PURPOSE / SCOPE:
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires all postsecondary education institutions participating in Title IV student financial assistance programs to disclose campus crime statistics and security information through an Annual Security Report (ASR) to be published by October 1st of every year. A number of policy statements are required in the Annual Security Report to meet compliance with the Clery Act. The following policies are intended to meet a number of these requirements.
POLICY:
The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine prohibits the offenses of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking (as defined by the Clery Act) and reaffirms its commitment to maintaining a campus environment that emphasizes the dignity and worth of all members of the university community. Toward that end, ICOM issues this statement of policy to inform the campus community of our programs to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking as well as the procedures for institutional disciplinary action in cases of alleged dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, which will be followed regardless of whether the incident occurs on or off campus when it is reported to an ICOM official.
Campus Law Enforcement Authority
ICOM Campus Security is comprised of experienced, retired law enforcement officers with responsibility for the safety and security of ICOM students, employees and property. Campus Security Officers act as agents for the College and have the authority to ask persons for identification to determine whether individuals have lawful business on the ICOM campus. ICOM Campus Security is not a law enforcement agency and the security officers do not have law enforcement authority.
The geographic area of authority of ICOM Campus Security Officers includes the ICOM building located at 1401 E. Central Drive, Meridian, Idaho; the sidewalks immediately adjacent the ICOM building, the front (south) lawn and fountain plaza area; the parking area to the south of the building, and the north parking area adjacent the building. ICOM property also includes the satellite parking area and utility building located at 1460 E Central Drive on the northwest corner of E. Central Drive and S. Locust Grove Road. ICOM shares control of the parking area on the east side of the ICOM building through an agreement with the West Ada School District.
ICOM Campus Security Officers have citizen arrest powers granted all private citizens through Idaho State Code. Criminal incidents are referred to the Meridian Police Department, who have law enforcement jurisdiction on and adjacent to the ICOM campus. While the College has no written Memorandum of Understanding with the Meridian Police Department, ICOM Campus Security maintains a highly professional working relationship with this agency. Strong partnerships between ICOM and the Meridian Police Department, Meridian Fire Department, and Ada County Paramedics, strengthens the safety and security of the ICOM Campus. Idaho State Police and the Ada County Sheriff’s Office may respond in the event of a major emergency on campus, but they normally do not patrol the campus nor respond to calls for service at ICOM. ICOM Campus Security does not regularly interact with either agency.
ICOM Campus Security Officers are armed and receive regular firearms training. Semi-annually, they must complete and pass the same certification course required of retired local police officers. Campus Security trains regularly to respond to the potential of an armed intruder or active shooter in the building or on the campus.
ICOM Campus Security considers personal safety, along with property protection a priority; any incident report or safety concern is reviewed and acted upon accordingly. Criminal incident reports generated by ICOM Campus Security will be referred to the Meridian Police Department for investigation, unless the victim does not wish to file a formal report with law enforcement.
Students and employees are required to comply with directives of Campus Security, law enforcement agencies, and any other ICOM officials; students are required to present valid ID upon request.
Crime Reporting
Crime victims are strongly encouraged to immediately report criminal activity to the appropriate police agencies, and to ICOM Campus Security for crimes committed on campus. Prompt reporting will assure timely warning notices of campus crime and assist in full disclosure of crime statistics.
Witnesses to crimes are strongly encouraged to report incidents to Campus Security and the appropriate law enforcement agency when the victim is unable to report it themselves due to mental or physical incapacitation.
The on-duty Campus Security Officer can be contacted in person, or by calling 208-795-4311. In the event of an emergency, or if the crime is still in progress, the calls should first be placed to 9-1-1. Any suspicious activity or person seen in the parking lots or loitering around vehicles, inside buildings or around the campus community should be reported. Campus Security can also provide reporting advice concerning crimes or incidents which occur off campus.
While Clery Act crimes may be reported to any ICOM Campus Security Authority, those reporting crimes are encouraged to make reports directly with the Director of Campus Security or any Campus Security Officer.
Clery Act Campus Security Authorities (CSA)
A Campus Security Authority (CSA) is an individual, who by virtue of their college responsibilities and under the Clery Act, is designated to receive and report criminal incidents to ICOM Campus Security so that they may be included and published in ICOM’s Annual Security Report. Individuals identified as Campus Security Authorities must undergo annual CSA training. This training will be provided via online training through the Human Resources Department, and may be supplemented with additional presentations from ICOM Campus Security.
The Clery Act defines a CSA as any of the following categories:
- A campus police department or a campus security department of an institution, e.g. any member of the ICOM Campus Security Team.
- Any individual or individuals who have responsibility for campus security but who do not constitute a campus police department or a campus security department (e.g., an individual who is responsible for monitoring the entrance into institutional property).
- Any individual or organization specified in an institution’s statement of campus security policy as an individual or organization to which students and employees should report criminal offenses; or
- An official of an institution who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities, including, but not limited to, student housing, student discipline and campus judicial proceedings. An official is defined as any person who has the authority and the duty to take action or respond to particular issues on behalf of the institution.
