hat
Automobile
Make Year License Plate Number and State
Color dents Identifying marks or scratches
Body Style (2 door convertible)
All of the major dormitories have sprinklers and fire alarm systems that communicate directly to the Department of Public Safety. The small residential houses on campus have local smoke alarm systems that do not communicate directly with the Department of Public Safety. These smaller houses do not have sprinkler systems.The Department of Public Safety conducts two fire drills during the academic year. One drill is conducted in each residence hall during the fall term and one in the spring term.
All of the major dorms have sprinkler systems that are tested monthly. All of the fire alarm systems are tested and cleaned annually. College technicians respond to every reported alarm or system trouble and will test or repair to insure the system is 100% functional. Smoke detector batteries are changed annually. Exit signs, emergency lights and fire extinguishers are tested annually. Custodians, night watchman and public safety officers are all involved in regular checks of fire safety equipment in all buildings on campus.
To help prevent fires, please observe the following guidelines:
• Keep room entries, exits and hallways clear and free of potential obstructions, such as boxes, bicycles and mattresses.
• Do not overload outlets – plug one appliance into an outlet at a time.
• Avoid using extension cords whenever possible.
• The use of hot plates, toasters or cooking appliances in your dorm room is prohibited.
• Do not hang anything from a sprinkler apparatus.
• Do not build or place anything over the room radiator that will interfere with the free flow of air around the radiator.
• Always leave magnifying mirrors face down so the will not magnify sunlight.
• The use of candles, halogen lamp, and portable heaters is prohibited.
• Avoid hanging lights and paper together in your room. Do not hang lights or streamers on the side of doors facing corridors.
• No Smoking Allowed.
• For office spaces that are permitted to have a Christmas tree, make sure it is properly treated and keep it away from heat sources. Tree lights must be turned off before you
leave your office. Christmas trees are not permitted in student’s rooms.
In the event of fire:
• If you smell smoke or detect a fire, activate the nearest alarm and call 911 immediately from a safe location.
• Before opening any door, use the back of your hand to see if it is hot. Also check to see if the doorknob is hot. If either is hot, leave the door closed and stuff towels or clothes in the cracks and open a window. Try another exit if one is available.
• If the door is not hot, open it slowly and be prepared to close it quickly if necessary.
• In a smoke filled area, keep low to the floor to escape the smoke.
• If you see or smell smoke in a hall or stairway, use another exit.
• Exit the building cautiously. Carry a towel or blanket to protect you from flames or smoke.
• If the exit is blocked, return to your room; close the door, open a window and call for help.
• Do not use elevators in cases of fire.
• Know all the exits and evacuation plans for your building.
Remember: Do not tamper with fire alarms or equipment…they could save your life.
Middlebury College policies strictly prohibit sexual harassment and sexual assault. The College’s harassment policy prohibits many forms of harassment including sexual harassment and examples of such behaviors are outlined in the policy statement. It should be recognized that sexual harassment includes a range of behaviors up to and including coerced sexual contact that may involve coerced sexual intercourse (i.e., sexual assault).
The harassment policy applies to faculty, staff, and students. This means that a member of the faculty, staff, or a student may choose to bring a charge of sexual assault under the harassment policy and procedures when applicable. For example, if a student is sexually assaulted by a staff person or faculty member, the student may choose to bring a complaint against that staff person or faculty member under the college sexual harassment policy, if applicable. Also, if a faculty member is sexually assaulted by a student, the faculty member may bring a charge of sexual assault against the student under the college sexual harassment policy, if applicable.
The College also has a separate sexual assault policy, which governs only the behavior of students and as such only Middlebury students, faculty or staff may file complaints against Middlebury students under this policy. If a student has been sexually assaulted by another student, and chooses to file a complaint under college policy, the student filing the complaint may pursue redress under either the sexual
harassment policy or the sexual assault policy, but not both.
All members of the college community (faculty, staff and students) have the right to pursue sexual assault and sexual harassment charges beyond the College, utilizing local, state, or federal enforcement agencies as is appropriate, regardless of whether they choose to file a complaint on campus.
Additional information on sexual assault and sexual harassment can be found on the Web. Printed copies of the Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Policies are also
available at the Office of Public Safety and in the Commons offices.
Middlebury College Sexual Assault Policy
As an educational institution, Middlebury College is committed to promoting, through educational and awareness-raising activities, a campus environment where sexual assault and exploitation are recognized as wholly unacceptable, and
where survivors of sexual assault are provided support and avenues of redress as appropriate.
As an educational institution, Middlebury College is committed to promoting, through educational and awareness-raising activities, a campus environment where sexual assault and exploitation are recognized as wholly unacceptable, and
where survivors of sexual assault are provided support and avenues of redress as appropriate.
Sexual assault, including rape, is a form of violence used to exert power and control over another person. Sexual assault is defined as including:
Engaging in a sexual act with another person:
By compelling the other person to participate in a sexual act without consent; or
By threatening or coercing the other person; or
By placing the other person in fear that any person will suffer imminent bodily injury; or
Having impaired substantially the ability of the other person to appraise or control conduct by administering or employing drugs or intoxicants without the knowledge or against the will of the other person.
In addition, sexual assault also includes a person engaging in a sexual act with another person when that other person:
Is mentally incapable of understanding, or for any reason, including intoxication, is unaware of the sexual act; or
Is physically incapable of resisting or of communicating an unwillingness to participate; or
Is under the age of 16.
