GENERAL GUIDELINES
In general, in order to protect yourself and your belongings:
· Be aware of the University policies and protocols before you need it;
· Be aware of your surroundings;
· Travel in groups & do not leave anyone behind;
· Do not consume anything that is given by a stranger, left unattended, or not under close observation;
· Ensure your proper emergency contact information is available to your roommate, RA, RHD, and is on file with the University;
· Keep a secure file of all serial numbers and descriptions of equipment as well as other belongings;
· Keep a secure file of any credit card numbers or other confidential information.
RESIDENCE HALLS
· If you see a stranger or suspicious person in the residence hall, report the individual to Campus Safety immediately (505-3010, 3010 from an on-campus phone).
· Make sure you lock your doors when you leave your room, even if only for a short time.
· Know all individuals who you are letting in before you open the door.
· Always lock your door at bedtime.
· Never lend keys.
· Do not leave wallets, money, or jewelry exposed on desks or dressers.
· Warn roommates not to give out information about who is at home, who is out, and how long they are expected to be out.
· Avoid isolated areas.
· Keep roommates informed of your whereabouts and travel route.
· Avoid sharing personal information on the web.
FIRE SAFETY
· ALWAYS evacuate if you hear a fire alarm or upon staff instruction.
· If you suspect or see a fire, leave the building by exit stairways and doors. If possible close all doors behind you and pull the fire alarm on your way out. Never use the elevator.
· Once you are out of the building, report the fire to security and the location of individuals with disabilities or others needing assistance.
· Check doors and metal knobs to see if they are hot. If they are, do not open the door. Use a wet shirt or towel to cover the crack at the base of the door to prevent smoke penetration. Seal the room as best you can.
· If you are trapped, go to the window to signal for help.
· If there is a phone, call Campus Safety 505-3010 (3010 from an on-campus phone) and report your location.
· Individuals with disabilities should look for areas of refuge like stairwells with fire doors.
· Depending on the location of the fire and amount of smoke and heat, it may be safer to stay in your room. Ask for assistance if needed. Let someone know where you are and that you need assistance. If you are in a stairwell, close the door to the hall and ask others exiting to assist you or send back rescue personnel.
· Participate in fire, tornado, and other severe weather drills.
SEXUAL ASSAULT
Huston-Tillotson University is concerned about the safety of all members of its community and recognizes the seriousness of the physical and psychological impact of sexual assault. Sexual assault is a deliberate assault on a person's emotional and physical integrity. It is a sexual act that occurs without one’s consent. It is one of the most frequently committed violent crimes in the United States and the most underreported. If you are sexually assaulted:
· Don't wash, change clothes, or douche before calling or going for help.
· Do not touch any evidence of struggle even if the assault took place in your room.
· Go to a safe place. Ask a friend to stay with you.
· Advise your RA/RHD.
· Call the Campus Safety 505-3010 24 hours a day. With your permission, the Campus Safety officer will contact the professional on-call who will assist you.
· Get immediate medical treatment.
Medical attention
If a student has been sexually assaulted, she/he is strongly encouraged to seek medical attention. The choice to seek medical attention is separate from choosing to press criminal charges and/or go through the University’s conduct process. Because sexual assault is a crime, the hospital may report the sexual assault to the local police, however, it is up to the survivor as to whether she/he wishes to speak with the police at that time and/or file charges. Ultimately, it is also the survivor’s decision to seek medical attention. St. David’s Hospital has nurses specially trained to conduct the SANE exam, a forensic exam designed to recover evidence. The SANE exam can be performed up to 96 hours after the assault. (The SANE exam is paid for by the respective police department in which the assault took place. The survivor may be responsible for other hospital charges.)
Campus Safety may be contacted at 505.3010. Further, an RA or RHD can also contact the professional on-call. The professional on-call’s role is to provide follow-up, support, and discuss the student’s options. The professional on-call will gather as much information as reasonably possible and explore whether the student would like to meet with a rape crisis counselor from Safe Place (267-SAFE). Rape crisis counselors are available to advocate for sexual assault survivors from the initial medical exam, investigation, and criminal proceedings.
Campus Safety will assist in arranging transportation to the hospital, if needed. As per the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), all staff are expected to maintain confidentiality in releasing any information without the student’s consent, however, staff may share information with who needs to know.
