Safety and Security Guidelines

All students, faculty, staff and visitors are encouraged to take an active role in their own safety and security. The following guidelines will promote a safe environment:

-Walk in well-lighted and well-traveled areas after dark. Walk with a friend or call the College Police for an escort. The Police Officer will walk with the student to his or her destination

-Lock your car and secure valuables when using campus parking facilities.

-Keep informed. Check campus bulletin boards, The Iron Blade student newspaper, campus mail, and e-mail for CAMPUS SAFETY ALERT notices pertaining to specific campus security conditions.

- Be familiar with emergency exits, locations of fire alarm pull stations, and fire extinguishers in your building.

- Be familiar of the location of "Emergency Telephones" in campus buildings.

- Do not loan room or office building keys to unauthorized persons.

- Keep residence hall room doors locked at all times. Keep your room and building keys with you at all times. Use door peepholes to screen visitors.

-Never prop open locked exterior doors or leave ground floor windows open.

-Never study alone in an isolated area or campus building.

- Use bicycle locks and lock bicycles with a high-quality lock.

-Become familiar with residence life policies as described in the Student Handbook. Abide by the policies and encourage others to do so.

- Register all vehicles.

- Engrave or note serial numbers of valuables in case of theft.

- Report all maintenance repairs to Physical Plant personnel at 365-4250.

Sexual Assault

     Sexual assault is serious, inappropriate sexual behavior. Rape, sexual battery and other forcible and nonforcible sex offenses are criminal acts and are violations of the Community Standards of Ferrum College.
If you are a victim of a sexual assault:

- Contact the Ferrum College Police Department for assistance and information.

- Seek medical attention at the Franklin Memorial Hospital in Rocky Mount, Virginia. A physician or SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) will examine you and collect evidence if you decide to pursue criminal charges.

- Do not change clothes, bathe or drink before going to the hospital. Take a change of clothing. The hospital will also conduct an HIV/AIDS test and check for sexually transmitted diseases.

- The hospital can assign a trained companion or the Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment (SASH) Coordinator, at Ferrum College, will provide assistance. The services are free and confidential.

- If the offender is a student, and the offense occurred on campus, a disciplinary hearing can be held on campus regardless of any criminal investigation.

- Any sexual assault that comes to the attention of the Ferrum College Police Department will be fully investigated. If criminal charges are placed, a Commonwealth Attorney will also assist the victim Free of charge.

- If an assault occurred off campus, the appropriate law enforcement agency will be contacted if the victim chooses to pursue criminal actions.

- If the offender is not a student, still contact the Police Department/SASH Coordinator. Again, the appropriate agency will be notified.

- The Dean of Student Affairs can assist in changing academic and living situations if reasonably available.

- Dispositions of disciplinary hearings can vary from temporary suspension to permanent dismissal, if the offender is a student. These sanctions are separate from any criminal charges.

- See the 5 Rights of a Result of Sexual Assault

- College Campus Judicial Procedures are discussed in detail in Student Handbook.

- Victims have the right to sue the perpetrator in Civil Court for monetary damages and is separate from criminal and judicial hearings. The burden of proof is the preponderance of the evidence.

5 Rights as a Result of Sexual Assault

1. Right of accuser and accused to the same opportunities to have others present during a campus disciplinary proceeding.

2. Right of accused and accuser to be informed of the outcome of a disciplinary hearing in an alleged assault.

3. Right of victimized students to be informed of options to notify proper law enforcement--campus police and local authorities--and the option to be assisted by campus authorities.

4. Right to change academic and living situations after an alleged assault if reasonably available.

5. Right to notification of existing counseling, mental health or student services--on campus and in the community.