For purposes of this policy, a “sexual act” is defined as meaning conduct between persons consisting of contact between the penis and the vulva, the penis and the anus, the mouth and the penis, the mouth and the vulva, or any intrusion, however slight, by any part of a person’s body or any object into the genital or anal opening of another.
Sexual assault and attempted sexual assault violate Middlebury College policy, and are prohibited. Students found to have violated this policy are subject to disciplinary
sanctions up to and including expulsion from the College. Conduct that violates Middlebury College policy may also violate Vermont law.
Formal charges of sexual assault are to be filed with the dean of the College. If you choose to file a formal complaint you will be asked to put your complaint in writing. An investigation and hearing will be conducted. If the accused is found guilty,
disciplinary action will be taken.
A student who believes he or she may have experienced sexual assault is encouraged to seek medical care and supportive counseling as soon as possible. Evidence of such
an assault may be collected during a medical examination at Parton Health Center by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) after an assault has occurred.
We encourage you to seek assistance from the many campus and community resources available to you.
Summary of Resources for Survivors of Sexual Assault or Attempted Sexual Assault
A student who believes he or she has experienced sexual assault may file a formal complaint at the College and/or pursue criminal charges or legal remedies. On behalf of the College, the deans have several options that they can offer to a survivor of sexual assault, as appropriate to the circumstances , including:
i. discussion about options regarding different levels of addressing the assault;
ii. assistance with filing charges through the College judicial system;
iii. facilitation of a mediated discussion with the alleged perpetrator;
iv. issuance of a no-trespass or no-contact letter;
v. referral to counseling and other support services;
vi. academic allowances or changes in living arrangements; and
vii. assistance in notifying proper law enforcement authorities, if the student so chooses.
Students are encouraged to report incidents of sexual assault to the Department of Public Safety, the Office of the Dean of the College and/or the Middlebury Police Department, and to seek medical care and supportive counseling.
Confidentiality
In general, the law recognizes and protects the confidentiality of communications between a person seeking care, on the one hand, and a medical or mental health professional or religious advisor, on the other hand. The medical, mental health,
and religious professionals at Middlebury College respect and protect confidential communications from students. Medical and mental health professionals are required by law, however, to report any incident of sexual assault of a person under 18; and any recipient of a confidential communication may have to breach that confidence where there is perceived to be an immediate and serious threat to self, others, or property.
Campus Resources
Parton Health Center, Ext. 5135
Two Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) are on staff at Parton Health Center to coordinate the physical and psychosocial care of the sexually assaulted patient. They have received specialized training to provide comprehensive care to victims of sexual assault including physical assessment and collection of forensic evidence using a Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (“Rape Kit”). They are on-call 24 hours a day. Please see information under Community Resources: Porter Hospital Emergency Room below. Registered nurses, a physician, and nurse practitioners are available as an adjunct to the SANE’s to provide medical care , testing, support, information on
pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, emergency contraception and referrals. Care to students is provided at no cost. Lab tests done at the Health Center or outside
lab tests or medical care will be paid for by the Vermont State Victim’s Compensation Fund at the student’s request. Services are confidential and information is not shared without the student’s written permission, with the limited exceptions stated above, where there is an immediate threat to a person’s life or safety, or where a person under the age of 18 has been sexually assaulted.
Center for Counseling and Human Relations, Ext. 5141
Individual short-term and crisis counseling is available. These services are confidential, except in the limited circumstances described. Mental health professionals are required to report to law enforcement authorities the sexual assault of a person under the age of 18, or where there is risk of immediate danger to self, others, or property. Consequently, in some circumstances, providers may not be able – legally or ethically – to maintain confidentiality. If you need to speak with a
counselor after 5:00 p.m. or on a weekend, call the Health Center and the nurse on duty will call a counselor for you.
College Chaplain, Ext. 5626
The College Chaplains are available to provide supportive and confidential counseling.
Department of Public Safety, Ext. 5911.
If you have been sexually assaulted, you are encouraged to report the incident to the Department of Public Safety . Public Safety is available to provide transportation to Parton Health Center or to the Porter Medical Center Emergency Room. Upon receiving a report of sexual assault, Public Safety may alert the campus and community that a sexual assault has occurred if there is concern about further risk to others. The warning will be general and will not specify your name or other identifying information. Reports of sexual assault made to Public Safety will result in the notification of the sexual assault incident to the dean of the College, your Commons dean, and the Health Center. Reporting a sexual assault to Public Safety does not commit you to pursuing a judicial complaint.
The Commons Deans and the Office of the Dean of the Collge
The Commons deans are available to support you by arranging extensions on academic assignments, reassessing course load and/or making changes in housing assignments, etc., when necessary, appropriate, and feasible. The deans in the Office of the Dean of the College can also assist you. In a student-to-student sexual assault situation, you do not have to file a formal complaint in order to request help from the
deans.
Formal charges of sexual assault may be filed with the dean of your Commons, or the dean of the College. You may consult with any of the resources mentioned to determine your options. If you choose to file a formal written complaint, an
investigation and judicial hearing will be conducted. Disciplinary action will be taken if the alleged offender is found guilty.
Human Relations Officer, Ext. 2017
In some instances, filing a formal complaint through the College sexual harassment complaint process may be appropriate. For more information you may contact the
Human Relations Officer, Gus Jordan, ext. 2017.
