Campus Public Safety

In addition to the information below, information about and statements regarding the College’s safety and security policies are provided in the College’s Annual Security Report, which is available on the Campus Public Safety Office web site, at: http://www.champlain.edu/current-students/campus-services/campus-safety.

The Campus Public Safety Office receives crime information from, and shares it with, other local higher education institutions, police departments, and law enforcement agencies. Security Alert bulletins inform members of the Champlain College community of recently reported crimes on or near the campus. Alerts may appear on bulletin boards in student residence halls. (Each alert describes the nature of the incident, agencies to which information should be reported and prevention advice to students.) The College will also use the Campus Alert Emergency Notification System described below and on the Campus Public Safety Web site to immediately notify the campus community upon the confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees occurring on the campus, unless issuing a notification will compromise efforts to contain the emergency or situation. Champlain College residence halls are staffed from 9:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. every day. Additionally, the Campus Public Safety staff or the Residential Life staff are available by phone 24 hours per day for emergencies. Campus Public Safety staff can provide walking safety escorts to and from all campus buildings. Dial (802) 865-6465 from any telephone or 6465 from a College phone.

Residential students are oriented to campus safety procedures and devices during meetings conducted by members of Campus Public Safety and the Residential Life staff. These meetings occur during Freshman Orientation and the first weeks of the fall semester and are designed to familiarize students with residence hall life and one another. Procedures for all types of medical, police and fire emergencies are reviewed. All residential students are made aware that Campus Public Safety may be reached 24/7 by dialing (802) 865-6465, or by using any of the emergency yellow call boxes located around campus. Ongoing meetings throughout the year aim to familiarize students with all campus services and include a repetition of the residence hall procedures as well as additional campus safety information. All students are encouraged and reminded to lock both their room doors and the exterior door of the residence hall. Students should never prop open exterior doors in residence halls, as this could allow strangers access to the residence.

Champlain College strives to create a safe and secure environment for its employees and students. To help achieve that goal, the College uses strategically- placed closed-circuit video cameras for remote observation. Only overt, as opposed to covert, methods are used. Overt is defined as “in plain sight,” whereas covert is defined as “hidden” or “concealed.”

Our cameras are installed in plain sight in such common areas as hallways, courtyards, parking lots or building exteriors. It is the policy of Champlain College not to install video cameras in places where employees or students may have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as bathroom facilities, showers, locker rooms and bedrooms (please note that as to student bedrooms, this policy does not affect the College’s right to conduct entries into and inspection of student rooms by non-video means, as described above).

If Champlain College suspects illegal activity is occurring on property under its control, appropriate local law enforcement and/or legal counsel will be consulted prior to authorization of covert surveillance. The only Champlain College officials with the authority to approve covert surveillance at the College are the President and the Vice President of Administration. Unauthorized covert surveillance conducted at the College will be considered a serious violation of this policy. Anyone engaging in unauthorized covert surveillance shall be the subject of disciplinary action that could include loss of student status or employment.

Campus Alert Emergency Notification System

Like many colleges and universities nationwide, Champlain College has implemented a campus emergency alert mass notification system as a tool to warn students when danger is present on or near the College campus. In cooperation with RAVE Mobile Safety , all Champlain College residential and commuter students are now able to receive emergency alert notifications if a situation arises that requires mass notification of a crisis, imminent danger, evacuation or other urgent situation. If an alert is sent, students will be given instructions about the danger and where to go for more information.

Champlain College has partnered with Rave Mobile Safety to provide an emergency alert system capable of delivering messages to your Champlain College and personal email addresses, as well as your land line and cell phone.

Students are enrolled in the program at no additional expense. We encourage you to login to the Rave Mobile Safety site to confirm your contact information and choose your notification preferences.  https://my.champlain.edu/login/rave  (Note that your cellular phone provider may charge a per-text message fee for the delivery of emergency notifications to your phone).

To login in go to: https://my.champlain.edu/login/rave

Your username is (your champlain.edu email).

Your initial password is (your Champlain user password).

You may sign in using your current Champlain College email address.  You will then be prompted to complete the registration process.  Once logged in, you can manage your account (for example, you can opt-out of receiving text and/or voice alerts).

Campus Emergency Preparedness

Champlain College takes emergency planning and preparedness seriously. We are committed to a goal of minimizing the educational and social disruption for our students, faculty and staff. Champlain College has a committee representing all aspects of Champlain College, the members of which work together regularly to enhance the College’s preparedness for a range of emergencies. For the most up- to-date emergency information please visit http://www.champlain.edu/Public- Safety. All students are required to complete an emergency contact form located in Webadvisor.

How to Use Emergency Call Boxes

Emergency yellow telephones are available at several locations around campus for the immediate reporting of security emergencies. A blue light situated above each telephone identifies the phone location. The height of the phones makes them accessible to students or staff in wheelchairs. These telephones are unable to complete any other campus, local or long distance connections, to ensure that the phones are available when needed. They are strictly for emergency use.