All ICOM Campus Security Officers are CSAs, but other ICOM employees designated as CSAs include: the ICOM President, the Dean, the Title IX Coordinator, the Assistant Dean of Student Services, the Human Resources Director, the Director of Student Affairs, the Student Affairs Coordinator, Learning Specialists, the Director of Facilities, the Human Resources Specialist, the administrative assistants to the President, the Dean, and the Title IX Coordinator, the Front Desk receptionist, and all faculty advisors.
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
The function of a Campus Security Authority is to report to ICOM Campus Security allegations of Clery Act crimes that he or she receives. CSAs are responsible for reporting allegations of Clery Act crimes that are reported to them in their capacity as a CSA. This means that CSAs are not responsible for investigating or reporting incidents that they overhear students talking about in a hallway conversation; that a classmate or student mentions during an in-class discussion; that a victim mentions during a speech, workshop, or any other form of group presentation; or that the CSA otherwise learns about in an indirect manner.
It is preferable that CSAs directly notify the on-duty ICOM Campus Security Officer of Clery-reportable crimes which have occurred on campus. As an alternative, the CSA may file an online CSA report which will be forwarded to the Director of Campus Security.
The online reporting form can be found at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q3LPRRP
In the event of a crime which just occurred on campus, the incident should be reported immediately to the on-duty ICOM Campus Security Officer.
The Director of Campus Security has the responsibility to screen the reports and to ensure they are routed to the appropriate parties (local law enforcement, Title IX Coordinator, HR Director) for further investigation and follow-up.
The Director of Campus Security is responsible for coordination and oversight of the Campus Security Authorities at the college. These duties include:
- Ensuring each CSA understands their responsibilities and complete their required annual CSA training
- Make certain CSA crime reports are completed and forwarded to Campus Security on a timely basis
- Maintaining documentation of crime reports submitted to Campus Security
Confidential Reporting
Victims or witnesses wishing to report a crime on a voluntary, confidential basis for inclusion in the annual security report can submit an anonymous report form to the ICOM Campus Security at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ICOM_Confidential_Reporting
Monitoring of Student Organizations
At some institutions of higher education, local law enforcement monitors criminal activity at locations utilized by recognized student organizations, (such as fraternity and sorority houses) and reports this to the school. ICOM has no student organizations with non-campus locations and has no agreement with local law enforcement to monitor criminal activity, on or off campus, of any recognized ICOM student organization.
Pastoral and Professional Counselors
ICOM employs professional counselors to provide counseling services to students. In addition, Idaho State University’s Counseling Clinic provides a low cost service for ICOM students. Many college students experience stressors associated with all aspects of their lives, i.e. academics, familial, relational, etc. The counseling clinic is available to help provide the needed support as student’s navigate their lives alongside their educational journey.
Counseling for employees is available through the college’s Employee Assistance Program.
Counselors are encouraged, if and when they deem it appropriate, to inform individuals they are counseling of their ability to report crimes on a voluntary, confidential basis for inclusion in the annual disclosure of crime statistics. An anonymous report can be filed online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NJY5TLX
Clery Act Crimes
The Clery Act requires institutions to include four general categories of crime statistics for Clery reporting purposes. The following offenses are referred to as ‘Clery Act Crimes’:
Criminal Offenses
Criminal Homicide, including Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter, and Manslaughter by Negligence; Sexual Assault, including Rape, Fondling, Incest and Statutory Rape; Robbery; Aggravated Assault; Burglary; Motor Vehicle Theft; and Arson.
Hate Crimes—Any of the above-mentioned offenses, and any incidents of Larceny-Theft, Simple Assault, Intimidation, or Destruction/Damage/ Vandalism of Property that were motivated by bias.
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Offenses—Any incidents of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking. (Note that Sexual Assault is also a VAWA Offense but is included in the Criminal Offenses category for Clery Act reporting purposes).
Arrests and Referrals for Disciplinary Action for:
Weapons—Carrying, Possessing, Etc. Law Violations; Drug Abuse Violations; Liquor Law Violations
Disciplinary Proceedings Disclosure to Victim and Accused
The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine will, upon written request, disclose to the alleged victim of a crime of violence (as that term is defined in section 16 of title 18, United States Code), or a non- forcible sex offense, the report on the results of any disciplinary proceeding conducted by such institution against a student who is the alleged perpetrator of such crime or offense. If the alleged victim is deceased as a result of such crime or offense, the next of kin of such victim shall be treated as the alleged victim for purposes of this paragraph.
ICOM will provide both the accused and the accuser with simultaneous written notification of any result of any institutional disciplinary proceeding that arises from an allegation of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. In these cases, it is not necessary for a victim to make a written request.
Annual Security Report
The Annual Security Report (ASR), which is required by the Clery Act, is compiled by the Director of Campus Security, the designated Clery Compliance Coordinator for the college. The report contains Clery-reportable crime statistics which occurred within the ICOM geographic area for the preceding three years.
