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The University of Louisiana at Monroe represents a campus community of more than 12,000 students, faculty and staff and covers more than 200 acres. The campus is bordered by two major highways and is located in a metropolitan area of approximately 60,000 people. As the campus continues to grow to meet the cultural and academic needs of a diverse student body, the law enforcement division of ULM, the University Police Department, is responding to the demands and responsibilities that accompany the Universities Growth.

The safety of the student body, as well as faculty, staff and visitors is of primary importance to the University and the University Police Department. The University Police Department works year –round in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies to provide a safe and secure environment for the residents of this "city within a city." The information in this brochure is designed to foster safety and responsibility as well as to inform those associated with the ULM community.

The University Police

In its continuous effort to provide the best security and safety measures possible, the University Police Department provides a variety of law enforcement services and functions for the campus and surrounding areas. An active, regular police presence is established with 24-hour patrol protection for the main campus, parking lots, and residence halls. The University Police Department also provides regular patrol on streets throughout the University campus and all areas adjacent to the campus. This includes making initial response to fraternity houses located near the main campus.

All ULM police officers are highly trained law enforcement personnel and are commissioned by the Department of Public Safety, State of Louisiana. Louisiana Revised Statute 17:1805 vests University Police Officers with full law enforcement powers, authority, and responsibilities identical to the local police or parish sheriff. Each officer must successfully complete the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement Police Officer Standards and Training course. This is a ten-week training course taught by North Delta Training Academy, an extension of ULM which is located at 420 Wheelis Street, West Monroe, Louisiana. ULM Police officers are trained along with officers from the 14 parish North Delta Region. All officers receive specialized training in first aid, firearms, defensive tactics, legal update, criminal investigation, collection and preservation of evidence, and traffic investigation.

ULM law enforcement officers have the right to carry a concealed weapon and to exercise the power of arrest when discharging their duties while in or out of uniform. In discharge of their duties on campus, police officers may exercise the power of arrest. University Police officers have the authority to discharge their duties off campus if engaging in intelligence gathering activity, investigating a crime committed on campus, or if specifically requested by the chief law enforcement officer of the parish or city.

University Police Officers are responsible for a full range of police/law enforcement services including but not limited to responding to incidents, offense report writing, investigations, medical emergencies, fire emergencies, traffic accidents, enforcement of laws involving under age drinking, the use of controlled dangerous substances, weapons, and all other incidents requiring police assistance.

When necessary, crime information involving serious incidents is shared with the Monroe Police Department, West Monroe Police Department, and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Department. The serial numbers of all vehicles, office equipment, and personal property stolen from the ULM campus are reported through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to play an active role in campus safety by reporting any potential criminal actions and emergencies to the University Police Department. The University Police Department's telephone number is 342-5350. Emergency calls can be made from campus by calling 1-911.

University Police officers participate in seminars and workshops available to all students, faculty, and staff on a regular basis. The Director, or his designated representative, gives a crime awareness-safety security presentation at the beginning of each semester to all residence hall members as well as during student parent and new employee orientations. Topics available for discussion include: General Crime Prevention, Identify Your Property, Bicycle Security, Rape Awareness and Sexual Assault.

Information concerning safety and security is regularly provided to students, faculty and staff by the use of seminars and workshops; crime alert bulletins; crime prevention posters and brochures; KXUL, the University radio Station; Smoke Signals, the employee newsletter; and the Hawkeye, the student weekly newspaper.

A University Police Escort service is available from dusk to dawn for the safety of anyone walking alone on campus at night. This service is available for anyone at any time during weekends, holidays, and during summer sessions. This information is presented at all residence hall orientations.

One full-time investigator staffs the Investigation/Crime Prevention section; however, officers who have received specialized training in several major crime areas supplement the area as required. Programs available through this section are Crime Prevention and Awareness, Sexual Assault Presentations, Identify Your Property, Abuse of Alcohol and other drugs and Controlled Substances.

Proper lighting and building security are major factors in determining crime on campus. The University Physical Plant Director maintains the University buildings and grounds with a concern for safety and security. The Director, or his representative, inspects campus facilities regularly, authorizes repairs as quickly as possible affecting safety and security, and responds to reports of potential safety and security hazards, such as broken locks and windows.

