Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act

Introduction

The Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990 requires all institutions of higher education to collect and distribute information concerning crime on campus and ways of preventing it.  The intent of this web page is to provide the campus community with knowledge of the frequency of various serious crimes on our campus and what to do in case you become a victim. 

Safety is a basic concern for all of us in society, and those involved in education are not excluded. Indeed, learning is difficult if you fear for your safety. Because we know this, we are committed to having a safe campus. Only on a safe campus will learning truly occur in a meaningful way. As part of our commitment to making Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) a safer place for all students and employees, we post this information.

Security Measures

1. REPORTING CRIMINAL ACTS AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Emergencies: If you are the victim of a crime or the witness to one, or if there is an emergency, call Ext. 125, the college emergency number.

Other criminal acts: Notify the following individuals regarding other criminal acts:

1. Campus Security. The security office is located in Madonna Hall, on the north end of the campus. The telephone number is 254-1921, Ext. 0. The security officer on duty can be reached by calling Ext. 0 or Ext. 125 from any campus phone and will come to the scene of the incident. A report of the incident will be made. This report may become critical if subsequent actions are necessary. For non-emergency and routine calls for service during non-business hours, call the Security cell phone at 279-3166 for the Asheville Campus or 301-7150 for the Enka Campus.
2. Vice President, Student Services. In the event an emergency has been reported, security will notify the Vice President for Student Services if the victim or the accused is a student. In other cases, students may notify the Vice President for Student Services directly. The Vice President is located in the Student Services Department in the Azalea Building and can be reached at Ext. 140. The Vice President may come to the scene of the incident. Regardless of which employee is notified, the college will respond to such incidents or emergencies by taking full and complete statements from all individuals involved. Whether further actions will be taken, including campus discipline or notification of off-campus law enforcement agencies, will depend upon the particulars of the incident.
3. Director of Plant Operations. The director of plant operations may need to be notified (Ext. 365) of some emergencies, particularly when the physical plant of the college is involved or a vital service, such as electricity, has been interrupted.

2. ACCESS TO CAMPUS FACILITIES

Most campus offices are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Classroom buildings are open from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, as are selected offices and other facilities. When an office or facility is clearly closed, it is against college policy for anyone other than employees of the college to gain access. Students who enter closed facilities will be disciplined. Non-students who enter closed facilities will be treated as trespassers, and local law enforcement officers will be notified.

Whenever college maintenance personnel enter any facility, they will take all reasonable precautions to ensure the security of the facility and its contents. Guests, including prospective students and salespersons, are welcome on campus. Prospective students should arrange for a tour through Student Services located in the Azalea Building. Salespersons should check in with the switchboard operator in the Simpson Administration Building for directions. Guests may not interrupt classes for any reason. (See Staff Manual 1.54 "Salespersons and Visitors"). Outside groups who wish to use college facilities may make arrangements to do so through the president's office by calling Ext. 109.

3. CAMPUS SECURITY

College security personnel have the obligation to enforce all college policies and regulations regarding safety and security. In the performance of their duties, security personnel can ask for identification and detain students. It is always in the student's best interest to cooperate with security officers, even if the student feels that he or she has done nothing wrong. Failure to cooperate can lead to serious disciplinary consequences. Also, many matters that are violations of public law can and will be handled on campus and without the involvement of local law enforcement agents, if the student cooperates. Traffic violations on campus are an example. Campus security personnel do not have the authority to enforce civil law but work closely with state and local police authorities, which respond immediately when summoned to the campus. Campus security may detain an individual for violating North Carolina law. It is the policy of A-B Tech to encourage all students or employees who feel they are victims of crimes to report these events promptly to the campus authorities mentioned in Number 1 above. The decision will then be made as to whether or not to report the matter to local police.

4. SECURITY INFORMATION

Security procedures and practices encouraging students and employees to be responsible for their own safety and the safety of others are published annually in this brochure. This booklet is distributed to students during orientation and annually in September to employees. Security items of special interest may be published in the student newspaper, Voices, in the campus newsletter, Tech Talk, and in a separate safety publication.