Emergency Call Box Locations:

• Alumni Auditorium, north entrance
• Cushing Hall East, east entrance
• Cushing Hall West, front walkway
• Foster Hall, front walkway
• Hauke Center, north entrance
• Joyce Hall, northwest entrance
• Lakeview, Adirondack, Butler & Valour Halls, courtyard
• Main Street Suites, garage and north entrance
• Perry Hall, north entrance
• S.D. Ireland Center for Global Business & Technology, south entrance
• Skiff Hall, west walkway
• Whiting Hall, west end walkway

How to Use Yellow Call Boxes:

Depress and release the button on the upper right marked “PUSH.” No dialing is necessary; the call will automatically be connected to Campus Public Safety.

What to Tell Campus Public Safety When Calling:

1.        Your name

2.        Your location

3.        The nature of the emergency

Campus Public Safety will then issue further instructions and respond immediately to the emergency location.

How to Report Campus Emergencies and Crimes

Campus Public Safety personnel are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will respond immediately to any reported emergency. Since prevention of crime is very much dependent upon the reporting of crime, it is to the benefit of the campus community for you to report crimes and other emergencies as you become aware of them. Champlain College Campus Public Safety, the Burlington, and Winooski Police Departments, and the Burlington, and Winooski Fire Departments stand ready to serve the Champlain College community by responding immediately to and assisting at all reported emergencies and crime occurrences.

Students looking for information or those who want to discuss crime prevention should contact Campus Public Safety during office hours, 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Procedures for emergency situations are outlined above. This office will assist the student in reporting the incident or suspicion to campus officials and to the appropriate community agency or service.

Questions regarding personal safety, loss, theft, or damage of personal property should be addressed to the Campus Public Safety Office, located in the basement of Skiff Hall, at (802) 865-6465. Because the College does not carry insurance on students’ personal property, it cannot assume responsibility for any of your personal possessions that may be lost, stolen or damaged. You are responsible for insuring your personal property, and you may be able to do so under your family’s homeowner’s policy. If you suspect that any of your belongings has been stolen, please notify the Campus Public Safety Office.

The College recommends that all students, faculty and staff familiarize themselves with the following information. This will assist you if any emergencies arise.

Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Policy Reporting Procedures and Support Services

As an educational institution, Champlain College is committed to promoting, through education and awareness-raising activities, a campus environment where sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (including sexual violence), domestic violence, dating violence and stalking are recognized as serious violations of the Standard of Conduct and where individuals who have or believe they have been subjected to such misconduct are provided support and avenues of redress as appropriate.  These forms of misconduct, as defined below, are prohibited by the College.  All first-year students are strongly encouraged to attend an orientation program during the first week of school that focuses on sexual violence, non-stranger sexual assault and the role of alcohol as a risk factor. Programs in personal safety with an emphasis on sexual violence prevention, bystander intervention, and risk reduction strategies are offered throughout the year.  The College will also offer initial awareness programming and an ongoing campaign of educational programming to students and employees regarding domestic violence, dating violence, sexual misconduct, and stalking, and regarding related bystander intervention and risk reduction strategies.

General Definitions

Complainant

For purposes of this policy, a complainant is usually a student, employee, or third party involved in some way in an academic, athletic, extracurricular or residential program of the College (“covered third party complainant”) who has allegedly been subjected to conduct in violation of this policy by a student, employee or covered third party respondent.

In some cases (such as, for example, cases in which a student, employee or covered third party complainant involved in an alleged incident of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking does not wish to participate in the process but the College decides that the alleged misconduct needs to be investigated and addressed), the College may move forward with an investigation and/or related disciplinary proceedings. In such cases, the College may extend the full rights of a complainant as defined in this policy to affected parties as deemed appropriate by the College. For ease of reference and consistency, the term “complainant” is used hereafter in this policy to refer to a person who believes that he or she has been subjected to sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking, or who is believed by another to have possibly been subjected to such conduct.

Respondent

For purposes of this policy, a respondent is a student, employee or third party over whom the College has some type of control or jurisdiction (“covered third party respondent”) who is reported to have violated the College’s Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Policy.  For ease of reference and consistency, the term “respondent” is used hereafter in this policy to refer to a student, employee or covered third party respondent who is believed by a complainant or other reporting person to have, or who the College believes possibly may have, engaged in sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking toward or with a student, employee or covered third party.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment of students, employees, or covered third parties by students, employees or covered third parties is prohibited by Champlain College.  Sexual Harassment is defined as:

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Such conduct constitutes sexual harassment when:

• Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or education,
• Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting that individual, or
• The conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive employment, education or living environment.

Examples of verbal or physical conduct that could violate this policy if they meet the standards described above may include, but are not limited to:

• either explicitly or implicitly conditioning any term of employment or educational decision on the provision of sexual favors;
• touching or grabbing a sexual part of a person’s body;
• touching or grabbing any part of a person’s body after that person has indicated, or it is known or should be known that such physical contact is unwelcome;
• continuing to ask a person to socialize on or off-campus when that person has indicated he or she is not interested;
• displaying or transmitting sexually suggestive pictures, objects, cartoons, or posters if it is known or should be known that the behavior is unwelcome;
• continuing to write sexually suggestive notes or letters if it is known or should be known that the person does not welcome such behavior;
• referring to or calling a person a sexualized name if it is known or should be known that the person does not welcome such behavior;
• telling sexual jokes or using sexually vulgar or explicit language in the presence of a person if it is known or should be known that the person does not welcome such behavior;
• retaliating in any way against anyone who has filed or supported a complaint of sexual harassment (e.g. ostracizing the person, pressuring the person to drop or not support the complaint, adversely altering that person’s educational, shared living, or work environment, etc.);
• communicating derogatory or provoking remarks about or relating to a student’s sex;
• directing harassing acts or behavior against a person on the basis of his or her sex; or
• off-campus conduct which falls within the above definition and affects a person’s on-campus educational, shared living, or work environment.