The University Police Department assists Physical Plant personnel by reporting potential safety and security hazards on a regular basis. Students, faculty and staff may also report any safety and security hazards by calling 342-5170 or 342-5350.The ULM campus is routinely inspected by a University Safety Committee which walks and inspects the entire campus to review lighting and other environmental concerns for safety and security.

Most University facilities are open to the public during the day and evening hours when classes are in session. During the times that the University buildings are closed, only faculty and staff are allowed entry. With proper authorization, students are allowed access.

Illegal Drugs

The University of Louisiana at Monroe strictly prohibits the possession, use or distribution of marijuana, cocaine, LSD, or any other hallucinogens, and narcotics by anyone in a campus facility or on property owned or controlled by the University. ULM is a Drug Free School Zone in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statute 981.3 which provides for a more severe penalty for persons violating the controlled dangerous substance law on a school campus or 1000 feet outward from the campus. In some instances a person in violation of this provision may be punished with a penalty twice as great as normal. Any individual known to be possessing, using, or distributing such drugs is subject to disciplinary action, and possible arrest, imprisonment or fine, or both according to state and federal law.

Crime Statistics

The University Police Department submits a monthly Uniform Crime Report to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement who in turn reports the statistics to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), department of Justice, Washington D.C. Additionally, a monthly report is submitted to the Board of Trustees for State Colleges and Universities.

The following chart reflects the number of crimes for the most recent three calendar years for the University.

Sexual Assaults: Reporting a Rape or Sexual Assault

As soon as possible following an incident of rape or sexual assault, a victim should report the incident to the University Police at telephone number 342-5350.Reporting to the University Police helps:

3. Opens options regarding criminal prosecution, civil action against the perpetrator, and University disciplinary action.

When you report a rape or sexual assault, a University Police officer will gather information from you concerning who, what, where, when, and why. These questions are necessary to obtain a description of your assailant, where the crime occurred, who may have been present, and other data pertinent to investigation and prosecution.

Reporting a rape or sexual assault and choosing to prosecute are two separate things. When you file a report, you are not obligated to continue with legal proceedings or with University disciplinary action, but you are encouraged to prosecute.

After the report is filed, a rape or sexual assault victim is escorted to a local hospital for a medical examination. The medical examination is necessary to assure that the victim is alright physically, that the possibility of venereal disease and other contagious diseases is eliminated, and that necessary lab specimens are obtained for prosecution.

The University Police officers report is important whether or not prosecution is desired. Good accurate information from the victim is necessary. The University Police will also assist you in reporting a rape or sexual assault to the Monroe Police Department or to the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Department if the incident occurred in the jurisdiction of either of these agencies.

Do not shower, bathe, or change clothes. If you do, vital physical evidence may be lost. If you must change clothes, place soiled clothing in a bag. DO NOT USE A PLASTIC BAG. Do not brush your teeth. If you must use the bathroom to urinate, do not use toilet tissue. This is necessary in order that as much evidence as possible may be obtained during the medical examination when a rape kit is performed.

Rape Awareness Programs

The ULM Police Department, the ULM Counseling Center, and other areas of the University offer programs on rape, acquaintance rape, and sexual assault. Programs are offered each academic semester at residence halls, as well as awareness programs for all students. Programs are also offered any time during the semester by request of different organizations.

ULM Counseling Center

The ULM Counseling Center has experienced professional counselors to offer support to victims in an atmosphere of understanding and confidentiality. The Counseling Center offers individual assessment and referral to both on and off campus facilities.

Changing Classes and Living Accommodations

If you are the victim of sexual assault and have filed charges, you are entitled to changes in academic and living situations if these changes are reasonably available. To request such changes, contact the Office of Dean of Student affairs. You will be referred to the appropriate individual to discuss such changes.

Sanctions

Students found guilty of violations of the Conduct Standards relating to rape, sexual assault, and other forms of violence are subject to the full range of disciplinary sanctions outlined in the Student Handbook. Possible sanctions include, but are not limited to, expulsion, dismissal, suspension, probation, warning, restitution, fines, loss of privileges, and other possible sanctions. University disciplinary proceedings may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following civil or criminal proceedings off campus.