While a survivor may make her/his own decisions about reporting and medical care, the University strongly encourages the student to take personal care of herself/himself and seek counseling from Counseling & Consultation Center 505.3046 or 505.3044. The professional on-call will contact the University Counselor to follow-up with the student. Information from counseling sessions are confidential unless there is potential of harm to self or others.
Filing criminal charges
If the student wishes to file criminal charges, Campus Safety will assist in contacting the APD on behalf of the student. Rape crisis counselors and Austin Police Department’s (APD) Victim Services will talk with survivors about what to expect, provide support, assist with securing a protective order, and (in certain cases) secure compensation for hospital costs. APD’s Victim Services can be reached at 974.5037 and the Sex Crimes Unit may be reached at 974.5230. While the report may not be done over the phone, the police can arrange a location to meet in the interest of privacy.
University conduct process
If the accused is another student, the survivor has the option of pursuing the University’s conduct process. The survivor should contact the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs at 505.3036 to review her/his options. The survivor may bring a friend or family member with her/him to the meeting. Sexual assault is considered a serious matter and the consequences may include expulsion. For more information regarding the conduct process, please refer to the Code of Conduct and Community Standards.
Reporting
Irrespective of whether the student formally pursues the matter in criminal court or through the University’s conduct process, Campus Safety and the professional on-call must fill out a Sexual Assault form to keep accurate track for federally mandated crime statistics reporting. The form is completed without the survivor’s identifying information. If you prefer anonymity, Campus Safety can report the crime under a pseudonym and the crime will be prosecuted without revealing the survivor’s name. Even if a survivor has not decided whether to press charges, calling Campus Safety and going to the hospital will allow for his/her emotional or medical needs to be cared for and will preserve the option to press charges at a later time.
Other ways we can help
If accommodations are reasonably available, the University may provide survivor’s assistance in changing academic and on-campus living situations after an alleged sexual offense (if so requested by the survivor). Arrangements for changes in on-campus housing or academic schedules can be initiated by contacting the Dean of Student Affairs at 505.3036.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
If a student has been assaulted or abused by a partner, she/he is strongly encouraged to seek medical attention and to file charges with the police. Campus Safety should be contacted at 505.3010 to contact the professional on-call. The professional on-call provides follow-up, support, and discusses the student’s options. Depending on the presence of injuries, Campus Safety may also contact the Campus Nurse. The professional on-call should try to gather as much information as reasonably possible and explore whether the student would like to meet with a counselor from Safe Place (267.SAFE) and/or speak with APD’s Victim Services 974.5037. If so, the professional on-call or Campus Safety can make these arrangements. Counselors are available to advocate for survivors of domestic violence through medical exams, filing protective orders, investigative process, and criminal proceedings.
Campus Safety will assist in arranging transportation to the hospital, if needed. The Campus Nurse may transport the student. As per the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), all staff are expected to maintain confidentiality in releasing any information without the student’s consent, however, staff may share information with who needs to know.
Students are strongly encouraged to take personal care of herself/himself and seek counseling from the Counseling and Consultation Center 505.3046 or 505.3044. Information from counseling sessions are confidential unless there is a potential for harm to self or others.
Filing criminal charges
If the student wishes to file criminal charges, Campus Safety will assist in contacting the APD on behalf of the student. Safe Place counselors (267.SAFE) and APD’s Victim Services (974.5037) will talk with survivors about what to expect, provide support, assist with securing a protective order, and (in certain cases) secure compensation for hospital costs. While the report may not be done over the phone, the police can arrange a location to meet in the interest of privacy.
University conduct process
If the accused is another student, the survivor has the option of pursuing the University’s conduct process. The survivor should contact the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs at 505.3036 to review their options. The survivor may bring a friend or family member with them to the meeting. Domestic violence is considered a serious matter and the consequences may include suspension or expulsion. For more information regarding the conduct process, please refer to the Code of Conduct and Community Standards.
Other ways we can help
If accommodations are reasonably available, the University may provide survivor’s assistance in changing academic and on-campus living situations after an alleged incident (if so requested by the survivor). Arrangements for changes in on-campus housing or academic schedules can be initiated by contacting the Dean of Student Affairs at 505.3036.