5. CRIME PREVENTION

The same media mentioned in Number 4 above are also used to distribute information concerning crime prevention.

6. MONITORING OF OFF-CAMPUS ORGANIZATIONS

It is the policy of A-B Tech to prohibit off-campus student organizations, such as social fraternities. Organizations that are sanctioned have purposes that are consistent with the mission of the college, and none is exclusively social in nature. Also, no sanctioned organization has a significant number of events off campus; most events are held on campus. Social events held on or off campus must be approved by the vice president for student services on an activity application form. These events must also be chaperoned. No alcoholic beverages are allowed at any college events.

7. CRIME STATISTICS

Crime statistics for AB Tech are posted annually on the US Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education's web site. 

8. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE POLICY

It is the policy of the A-B Tech Board to prohibit the possession and use of alcoholic beverages on campus or off campus at any college event. The college is proud to be alcohol free. North Carolina requires those who consume alcoholic beverages to be over 21 years of age. The college adheres to this law, and known violators are disciplined, as well as anyone who uses alcoholic beverages on campus or at college events.  Discipline in such cases is handled by the vice president for student services, in the case of a student offender, or by his/her supervisor, in the case of an employee.

Illegal drugs are likewise prohibited on campus.  Those who use, possess, or sell them will be disciplined on campus by the vice president for student services, or by off campus law enforcement authorities, depending upon the severity of the offense.  Federal and state laws pertaining to drug possession and use are strictly enforced.

Drug and alcohol abuse education programs are provided as required by Section 1213 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.  This Act contains the drug free campus requirements added by Section 22 of the Drug Free Schools and Communities Amendment of 1989 (Public Law 101-226).  This information is published annually in the Student Handbook.  The information is also repeated below.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL INFORMATION

A-B Tech, through its policies and programs, is dedicated to an atmosphere that promotes wellness:

• through the reinforcement of the positive, drug-free elements in life.
• by respect for laws and rules pertaining to illegal drugs, and
• with an understanding of the effects of drugs, including alcohol, on personal health and safety.

 SUMMARY OF COLLEGE POLICY CONCERNING ALCOHOL AND ILLICIT DRUGS

A-B Tech recognizes the serious nature and potentially harmful effects of using controlled substances in the work place and educational setting. To assist personnel and students in meeting our drug free goal, the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of controlled substances on college property is strictly prohibited. The college will impose disciplinary sanctions on students and employees for violation of the above policy. The sanctions may lead to referral for prosecution or expulsion for a student. For the detailed policy and procedures on alcohol and illicit drugs, refer to the Drug Free Workplace Policy (1.65) of the Staff Manual. Copies can be found in the college library, administrative/supervisor's offices, and in the Personnel Office.

STATE AND MUNICIPAL LAWS CONCERNING DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

1. DRINKING AGE

The legal drinking age in North Carolina is 21. Selling, giving, or serving alcoholic beverage by or to anyone under 21 is unlawful. In North Carolina, this law extends to possession of alcoholic beverages by anyone under 21. It is unlawful for any person to misrepresent or misstate his or her age. This includes the manufacture or use of false identification. Use of altered identification for the purpose of procuring alcoholic beverages is a misdemeanor under NCGS 18B.302(c) and will result in revocation of one's N.C. operator's license.

2. OPEN CONTAINER LAWS

NCGS 18B-401(summary). It is unlawful to have an open container of alcoholic beverage in a vehicle.

3. DRINKING, DRIVING, AND THE LAW

Under North Carolina law, driving while under the influence (DWI) NCGS 20-138-1 is an offense evidenced by impairment of normal facilities or an unlawful blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or above. The following are the current possible penalties for a first offense:

• A fine up to $1,000.
• Court cost of $60.
• Alcohol assessment by the Area Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Authorities ($125).
• Mandatory community service up to 72 hours.
• Driver's license revoked for one year.
• Two year probation period. The third offense becomes a felony, and prison terms of more than two years are likely.