Community Resources:
WomenSafe 388-4205 or 800-388-4205
Support, counseling, and advocacy services are available 24 hours per day. Despite the name, services are available to both women and men. The services are confidential, to the extent permitted by law.
SafeSpace (802) 863-0003
SafeSpace describes itself as a “social change and service organization working to end violence in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning
people.” Services include support for survivors, advocacy with and on behalf of survivors in court, at the hospital, and with police and other service agencies. Hours to call are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Porter Hospital Emergency Room 388-4701
Our local hospital is available to provide medical treatment and to collect physical evidence. Porter Hospital has specially trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners to collect the necessary evidence. Having evidence collected does not commit you to notifying police of the assault . It will allow you to preserve evidence while you take time to decide if you want to report the sexual assault to police. A lengthy delay in reporting the assault to police may make the case more difficult to prove. If you bathe before having evidence collected, then you may be washing away valuable evidence of the crime. If you are under the age of 18, medical personnel
will be required to notify police of the assault. The Victim’s Compensation Fund is available to pay for most medical and other expenses.
Statewide Emergency Number (800) 489-RAPE
This number will automatically connect the caller with the local Domestic Violence/ Sexual Assault program.
For Victims with Disabilities (800) 489-7273
This number will automatically connect the caller with the local program for crisis intervention, peer counseling, court advocacy, information, referral and other services.
Middlebury Police or Vermont State Police
388-3191 388-4919
You may report an assault to the police. Assaults on campus should be reported to the Middlebury Police Department. Assaults occurring in Vermont, but outside the town of Middlebury, should be reported to the Vermont State Police. Assaults that occur outside of Vermont should be reported to the police department that serves the location where the assault took place.
In Vermont, reporting the assault to the police will result in an investigation of the crime. Police will interview you and take a detailed statement of what occurred. You may have persons present with you during the interview to provide emotional
support. The police will also interview witnesses, collect any physical evidence, and attempt to interview the assailant.
You should provide the names of any witnesses to the crime or names of any witnesses who saw you and the assailant together immediately before or after the assault. Police will interview witnesses, collect physical evidence (clothing worn at
the time, bed clothes, condoms, condom wrappers, items handled by the assailant), photograph any injuries and will attempt to find and interview the assailant. Once the investigation is completed, the police will bring the paperwork to the State’s Attorney who will decide what, if any, charges should be filed. It is the State’s Attorney’s decision alone as to whether charges are filed.
If charges are filed, the State’s Attorney’s Office will provide you with more information regarding procedures, and your rights during a criminal judicial process.
The Victim’s Assistant at the State’s Attorney’s Office will provide you with information regarding counseling, and restitution for medical or other expenses, and
will keep you advised as to the progress of the case while it is pending.
If charges are filed, you will be expected to attend an informal meeting where you will be questioned under oath by the defense attorney. This is called a deposition. The State’s Attorney will be present at the meeting and will make sure that you are treated with dignity and respect. In Vermont, questioning regarding a survivor’s sexual history is not permitted at any time during the case.
Although most cases are settled without a trial, you may be required to appear in court and testify regarding the details of the assault. The Vermont media generally have a policy of not reporting the name of the survivor in any news accounts of the trial or other proceedings.
During the time the case is pending the defendant will not be permitted to have any contact with you.
The telephone number for the Addison County State’s Attorney’s Office is 388-7931
Pursuing a Formal Complaint on Campus, and Campus Judicial Procedures
Whether or not to file a complaint with the College is up to the student who is the survivor of an assault. A student who believes he/she has been assaulted by another student may speak with the Commons deans or deans from the Office of the Dean of the College about the incident and seek their support without pursuing formal action.
In the unusual circumstance in which a dean determines there is significant risk to members of the College community, the dean may be obligated to pursue action to protect the community. The dean is obligated to report allegations against a faculty or staff member to the designated College administrative office for appropriate action.
Judicial Procedures
Should a student choose to file charges through the college judicial system, the judicial hearing process will follow the procedures outlined in the Judicial Boards and Procedures section of the Middlebury College Handbook Campus judicial
hearings are less formal than courtroom proceedings. They are intended to avoid intimidation of the person bringing the charge, while respecting the rights of the accused person to fair proceedings and an impartial hearing.
Special note should be given to the following procedures:
i. Jurisdiction
Sexual assault charges against a Middlebury student will be heard by the Community Judicial Board. A letter transmitting the charges will be given to the party charged.
ii. Support Person
The party charged and the party originating the charge may each bring an adviser who is a member of the College community. The advisers may be consulted by their advisees during the hearing, but, unless specifically invited, may not otherwise participate in the proceedings. In addition, either party may bring a member of the College community as a character witness. Prior to the commencement of the hearing, each student shall provide the chair with the names of persons serving as advisers and/or character witnesses.
iii. Privacy
Students should know that reports made to the Department of Public Safety will be shared with the student’s Commons dean, the dean of the College, and the Health Center. Reports made directly to the Health Center and the Counseling Center are
considered confidential medical records, and will not be shared with other College offices without the student’s consent. Reports or records maintained by the College (including medical records) may, however, be subject to subpoena if a civil or criminal charge is filed in court.
Campus judicial hearings on sexual assault charges are closed. However, if either party requests that the hearing be “open” and both parties agree, the judicial proceedings may be open to the College community, subject to space limitations consonant with conducting a judicial hearing. If the judicial process is disrupted during any open meeting, the chair may close the meeting to the general community.
