Facilities are defined as buildings, labs, athletic fields, and / or other real property owned or leased by ASU.
Continuing Education students who use the facilities generally will not have a problem with building access after hours or on weekends. University Police and the Continuing Education Division coordinate usage of the facilities daily.
Several campus buildings are equipped with electronic camera systems.
Many of the buildings on campus use exterior night lighting. Most campus parking lots are illuminated. The Physical Plant Department in conjunction with Public Safety maintains all bulb replacement and maintenance of lighting fixtures on campus.
University Village is a gated community with limited access and is patrolled by the department. Residents have an access ID card for entry to the complex as well as their apartment. All police matters are handled by the department’s police officers and all administrative matters are handled by UV staff.
3. Current policies concerning campus law enforcement including the enforcement authority of institutional security personnel and policies that encourage prompt reporting of all campus crime to the campus police and local police.
The Augusta State University Police Department employs 17 sworn police officers certified by the Peace Officers Standards and Training Council. Their duties include law enforcement, safety, and security. Georgia Law ( O.C.G.A. 20-3-72) gives University System officers their authority to make arrests. The reporting of crimes, promptly and accurately, is encouraged through publications, the web page, through new employee/student orientation programs and through classroom instruction.
The relationship between University Police and the County Sheriff’s Department is excellent. They verbally exchange information about crimes that have occurred close to college property. Campus police and municipal agencies work closely together to locate victims, witnesses, or suspects, and to serve civil papers; e.g., garnishments, or court subpoenas for non-support. Both agencies also have shared radio channels for emergencies as well as day-to-day activity.
4.
Descriptions of programs designed to inform students and employees about campus security procedures and to encourage them to be responsible for their own security and the security of others.
Publications are distributed through the campus news media and pipeline to inform students and employees about campus security procedures. The University police web page also contains valuable information. University police employees talk with employees in the business office, bookstore, cafeteria, and other departments throughout the campus to explain what to do if certain emergencies arise.
The department also has certified Red Cross CPR and first aid instructors, who are available to teach employees and students. The Safety Policies Manual, the University Personnel Handbook, and the Student Handbook contain helpful information about security policies. The chief of police meets with student government representatives, and all ASU 1000 student classes (available to all clubs and organizations on campus) to provide information about department services, criminal activity and crime prevention methods.
5.
Description of programs designed to inform students and employees about the prevention of crime on campus.
The police department publishes timely information in the student newspaper, Pipeline and through e-mails to inform all students, faculty, and staff as to criminal activity that has occurred on campus. The chief of police or his designee speaks when requested to campus organizations to provide information about security policies, building access, location of emergency phones, crimes that occur, and other safety information of interest.
In cases where any Part I crime of murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, or motor vehicle theft occurs that is considered to be a threat to other students and employees, a timely report will be released to the campus community with the assistance of the University’s Office of Public Relations in a manner that will aid in preventing further occurrences.
6.
Policy concerning the monitoring and recording through local police agencies of criminal activity engaged in by students at off campus locations including off-campus student housing.
Augusta State University maintains one off site housing unit for 400 students. University Village is a gated community with limited access and is patrolled by the department. All police matters are handled by the department’s police officers and all administrative matters are handled by UV staff.
For all other off campus issues, a written agreement was entered into between Augusta State University Police and the Richmond County Sheriff's Department as to how both agencies would handle reported crime. The county Sheriff’s Department will promptly notify Augusta State University police officers as well as other university officials when students have engaged in criminal activity. A written report follows the verbal notification.
7. Policy regarding the Possession, Use, or Sale of Alcoholic Beverages and the enforcement of underage drinking laws.
Alcohol is not allowed for sale or consumption on Augusta State University property. No functions held by school officials or outside interests will be allowed to posses, consume or distribute alcohol on University property unless approved by the president. Underage consumption of alcohol is a misdemeanor in the state of Georgia and punishable under Georgia Law. University Police Officers are trained to enforce violations of Georgia Law, which may include, but are not limited to: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Violation of Open Container Law, and underage drinking. Abuses of alcohol or alcohol violations will be prosecuted under Georgia Law.
8. Policy regarding possession, use, or sale of illegal drugs.
Possession of any illegal drug by any member of the faculty, staff, or student body will not be tolerated. Violations will be dealt with in accordance to existing state and federal law. Employees in "high risk" positions are required to submit to a pre-employment drug screen. They are also subject to random drug screening.
9. A description of any drug and alcohol abuse programs.
The Human Resources periodically distributes brochures concerning alcohol and drug abuse. They also publish an updated list of available counseling centers in the Augusta area. A drug abuse video is available for staff and students that can be obtained through the Human Resources office. Annually a statement is released further stating the position of the college on alcohol and drug abuse. Human Resources also provide new employees a copy of the College Drug Awareness Statement. Individual counseling is available for students and employees in the Counseling Center. If additional help is needed beyond counseling, referrals are made.
10. Institutional policy statement on campus sexual assault programs aimed at prevention of sexual offenses and on procedures followed once a sexual offense has occurred.
Students and employees wishing information on campus sexual assault may contact the University Police Department, the Counseling Center, University Village manager, or the Dean of Students.
Augusta State University has a sexual assault incident
report and policy designed to ensure the safety and rights
of the victim as well as the arrest of the offender. This
policy can be found in the above listed offices and online
here.
