Clemson University Police Department

Clemson University Security and Fire Safety Report
 

Related University Policies

Mutual Aid and Communication Policy

It is the policy of the Clemson University Police Department to develop and maintain interagency relationships with local, city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Through these relationships, the University monitors and records crimes at off-campus University-related sites, which include sites of student organization activities or residences.

Facilities Security Policy

A “Building Security Coordinator” is designated for each Clemson University facility. The Building Security Coordinator is the senior administrator (or his/her designee) of the academic or administrative unit that occupies the building. If two or more units from a single division occupy one facility, the Vice President designates the Building Security Coordinator. If two or more units from different divisions occupy one facility, the Vice Presidents involved meet and designate the Building Security Coordinator.

The Building Security Coordinator serves as the liaison to the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator of the Clemson University Police Department. Duties of the Building Security Coordinator include the following:

  • Develop a written security plan in conjunction with the Clemson University Police Department and with the approval of the senior administrator(s) responsible for the building.
  • Help educate building occupants about the plan and safety/crime prevention in general.
  • Help the Clemson University Police Department communicate information quickly to building occupants about particular crimes and/or threats to their personal safety.

Clemson University Police Department, Clemson University Fire Department and Building Security Coordinators conduct ongoing checks of buildings, security systems, fire and life safety systems, lighting, signage and emergency phones for security and safety concerns. The Campus Safety Walk is also held every spring and includes members of the campus community (faculty, staff and students), as well as representatives of the Clemson University Police Department, Clemson University Fire Department and University Facilities. This group walks the campus and also reviews campus lighting, landscaping, signage, emergency phones and other aspects of the campus grounds and facilities in order to identify any safety concerns to be addressed.

Access Control Policy

MAIN CAMPUS: Clemson University promotes the security of campus personnel and appropriate access to University property. A functional and working building access control system enhances the security of the campus. Each building access control system describes the use and possession of keys and electronic access to the facilities, design of keying and electronic access systems, fabrication, responsibility for issuance, audits, eligibility for possession, key and electronic access building security and responsibilities relating to lost keys and electronic access cards.
During normal business hours, Clemson University is open to students, parents, employees, contractors and guests. During non-business hours, access to buildings is by key, electronic access and/or alarm access code if previously authorized by policy or issued by a representative of the Clemson University Police Department, Tiger 1 Card Services, or designated Building Security Coordinator. During periods of extended closure, the Clemson University Police Department will only admit those persons with approval from the designated Building Security Coordinator.
Emergencies may necessitate changes or alterations to established building hours. Areas that are identified as security concerns will have safety surveys conducted to identify measures to enhance the area. Administrators from the University facility including the Building Security Coordinator, Clemson University Police Department and Facilities Services will review these results. The surveys will examine security issues such as access control, lighting, landscaping, locks, alarms and communications.

UNIVERSITY CENTER OF GREENVILLE: During normal business hours, the University Center of Greenville is open to students, parents, employees, contractors and guests. During non-business hours, access to buildings is by key and alarm access code if previously authorized by policy or issued by a representative of the Greenville Technical College Police Department or University Center Management. During periods of extended closure, the University Center staff will admit only those persons with prior approval. Emergencies may necessitate changes or alterations to established building hours. Areas that are identified as security concerns will have safety surveys conducted to identify measures to enhance the area. Administrators from the University Center of Greenville, Clemson University Police Department, Greenville Technical College Police Department and Facilities Services will review these results. The surveys will examine security issues such as access control, lighting, landscaping, locks, alarms and communications.

INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH: During normal business hours, the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research is open to students, parents, employees, contractors and guests. During non-business hours, access to buildings is by key, card access and/or alarm access code if previously authorized by policy or issued by a representative of the Clemson University Police Department or CU-ICAR Management. During periods of extended closure, CU-ICAR staff will admit only those persons with prior approval.
Emergencies may necessitate changes or alterations to established building hours. Areas that are identified as security concerns will have safety surveys conducted to identify measures to enhance the area. Administrators from the University Center of Greenville, Clemson University Police Department, Greenville Police Department and Facilities Services will review these results. The surveys will examine security issues such as access control, lighting, landscaping, locks, alarms and communications.