In this event, the party charged and the party bringing the charge may each select two members of the College community as observers. Either party, with the consent of the
other party, may permit continuation of coverage by the College press.
iv. Notification
As required by law, both the accuser and the accused will be informed of the outcome of campus disciplinary proceedings alleging a sexual assault, or attempted sexual assault. Both the outcome of guilt or innocence, and the sanction, if applicable, will be disclosed to the accuser and the accused. The accused will receive notification in writing; the accuser will be verbally informed. The Department of Public Safety
shall be notified of any safety issue such as a No Contact Order, or a student being restricted from campus.
Middlebury College is concerned about illegal drug use and alcohol abuse in our society and in our community. The College regards illegal drug use and alcohol abuse as serious problems that can affect the entire College community. Members of the Middlebury community must be aware of the College drug and alcohol policy, as well as pertinent local, state, and federal laws. It is also important that all members of our community know where help is available for those who need it.
The College campus is subject to local, state, and federal laws concerning the possession, use, distribution, and manufacture of drugs, including alcohol. Students must be aware of and abide by these laws or face the possibility of legal prosecution. Middlebury College opposes the use of illegal drugs and does not provide students with a haven from the law. The College will not inhibit the legal prosecution of any member of the College community who violates the local, state, or federal law. Law enforcement officers, when in possession of the proper documents, have a legal right to search any and all buildings on the campus without prior notice. The College also reserves the right to furnish the police with information regarding illegal activities.
For information specific to state and federal laws governing the illegal use, possession, and distribution of drugs and alcohol, see the Middlebury College publication Drugs, Alcohol and You (which is mailed each year to every student).
The College opposes the possession and use of prescription drugs by persons for purposes other than those prescribed by a licensed physician. Drugs other than those prescribed by a licensed physician for legitimate health purposes may not be used or stored on College property.
1. Students of Middlebury College are also subject to the College drug and alcohol policy rules and regulations while on College premises or College-related premises or when involved with off-campus, College-sponsored events or off-campus events sponsored by registered College organizations.
a. Illegal use of alcohol (underage drinking, open containers, possession of alcohol by a minor) will result in citations and penalties ranging from warning to expulsion.
b. Students found selling, manufacturing, or possessing drugs in amounts that indicate drug sales or distribution will face penalties ranging from suspension to expulsion from school.
c. Students or organizations found illegally selling, manufacturing, or distributing alcohol will face disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
d. Students using illegal drugs or in possession of amounts that appear to constitute “personal use” will face penalties ranging from warning to expulsion.
e. Possession of drug paraphernalia that has been used, whether at the time of confiscation or not, is against the law, and students who violate the law are subject to College discipline.
2. Involvement with or dependency upon drugs or excessive or illegal use of alcohol will be viewed by the College as a health concern, as well as a disciplinary matter. In these cases a drug/alcohol consultation or assessment may be required. In addition, in instances where a student’s name occurs repeatedly in connection with a drug or alcohol problem, even though no concrete evidence or direct witness is involved,
a dean will contact the student and meet with him or her. In these instances: (1) students may be encouraged or required to undergo a drug/alcohol assessment; (2) a student’s parents or guardian may be notified of concerns about the student’s drug or alcohol problem. In disciplinary situations and the situations of concern mentioned above, a student may be required to withdraw from the College until successful
resolution of the problem is documented to the satisfaction of the College.
NESCAC Presidents’ Statement on Abusive Drinking and Hazing
In addition to being partners in athletic competition, the 11 colleges and universities comprising the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) are united in efforts to provide safe environments in which students may mature
intellectually and socially.
Recognizing that social life plays a role in the college experience, each campus has increased its efforts to encourage students to make responsible choices. Each
school takes a strong stand against substance abuse, including alcohol. While the vast majority of students at NESCAC institutions who choose to drink alcohol do
so responsibly, each school has disciplinary and educational programs in place for students who misuse alcohol and other substances. Additionally, all of the conference schools expressly prohibit hazing.
NESCAC member institutions: Amherst College, Bates College, Bowdoin College, Colby College, Connecticut College, Hamilton College, Middlebury College, Trinity College, Tufts University, Wesleyan University, Williams College [Adopted
12/14/2000]
College Services: Information and Help
Center for Counseling and Human Relations, Extension 5141
Parton Health Center, Extension 5135
Students who are concerned about their own or a friend’s use of alcohol and/or other drugs are encouraged to seek assistance through the College’s Counseling and Human Relations Center or the Parton Health Center, both located in Centeno House. Professional staff are available when the health center is open to provide care and recommend treatment. Services provided by the Health Center and Counseling Center are confidential. Staff members of the Counseling and Human Relations Center and Parton Health Center provide supportive and educational counseling
in addition to substance use evaluations, as time allows. Staff can help students to identify and understand the signs and behaviors associated with substance abuse, as well as treatment and support options. They also provide useful information for talking with a friend about the use of alcohol and other drugs. Also available is referral information about community resources, including private counselors, selfhelp
groups, and comprehensive treatment facilities. Emergency medical treatment can be provided by the Health Center or Porter Hospital.
The director of health and wellness education provides educational materials for individuals and programs for the College community that address the many issues
surrounding alcohol and drugs. The Office of Health and Wellness Education is also located in Centeno House. All first-year students are expected to participate in and complete the on-line course AlcoholEdu. Instructions will be mailed to incoming first-year students at their middlebury.edu e-mail address.
Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Al-Anon, and Adult Children of Alcoholics groups meet in Middlebury and welcome student participation. A listing of meeting times and locations is available from the Center for Counseling and
Human Relations and the Parton Health Center.
Community Responsibility
Middlebury College believes that alcohol and other drug-related problems affect our entire community and that each of us has a responsibility to help safeguard the community health by respecting College policy and intervening in situations of abuse. Any member of the College community having knowledge of the possession or use of illegal drugs by an individual on campus is urged to talk with the person
and encourage the individual who is using illegal drugs or abusing alcohol to seek counseling and/or medical assistance. As a community of scholars, we are committed to providing a safe learning environment for each other. All members
of the community are expected to help protect the community health by informing appropriate College staff members of instances of drug distribution and/or sales.
SPORTS MEDICINE POLICY FOR INJURY EVALUATION AND TREATMENT
The College policy for services provided by the Sports Medicine Department, beginning September 1, 2000, is outlined below. The department will provide services to all students who are members (on an official roster) of College intercollegiate teams. It will also treat students who are candidates for intercollegiate teams beginning one month prior to the start of their competitive season. The department will also provide the same services, as described above, to students who are members of two club sports: rugby and crew. Students who fall outside these guidelines will need to seek care at the health center, Porter Hospital, or by a doctor of the student’s choice.
Middlebury College and the town of Middlebury, Vermont are relatively safe communities, but no community is crime free. To ensure your own security and that of your friends and colleagues, take care and use common sense. By following
suggestions outlined in this booklet, you can substantially reduce the possibility of becoming a victim. Your involvement is essential to the prevention of crime on campus. Disinterest and complacency are the prime contributors to the success of
crime. That is why the burden of crime prevention is shared by the Department of Public Safety and the Middlebury College community.
Members of the community are called upon by the DPS to recognize and report incidents of suspicious criminal activity. Your assistance will greatly aid the DPS in effectively fighting crime. Please do your part in the following ways:
• Be Aware of your vulnerability; follow the measures of self protection and property protection outlined in this booklet.
• Be Alert for suspicious or criminal activity and conditions that may represent a hazard to the community.
• Get Involved by becoming more security conscious and by reporting all incidents of suspicious or criminal activity, no matter how insignificant they may appear, to the Department of Public Safety immediately.
Remember that unreported crimes cannot be solved. By not reporting crimes you may be allowing the perpetrators to commit additional and possibly more serious crimes.
Date Rape
An assailant may be someone that you know. In dating and acquaintance situations be very clear about your sexual limits. NO is NO. If you notice that your date or acquaintance is not respecting those limits, leave and call someone for assistance. Statistics indicate that a very high percentage of date/acquaintance rapes involve the consumption of alcohol by the rapist, by the victim, or by both. Lower you risk of becoming a victim of sexual assault by drinking responsibly, or not drinking at all, with alertness to potentially threatening situations with anyone who may have been drinking. It is never appropriate to force or pressure sexual acts on someone. Intoxication is not a legal defense for sexual assault.
Walking or Running
• Avoid traveling alone at night. Travel in pairs. Call Midd Rides (x7433) if you need a safety escort at night.
• Avoid dark, vacant or deserted areas; use well-lit, regularly traveled walks or pathways. Avoid short cuts and keep away from shrubbery, bushes, alleyways, or any other areas where an assailant might be lurking.
• Runners, walkers or joggers should do so facing traffic. Avoid these activities after dark, but if you do so, use extra precautions like staying in pairs, travel well-lit areas and wear reflective clothing or tape.
• Dress in clothes and shoes that do not hamper movement.
• Dress sensibly, don’t flaunt expensive jewelry. Don’t carry large amounts of cash.
• Always let someone know where you are going and when you will return.
• Carry a noise-making device with you at all times, and use it if you suspect you are in danger.
• Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. Walk purposefully, confidently and keep moving.
• Do not hitchhike or accept rides from casual acquaintances.
• When walking to your residence or vehicle, have your keys ready in hand.
• When being dropped off at your residence by taxi or private vehicle, ask the driver to wait until you get inside.
• If threatened by an approaching vehicle, run the opposite direction. The vehicle will have to turn around before being able to follow.
• If you think you are being followed or feel threatened, increase your pace and move away from the threat, join any group of people nearby or cross the street, and if necessary, keep crossing back and forth. If you are pursued, run to a lighted area, business, or residence; call for help, scream, or raise a commotion any way you can to get someone’s attention; enlist the aid of a passerby; locate a phone and dial 911 or pull a fire alarm. Do anything that might attract attention or summon assistance. If you are walking alone and someone passes you, check to make sure that person has
continued walking in the other direction.
• If you find yourself confronted by an assailant, you must remember that while screaming and struggling may in some instances frighten off the assailant, in other instances such actions may further antagonize the assailant and bring forth a more violent reaction. Above all you must keep your head and assess the situation before choosing your course of action. Whether or not the assailant is armed or has made threats against your life will, obviously, be a determining factor in your decision. The key word in this type of situation is survival.
Residence Halls and Private Residences
• Keep the doors and windows to your residence locked at all times.
• Never sleep in an unlocked room or house.
• Report defective locks on windows and doors immediately to Facilities Services (x5472).