4. SALE OR POSSESSION OF ILLEGAL DRUGS

It is unlawful to be in the possession of illicit drugs and/or sell or have the intent to sell illicit drugs. NCGS 90-95 makes these violations felonies.

RESPONSIBLE CHOICES FOR THOSE WHO DRINK

1. Do not make alcohol the primary focus of any activity.
2. Set a limit on how many drinks you have and adhere to it.
3. Drink slowly; don't gulp your drinks.
4. Eat while you drink; food slows the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.
5. Recognize the choice to drink or abstain as a personal choice and not a group decision. Never coerce someone to drink.
6. Do not drink and drive. Find alternative transportation or a place to stay if you have been drinking. Use designated drivers if you are going with a group.
7. Remember that there is no way to sober up quickly. Coffee, cold showers, or exercise may make you more awake, but not more sober. Time is the only remedy for overindulging.

DRUGS

Currently, the following drugs are prevalent in North Carolina. This is not an exhaustive list but rather those most commonly found. Included is a description of the physical and psychological effects of these drugs, as well as some of the hazards related to their use.

1. ALCOHOL is a depressant. Small amounts produce a short-term "lift" that tends to relax inhibitions, increase sociability, and decrease judgment and perception. In larger amounts, it increases depression and anxiety, resulting in confusion or stupor. Death can result as a consequence of respiratory paralysis. Alcohol has both physical and psychological addictive properties.

 2. MARIJUANA is considered a mild hallucinogen and is usually smoked. The effects include loss of short-term memory, possible infertility in males, and lack of motivation. Marijuana has more cancer causing chemicals than tobacco smoke. Marijuana is a factor in causing lung cancer. In fact, one marijuana cigarette is 30 times more toxic than a simple cigarette.

3. COCAINE/CRACK is a stimulant that reportedly produces a feeling of confidence, grandiosity, and power. Withdrawal from even occasional use produces extreme depression and sometimes paranoia. This drug appears to be extremely addictive, both physically and psychologically.

4. DESIGNER DRUGS (MDA, MDM, Ecstasy, Ice, Crank) are synthetically produced chemicals that are classified as amphetamine-hallucinogens. The principal danger of these drugs is the lack of consistency from batch to batch. Harmful effects have included paralysis, Parkinson's disease, and, in some instances, death. Another danger is the cutting of the chemical with other potentially lethal substances. In its pure form, it can be 50-100 times more potent than heroin.

5. LSD & MUSHROOMS are powerful hallucinogens. Mushrooms are the natural hallucinogen, usually imported from the Western U.S. They produce strong visual and/or auditory hallucinations, loss of normal perception, and have been linked to psychosis, chromosomal damage, and flashbacks.

6. ANABOLIC STEROIDS when combined with exercise, produce a marked increase in strength and muscle mass. Extended use will lead to kidney and liver dysfunction, sterility, and cardiac arrest. Recent research indicates steroids are addictive.

SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE PLAN

Sexual assault and date or acquaintance rape on college campuses pose significant ethical, philosophical, and procedural dilemmas for professionals in the fields of security and counseling. A-B Tech recognizes the importance of assisting students who are victims of sexual assaults in regaining a sense of their personal dignity and control of their lives, as well as providing them with guidance relative to decisions they must make. It is for this purpose that several A-B Tech departments have cooperatively developed policies and procedures for responding to the needs of students who are victims of sexual assault. In the event of a sexual assault on an A-B Tech student, the Security and Student Services Counseling departments are responsible for responding to the victims and for providing them with the necessary assistance in keeping with college protocol. In addition to offering a range of services for victims of sexual assault, staff members of each department are on-hand to inform students of other community assistance programs that complement college services. Anyone who has been the victim of sexual assault should contact one of the departments mentioned. A-B Tech also provides educational programs in an effort to prevent sexual assault from occurring. Individuals interested in arranging or attending a program should contact the office of Student Activities. Students can find a list of known sex offenders in Buncombe County at the Web site http://sbi.jus.state.nc.us.