The College encourages reports of unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature (regardless of whether such conduct necessarily or obviously meets the full definition of sexual harassment above) so that it can determine whether this policy has been violated and take appropriate responsive action.  Prohibited sexual harassment can occur regardless of the sex, gender identity or sexual orientation of any individual involved, Champlain College recognizes that the protection of free and open speech and the open exchange of ideas are important to any academic community. This recognition is therefore an important element in the “reasonable person” standard used in judging whether sexual harassment has occurred. This policy is meant neither to proscribe nor to inhibit discussion, in or out of the classroom, of complex, controversial or sensitive matters, when in the judgment of a reasonable person they arise appropriately and with respect for the dignity of others. Champlain College also recognizes, however, that verbal conduct can be used specifically to intimidate or coerce and to inhibit genuine discourse, free inquiry and learning. Such abuses are unacceptable. If someone believes that another’s speech or writing is offensive, wrong or hurtful, he or she is encouraged to express that judgment in the exercise of his or her own free speech or to seek redress under the procedures described below.

Sexual Misconduct Policy

The College prohibits sexual misconduct such as sexual violence, and other sexual misconduct as defined below.

Sexual Violence

Sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault (whether committed by strangers or non-strangers), sexual battery, and sexual coercion, is a form of violence and sexual harassment used to exert power and control over another person. Sexual violence is defined as including participating in a sexual act with another person:

• By compelling the other person to participate in the 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
• By impairing substantially the ability of the other person to appraise or control conduct by administering or employing drugs or intoxicants without the knowledge of or against the will of the other person; or
• When the respondent knows, or reasonably should know based on an objective standard, that the other person’s ability to give or withhold consent is impaired:
  • by the consumption of drugs, alcohol or other intoxicants; or
  • because the other person is subject to a physical or mental incapacity such as sleep or unconsciousness.
• By participating in situations when the other person is physically incapable of resisting or of communicating an unwillingness to participate; or
• By participating in situations when the other participant is under the age of 16. 

A Sexual Act

Under Vermont law, “consent” to sexual activity is defined to mean “words or actions by a person indicating a voluntary agreement to engage in a sexual act.”

For purposes of this policy, “consent” is defined as follows:

• Consent is a voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity, demonstrated by words or actions freely and actively given by each party, which a reasonable person would interpret as a willingness to participate in agreed-upon sexual conduct;
• Someone who is incapacitated cannot effectively consent (such as when a person is incapacitated by the use of drugs or alcohol, when a person is asleep or unconscious, or when a person has an intellectual or other disability that prevents the person from having the capacity to give consent);
• Past consent does not imply future consent;
• Silence or an absence of resistance does not imply consent;
• Consent to engage in sexual activity with one person does not imply to consent to engage in sexual activity with another;
• Consent can be withdrawn at any time; and
• Coercion, force or threat of either invalidates consent.

The College will use an objective standard when determining whether a complainant was incapacitated; that is, the College will determine whether from the standpoint of a reasonable person, the respondent knew or should have known that the complainant could not effectively consent because he or she was incapacitated.  It is the responsibility of those who initiate and/or engage in sexual activity to be clear that informed, voluntary consent is given before proceeding with further sexual activity.  It should be noted that ignorance of the policy noted above, or the intoxication of the respondent, will not (particularly given the College’s objective standard) be considered an excuse for violating this policy.

Other Sexual Misconduct

The College also prohibits through this policy other forms of sexual misconduct, such as (but not limited to) video recording or photographing of sexual acts of another member of the College community without the consent of a person involved, or engaging in unwelcome physical touching of a sexual nature that does not meet the definitions of sexual violence or sexual harassment described above.

Other Policy Violations

The College’s primary goals when responding to complaints of sexual misconduct is to promote student, employee and covered third party safety, and to address that misconduct and prevent it from recurring. An individual should not hesitate to report sexual misconduct due to a concern that the investigation process may indicate that he or she was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident. Violations of other College policies will be handled separately from sexual misconduct complaints, and the relatively minor sanctions that may result from a violation of other College policies under the circumstances should not dissuade a person from reporting relatively serious incidents of sexual misconduct. The use of alcohol or drugs never makes the complainant at fault for sexual misconduct.

Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Policy

It is an essential goal of Champlain College to provide and maintain a safe campus for all members of its community, free from violence and threats of violence. Domestic violence, dating violence and stalking will not be tolerated on campus, including in residential halls, offices and other facilities owned or leased by the College, or in connection with College programs on or off campus.. Champlain College students, employees or covered third party respondents who engage in domestic violence, dating violence or stalking on campus or who use campus facilities, property, vehicles, communications media (such as phones, fax, e-mail, texting or social networking sites) or other resources to engage in such activity are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or dismissal from College enrollment and/or employment, and criminal prosecution.