• Do not put your name and address on key rings. Do not attach your keys to your Midd Card.
• Do not keep your residence and your vehicle keys on the same ring.
• If you lose the keys to your residence, have the locks changed. On campus residents should notify the Department of Public Safety immediately. Requests to have an on
campus lock changed can be made by contacting Facilities Services (x5472). There is a charge for this service.
• Do not study in poorly lit, secluded areas.
• Require visitors to identify themselves before you open your door. Request official identification from all repair or service personnel.
• Get to know your neighbors so you can help each other.
• If you find that your room has been entered, DO NOT GO INSIDE. Go to a neighbor and call the Department of Public Safety (for College housing) or the town police (for private residences). If you are already inside, DO NOT TOUCH
ANYTHING. You may disturb evidence that is important to police investigation.
• If you are awakened by an intruder in your room, do not try to apprehend him. He may be armed or may easily arm himself with something inside the room. Attempt to
get out of the room if it is possible.
• If you see a suspicious person or vehicle on campus or in your neighborhood, IMMEDIATELY contact the Department of Public Safety or the town police. Try to get the license plate number, state and description of the vehicle, but do not chase the car to do so.
• Do not prop open doors to dormitories or other College buildings.
• Be cautious when using bathroom facilities when there is no one else around, particularly at night.
• Solicitation in residence halls for any purpose by persons outside the College community is prohibited. Outside solicitors found in the dorms should be reported to the Department of Public Safety immediately.
• Peeping Toms are best dealt with by not yelling or attempting to detain the offender. He or she may panic and react in an unpredictable manner. If the offender runs
away, note the direction of travel. If there is a place from which you can observe safely, watch to see if they get into a car, go to another dorm, etc. Try to get a good description of the person and report the incident by calling x5911 immediately.
• Obscene, harassing and annoying phone calls should be dealt with by immediately hanging up as soon as you realize the nature of the call. Do not try to find out who the caller is even if you think it is a friend playing a joke. Contact the Department of Public Safety to report phone harassment. Some ways to deal with phone harassment include using your voice mail system or answering machine to screen calls. You may also record an obscene call by using the memo feature on some answering machines. If the calls occur frequently, keep a log of exactly when the call was received and
what was said. Describe the type of voice and note any background noises. Consider changing your phone number, depersonalizing your answering machine or voice mail message or not being listed in the campus directory. Contact Telephone Services (x5700) for assistance in these areas.
Use of Athletic Facilities
• Avoid using the athletic facilities alone, especially after dark or during off-hours.
• Use the “buddy system”. Work out with a friend, and make arrangements to go to and from the gym together.
• Confine your running and jogging to the daylight hours and to open, well-traveled areas.
• Avoid showering alone in the locker room. Shower back at your residence.
• Avoid bringing cash, wallets, watches or other valuables to the athletic facilities.
• Keep your locker locked whenever unattended. This includes those times when you leave briefly to shower, visit the trainer or the equipment room, etc. Most of the thefts at the athletic facilities are from unlocked lockers or property left unsecured in the locker room area.
• Do not leave items of significant value in the coat rack area adjacent to the fitness center while your work out.
In the women’s locker room:
• If there is another woman in the locker room, ask her to wait for you, so you will not be showering alone. If you are with a male companion, ask him to wait for you just outside the locker room.
• Report all incidents of voyeurism to the Department of Public Safety immediately.
• If you encounter a male intruder inside the women’s locker room:
1. Call loudly for help. Your call for assistance should carry into the hallway.
2. Keep out of the intruder’s way, and do not attempt to prevent him from leaving.
3. Try to exit the locker room quickly.
4. Formulate a description of the intruder in your mind.
5. Notify the Department of Public Safety immediately by using an emergency phone to dial 911 or x5911.
• Report all suspicious persons or vehicles seen around parking areas to the Department of Public Safety immediately.
• When parked, keep your vehicle locked and the windows rolled up tightly.
• Have your key ready when you approach your car. Check inside and under your car to make sure no one is hiding.
• Never leave your vehicle’s engine running while unattended.
• When parking, choose a well lit, heavily traveled area.
• Lock all packages, luggage and valuables in the trunk or out of sight.
• Keep spare keys in your wallet or purse, not inside the vehicle where a thief is likely to find them.
• If your car breaks down, open the hood and then stay locked inside the vehicle. If someone stops to help, do not open the door or window, but have him or her call for assistance.
• If you do not know the location of your destination, ask someone for specific directions before you leave.
• If you get lost, do not pull over until you find a well-lit public area where you can stop and ask for directions.
• If you suspect you are being followed, drive to a well-lit public area and call the police.
• If a person with a weapon ever confronts you and wants your vehicle, give it up. No car is worth being injured or losing your life over.
Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs)
• Try to use ATMs during daylight hours.
• If you must go at night, do not go alone.
• Avoid ATMs that are not well lit or clearly visible from the street.
• Be aware of people loitering or sitting in cars around ATMs
• Prepare your transaction ahead of time. Do not spend a lot of time at the machine.
• Do not give out your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Memorize it and do not keep a written copy of it in your wallet.
• Either keep your ATM receipt or tear it up well and throw it away in a location far from the ATM machine. Thieves can acquire valuable information from these receipts, such as your account number and your balance.
