Annual security report
9.1. Timely Warning Notifications
The Clery Act requires that “institutions must issue a timely warning for any Clery Act crime that occurs within Clery geography that is: (i) reported to campus security authorities; and (ii) is considered by the institution to represent a serious or continuing threat to students and employees.”
According to the Clery Act, the timely warning must be issued in a timely manner and will withhold the names and personally identifying information about the victims as defined within Section 40002(a) (20) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994.
The timely warning will aid in the prevention of similar crimes, which may include incidents where the WSU Vancouver Police Department has identified a pattern of risk. A timely warning with respect to crimes reported to a pastoral or professional counselor is not required by WSU.
WSU issues timely warnings as described in the Timely Warnings and Emergency Notification Policy, BPPM 50.72. The policy applies to all locations that WSU has identified as Clery geography and are provided for Clery Act crimes that occur on Clery geography that:
- Are reported to campus security authorities (CSAs) or local police agencies, and
- Are considered by the University to represent a serious or continuing threat to the safety of students, employees, or other members of the campus community.
Examples of reported situations requiring a timely warning include, but are not limited to:
- Campus Office/Lab burglaries;
- Hate crimes;
- Serial rapes;
- Other incidents, events, and conditions.
Timely warnings are issued when a Clery Act crime occurs on Clery geography that is reported to CSAs or local police agencies and represents a serious or continuing threat to the safety of students or employees. The decision to issue a timely warning is made on a case-by-case basis, considering the following factors:
- The nature of the crime or incident;
- The potential risk to the campus community;
- The need to avoid compromising law enforcement efforts; and
- The potential impact on ongoing investigations.
Timely warnings are not required with respect to crimes reported to professional counselors.
Timely warnings are issued by the responsible designee who works in coordinator with local law enforcement agencies, WSU Emergency Management, Campus Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Campus Student Affairs, Compliance and Civil Rights (CCR), Human Resource Services (HRS), the Threat Assessment Team (TAT), or any other university entity with relevant information, as needed.
Timely warnings include information that would enable members of the University community to take actions to protect themselves, and may include information such as the nature of the crime/incident(s), the date, time, and location of the incident(s), physical and/or behavioral characteristics of the suspect(s), and safety precautions and recommendations for the campus community.
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9.2. Dissemination of a Timely Warning
Timely warnings are promptly distributed to the campus community through various channels, as appropriate, including, but not limited to any of the following:
- WSU Alert system (sign up though MyWSU)
- Email notifications to students, faculty, and staff (preferred distribution channel)
- Posting on the University’s official website
- University social media platforms
- Notices on bulletin boards in prominent campus locations
- Individual outreach to impacted individuals
All WSU students, staff, and faculty can subscribe and update their information for the WSU Alert system by accessing their MyWSU account.
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10.1. Emergency Notification
WSU issues emergency notifications to the campus community pursuant to WSU Business Policies and Procedures (BPPM) 50.72. An emergency notification is an immediate notification issued to the campus community of a significant emergency or dangerous situation on campus that poses an immediate threat to the health and safety of students, employees, or other members of the campus community. Examples of situations requiring an emergency notification include, but are not limited to, an outbreak of a serious illness, a natural disaster, a wildfire, a terrorist incident, an active shooter, a hazardous chemical spill, or a significant facility failure. The following positions are designated as having primary responsibility for issuing an emergency notification:
Designated department with primary responsibility for issuing emergency notifications at WSU Vancouver:
- WSU Vancouver: Director of Public Safety and Parking Services or designee
The responsible department issues emergency notifications upon confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees. The responsible department works in coordination with campus or local law enforcement agencies, campus security departments, WSU System Clery Coordinator, Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S), Emergency Management, or other relevant departments or agencies to assess and respond to the emergency. Confirmation of significant emergencies or dangerous situations is assessed by a department with appropriate expertise (e.g., public safety emergencies may be confirmed by campus safety or police, whereas hazardous material emergencies may be confirmed by campus EH&S).