Champlain College prohibits conduct by students, employees and covered third party respondents that affects other students and covered third parties and that constitutes domestic violence, dating violence or stalking, as defined below.  While this policy incorporates by reference portions of the definitions of domestic violence, dating violence and stalking used in the criminal law, the College determines responsibility for such conduct through its own procedures and standard of proof (that is, by a preponderance of the evidence), not through the procedures or standards of proof employed in the criminal justice system.

Domestic Violence

The term ”domestic violence” includes violence committed by a current or former spouse of the complainant (Vermont law refers to such individuals as “victims”, but for the sake of consistency, the term “complainant” is substituted for that term throughout this policy) by a person with whom the complainant shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the complainant as a spouse, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the complainant under the domestic or family violence laws of Vermont, or by any other person against an adult or youth complainant who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of Vermont. Under Vermont law, it is unlawful to attempt to cause or to willfully or recklessly cause bodily injury to a family or household member, or to willfully cause a family or household member to fear imminent serious bodily injury. “Household members” are defined as those persons who, for any period of time, are living or have lived together, are sharing or have shared occupancy of a dwelling, and are engaged in or have engaged in a sexual relationship, or minors or adults who are dating or have dated (for purposes of this policy, “household members” do not include roommates in residential campus housing (or who are living together off campus) where the individuals have not had any dating relationship or sexual relationship or where neither of the individuals has expressed interest in or pursued a dating or sexual relationship with the other individual, and “shared occupancy of a dwelling” does not include circumstances where a complainant and respondent live in separate rooms in the same dormitory or other multi-unit residential building, but where neither of the individuals has expressed interest in or pursued a dating or sexual relationship with the other individual.

As a matter of Champlain College policy, the College strictly prohibits conduct that would constitute domestic violence as defined above. The College encourages complainants who believe they are being or have been subjected to such conduct, and others with knowledge of such conduct, to report the conduct to the College through the procedures described below, and to seek the support of the College and/or external resources identified in this policy.

Dating Violence

For purposes of College policy, “dating” means a social relationship of a romantic or sexual nature. The factors that will be considered in determining whether a dating relationship exists or existed,include: (a) the nature of the relationship; (b) the length of time the relationship has existed; (c) the frequency of the interaction between the parties; and (d) the length of time since the relationship ended, if applicable. Under Vermont law, it is unlawful to attempt to cause or to willfully or recklessly cause bodily injury to a person one is dating or has dated, or to willfully cause such person to fear imminent serious bodily injury, and such conduct is prohibited by College policy.

As a matter of Champlain College policy, the College strictly prohibits conduct that would constitute dating violence as defined above. The College encourages individuals who believe they are being or have been subjected to such conduct, and others with knowledge of such conduct, to report the conduct to the College through the procedures described below, and to seek the support of the College and/or external resources identified in this policy.

Stalking

As defined by federal law, “stalking” means engaging in a course of conduct (a pattern of conduct composed of two or more acts over a period of time, however short, evidencing a continuity of purpose) directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to:

• fear for his or her safety or the safety of others; or
• suffer substantial emotional distress.

Under Vermont law, “stalking” is defined to mean engaging in a course of conduct which consists of one of the following, when such conduct serves no legitimate purpose and would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her physical safety or health or would cause a reasonable person to suffer emotional distress.

• Following - defined as maintaining over a period of time a visual or physical proximity to another person in such a manner as would cause a reasonable person to have a fear of unlawful sexual conduct, unlawful restraint, bodily injury or death.
• Lying in wait for - defined as hiding or being concealed for the purpose of attacking or harming another person.
• Harassing - defined as actions directed at a specific person, or a member of the person’s family, which would cause a reasonable person to fear unlawful sexual conduct, unlawful restraint, bodily injury, or death, including but not limited to verbal threats, written, telephonic, or other electronically communicated threats, vandalism, or physical contact without consent.

As a matter of Champlain College policy, the College strictly prohibits stalking as defined above. The College encourages complainants who believe that they are being or have been subjected to such conduct, and others with knowledge of such conduct, to report the conduct to the College through the procedures described below, and to seek the support of the College and/or external resources identified in this policy.

When part of a pattern of behavior that falls within the definition of stalking described above, examples of stalking behaviors or activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Non-consensual communication, including face-to-face communication, telephone calls, voice messages, e-mails, text messages, written letters, gifts, or any other communications that are unwelcome.
• Use of online, electronic or digital technologies in connection with such communication, including but not limited to:

posting of pictures or text in chat rooms or on websites;

sending unwanted/unsolicited e-mail or talk requests;

posting private or public messages on Internet sites, social networks, and/or school bulletin boards

installing spyware on a person’s computer;

using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) or similar technology to monitor a person.

Pursuing, following, waiting, or showing up uninvited at or near a residence, workplace, classroom, or other places frequented by the person.

• Surveillance or other types of observation including staring or “peeping”.
• Trespassing.
• Vandalism.
• Non-consensual touching.
• Direct verbal or physical threats.
• Gathering information about an individual from friends, family, or co-workers.
• Accessing private information through unauthorized means.
• Threats to harm self or others.
• Using a third party or parties to accomplish any of the above.