Procedures For On-Campus Disciplinary Action

Any member of the University community may file charges against a student for violence and sexual misconduct. Charges shall be prepared in writing and directed to the Director of Student Life, 342-5230, SUB 213. Detailed filing and hearing procedures and regulations are listed in the student handbook. The complainant and the accused have the right to be assisted by any advisor they choose, at their own expense, and to have that advisor present during the hearing. Advisors may assist in the preparation for the hearing; however, he/she is not permitted to speak for the parties nor to participate directly in the hearing. Following the final decision of the hearing body, both the complainant and/or victim and the accused will be informed of the determination and recommended sanctions, if any.

Important Telephone Numbers

ULM Counseling Center	342-5220
Monroe YWCA Rape Crisis	387-4357
ULM Director of Student Life	342-5230
ULM Police Department	342-5350
Monroe Police Department	329-2600
Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Department	329-1200
St. Francis Medical Center	327-4196
Glenwood Medical Center	329-4200
North Monroe Hospital	388-1946
L.S.U. Medical Center	330-7000

University Housing

The University Police Department works in conjunction with the University of Louisiana at Monroe Housing Office to enhance existing programs and procedures and to develop new concepts to promote the greatest possible safety and security of the residence halls and their residents. Educational programs emphasizing security and self-protection are provided by University Housing and the University Police Department on a year-round basis and part of the residence hall orientation procedures.

Every effort is made to ensure that all residence halls are free from uninvited persons. Residents are encouraged to take an active part in ensuring strangers are reported to the appropriate authorities and that the security of doors and windows are maintained at all times. Hall staff and residents are encouraged to challenge strangers in the residence Halls and to report incidents immediately.

Visitation hours vary for each of the residence halls at the University. After visitation hours, University Police Department personnel check all access doors on closed corridor halls at least twice between midnight and 7 a.m. each day. Outer corridor residence halls are routinely patrolled by University Police personnel after visiting hours.

Alcoholic Beverages

The University of Louisiana at Monroe seeks to encourage and sustain an academic environment that respects individual freedom and promotes the health, safety, and welfare of all members of its community. In keeping with these policies, the University generally permits the legal consumption of alcoholic beverages, in accordance with state law, at registered Alumni Center events.

The sale of alcoholic beverages (including beer, light wine, liquor, and other beverages containing alcohol) on campus is strictly prohibited and is a violation of University regulations. Under age possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted on property owned or controlled by the University. Intentionally or knowingly providing alcoholic beverages to a person under the age of 21, or to persons obviously intoxicated, is not permitted or approved on property owned or controlled by the University.

Dangerous Weapons

The University of Louisiana at Monroe does not permit the possession of, display of, or attempt or threat to use firearms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, or other dangerous weapons, substances, or materials of any kind on University property or at any University approved activity. Students found in violation of the standards of conduct regarding firearms will be sanctioned by the appropriate authority with one or more of the following penalties from the University: temporary suspension, suspension, dismissal, expulsion, administrative charge or payment of monetary fine.

The University Police will arrest any student who discharges a firearm on campus and will forward a report to the Monroe City attorney for prosecution. Students who desire firearms for recreational purposes should check them in at University Police for storage. These firearms may be checked out at any time for proper off campus use.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Education

The University of Louisiana at Monroe assist students in finding alternatives to alcoholic beverages for promoting social interaction and stress reduction. ULM also provides services for students who experience alcohol-related difficulties.

For students with substance abuse problems or concerns, assistance is available through the ULM Counseling Center. Experienced professional counselors offer support for students in an atmosphere of understanding and confidentiality. The Counseling Center offers individual assessment and referral to both on and off campus resources.

Faculty and staff counseling is available through the ULM Employee Assistance Program.

Any one aware of substance abuse problems that exists with friends, roommates, classmates, University personnel or family members, is encouraged to consult a counselor at the Counseling Center. Remaining silent or waiting until the situation is out of control is neither respectful nor responsible.

Relations With Other Law Enforcement Agencies

The Police Department at the University of Louisiana at Monroe enjoys an excellent working relationship with the Monroe Police Department, the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Department, the West Monroe Police Department, and the Monroe City Marshals Office. Personnel and resources are provided by these law enforcement agencies whenever an incident occurs that exceeds the capabilities of the University of Louisiana at Monroe Police Department. Top of the Document