The responsible department will determine the appropriate content of the notification, which may withhold confidential information, names, or other identifying information of victims, or withhold if disclosing information would compromise efforts to assist a victim, contain or respond to an emergency or otherwise mitigate an emergency. Notification will include a description of the emergency or dangerous situation, instructions for immediate action or protective measures, the date, time, and location of the emergency (if applicable), and contact information for obtaining additional information or assistance. In addition, notification will include information that would enable members of the university community to take actions to protect themselves. The responsible department, in consultation with other relevant departments and agencies, will also determine whether additional steps are necessary such as securing buildings, directing individuals to safe locations, modification to facility resources, or other actions.
The responsible department determines which segments of the campus community may be affected by the situation. In addition, students at WSU Bremerton may also receive notifications directly from Olympic College, and individuals at the WSU Research and Extension sites may also receive direct communication relating to weather or fire emergency from the WSU Alert system or directly from the site facilities operator or director. Off-campus suspended operations due to emergencies at Research and Extension Centers (such as wildfires) are governed by the WSU Safety and Security Manual Section 50.45. In case of an emergency, the County or Reservation Extension Office Director (or designee) reports the emergency conditions to the WSU Extension Director, who notifies the CAHNRS Dean of the emergency and the current status of the locations. The County or Reservation Extension Officer Director may move from normal operations to suspended operations and notify personnel and students at their sites.
Additional information about WSU’s policies and procedures in place to respond to emergencies is available from Office of Emergency Management (OEM). WSU Research and Extension sites may consult with WSU PD or consult with local police or fire departments to determine whether emergency notifications should be issued, or other departments as identified in the WSU Safety and Security Manual Section 50.45. WSU Bremerton may consult with WSU PD, Olympic College Campus Security, or local police and fire departments. Olympic College’s Campus Security, members of their Emergency Operations Team, and Directors of Marketing & Communications determine when a notification is warranted for their campus community.
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10.2. Dissemination of an Emergency Notification
WSU Vancouver has a number of methods to provide warning and notification of emergency situations affecting the campus. Notifications are distributed using any combination of the following:
- WSU alert system
- E-mail notifications to relevant students, faculty, and staff
- Posting on the university’s campus-specific WSU Alert webpage
- University social media platforms
- Notices on bulletin boards in prominent campus locations
- Public address systems in or outside campus buildings, if applicable
- Individual outreach to impacted individuals
- Host campus communication or alert systems.
The WSU Vancouver Campus Indoor/Outdoor Warning System consists of public address units on the Vancouver campus that may sound in the event of an emergency that may threaten the safety of individuals moving about the campus. A tone warning will be followed by a voice announcement that advises individuals what to do should as an emergency situation develops.
The WSU Alert Notification system is another method for distributing a notification of an emergency warning, which connects directly to students, faculty, and staff using voice and text messaging by telephone and email to provide warning of an emergency, see BPPM 50.39. It will include basic directions on what steps people should take in response. Receiving emergency warnings on personal cell phones, land line phones, and email requires registration, which can be accomplished by accessing a MyWSU account. All WSU students, staff and faculty can register and update their information for the Emergency Notification System through their MyWSU account .
In addition to these primary notification methods, the WSU Vancouver Marketing and Communications Department also operates a campuswide alert email list server that allows email transmission of warnings and other messages to the campus population.
To address the recent disturbing trends of violence on campuses for K-12 and higher education and to mitigate threats, the WSU Vancouver community has developed a number of prevention and protection measures.
This includes the ability of the WSU Vancouver Police Department and/or the Facilities and Operations Department to lock a majority of WSU Vancouver exterior building doors from the outside through an automated system. Studies compiled by the FBI indicate the importance of active access control in buildings and the ability to lock down the campus entry doors and allow occupants to secure themselves inside. This function provides safety to the occupants of the building and allows for transit time for police to respond and address the incident.
The complete WSU Vancouver Emergency Notification System allows the university to disseminate official information via email text messages, telephone, loudspeakers, WSU VanCoug Alert page, social media and other means to notify the campus population of emergencies or threatening situations.
For example, should an active shooter situation occur, the Emergency Notification System would alert individuals, who could then assess their response based on the location and resources available and choose the best action to ensure their safety.
All WSU students, staff and faculty can subscribe and update their information (such as email, telephone numbers, etc.) for notifications through the WSU Vancouver Emergency Notification System by accessing their MyWSU account .
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10.3. Drills, Exercises and Training
At a minimum, testing and training exercises are conducted annually. WSU Vancouver tests its emergency communications system once a semester. The test includes activation of the Emergency Notification System, Campus Indoor/Outdoor Warning System and the WSU VanCoug Alert page. Other methods of emergency communication may also be activated during these tests. These tests may be previously scheduled and announced to the community or may be unannounced.
WSU Vancouver holds drills or exercises for campus emergency responders and emergency management personnel at least once each year and conducts follow-through activities to assess and evaluate existing emergency response plans, procedures and capabilities. Whenever possible, emergency responders from local agencies participate in these exercises or drills with WSU Vancouver emergency responders. WSU Vancouver maintains a summary of its emergency response and evacuation procedures in conjunction with at least one drill or exercise each calendar year.
The WSU Vancouver Police Department provides active shooter training and safety consultations and can share information about online training and resources. WSU employees can access an on-demand Active Shooter Response Training through the Skillsoft Percipio online training system. For additional information, contact the WSU Vancouver Police Department at 360-546-9001 or email wsuvcops@wsu.edu .
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11. Campus Security
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11.1. Safety Considerations in the Maintenance of Campus Facilities
WSU devotes time from various campus resources including Facilities Services and Environmental Health and Safety to address the safety and security of the campus. The key distribution for academic buildings is controlled by the colleges and departments within the building. WSU Vancouver PD officers patrol campus buildings regularly. WSU Vancouver PD provides several services designed to enhance the safety of all WSU Vancouver community members:
- A yearly “Night Walk” to survey areas of the campus in need of enhanced lighting or shrub and tree trimming.
- Regular monitoring of lighting levels on campus.
- The availability of blue light emergency phones around campus.
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11.2. Student Events and Organizations
Groups or individuals may use the university’s public forum areas for those activities protected by the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States, subject to the requirements set forth in 504-33 WAC. University groups or individuals are requested to provide notice of the intended use of the desired Vancouver campus public forum area to the Vice Chancellor of Finance and Operations. Non-university groups and individuals must provide notice five business days before the intended use of the area, in accordance with WAC 504-33-025.
Registered Student Organizations and enrolled WSU Vancouver students may contact the WSU Vancouver Office of Student Involvement for more information about campus events at 360-546-9163, or van.osi@wsu.edu. The office is located in Firstenburg Student Commons (VFSC).
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11.3. Blue Light Phones
Should you need immediate assistance in an emergency and are unable to access a personal cell phone, look for a blue light pole. The blue light identifies the location of an emergency telephone. Simply press the emergency telephone button (no dialing is necessary) to be connected to the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency 911 Center. Describe your emergency to the dispatcher. Take notice of the location of the blue light telephones as you move throughout the campus. You may never need to use one, but they are there for emergencies.
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11.4. Elevator Telephones
Emergency elevator telephones are located in the elevators on the WSU Vancouver campus. If you are stuck in an elevator, simply push the button marked “Emergency Phone” to be connected to an operator. If you are stuck, remain calm and stay inside the elevator. Trained elevator service personnel and/or CCSO Fire Department personnel are authorized to remove trapped occupants. No one else should attempt to release them or to force elevator doors open. The elevator telephone is for emergencies ONLY; please refrain from using the telephone unless it is an emergency.
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11.5. Student Care Network
The Student Care Network is a resource through which individuals can share concerns about a student’s emotional or psychological well-being, physical health or academic performance with university administrators who can help. Anyone can submit a Student Care referral including students, faculty, staff, family members, and community members. Information submitted through the Student Care Network will be reviewed by the Student Services Care Management Team for appropriate follow-up.