Reporting and Confidential Disclosures: Know the Options

The College understands that individuals who have concerns about sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking may look for assurances of confidentiality.  The College encourages individuals who may have been subjected to these forms of misconduct and/or crime to talk to somebody about what happened, so they can get the support they need, and the College can respond appropriately to the extent appropriate and possible given the circumstances and/or the complainant’s wishes.  Different employees on campus have different abilities to maintain confidentiality about these issues.

Personal Counselors and Health Services Professionals as Confidential Resources

At Champlain College, the professional counselors at the Counseling and Accommodations Services Center and the licensed professionals at the Health & Wellness Center respect and protect confidential communications from students to the extent that they are able to do so under applicable law. This means that in most cases, these confidential resources will not inform anyone of such communications without a student’s consent, and the College will not endeavor to take any action in response to such communications. These professionals may have the responsibility to disclose otherwise-privileged information appropriately when they perceive an immediate and/or serious threat to any person or property. In addition, medical and mental health professionals are required by law to report any allegation of sexual assault of a person under age 18.  Students who wish to talk about sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking-related issues confidentially, with the understanding that the College will not take any action based on such confidential communications, are encouraged to contact one of these confidential resources.  In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (“Clery Act”), these confidential resources will not report Clery crimes they learn about through confidential communications for purposes of the College’s compilation of campus crime statistics. 

If an individual who makes a report to a confidential resource and insists that his or her name or other identifiable information not be revealed, the College will be unable to conduct an investigation into the particular incident or pursue disciplinary action against the alleged perpetrator.  Even so, these confidential resources will still assist the individual in receiving other necessary protection and support, such as victim advocacy, academic support or accommodations, disability, health or mental health services, and changes to living, working or course schedules.  An individual who at first requests confidentiality may later decide to file a complaint with the College or report the incident to local law enforcement, and thus have the incident fully investigated.  These confidential resources will provide the individual with assistance if the individual wishes to pursue those options.

Contact information for confidential resources is as follows:

Skip Harris, M.S. Director, Counselor

Phone: 802-651-5961
Fax: 802-860-2764
sharris@champlain.edu

Luke Lewis, M.S., LCMHC, Assistant Director, Counselor, Alcohol/Drug Educator
Phone: 802-651-5959
Fax: 802-860-2764
llewis@champlain.edu

Denise Myers, M.S., Counselor and 504 Coordinator
Phone: 802-865-5484
Fax: 802-860-2764
dmyers@champlain.edu

Maggie Riley, M.S., N.C.C., Counselor/Accommodations Specialist
Phone: 802-651-5847
Fax: 802-860-2764
mriley@champlain.edu

Kara Berg, M.A., Counselor
Phone:  802-865-5722
Fax: 802-860-2764
kberg@champlain.edu

Reporting to “Responsible Employees”

A “responsible employee” is a College employee who has the authority to address sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking, who has a duty to report related incidents to the Title IX Coordinator or other College officials, or who a student could reasonably believe has such authority or duty.  Responsible employees are respectful of a complainant’s wishes to the extent appropriate and are discreet, but they are not able to guarantee confidentiality.  General inquiries or questions about the Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Policy and procedures may remain private, and the College will strive to protect the privacy of individuals to the extent it can while maintaining its obligations to uphold relevant policies and regulations and/or to take reasonable steps to promote the safety of members of the College community.  Otherwise, responsible employees will report relevant details (such as the name of the complainant and respondent, any witnesses, and other relevant facts, such as the date, time and specific location of the alleged incident) to the Title IX Coordinator or other College officials. The College will then investigate the report and take reasonable steps to prevent recurrence of the behavior.

If a complainant discloses an incident to a responsible employee but wishes to maintain confidentiality or requests that no investigation into a particular incident be conducted or disciplinary action taken, the College will weigh that request against the College’s obligation provide a safe, non-discriminatory environment for all students, faculty and staff.  Factors to be considered may include but are not limited to consideration of circumstances suggesting that there is a risk of the alleged perpetrator committing additional acts of sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking involving the complainant or others in the campus community, whether the College has received other similar complaints regarding the alleged perpetrator, whether the alleged perpetrator has a history of arrests or records from a prior school indicating a history of violence, whether the alleged perpetrator threatened or appears to pose a risk of further sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking against the complainant or others, whether sexual violence was allegedly committed by multiple perpetrators, whether a pattern of perpetration (e.g., more than one report involving a particular location or group), whether violence was perpetrated with a weapon, and whether the College possesses other means to obtain relevant evidence.  The Title IX Coordinator will in most cases determine whether the College needs to perform an investigation and/or take some other action in cases where a complainant would prefer complete confidentiality. If for some reason the Title IX Coordinator is not able or is not the appropriate person to make such a determination, the determination will be made by the Provost, the Senior Vice President of Finance and Adminstration, or another appropriate person designated by the President.

If an individual who makes a report insists that his or her name or other identifiable information not be revealed and the College is able to respect that request, the individual must understand that the College will be unable to conduct an investigation into the particular incident or pursue disciplinary action against the alleged perpetrator.

