Home > Offices & Resources > Safety and Security > Brochure

Introduction

Ripon College holds the safety and well-being of its community members and visitors as one of its highest concerns. While Ripon College is a relatively safe place to be, it is certainly not exempt from the same crime problems that exist in surrounding communities.

Our goal is to provide a safe environment, one in which all campus members can work, learn and live. To attain this goal, all members must take responsibility for the safety and security of themselves and their neighbors. There needs to be a communal responsibility in all members of the College community. This means that all members not only must abide by accepted behavior standards, but also that each member will encourage acceptable behavior among their peers. In particular, criminal activity or unsafe practices such as propping open exterior doors for convenience's sake should not be tolerated.

Community members are encouraged to report crime and unsafe conditions or acts to appropriate College officials.

Security Measures

The Ripon College Physical Plant Department and Night watch Security provide 24/7 radio coverage for emergency number 703 calls. Night watch security officers do not have arrest powers and do not carry weapons.

City of Ripon Police provides routine patrol of public areas adjacent to the College and is available to assist community members upon request.

There is hall director on-call coverage available for residence hall issues during school sessions. The hall director on call also monitors the 703 emergency number with a radio. All radios carried are two-way, and voice communication can be established. In addition to residence hall directors, there are resident assistants on duty to assist residents with safety and security issues.

An escort service is available by calling the 703 extension. Escort service is available 24 hours, seven days a week. Security or maintenance personnel can escort community members to campus locations anytime of the day or night.

Keycard readers at selected building entrances in all residential student buildings enable the exterior doors to remain locked 24 hours per day. In addition to the residence halls, the Farr Hall of Science and the Kemper Computer Center are equipped with key card readers to enhance security for those working after normal class room/lab hours.

Maintenance contractors are required to register at the Physical Plant Department before entrance to any campus buildings occurs. This reduces the chances of unauthorized or untimely entrance to residence halls.

Crime Reporting

The Campus Safety Officer is designated and authorized by the College to maintain the safety and security of College surroundings. All community members are urged to report crimes in progress, other criminal activity and suspicious behavior so that investigation and remedial activities can occur in a timely manner. Community members may report emergencies directly to the City of Ripon public safety agencies by using 911 or can report emergencies through the campus emergency extension 703. It is at the discretion of the caller which number to use. Witnesses of crimes in progress may call 911 to access City Police; 911 also may be used to request an ambulance or firefighting equipment. Calls reporting incidents or situations not appropriate for public safety but rather campus security or Physical Plant issues would be made through the emergency 703 extension.

As examples, reports of suspicious people, deficiencies in door locks or windows, problems with building utilities, minor injuries or requests for escort would be appropriate for 703. The 703 emergency number is monitored 24/7 by the Physical Plant or Night watch Security.

Crimes may be reported at the following offices:
These calls may not necessarily remain confidential.

• Campus Safety Office: 748-8174
• Physical Plant Office: 748-8142
• Dean of Students Office: 748-8111

Crimes also may be reported to Residence Hall staff. These reports may not remain confidential.

The Campus Safety Office, Dean of Students Office and Office of Marketing and Communication can issue crime warnings to the campus community. These warnings are used to alert the campus community of recent crime so the community can take appropriate precautions. These warnings can be in the form of e-mail, postings or meetings with targeted groups.

The City of Ripon police meets with Residence Hall staff during their orientation period to discuss crime prevention and crime-reporting procedures. Any issues that the residence hall staff present are addressed at that meeting.

Crime Prevention

Community members can avoid being a victim of crime by practicing the following suggestions:

1. Simple theft is the most frequently reported crime at Ripon College. If you leave your room or office for even a few minutes LOCK THE DOOR. Never leave a wallet or purse on top of a desk, put it in a drawer or other out-of-sight place. Avoid carrying unnecessary amounts of cash or credit/debit cards. If you keep valuables in your vehicle, lock them in a trunk. Engrave your driver's license number on computers, stereos, bikes, etc.
2. Avoid walking alone at night in dark or poorly lit areas. Escort service is always available.
3. Report suspicious people to the 703 emergency number or call (prefix) 911 to report crimes in progress.
4. Report crimes to the Campus Safety Officer or your residence hall staff.
5. Do not prop open secured doors. This action exposes others to potential crime victimization.
   

Ripon College Emergency Numbers and Campus Resources

• Campus 24/7 Emergency: 748-8703
• Night watch Security: 748-8703
• Physical Plant office: 748-8142
• Campus Safety Officer: 748-8174
• Director of Physical Plant: 748-8174
• VP and Dean of Students: 748-8111
• Director of Residence Life: 748-8146

Other Ripon College Assistance Numbers

• Johnson/Tridorms/New Apartments Hall Director: 745-7047
• Scott Hall/Merriman House Hall Director: 745-7054
• Anderson/Bovay/Brockway/Mapes Hall Director: 745-7041

Harassment Resolution Committee

People wishing to resolve a harassment issue can contact the Vice President of Finance Office at 748-8108.

