Located in scenic Downeast Maine, the University of Maine at Machias is a small, close-knit community. True to its rural nature, the town and the campus are quiet and safe. Campus Security and Residence Life are committed to maintaining this level of safety for all members of the UMM community.
The Perfect Location
UMM's beautiful Downeast Maine location plays a large role in the UMM college experience, both in and outside of the classroom. No snarled traffic, no crowds and a secure environment. Although both the town and campus are very safe, we know that crime, drug and alcohol abuse can happen anywhere. For that reason, Campus Security cooperates with local law enforcement authorities to ensure a safe environment, and the Residence Life staff regularly runs programming to encourage awareness and crime prevention.
Mission Statement:
The mission of UMM Security is to provide an effective and efficient safety and security service for the University Community, protecting life and property on the University campus and insuring an atmosphere conducive to scholarly learning and local community involvement.
Clery Act Background
In 1990, Congress enacted the Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act (CSA) as part of its annual Higher Education Reauthorization Act. Congress then amended the CSA three times, first clarifying the timing of reporting dates.
The CSA was amended a second time in 1992 to include the provisions of the Campus Sexual Assault Victim’s Bill of Rights.
Passage of the CSA also required passage of the Buckley Amendment Clarification Act, regarding the interrelation between the CSA’s crime reporting requirements and the privacy provisions of The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, 20 U.S.C. 1232g (FERPA).
In October of 1998, Congress passed the third major amendments to the CSA, in its Higher Education Act reauthorization act. With the 1998 amendments came the most obvious revision to the CSA, a name change. The Campus Security Act has been formally renamed the "Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act", or more simply, the Clery Act, which is the referent we will use.
It is important to note at the outset that the major changes to the Clery Act, in terms of statistical reporting, take effect for the 1999 year. However, non-reporting provisions, such as the Open Campus Police Logs, penalty, and cause-of-action related sections took effect immediately upon passage in October of 1998.
20 U.S.C. 1092(f) HIGHER EDUCATION AMENDMENTS OF 1998 SS1092. Institutional and financial assistance information for students
LAW: (f) Disclosure of campus security policy and campus crime statistics. - (1) Each eligible institution participating in any program under this subchapter and part C of subchapter 1 of chapter 34 title 42 shall on August 1, 1991, begin to collect the following information with respect to campus crime statistics and campus security policies of that institution, and beginning September 1, 1992, and each year thereafter, prepare, publish, and distribute, through appropriate publications or mailings, to all current students and employees, and to any applicant for enrollment or employment upon request, an annual security report containing at least the following information with respect to the campus security policies and campus crime statistics of that institution: A. A statement of current campus policies regarding procedures and facilities for students and others to report criminal actions or other emergencies occurring on campus and policies concerning the institution’s response to such reports.
RESPONSE: The Security Division is the unit responsible for security and emergency response at UMM. The Security Supervisor supervises the Security Officers. The Security Staff does not have law enforcement authority but works closely and cooperatively with local law enforcement agencies. The Security Office is located in Kimball Hall, University of Maine at Machias campus, in Machias, Maine. The Machias Police Department is located on Outer Broadway, Machias, Maine. Security Staff of the University and/or the Machias Police Department are ready to respond to calls for service on a 24 hour a day, seven days a week basis. Both on-campus and off-campus telephone service is available in all campus buildings. To contact Campus Security dial 821-9663 (pager), 557-7315 (cell), or Ext. 1450; or the Machias Police Department at 911.
Security maintains telephone and radio links with the surrounding police agencies: the Maine State Police, Washington county Sheriff’s Department, and the Machias Police Department. Contact both by telephone and radio is maintained with the Machias Fire Department. The Machias Fire Department provides both fire and ambulance services to UMM. Also, the professional Residence Life Staff has two-way radio contact with Campus Security for immediate problem response.
Students and employees should report criminal offenses, for a timely warning and statistical reporting purposes, to the following campus personnel:
- Security Supervisor - Pager 821-9663, Ext. 1450
- Security Officers - Pager 821-9663; Cell 263-9315
- Director of Student Life - Ext. 1305
- Dorward Resident Director - Ext. 1248
- Sennett Resident Director - Ext. 1435
Campus personnel work cooperatively with local law enforcement agencies in their response to investigating criminal actions occurring on or next to the campus.
When a crime is reported to Security or other appropriate officials of UMM, Security and/or the police will normally investigate it. In addition, if the suspect is a student, there may be an inquiry through the Office of Student Life, or if the suspect is an employee of UMM, an inquiry may be conducted by the Office of Human Resources and/or other appropriate UMM officials. It is the policy of UMM to take every report of criminal activity seriously and to take appropriate action, consistent with applicable law, public safety and campus safety.
