Security Policies, Crime Statistics and Crime Log

Safety and Security Information

Waynesburg University is located in the small community of Waynesburg within Greene County in rural southwestern Pennsylvania. The University enrolls approximately 2,400 students with approximately 1,000 living in residence halls or in special interest campus houses. There are approximately 430 non-student employees working for the University in various faculty, administrative and service positions. All employees of the University are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the mission and goals of Waynesburg University. As a result of the small community atmosphere both within the University and the town, individuals find Waynesburg University to be a very pleasant and peaceful place to live.

Personnel

Waynesburg University utilizes the service of a private full-service security corporation. The Public Safety personnel are uniformed officers present on campus and at site events. Public Safety personnel receive initial training in criminal law, traffic and crowd control, and the use of fire-fighting equipment. While employed at the campus, they receive continuing education in C.P.R./First Aid, University Policies and Procedures, Emergency Procedures for maintenance, fire, police, and medical assistance. They also receive training on issues related to problems typical of university campuses. The director of Public Safety supervises all Public Safety personnel and is available at any time when needed. He serves as the liaison between the University and the state and local police departments.

General Security Procedures

Public Safety personnel are available at all times on the campus for the assistance of the students and staff. Any victim of a campus violation or crime may report the incident to on duty public safety personnel or to the Director of Public Safety. Victims of a crime occurring on campus are notified of their rights and responsibilities in reporting the violation to the local authorities. Although public safety personnel are available to investigate incidents and follow up on possible violations, it is not intended to be a substitute for the local police.
Public Safety personnel make regular rounds of the campus throughout each evening. In their normal foot patrol of the campus, all buildings, residence halls and academic buildings are checked to insure that all buildings are locked at the proper times and that they remain closed throughout the evening. Public Safety personnel may request identification of any unknown person they witness on the campus. Students are required to supply public safety personnel with their student identification card upon request. All other visitors are required to verify the student with whom they are visiting.
For emergency assistance, Public Safety personnel may always be reached by calling their campus extension 303. In addition, the on duty Resident Director has immediate access to all Public Safety personnel by radio. When needed, transportation to Southwest Regional Medical Center is provided when requested by the University Health Center.
In the event of an emergency requiring the cancellation of classes or closure of the campus, public radio stations will be notified and electronic messages will be distributed.
All safety reports are filed with both the Director of Public Safety and the Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration. In addition, crime statistics are maintained and reported in the format required by the Pennsylvania State Police.
The Director of Public Safety reports to the Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration within the University structure. He also works closely with the Waynesburg Borough Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police Department. The Public Safety Office and personnel always cooperate with any state police agency and maintain an excellent working relationship with the Waynesburg Borough Police. If a situation requires assistance, local or State Police may be called to campus.

Residence Halls

In each residence hall, all individual rooms have individual locks with keys/cards only given to those residents of that room. Rooms are only opened for those students who live in that room or by permission of those who live there.
All residence halls are locked at all times. Residents receive a key/card for their individual room and a key/card for the outside door to their halls. Any attempt to force open locked doors or to keep locked doors ajar will be considered a university violation and will result in disciplinary action.
During the regular breaks in the academic year, residence halls are locked by the outside doors. Students are encouraged to take any particularly valuable items home with them. During that time, public safety officers continue to check and patrol the residence halls regularly. Entrance to the residence halls during that time occurs only by permission of the Director of Housing or Dean of Students.