Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990:
Public Law 101-542 Title II

 

The University of New Orleans (UNO) is the largest university in the Metro area.  With over 15,000 students and about 2,400 faculty and staff, UNO is a community within itself located on the outskirts of the "City that Care Forgot."  New Orleans' relaxed reputation as the "Big Easy" closely resembles the reputation many colleges and universities enjoy as carefree, easygoing and crime free.

While UNO recognizes that the campus is not crime free, one important advantage which enhances safety is education.  Education in the form of specific information is the most effective weapon in the struggle against crime.  When university police officials were polled nationwide, a majority said education was the key to crime prevention. 

The cooperation and involvement of students, faculty and staff taking responsibility for their own personal safety and the security of their personal belongings, contributes to a strong campus safety program.  The University wishes, in accordance with Public Law 101‑542, the Student Right‑to‑Know and Campus Security Act of 1990, to encourage each member of the University community to be a significant contributor to the well‑being and safety of the community at large.  

              

University Police                     

The University Police Department is staffed 24 hours a day to meet the needs of the UNO community. The department coordinates all requests for assistance relative to crime, including threats, theft, personal safety, medical emergencies, harassment, fire, vehicular mishaps, catastrophic weather emergencies, domestic disturbances and other police related matters.  University Police has jurisdiction over all University facilities, premises and property.  The department receives its police authority through Louisiana Revised Statute 17:1805.  Administratively, the department reports to the Vice Chancellor of University Relations.  All 22 University Police Officers are officially commissioned officers and follow standard police operating procedures including those of arrest. Additionally, the enforcement of University policies, procedures and other matters specific to University life are of high priority.

Providing a safe and secure environment at the University of New Orleans is the responsibility of the entire community.  Within the UNO community, the Police Department is assigned the primary responsibility to identify programs, methods and approaches toward achieving a safe and secure environment.  The Police Department is dedicated to providing the best protection possible to safeguard the lives and property of the University and its community.  In supporting UNO's mission as a public service institution, all members of the department provide the highest quality of service possible.                     

As Law Enforcement Officers, the mission is to uphold and enforce appropriate federal, state and local laws as well as University imposed rules and regulations.  As Peace Officers, the responsibilities include preserving the peace at the University and instituting police procedures that ensure that order is maintained as the University undertakes its mission.                 

Additional guards are hired from a local security company to assist security efforts and to deter crime in high traffic areas such as University Housing, the University Center and other locations, when necessary.

          

Privacy Rights of Students                

UNO is prohibited by law from disclosing results of student or employee judicial proceedings.  The confidentiality of student records is covered by the Buckley Amendment.  In addition, it is the prerogative of the Police Department to determine whether or not to make an arrest.  Campus handling of judicial cases may involve both campus proceedings and civil/criminal proceedings. Judicial proceedings may be handled prior to, during or after civil/criminal proceedings.  University Police provides specific assistance to the Student Life Office and Office of Human Resource Management in such matters as criminal background information of potential and current students and employees.

 

Crime Reports               

It is the responsibility of each member of the UNO community and his/her guests to contact University Police in a timely fashion to report any criminal or questionable activities on campus. University Police Officers take an active role in ensuring a safe campus by providing both foot and vehicular patrol.  Police Officers respond to calls on campus through radio dispatched direct communications to ensure a timely response.  With each reported incident, an appropriate investigation will take place.               

To inform the UNO community of campus incidents, a University Police official will meet with a representative of the media to review the Daily Dispatch Log at least weekly.  A request can be made by the media representative to review the Initial Police Report.  Copies of completed reports will be furnished to the media with confidential student or investigatory information deleted when appropriate.  Reports of open and/or active cases will not be released if it could prejudice or compromise the investigation of a crime or incident.  In these cases, a brief oral or written gist of the incident may be furnished to the representative.  Under special circumstances, University Police shall release information involving serious incidents to the University community without delay.  Information on recurring crimes shall be issued by special release or during the weekly briefing, whichever is deemed appropriate.  University Police will attempt to accommodate media requests without necessarily compromising any ongoing investigation or divulging the names of any juvenile victim or offender.  Supplemental forms of release such as news conferences, electronic bulletin boards, telecopy (fax), leaflets and flyers etc. may all be considered in special circumstances in order to inform the campus community.                

Annual distribution of this policy shall be made through appropriate publications to students and employees such as the Policy Manual and the Faculty Handbook. Prospective students and employees may also request a copy of this policy directly through University Police or the Student Life Office.

On an annual basis, prior to September 1, a review of these procedures will be made by the University Police Department and the Student Life Office and corresponding crime statistics will be reported.  This report will be forwarded through administrative channels to the Chancellor and will be reported to the LSU Board of Supervisors, the Louisiana University Police Association (LUPA) and the FBI in accordance with the Uniform Crime Reporting Act.  Other law enforcement and security agencies, such as New Orleans Police Department, Levee Board Police, FBI, local neighborhood security and other university police/security departments may be consulted for specific case resolution.        

 

Crime Statistics           

Annual statistics are available at the University Police Department.  

       

Current UNO Policies and Procedures               

UNO has a variety of policies and procedures relating to the safety and well‑being of the campus community.  Internal police procedures such as securing campus buildings, removing unauthorized persons from campus, providing armed police escorts and maintaining crowd and traffic control are outlined in the UNO Police Procedures.  Other policies related to safety can be obtained from the Office of Student Life and the Office of Human Resources.  

       

UNO Off‑Campus Facilities               

Off‑campus facilities such as the Jefferson Center and the Downtown Center provide security through a contract with the local parish law enforcement agencies.  Other locations, such as the Stennis Space Center and the overseas programs provide assistance via local and surrounding law enforcement personnel.  Any incident which may occur at these facilities is to be reported to UNO Police for crime statistic purposes.  Any recognized facility associated with the University, is to report crime incidents to the UNO Police Department as well.  It is the responsibility of the administrator in charge of that facility or activity to report any crime incident in a timely fashion.

 

Safety Awareness and Educational Programs                    

Education of the campus community is of utmost importance and is stressed through several institutional committees and departmental operations.                     

Police officer interaction provides ongoing awareness and education.  Through their efforts, the following activities of crime prevention are carried out:                        

• Escort Program:  Upon officers' availability, any University person or guest can request a walking escort to and from campus buildings and parking lots.                        
• Campus emergency phone system:  Emergency phone with an attached blue light allows any person direct police access by pressing the call button on the phone poles located throughout campus.  The blue light signals the location of the person for easy identification.    
• Property engraver:  This service, which is free of charge, allows any member of the UNO community to personally engrave their property with a unique individualized number.

• Emergency phone number stickers:  Stickers of University Police emergency phone numbers are distributed for telephones on campus.                        
• Employee Benefits Fair:  Once a year the University Police Department participates in dissemination of information and education to the faculty and staff of the University.
• Student Orientation Programs:  At the beginning of school, educational programs are held at orientation programs for such groups as: international students, housing students and new and transfer students.                    

The Campus Crime Prevention Committee provides information and programs concerned with prevention and safety to the UNO community.  Program ideas and implementation are coordinated through this committee.                    

The University Police Committee solicits suggestions and input from a cross‑section of the University community to assist the department on matters affecting the role, scope, policy and philosophy of University Police.

This policy is not intended to change or affect other University policies and procedures, particularly as they relate to conduct and judicial affairs.  The University reserves the right to modify and adopt this and any other policy or procedure at any time without notice.