LAW: (B) A statement of current policies concerning security and access to campus facilities, including campus residences, and security considerations used in the maintenance of campus facilities.
RESPONSE: UMM buildings and facilities are accessible to members of the campus community, guests, and visitors during normal operating hours Monday through Friday. Buildings are also opened on evenings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.
Exterior doors on campus buildings are locked and secured after scheduled operating hours. The Security Staff routinely checks campus buildings, both inside and out.
Both residence halls are equipped with electronic access systems. The Access system monitors the building’s perimeter for propped doors, automatically locks selected entrances during designated hours, and accepts a card personalized with a code for each resident. Residential students have access to both residence halls.
Sennett Hall (COED) is equipped with an electronic access system on each individual room. Dorward Hall (Female) is scheduled for this upgrade over the summer of 2002.
The University monitors exterior lighting levels on an on-going basis. Areas found to be under-illuminated are then prioritized for additional lighting. The established priorities for campus lighting are the walkways between residence halls, the Library, classroom buildings, and the Student Center.
Security Staff also survey and routinely report security problems with doors and windows. This also is given a high priority. If the problem represents a security hazard, a maintenance person is called in to make necessary repairs or adjustments. Exterior doors on campus buildings are locked and secured each evening. The Security Staff checks these buildings throughout their nightly shift.
LAW: (C) A statement of current policies concerning campus law enforcement, including - (i) the enforcement authority of security personnel, including their working relationship with State and local police agencies; and (ii) policies which encourage accurate and prompt reporting of all crimes to the campus police and the appropriate police agencies.
RESPONSE: Security personnel have the authority to enforce UMM and University of Maine System policy and rules, but are not sworn law enforcement officers and have authority to arrest consistent with that enjoyed by an ordinary citizen. However, the working relationship between Security officials and local, county and state police is excellent, and provides the campus a timely response to requests for law enforcement action, criminal investigation and crime-prevention programs.
It is the policy of UMM to encourage all victims of crimes to report crimes promptly and accurately to Security and law enforcement officials. This is done through student orientations, parent orientations, crime-prevention programs and crime-prevention bulletins.
LAW: (D) A description of the type and frequency of programs designed to inform students and employees about campus security procedures and practices and to encourage students and employees to be responsible for their own security and the security of others.
RESPONSE: At the beginning of each school semester a security booth is set up at the campus Orientation Fair where all of Security’s crime-prevention and security programs are displayed or explained. These displays include presentations by security officers, local law enforcement officers and other safety officials, as available.
Students are informed during orientation sessions about Security procedures and practices at the beginning of each academic year. There is also an orientation program for resident assistants that include crime-prevention and security information. The Security Division also actively participates in safety and security floor programs presented throughout the semesters. Throughout all security programs a common theme is stressed: each person is responsible for his/her own security and the security of others. Individuals are encouraged to report any unusual or suspicious person or circumstance promptly to Security, Residence Life Staff or law-enforcement officers.
LAW: (E) A description of programs designed to inform students and employees about the prevention of crimes.
RESPONSE: The Security division provides a number of crime-prevention programs to the campus community. There are several commercial campus crime-prevention videotapes that are available to be viewed or used in conjunction with a crime-prevention presentation by a Security Officer or a local law-enforcement official. These videos are general in nature and cover a broad range of crime prevention techniques appropriate for campus situations. There are also self-defense classes available that are taught by trained and certified professionals to provide basic information on avoiding and escaping from an attack.
Property protection programs include a property identification program (PIP), where students can check out scribers, engrave their property with their social security number or other identifier and keep a list and description of these items in a safe place.
LAW: (F) Statistics concerning the occurrence on campus, in or on non-campus buildings or property, and on public property during the most recent calendar year, and during the 2 preceding calendar years for which data are available (i) of the following criminal offenses reported to campus security authorities or local police agencies: (I) murder/non-negligent manslaughter; (II) sex offenses, forcible (including forcible rape) or non-forcible; (III) robbery; (IV) aggravated assault; (V) burglary; (VI) motor vehicle theft; (VII) negligent manslaughter; (VIII) arson; and (IX) arrests or persons referred for campus disciplinary action for liquor law violations, drug related violations, and weapons possession; and (ii) of the crimes described in sub clauses (I) through (VIII) of clause (i), and other crimes involving bodily injury to any person in which the victim is intentionally selected because of the actual or perceived race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or disability of the victim that are reported to campus security authorities or local police agencies, which data shall be collected and reported according to category of prejudice.
RESPONSE: Statistics are presented with alleged crimes reported to Security authorities or local police agencies as follows: