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| Crime Awareness |
It is an unfortunate fact that criminal incidents of all types occur on college campuses. Many campuses around the country investigate and make public the nature of crimes, the quantity, and how they are investigated. Oklahoma State University subscribes to that approach and further believes that the public should know how active the university police are in crime prevention and detection.
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| Reporting Crimes |
Crime victims, regardless how seemingly insignificant the crime, are encouraged to promptly report the incident to the OSU Police or the appropriate police agency. To report a crime, a victim or witness need only call the police phone number, and a police officer will meet them to gather the information. An official report is made with copies available to the victim. Each day the incidents from the previous day, excluding names, are summarized and made available to the OSU President, key OSU staff, other law enforcement agencies, and the media. Each month the number of incidents in each category of crime are counted and reported to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, who in turn provides the information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Each year, the FBI publishes a book of crime statistics called "Crime in the United States," which includes accurate accounting of the criminal incidents which occurred on the OSU campus. OSU has reported crime statistics in this manner since the FBI began publishing campus crime statistics in 1971.
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| Crimes In Progress |
To report a crime in progress, a person, victim or witness, can dial 911 or use one of the outside emergency telephones, or call one of the listed police phone numbers. Either reporting method will stimulate the response of police, fire, ambulance, or other first responders. In addition, the victim of serious crimes can request support personnel, such as ministers, rape crisis counseling or domestic violence, during or after reporting.
Additionally, crime victims may be eligible for funds through victim compensation laws administered by the District Attorney.
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| Actual Crime at OSU |
When comparing crime at OSU to other institutions of similar size, you'll find OSU's crime rate to be one of the lowest. In fact, OSU has one of the lowest crime rates in the Big 12.
The crime and arrest statistics reported here are those which occurred within the jurisdictional boundaries of campus. They do not include "off campus" organizations or "off campus" private housing, which are within the city police jurisdiction. It is the responsibility of the Stillwater Police Department to monitor and record crime activities at "off campus" organizations or "off campus" private housing. Crime statistics concerning these locations or areas are available at the Stillwater Police Department.
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| Future |
| Although we believe that our low incidence of crime will continue, this report is not intended to give you a false sense of security. You need to know that crime will occur, but that prevention efforts can be effective in reducing the opportunities for criminal activity. You play a key role in our crime prevention efforts. Be cautious, careful, and alert to your own safety and protective of your and the university's possessions. Please exercise the crime prevention tips noted below.
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| Security and Access Control |
| It is OSU's policy to lock the doors of buildings which are not in use. However, when working or studying in buildings after normal working hours, it is suggested that individual offices be locked, based upon an assumption that unrestricted access to the building is possible. Some buildings on campus are rarely locked, at the department's request, since students study and work on projects all hours of the day and night. Again, individual offices should be locked by the user on a presumption that the building is accessible. Residence halls have open access between the hours of 6 a.m. to midnight, Sunday through Thursday, and 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. During non-open access hours, all residence hall doors are locked except the front desk entrance. Instances of propped open doors have occurred, and again residents are encouraged to take security precautions in the halls and rooms. Individual rooms should be locked at all times for your safety.
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| Crime Prevention |
OSU has experienced some real success at reducing and preventing crime. Some of the more notable efforts are:
- Emergency telephone system
- Emergency 911 dialing
- 24-hour preventive patrols
- Campus foot patrol by uniformed officers
- Burglar alarms in key areas
- 24-hour staff in Residence Halls
- Custodial staff occupy academic buildings after hours
- Crime prevention seminars presented to groups
- Crime prevention pamphlets provided to students and employees
- Some parking lots monitored by surveillance cameras
- Crime Stopper telephone line - 744-6063
In addition to preventing crime, considerable effort is devoted to crime intervention. All reported crimes are investigated immediately. Follow-up investigation occurs to identify the offenders. Where multiple incidents occur, surveillance techniques are implemented to help apprehend violators. When caught, offenders are dealt with through the county court system and OSU when appropriate.
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| Police Protection |
The OSU campus is protected by a campus police agency consisting of 32 sworn officers, 10 support persons, and 14 part-time persons. The agency is operated and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Authority of the sworn officers is derived from state statutes, which allow for full police powers on OSU property. In addition by agreement with the City of Stillwater, campus police and city police enjoy an excellent working relationship. All campus police officers undergo an extensive selection process and meet state mandated training requirements.
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| Avoid Victimization |
You are offered these few quick tips for personal safety and property security:
- Be cautious of strangers.
- Avoid getting into vulnerable no-exit places.
- Do not hesitate to call police when confronted by unknown persons.
- Keep your house or residence hall room locked.
- At night, walk in groups of at least two.
- Walk with confidence, and avoid walking near bushes and parked cars.
- Familiarize yourself with the location of emergency telephones.
- When parking, remove valuables from plain view and lock your vehicle.
- Engrave your valuables with your driver's license number and record serial numbers.
- Make copies of credit cards and other valuables in your wallet.
- Write your name and ID number in several places in textbooks.
- Lock your bicycle in a bicycle rack.
- Report all incidents and losses to police immediately.
When serious crimes occur on or off campus which are considered to be a threat to the campus community, such information will be provided to faculty, staff, and students. The medium for this information dissemination will be the campus newspaper, faculty/staff newsletters, or in special instances, specific notices to on campus residences. Such notices may be posted on residence hall entrance doors, in residents' mail boxes, or placed on electronic voice mail.
Persons may dial campus phone number 744-6063 and make voice mail access to crime tip information, crime update, crime prevention tips, and parking information.
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| Alcoholic Beverages and Other Drugs |
As set forth in local, state, and federal laws, and the rules and regulations of the university, Oklahoma State University prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees in buildings, facilities, grounds, or other property owned and/or controlled by the University or as part of University activities.
Note: Under OSU regulations, no 3.2 beer or other alcoholic beverage is allowed in OSU housing, including fraternities and sororities, except for married student housing, no matter your age. Furthermore, under the same regulations, the possession/consumption of 3.2 beer or alcohol by those of legal age (over 21) is allowed only in certain designated, non- public places on the OSU campus, properties, and facilities. For further explanation, see the pamphlet "OSU Dangers of Drugs and Alcohol Abuse."
Drug and alcohol laws are vigorously enforced on the OSU campus. Violators are subject to criminal prosecution in the District Court of Payne County. The enforcement techniques can range from plain view violation to long-term undercover investigations by local, state, or federal agents and agencies.
University Counseling Services and the Employee Assistance Program have counseling and rehabilitation programs for students and employees, respectively. Should these programs not meet your needs, there are other programs in the community or nearby that may better suit your needs. A number of such programs are listed in the OSU Dangers of Drugs and Alcohol Abuse pamphlet.
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