The College will protect the confidentiality of individuals allegedly subjected to sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence and/or stalking to the extent practicable in light of the need to do investigations and conduct disciplinary proceedings.  Campus security authorities who become aware of Clery crimes will report them to the College’s Office of Campus Public Safety so that they may be included in the College’s compilation of campus crime statistics.  The College will not include the names of complainants or other identifying information in publicly-available reports that are compiled as required by the Clery Act.

Reporting and Resources

If you feel that you may have been subjected to an incident of sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking,  you should:

1.     Contact appropriate College offices and/or local agencies immediately. Counseling staff, Student Health Center staff, Campus Public Safety staff, Residential Life staff and administrative staff are available to assist students, and the Human Resources and Organizational Development staff is available to assist employees.   Confidentiality is strictly observed by professional staff at the Counseling and Accommodation Services Center and the Health & Wellness Center (confidentiality issues are addressed in more detail above). Students can contact Campus Public Safety at (802) 865-6465 or any emergency call box (blue light phone), a Residential Life staff member, the Burlington Police (911), or a College counselor (RAs and Campus Public Safety Officers can contact the counselor on call). In addition, students may go directly to the emergency services department at Fletcher Allen Health Care. College staff are available to assist you in seeking help from outside law enforcement and health care resources.  Even if you are unsure initially whether you will want to pursue criminal charges or seek a protection order, it is important to preserve all possible evidence in case you decide at some point to do so. Therefore, you should refrain from changing clothes, showering or otherwise changing your physical state after an incident, until after you have consulted with medical personnel, campus public safety and/or law enforcement about how to best preserve evidence. You should also consult with College officials, law enforcement officers or health care professionals regarding your ability to have evidence collected by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (“SANE”). You should also endeavor to preserve other evidence that may be relevant to a case of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, domestic violence or dating violence or stalking, such as text messages, email messages, other electronically stored information, and other physical evidence. If you have questions about how to do this, you should consult with College officials, confidential resources, or law enforcement. 

2.     Seek medical and counseling help immediately. Prompt medical and counseling attention will help begin the healing process and will also assist in preservation of evidence. Your health and safety are of utmost importance. You can  call one of the offices listed immediately above with questions about how to best preserve evidence.

3.     Consider reporting the incident to campus public safety and local law enforcement authorities.  It is recommended that you take advantage of the opportunity to report any incident of sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking to campus public safety and local law enforcement authorities.  Your well-being is paramount; you have the option to notify law enforcement authorities, to be assisted by College authorities in notifying law enforcement authorities if you choose, or to decline to notify law enforcement authorities.  The College contact information is listed above.

4.     In cases where there appears to be an imminent safety risk, the College may be required to pursue an internal investigation or disciplinary proceeding itself, and/or to involve local law enforcement authorities as necessary.  In assessing such situations the College will consider factors such as, but not limited to, the seriousness of the alleged conduct, the complainant’s age, whether there have been other complaints about the same alleged perpetrator(s), and other factors such as, but not limited to, those listed in the Confidential Reporting: Know Your Options section above.

On-campus counseling services are available 24 hours a day to all students. Students are encouraged to work with College counselors, who will provide confidential counseling or refer students to local police, mental health agencies and other off-campus agencies if appropriate and/or as requested by the student.

Every reasonable attempt will be made to support your continued educational experience within a safe and comfortable environment on campus, including opportunities for assistance in changing your academic, living situations, transportation and working situations after an alleged sexual violence incident, if you request such changes and if such changes are reasonably available.  You do not have to pursue a criminal or College disciplinary system complaint in order to request such assistance from the College.

Individuals who are being or who may have been subjected to domestic violence, dating violence or stalking may have the right to obtain orders of protection, restraining orders and/or relief from abuse orders from Vermont courts. The College will support complainants if they wish to have the College’s assistance in making contact with law enforcement authorities and other external resources to seek such orders. The College will respect such orders to the extent applicable. In addition, the College can also impose no-contact conditions on students, employees and third parties over which it has some measure of control. The College will inform complainants of their options in this regard.

Retaliation

The College does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who have made a good faith report of sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking.  Retaliation against an individual for reporting, in good faith, unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking, or for cooperating in the investigation of a complaint of such conduct, violates this policy and may be unlawful.  Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, adverse actions that have a substantial adverse effect on the working or educational environment of any individual involved in the complaint or an investigation, such as:

• intimidation,
• reprisal,
• ostracism,
• actions altering the person’s assignments, assessment of his or her work, or his/her living and learning environment,
• threats,
• coercion, or
• otherwise discriminating against any individual for exercising his or her rights or responsibilities under this policy.

Any person who believes that he or she has been subjected to such retaliation should follow the complaint resolution procedures outlined in this policy. The College will take strong responsive action if it finds that retaliation in violation of this policy has occurred.