Sexual Assault Policy

Sexual assault is strictly prohibited by the University. “Sexual assault” is defined as rape or any actual or attempted nonconsensual or forcible sexual touching, including fondling, kissing, groping, attempted intercourse (whether oral, anal or vaginal), penetration or attempted penetration with a digit or any other object. Per S.C. Code of Laws section 16-3-651, “Sexual Battery” is defined as: “sexual intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, anal intercourse, or any intrusion, however slight, of any part of a person’s body or of any object into the genital or anal openings of another person’s body, except when such intrusion is accomplished for medically recognized treatment or diagnostic purposes”. Nonconsensual sexual assault includes those situations in which the victim is unable to consent.

“Rape” is defined as vaginal, anal or oral intercourse without consent, whether the victim is overcome by force, fear, intimidation resulting from threat of force, or by drugs administered without consent, or when the victim is otherwise unable to consent.

Consent requires speech or conduct indicating a freely given agreement to have intercourse or participate in sexual activities. Previous sexual relationships, current relationships with the perpetrator or the use of alcohol and/or drugs may not be taken as an indication of consent. Use of alcohol and/or drugs by the perpetrator is not an excuse for violation of the sexual assault policy.

The term “unable to consent” means 1) unable to understand the circumstances and implications of the sexual advances, 2) unable to make a reasoned decision concerning the sexual advances, or 3) unable to communicate that decision in an unambiguous manner. Such a situation can result from illness, the influence of alcohol or some other substance, physical or psychological disabilities, unconsciousness or some other cause.

The University will impose sanctions on individuals who commit sexual assault. In cases involving a student, an interim (immediate) suspension may be imposed, which means the accused cannot attend classes or be on campus until an administrative hearing is held (within 10 days). In other cases, the accused may be permitted to attend classes pending a final recommendation from the director of the Community and Ethical Standards Office. If that recommendation is eviction (from University housing), suspension (from the University) or expulsion (from the University), a hearing will also be held. Among the other disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed are the following: admonition, censure, probation and the restriction of privileges.

University Housing Security Policy

Policies governing access to University housing facilities differ according to the types of accommodations in question. In University apartments, residents control access to their individual apartment units. In single-sex residence halls, members of the opposite sex are permitted in student living areas only during visitation hours and only when escorted by a resident host. In co-ed residence halls, all guests, regardless of gender, must be escorted by a resident host. Opposite-sex guests are permitted in student living units only during prescribed visitation hours.

Housing Office and the Clemson University Police Department are primarily responsible for overseeing the security in University residence halls and apartment areas. During the evening hours, security personnel working in coordination with the officers of the Clemson University Police Department frequently patrol on-campus residence halls and apartment areas. Security personnel are assigned portable radios to maintain communication with the Clemson University Police Department’s Communication Center.

Entry into all residence halls is monitored continuously by an electronic perimeter access system. Staff on-call information is available at the residence hall front desks at all times for assistance in case of emergencies. Security for University housing is further enhanced by the resident directors and resident assistants who live within all student housing areas. These student staff members provide assistance twenty four hours a day throughout the academic year. Every year, all student staff are required
to attend security and fire-safety training sessions.

The following housing regulations promote a safer residence hall environment:

  • Visitors at residence halls must enter and exit only by the main entrance to the hall.
  •  Residents who leave by locked security doors are responsible for leaving the doors in a locked position. If a resident props open any door, he or she is subject to possible eviction from University housing.
  • Locks on doors are provided for extra security. Students are encouraged to use them. Students are advised to always close and lock doors and windows whenever they go to bed and whenever they leave the residence hall room or apartment, even if just going away for a few minutes. Students are also advised to never loan out keys, and to report a lost key immediately to the Resident Assistant. During holiday periods, additional precautions are recommended such as removing small portable items and closing curtains or shades. Any losses should be reported to the Clemson University Police and the Housing Office.
  • For personal safety, it is recommended that ground-floor-accessible windows be kept locked at all times.
  • Lost or misplaced access cards are deactivated immediately upon notification.

Weapons Policy

“South Carolina Code of Laws section 16-23-420(a) addresses carrying a weapon on campus and reads: It is unlawful for a person to carry onto any premises or property owned, operated, or controlled by a private or public school, without the express permission of the authorities in charge of the premises or property.” The provisions of this subsection related to any premises or property owned, operated, or controlled by a private or public school, college, university, technical college or other post-secondary institution, do not apply to a person who is authorized to carry a concealed weapon pursuant to “The Law Abiding Citizens Self-Defense Act of 1996” when the weapon remains inside an attended or locked motor vehicle and is secured in a closed glove compartment, closed console, closed trunk, or in a closed container secured by an integral fastener and transported in the luggage compartment of the vehicle.”