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11.6. Student Care Team
The Student Care Team responds to referrals about students who are exhibiting behavior of concern and/or have received a Student Care or other report of a concern for a student. The multi-disciplinary Student Care team intervenes with care and support to protect the safety and well-being of the involved student, as well as the WSU community, by working directly with the student and/or connecting students with others with appropriate resources and services.
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11.7. Campus Patrol
The WSU Vancouver Department of Public Safety and Parking Services patrols with vehicles as well as on foot. Although the WSU Vancouver public safety team takes many steps to educate and maintain safety on campus, everyone within the campus community plays a role, and it is important to be aware of surroundings and use reasonable judgment when working or visiting on campus. When WSU Vancouver Department of Public Safety and Parking Services members are not available, Clark County Sheriff’s Office has jurisdiction. Please report suspicious or criminal activities to law enforcement by calling 911.
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11.8. Daily Log and Blotter
The WSU Vancouver Police Department produces a crime log and on-line “blotter” of all crimes reported to the department. The log is available to anyone wishing to access it. The log identifies the type of report, location and outcome of each incident reported to the Police Department. The Daily Crime Log is available in person at the WSU Vancouver Police Department office, located in the Classroom Building (VCLS 120). The blotter is available online at Police Blotter.
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12.1. WSU Policies Governing Alcohol and Other Drugs
WSU’s Drug and Alcohol Policies, including WSU Executive Policy #20 and the WSU Standards of Conduct for Students, aims to eliminate alcohol and drug abuse and to educate the University community on relevant laws and consequences. This policy provides consistency and clarity on the permitted use and enforcement of alcohol laws and statutes on all WSU properties statewide. WSU’s policy prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol on University-controlled property.
Additionally, Washington state law, RCW Chapter 70.160, prohibits smoking in any WSU owned, leased, rented public place, or place of employment. The WSU Pullman, WSU Spokane, WSU Tri-Cities, WSU Vancouver, WSU Everett, and the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) have additional restrictions regarding tobacco and nicotine use on campus or area locations, with the exception to Safety Policies and Procedures Manual (SPPM) 6.10.
Employees who violate Executive Policy #20 or Safety Policies and Procedures Manual (SPPM) 6.10 (SPPM 6.10) may be subject to corrective or disciplinary actions.
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12.2. Workplace Policy
WSU complies with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. This program provides educational and training programs and prohibits the use of controlled substances in the workplace. In addition, WSU has developed programs to prevent the unlawful possession, use, and/or distribution of illegal drugs and alcohol by employees and students. Any employee who violates the WSU Alcohol and Drug Policy, Executive Policy #20, may be subject to corrective or disciplinary action by the university, in addition to any penalties resulting from violating local, state and/or federal law. Sanctions for illegal use of drugs and/or alcohol in the workplace may include, but are not limited to, recommendations for completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program, written or verbal warning, required training, letter of reprimand, censure, demotion, salary reduction, dismissal, and, in emergency situations, immediate suspension. Additionally, Washington state law (RCW Chapter 70.160) prohibits smoking in any University owned, leased, or rented public place or place of employment.
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12.3. Student Policies
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12.3.1. University Alcohol and Drug Policy
The WSU Vancouver PD and local police enforce all Washington state laws pertaining to drugs and alcohol, and students may also be subject to sanctions through the Center for Community Standards (CCS). CCS will follow procedures outlined in the Standards of Conduct for Students (Standards of Conduct), WAC 504-26, if an alleged violation is reported.
The legal age for individuals to consume alcohol in the state of Washington is 21. Those not of legal age who consume alcohol will be in violation of the Standards of Conduct and WSU’s Alcohol and Drug Policy. Students of legal age who choose to drink alcoholic beverages are expected to do so responsibly.
Students are accountable to the Standards of Conduct from the time of application for admission through the actual awarding of a degree. The Standards of Conduct apply to on campus and online behavior and some off-campus behavior. For more information about jurisdiction, please visit WAC 504-26-015.