City of Ripon Emergency Numbers

• Police: (prefix) 911
• Police: non-emergency 748-2888
• Fire Department: (prefix) 911
• Ambulance: (prefix) 911

Crime Statistics

All crimes reported are based on Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) definitions. Sources of reports include the City of Ripon Police, the Campus Safety Office, and the Dean of Students Office.

People not listed in the above statistics but referred to the campus judicial system for disciplinary action are listed below.

Alcohol, Drug, and Weapons Policy

The College reserves the right to handle the assignment of penalties for the use and possession of alcohol and illegal drugs in a manner appropriate to the severity of the circumstance. Furthermore, the College reserves the right to refer infractions involving the above to the City of Ripon Police.
     Firearms must be registered and stored in designated places, but may be checked out for intended purposes. Under no circumstances are firearms to be kept in student rooms.

Crime and Sexual Assault Prevention Programs

Crime prevention and sexual assault programs are included in parts of residence hall staff training, new student orientation, first-year studies courses and campus programs during the year.

Information About Local Sex Offenders

To find information about the sex offenders living in our community, please visit the following Web address: http://offender.doc.state.wi.us/public/home.jsp

Sexual Assault and Sexual Violence

It is the policy of Ripon College that whenever sexual assault or sexual violence, including acquaintance rape or date rape, occurs at Ripon College, the standards of the College community and the criminal laws of the State of Wisconsin are violated. All forms of sexual assault or sexual violence against community members or visitors of Ripon College are inexcusable actions that will not be tolerated.

The College is committed to providing information about issues surrounding rape, acquaintance rape, date rape and sexual violence and assault. Outreach programs are available to community members upon request. Information may reduce the occurrence of such incidents.

The Harassment Resolution Committee, consisting of designated officers of the College, will advise the College community on matters relating to sexual harassment and assault. The committee may work with other committees and individuals to develop education and prevention programs and activities.

Survivors of sexual assault and sexual violence are encouraged to report incidents to the City of Ripon Police Department. The College Counselor as requested and/or appropriate also will provide survivors with appropriate counseling support. Alternate living arrangements can be worked out if the victim and College officials believe it will reduce further unwanted contact.

A policy statement on what to do in the event of sexual assault or sexual violence is in the College Handbook is distributed to members of the College community each fall. Some general procedures should include:

1. Go to a hospital emergency room as soon as possible if the assault involved a sexual penetration or other physical injuries. Evidence gained from prompt visits is valuable. Do not wash, change clothes or clean up in any way. Bring a fresh change of clothes because original clothing may be saved as evidence.
2. Get tested for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.
   

Confidential Counseling

Victims of crimes that are reportable under listed UCR codes may speak with the College Counselor and have the discussion remain confidential. The College Counselor is a trained advocate of sexual assault and rape survivors. If the victim wishes the report be made public for inclusion in the annual crime statistics or for a warning to the campus community, that may occur with anonymity intact.

Confidential help also is available to victims of sexual assault through ASTOP Inc, 430 E. Division St., Fond du Lac, or at (800) 418-0270 or (920) 921-7657. There is also an office in Ripon. There is no charge, but sessions are limited.

Victims of sexual harassment may speak with the college counselor and have the conversation remain confidential.

Statement of Victim's Rights

1. Victims have the right to choose counseling and medical treatment, and to prosecute and report their case through the College judicial system and/or the off-campus criminal justice system. Victims also have the right to refuse all these options without reproach from any College personnel.
2. Victims have the right to be treated with dignity and seriousness by College staff.
3. Victims of crimes have the right to be reasonably free from intimidation and harm.
4. College staff are encouraged to inform all victims that victims are not responsible for crimes committed against them, that victims do not have to assume the risk of crime and that victims should always report the crimes despite the possibility of adverse publicity for the College.
5. Victims will be made aware of appropriate services, including counseling.
6. Victims are entitled to the same support opportunities available to the accused in a campus disciplinary proceeding.
7. If the accused is prohibited from contacting the victim or entering the victim's residence, the victim will be notified that the ban is in effect.
8. Any victim who does not wish to remain in their present residence hall or class section may be granted a transfer to another residence hall or class section, if available.
9. The victim has the right to information regarding the status of their case.

Campus Safety and Security Report Compilation

The annual Campus Safety and Security Report is made by the Campus Safety Officer (CSO). The CSO assembles the report with the assistance of the City of Ripon Police Department, the Dean of Students, and the security company providing contract security services to Ripon College.

The City of Ripon Police routinely provides police activity reports for all calls that occur on the College campus. Those police reports are included in the annual report. The Dean of Students provide policy statements that describe assistance and educational programs and provide numbers of alcohol and drug and weapons violations occurring in residence halls. Contract security provides daily logs in which crimes and other activities are reported to College administration.