The majority of crimes that are committed on the Middlebury College campus involve the theft of personal property. Larcenies are crimes of opportunity and occur primarily when property is left in unlocked or unattended areas. In an attempt to alleviate this problem, the Department of Public Safety makes the following recommendations:
Residential locations
• Avoid bringing large amounts of cash or valuables to campus or your residence.
• Keep items of value out of sight. If you must keep cash or valuables in your room for short periods of time, do not store them in obvious hiding places like desks or dressers.
• Never lend out the key to your room or residence.
• If you live in a dormitory, take your room key to the shower with you. Do not leave it in your robe or clothing, where someone going through your pockets can find it.
• When leaving your vehicle at a service station or parking garage, leave only the ignition key.
• Participate in the Midd Watch Program.
• When leaving for vacations, store valuables such as stereos and televisions out of sight. During summer recess, do not leave valuables in student storage areas. These areas are not secure and the College is not responsible for the loss of property. The Department of Public Safety does have a secure storage area. To learn more about storage go to the DPS website. http://www.middlebury.edu/administration/
publicsafety/
• Check with your family insurance agent to determine if your property is properly covered under your parent’s homeowner’s insurance. If not, you should consider purchasing your own insurance.
All those using bicycles on campus are encouraged to participate in the bicycle registration program described in the Crime Prevention section of this handbook. Other ways to ensure the safe use and protection of your bicycle are as follows:
• Wear a bicycle helmet at all times while riding your bike.
• Make sure your bicycle brakes are in working order.
• Use a bicycle light when riding at night.
• Always ride on the right side of the road with the flow of traffic. Ride on roads and not sidewalks whenever possible.
• Obey all traffic laws.
• Pay attention to your surroundings: warn pedestrians or fellow riders when you are passing them with statements like “On Your Right!” You should also warn motor vehicle drivers if they are placing you in danger with their driving.
• Take extra care when passing parking lot exits or biking through a parking lot.
• Invest in a strong bicycle lock or strong padlock and chain. Chains should be casehardened steel with links of at least 5/8 inch in diameter.
• Always lock your bike. Optimally, bikes should be locked around the frame and through both wheels and secured to a bicycle rack.
• Try not to lock your bike “free standing”. A thief can easily walk away with a bike and remove the lock.
• Whenever possible, keep your bicycle inside. Most residence halls have designated “bike rooms”.
• If you leave your bicycle outside, choose a well lighted and heavily traveled location.
• Find out if your bicycle is covered by your parent’s insurance policy. If not, it would be advisable to insure it.
• If left unattended or unlocked, a bicycle might be removed by the Department of Public Safety. Abandoned bicycles are taken to Fletcher Barn Storage for safekeeping by Public Safety officers. If you are concerned that members of the Department of Public Safety may have removed your bicycle, please contact the department to ascertain if your bicycle may be secured in Fletcher Barn storage
The Middlebury College Department of Public Safety is committed to a proactive approach, which enables us through education, officer presence and community awareness to stop many potential incidents before they occur. It is the goal of the department to create a partnership between the DPS and community members. This partnership assists us in uniting our efforts and encourages each member of the community in taking an active role in their own safety and the safety concerns of others.
To this end, the DPS is active in the following programs and activities:
R.A.D. Program
The Rape Aggression and Defense Program, also known as R.A.D., is a program that is offered to our female students, staff and faculty. This is an opportunity to gain empowerment and education as well as selfdefense technique training. We currently have three certified instructors on our public safety staff. Classes are publicized when offered or interested females can contact the Department of Public Safety at 443-5911.
Midd Watch Program
The Midd Watch program was developed by the Middlebury College Department of Public Safety to help members of the College community protect their valuables. Midd Watch is Middlebury College’s name for a similar nationwide program
“Operation Identification”. These programs involve the permanent marking of valuables with your college identification number and recording identification information. The Midd Watch program is designed to help prevent thefts, aid law enforcement agencies in the recovery of stolen property and aid theft victims with reporting to the police and insurance companies. This program not only deters thefts by making stolen property more difficult to sell and easier to identify, but also expedites insurance claims in the event of loss. This program is available to all members of the Middlebury College community. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate. However, your participation in the Midd Watch program does not make Middlebury College or its employees responsible for the security of your valuables.
The program works as follows:
1. Come to the Department of Public Safety and you will be provided with the following:
• An electric engraver. This will be signed out to you by leaving your Midd Card with one of the staff at the Department of Public Safety. You are encouraged to return the engraver as soon as possible so others may use it.
• A property inventory sheet on which you record identification information for each item of value.
2. Engrave your identification number on all moveable items of value. If an item has removable parts, be sure to mark all of the parts.
3. Methodically inventory the contents of each room and record the pertinent identification on the property inventory sheet.
4. Return the engraver and the completed property inventory sheet to the Department of Public Safety. You will be given a copy of the completed form and the original will be kept in the Department of Public Safety in a confidential file. If you should sell or give away one of these items on the list, be sure to contact us in writing so that we can note it in your file. Conversely, do the same should you buy or be given any new
items that you wish included with your file.
Bicycle Registration
Students, faculty and staff that use bicycles on campus are required to register their bicycles at the Department of Public Safety. The owner completes a registration form and then they are issued a Middlebury College decal with a license number on it. The owner then affixes this decal to the bicycle. A copy of the registration form is maintained at the DPS and another copy is sent to Middlebury Police Department. This results in the bicycle being registered on campus as well as with the Town of Middlebury.