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12.3.2. Applicable Standards of Conduct for Students
WAC 504-26-211 Drugs and drug paraphernalia: Use, possession, manufacture, or distribution of marijuana, narcotics, or other controlled substances, and drug paraphernalia except as permitted by federal, state, and local law.
WAC 504-26-212 Alcohol: Use, possession, manufacture, or distribution of alcoholic beverages (except as expressly permitted by university regulations, and federal, state, and local laws), or public intoxication. Alcoholic beverages may not, in any circumstance, be used by, possessed by, or distributed to any person not of legal age.
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12.3.3. Good Samaritan Guideline
The WSU Good Samaritan Guideline ensures that students receive prompt and appropriate attention in the event of alcohol and/or drug intoxication. This guideline is similar to Washington State laws followed by law enforcement. If a student or community member sees a friend or stranger experiencing symptoms of alcohol or drug intoxication and needing medical help, they can contact local police, WSU PD, medical professionals, university staff members, and/or resident advisors for assistance. Neither party will receive any formal discipline for alcohol or drug use and possession under our community standards. This guideline does not apply to any disciplinary action for incidents beyond drug and alcohol use. For example, incidents that include hazing, sexual assault, physical abuse, malicious mischief, disorderly conduct, acts of hate or bias, may initiate the community standards process. WSU reserves the right to sanction repeat alcohol and drug offenders, including organizations, and to pursue disciplinary action for any violation which the University considers serious enough to require such action.
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12.4. Medical and Recreational Cannabis
In accordance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, WSU strictly prohibits the use, possession, manufacture, or distribution and/or sale of cannabis and other controlled substances anywhere on campus. It is a violation of the Standards of Conduct, for students to use, possess, manufacture, distribute and/or sell cannabis while on University property, even if the student is over the age of 21 and/or procured the cannabis through legal means.
Additionally, WSU prohibits the use of medical cannabis on campus. Cannabis obtained for medicinal purposes cannot be stored or used on campus. The use and/or storage of all drug paraphernalia is also prohibited on campus. All questions regarding the reasonable accommodation of medical conditions, including conditions treated with medical cannabis, should be directed to the WSU Access Center by calling 509-335-3417.
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12.5. Drug and Alcohol Educational Programs
WSU Vancouver Student Wellness Center
WSU Vancouver Student Wellness Center offers a range of online and in-person services related to substance use. Services for currently enrolled students include; 1:1 counseling, therapy groups, crisis and consultation services, psychological assessments, workshops and outreach programs. These services support personal efforts to maintain health and the reduction of health harms—including substance use/disorder—so students can achieve academic, career, and personal success.
The WSU Vancouver Wellness Center also partners with local medical providers to provide basic health care, including consultation for services related to substance abuse, to current WSU Vancouver Students.
Additionally, the WSU Vancouver Wellness Center provides free Narcan kits and fentanyl test strips, as well as training on recognizing the symptoms of opioid overdose, assessing appropriate care, administering naloxone (Narcan), and using fentanyl test strips.
Impact
IMPACT is an education service provided to students who are referred by the Center for Community Standards for substance use violations. The purpose of this intervention is to administer a substance abuse education program that is focused on harm reduction strategies, motivational interviewing and brief intervention. The IMPACT classes and 1:1 sessions have been developed to provide an empirically based intervention to meet the specific needs of students who exhibit high risk substance use behaviors. The IMPACT program is unique in that it is not a “one size fits all” intervention; rather, IMPACT is structured to route students, via confidential assessment with personalized feedback, to the intervention that best meets their needs in terms of behavior change, psycho-education and clinical concerns.
Students receive direction for their routed participation (group or 1:1 sessions and assessment type) in multiple ways: from the Center for Community Standards, in the IMPACT workshop and the Health Promotions website. A detailed procedural flow chart and routing logic for 1:1 vs. group, the four sanction types (alcohol, cannabis, poly-substance and other drug) as well as the sanction/violation number (1, 2, 3) is available upon request.
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