Complaint Resolution Procedures  

Campus disciplinary procedures and sanctions in cases of alleged domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and other offenses can be found under the sections of this Catalog titled “Discrimination, Harassment, and Hazing Prevention Policy and Complaint Procedure” and “Conduct Review Process”. Gender-based harassment/sexual harassment/domestic violence/dating violence/sexual violence-specific features of that process include, but are not limited to, the following:  i) proceedings will provide a prompt, fair, and impartial investigation and resolution; ii) proceedings will be conducted by officials who receive annual training on the issues related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking and how to conduct an investigation and hearing process that protects the safety of complainants and promotes accountability; iii) the complainant and respondent are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during an institutional disciplinary proceeding, including the opportunity to be accompanied to any related meeting or proceeding by an advisor of their choice; iv) both the complainant and the respondent will be simultaneously informed, in writing: a) of the outcome of any College disciplinary proceeding that arises from an allegation of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking; b) that the College’s procedures for the complainant and respondent to appeal the results of the College disciplinary proceeding; c) of any change to the results that occurs prior to the time that such results become final; and d) when such results become final.  

The College will cooperate fully with any investigation of a report of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking being conducted by a law enforcement agency, while fulfilling its obligation to respond to alleged incidents of sexual violence.

Gender-based discrimination and harassment, sexual harassment and sexual violence are prohibited by a federal law known as Title IX. The College’s Vice President for Student Life serves as the College’s Title IX Coordinator. In that role, the Title IX Coordinator has oversight responsibility for Title IX-related complaints and identifying and addressing any patterns or systemic problems that arise during the review of such complaints. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, or to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”). The Vice President for Student Life’s contact information is: Leslie Averill, Student Life, (802) 651-5907, averill@champlain.edu. OCR’s contact information is: United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 33 Arch Street, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02110-1491, (617) 289-0111 (voice).

Emergencies in Residence Halls

When an emergency of any type occurs in a residence hall, students should notify a Residential Life staff member or Campus Public Safety immediately. Other services will be called upon by Campus Public Safety or Residential Life staff.

In all cases of emergency, Campus Public Safety should also be notified if it was not the first agency contacted.

In the event of fire, a Residential Life staff member will see that the residence hall alarm is activated; the building is evacuated and students are counted; and the fire department is called from a neighboring residence hall, office or cell phone. Fire alarm pull boxes in the residence halls are accessible to students with physical disabilities. All the residence halls are directly connected to the fire department via radio fire alarms; when an alarm sounds, the building should be evacuated and a Residential Life staff member will coordinate taking of attendance.

Access to and Security of Campus Facilities

Campus Public Safety staff routinely check campus facilities while on foot patrol. Methods are described below.

Residence Halls: Nonemergency access to and egress from all College residence halls are confined to centralized entrances. Emergency exits are tagged or alarmed to deter unauthorized use. Entrance doors and individual rooms have separate locks, and residents are issued keys or access cards for each. Public Safety officers conduct interior and outer perimeter checks of each residence hall daily and at random times. When doing so, they do the following:

• Physically check exterior ground floor doors to ensure they are secure.
• Visually check lounge screens and windows to be sure that they are down and that there are no signs of forced entry.
• Visually check remaining building exterior for secured fire escape doors and to ensure that forced entry has not been gained via   upper windows.
• Patrol residence hall parking lots to assist students and deter vehicle vandalism.
• Physically perform fire safety checks of each residence hall interior with appropriate frequency.

Administrative and Classroom Buildings: Campus administrative office facilities are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; some departments may have extended special hours. The Hauke Family Campus Center remains open during evening hours to accommodate night classes. The IDX Student Life Center remains open during evening hours to accommodate the student lounge and the Student Life Office. Classroom facilities remain open as needed for evening classes and special events. The library maintains a diverse schedule to serve the students. Campus Public Safety staff patrol the campus buildings and grounds continuously and secure buildings, as each schedule allows.

Campus Public Safety Office: The Campus Public Safety Office is located in the basement of Skiff Hall.

Campus Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement Authority of Campus Public Safety: Campus Pubic Safety personnel are official College representatives. As such, they are available to assist students, faculty and staff with all aspects of campus public safety and are required to report all violations of College regulations through appropriate College channels. Campus Public Safety personnel are not law enforcement officers. However, they can detain an individual until police officers arrive on campus, to the extent permitted by law (such as, for example, to protect students, employees or College property from imminent physical harm). Campus Public Safety maintains a good working relationship with Chittenden County law enforcement, and Campus Public Safety officers do not hesitate to call for assistance should a situation require it. Local police departments routinely share information with Champlain College regarding student violations of local, state and federal laws occurring on- or off-campus.

Off-Campus Events and Emergencies/Crimes: College regulations apply to all areas owned or leased by the College, as well as to any location where a student is engaged in a College activity. Such occasions include, but are not limited to, travel as a member of an athletic team or student club and any College-sponsored activity held off-campus, such as a field experience, a work-study assignment or a student dance. Off-campus, College-sponsored activities, such as recreational ski trips or dances, require the presence of a member of College faculty or staff. If the rules of leased space require it, a Public Safety officer is hired or assigned for large, off-campus events, such as dances or indoor athletic competitions.

Student Right-to-Know Act and Safety & Security Information, and Other Important Information

The Student Right-to-Know Act was signed into law in 1990. The legislation requires that institutions produce and make readily available persistence and/or graduation rates to current and prospective students.

Specific information on the persistence and/or graduation rates is available through the Registrar’s Office (802-865-6425).

Champlain College strives to create a physical and intellectual environment in which students, faculty and staff can depend upon mutual trust and integrity. Academic settings require free movement and access, and personal safety is therefore paramount.

The following information and references are provided to all members of the Champlain College community to help increase awareness of campus safety efforts and campus crime issues, and to comply with Title II of the Student Right- to-Know and Campus Security Act, the security-related provisions of which are now known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. If you would like to discuss security matters with a staff member, please contact Champlain’s Director of Campus Public Safety at (802) 860-2755.

Further information about the College’s campus security operations and policies is available in the College’s annual security report, which is available through the Campus Security web site.

Reported crimes occurring on Champlain College’s owned or operated property for the past three years:

• *Aggravated Assault Definition: An unlawful attack by one person upon another wherein the offender uses a weapon or displays it in a threatening manner, or wherein the victim suffers obvious severe or aggravated bodily injury involving apparent broken bones, loss of teeth, possible internal injury, severe laceration or loss of consciousness.
• **Burglary Definition: The unlawful entry into a building or other structure with the intent to commit a felony or a theft. Entry may be forced or acquired via an unlocked door or window.
• The complete Cleary Act crime report, as well as the annual security report and daily crime log, can be found at www.champlain.edu/Public-Safety.html.

Arrests and disciplinary referrals for the following crimes occurring on Champlain College’s owned or operated property for the past three years:

Dangerous or Disruptive Behavior

As an institution of higher learning, Champlain College strives to balance concern for the health and safety of individual students with the interests of the broader campus community. The College believes that all students have responsibility for self-welfare, self-guardianship, and self-care. In addition, students are responsible for conducting themselves in a manner that is not violent or disruptive.

Any behavior that may threaten the well-being of Champlain College students, faculty or staff will be addressed in a sensitive and appropriate manner. The College provides confidential counseling for students through the Counseling Center and Accommodation Services Center, and encourages students to access that service when needed. Champlain College is concerned about the physical, mental and emotional welfare of its students. When a student’s behavior constitutes a serious disruption or danger to the living and learning environment that the College seeks to create, the College may respond in a number of ways, ranging from providing mental health support to separating the student from the institution, if necessary.

The term dangerous or disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Any behavior that points to the potential of imminent, foreseeable or existing danger to self, other students or other members of the College community
• Destructive, intimidating, violent or other inappropriate behavior
• Self-inflicted violence
• Abuse of alcohol or other substances that places the individual or others at risk
• Public suicide attempts, suicidal gestures or disruptive statements of suicidal ideation
• Lack of response to multiple attempts at communication to determine student health and safety
• Failure to comply with prescribed medication orders, resulting in dangerous behavior
• Bullying Behavior:  Any verbal, physical, written or electronic communication which is intended to ridicule, humiliate, or intimidate or interferes with access to educational or other College programs, or reasonably has that effect.

This policy does not apply to nonviolent student protest and dissent, or to confidential interactions with a College mental health counselor or medical staff (unless an exception to confidentiality applies). This policy will be administered in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and similar Vermont law.

As part of its commitment to maintaining a safe environment, Champlain has established a Threat Assessment Team, which is empowered to assess risk and, in cooperation with other College teams or offices as appropriate, formulate an appropriate response in situations where an individual’s behavior and/or statements generate concern  that he or she may present a threat to the health or safety of others. The Threat Assessment Team seeks to mitigate potential risks before they result in harm.

Reporting Potential Threats  

All students, faculty and staff should be committed to ensuring the safety and security of the campus and workplace environment. As such, anyone who believes that an individual (student, faculty or staff member) has committed or may commit an act of violence, is engaging in behavior or making statements that generate concern about the potential for violence, or otherwise may pose an imminent threat to the health or safety of any member of the College community (such as, for example, incidents of violence, threatening behavior or statements, unwanted pursuit, stalking, and personal harassment) should call the Office of Public Safety and Security immediately at (802) 865-6465. Other individuals who may be contacted are identified below. In case of an emergency please also call 911.

Where behavior or statements of concern do not appear to present an imminent threat, individuals may also contact one of the following individuals: 

Reports will be evaluated to determine the appropriate response; the response may include, but not be limited to, referral to a mental health counselor or a conduct officer.  In situations where an individual has concerns about someone’s behavior but is unsure whether such behavior may pose a “threat” to self or others, the individual should report the information to the Department of Public Safety and Security or one of the individuals listed above, as appropriate, to allow the College the opportunity to assess the situation and respond as necessary. 

Retaliation

Champlain College is sensitive to concerns related to retaliation against individuals who in good faith report acts of violence, concerning behavior or statements, or potential threats, or who participate in an investigation under this policy. Retaliating against a person who has made a report under this policy or who has participated in an investigation is prohibited. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, threatening or ostracizing the person, pressuring the person to drop the report or not participate in the investigation, or taking other adverse action against the person. An individual who engages in retaliation under this policy will be subject to discipline in accordance with the College’s Handbook or Student Life policies, as applicable.

In addition, Champlain College affiliates should be aware that federal civil rights laws make it unlawful for the school to retaliate against an individual for bringing possible civil rights violations to their attention. This includes intimidating, threatening, coercing, or in any way discriminating against an individual because he/she complained or participated in an investigation.