Midd Ride Program
The Midd Ride Program is a student operated transportation service on the Middlebury College Campus. The service operates Sunday through Thursday from 7:30pm-1:30am. Midd Rides transports students, faculty and staff to on-campus locations during the academic year. Midd Rides does not provide transportation to off-campus locations. The Midd Ride telephone number is RIDE (x7433). The Midd Ride van is operated by teams of students during the week and staff on the weekends.
Meetings and Task Forces
The DPS meets on an ongoing basis with members of the Middlebury Police Department to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern. Additionally, DPS members participate in the Addison County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Task Force.
Lighting Tours
Members of the DPS meet interested community members annually to conduct a lighting tour of campus to identify and prioritize areas of campus where more lighting may be needed to create a higher level of visibility and overall safety. Public
Safety officers regularly check outdoor and indoor lighting and notify Facilities Services when a repair is needed.
Safety Alerts
DPS creates and distributes Safety Alerts when a specific safety issue arises and requires public notification. See the “Timely Notice” section of this booklet for more information on how notification is accomplished.
Crime Prevention and Safety Talks
The DPS will, upon request of individual groups or departments on campus, give specific crime prevention and safety talks to students or staff members in their facilities.
Safety Escorts
Public Safety officers on patrol will provide safety escorts to and from on-campus locations during the hours of darkness when personal safety is a concern. See the Medical Transportation section of this booklet for information on transporting sick, injured or intoxicated students.
The Department of Public Safety is the centralized reporting authority for Middlebury College. All members of the Middlebury College community are encouraged to report criminal incidents and other emergencies promptly to the Department of Public Safety. The Dean of the College Office, can assist students in reporting serious incidents. The Human Resources Office (x5465) located in the Service Building, can
assist employees.
The Department of Public Safety collects statistical information from the Dean of the College Office and the Middlebury Police Department for the annual report. The Middlebury Police Department provides the Department of Public Safety with
statistical information regarding crimes occurring on all public and privately held properties adjacent or contiguous to the campus as defined by federal law.
In an effort to provide members of the campus community with information about campus crime and crime-related problems, the Middlebury College Department of Public Safety, in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, provides information on crime statistics. The department also maintains a relationship with the appropriate jurisdictions relative to students who may commit crimes off-campus.
Middlebury College reports crimes using the definitions as described in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting program. The Middlebury College Department of Public Safety also reviews all crimes for manifest evidence that the victim was intentionally selected because of the victim’s actual or perceived race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity, or disability. Statistics are reported for those reportable crimes that are also Hate Crimes.
Officials of the College with “significant responsibility for students and campus activities” are required by federal law to notify the Department of Public Safety of crimes that are defined under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. The Department of Public Safety actively seeks out reports from such officials such as athletic coaches, advisors, etc.
The following are the Definitions of Crimes as mandated by the Clery Act:
Criminal Homicide/ Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter – the willful (nonnegligent) killing of one human being by another.
Criminal Homicide/Manslaughter by Negligence – The killing of another person through gross negligence.
Forcible Sex Offenses – Any sexual act directed against another person, forcibly and/or against that person’s will; or not forcibly or against the person’s will where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her temporary or permanent
mental or physical incapacity (or because of his/her youth). This includes forcible rape, forcible sodomy, sexual assault with an object, and forcible fondling.
Non Forcible Sex Offenses – Unlawful, non-forcible sexual intercourse. This includes incest and statutory rape.
Robbery – The taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or putting
the victim in fear.
Aggravated Assault – An unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. This type of assault usually is accompanied by the use of a weapon or by means likely to produce death or great bodily harm. (It is not necessary that injury result from an aggravated assault with a gun, knife, or other weapon is used which could and probably would result in serious
personal injury if the crime were successfully completed.)
Burglary – The unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or a theft. For reporting purposes this definition includes: unlawful entry with intent to commit a larceny or felony; breaking and entering with intent to commit a larceny;
housebreaking; safecracking; and all attempts to commit any of the aforementioned.
Arson – Any willful or malicious burning or attempt to burn, with or without intent to defraud, a dwelling house, public building, motor vehicle or aircraft, personal property of another, etc.
Motor Vehicle Theft – The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle (automobile, truck, bus, motorcycle, motor scooters, snowmobiles, etc.) Includes all cases where motor vehicles are taken by persons not having lawful access even though the
vehicles are later abandoned, including joyriding.
Larceny – The unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another. (Motor vehicle theft is not included here and is counted separately.)
Hate Crimes – Specific crimes that are identifiable as hate crime, including murder, manslaughter, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson, forcible and non-forcible sex offenses in which the victim is intentionally selected because of actual or perceived race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or disability of the victim.
Bias-Motivated Incident – Incidents that are not categorized into one of the listed criminal offenses but may include cases of written or verbal harassment, intimidation, destruction, damage or vandalism of property or graffiti in which the victim is intentionally selected because of actual or perceived race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or disability of the victim. Any student, faculty member or employee who is the victim of a bias-motivated incident or hate crime is encouraged to file a report immediately.
Timely response to these incidents is crucial. Failure to report allows the incidents to remain hidden and may even allow them to escalate. The College takes all reports seriously and will thoroughly investigate every incident and work with local law enforcement agencies whenever necessary. Reports can be filed with the Department of Public Safety, Dean of the College, Human Resources, Dean of Faculty, the Human Relations Officer or the Community Relations Advisers.