In the spring of each year, the ICOM Director of Campus Security submits a request to the Meridian Police Department to provide statistics for the preceding three years for any Clery-reportable crimes which occurred within the ICOM campus geography area. This includes public property adjacent to the campus, as well as areas of ISU-Meridian that are utilized by ICOM students. The statistics used for the Annual Security Report are taken from these records, from Clery-reportable crimes reported by ICOM Campus Security Officers or by other ICOM Campus Security Authorities (CSAs), and from the ICOM Campus Security Daily Crime Log, regardless if the crimes were subsequently reported to law enforcement.
The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine Annual Security Report (ASR) will be published in September of every calendar year. The report will be posted to the ICOM website at the following link: https://www.idahocom.org/campus/safety/
The ASR will be distributed via email to currently enrolled students and employees no later than October 1st of each calendar year. The notification will include notice of the report’s availability, and a list of brief descriptions of the information contained within the report. ICOM will provide a paper copy of the Annual Security Report upon request. The request does not need to be made in writing, and there is not charge to individuals for a copy of the report.
Access to the report will also be provided to any prospective student or prospective employee upon request.
Security and Access to Campus Facilities
ICOM is committed to the safety and well-being of students, employees, and visitors. ICOM is a closed campus with a single point of entry for visitors during business hours. The ICOM campus is not open to the general public without specific business with an employee or student. The building is staffed by Campus Security from 7:30am - 11:30 pm (7:30 am - 11:30 pm weekends). Campus Security is normally located in the reception area at the front entrance unless foot patrols are being conducted in the interior or exterior of the building. The on-duty Campus Security Officer can be reached by calling 208-795-4311.
ICOM students and employees are issued identification badges during orientation and are required to wear the badges for access to the building. The badges will not allow entry beyond access hours.
Guests to ICOM are required to check-in at the reception desk using the electronic kiosk. Their photographs are taken, and they are issued temporary identification which they are required to display. An electronic log is created which records their names as well as the person they are visiting. Visitors are to be escorted by ICOM students or employees at all times.
During orientation and throughout the year, students and new employees are reminded not to allow unauthorized persons into the building, and to report anyone they do not recognize to Campus Security.
During an extended closure, such as for Winter Break, only authorized personnel will be granted access to campus property and facilities. Campus Security Officers carry keys to all ICOM areas and are available during business hours to access rooms for authorized entry.
The ICOM Director of Facilities has the responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the ICOM building. Building maintenance is performed either by the Director or their subordinate. Private contractors provide additional services such as snow removal from the sidewalks and driveways, and landscaping maintenance.
Campus Security Officers conduct regular foot patrols both inside the ICOM building and in the adjacent ICOM parking lots and will investigate and report any facilities safety concerns to the Director of Facilities. ICOM students and employees are encouraged to report unsafe conditions inside or outside the building to the Director of Facilities or any Campus Security Officer. This can be done via telephone, email, or in person.
The ICOM Director of IT has the responsibility for ensuring that building swipe-card access, via student and employee identification cards, operates properly. Students or employees whose identification cards are lost or stolen are required to report the loss to the Director of IT within 24 hours to prevent access to the building by unauthorized individuals. Maintenance of the video surveillance system and of the Alertus Mass Notification System is conducted by a company contracted by ICOM.
Personal Safety and Security
During student and new employee orientation, students and employees receive training related to building rules, safety and security recommendations, fire alarm evacuation, assembly areas, areas of rescue assistance, building evacuation and building lockdown procedures, and active shooter response guidelines.
The following web-based training through Collabornation, ICOM’s online training portal, is made available for new students: A Student Guide to Campus Safety.
(Colleges and universities devote much time and effort to creating safe learning and living environments for students and staff. Students have an important role to play. This course outlines the safety precautions students should know and apply, whether they are on or off campus).
Responsibility for Own Safety
Students and employees are ultimately responsible for their own safety and the safety of the campus, as campus security and law enforcement can’t be everywhere. The best security features of a building can be defeated by the failure to follow building access guidelines. Holding the door for someone who you do not know and is not wearing ICOM identification is one example of building security being compromised. Anything or anyone who appears out of place on campus should be reported to Campus Security.
Bystander Intervention
Bystander intervention is defined as safe and positive options that may be carried out by an individual or individuals to prevent harm or intervene when there is a risk of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. Bystander intervention includes:
- Recognizing situations of potential harm;
- Understanding institutional structures and cultural conditions that facilitate violence (this might include fraternity or sports cultures at some institutions);
- Overcoming barriers to intervening;
- Identifying safe and effective intervention options; and
- Taking action to intervene.
ICOM expects all community members to take reasonable and prudent actions to prevent or stop a crime. Taking action may include direct intervention, calling law enforcement, or seeking assistance from a person in authority. ICOM community members who choose to exercise this positive moral obligation will be supported by the college and protected from retaliation.
Crime Prevention
Throughout the year, Campus Security provides messaging to students and employees via email and the bi-weekly newsletter related to crime prevention and personal safety. Examples may include:
- School Bus Safety-explaining the specific requirements of Idaho Code concerning passing or overtaking a school bus
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Personal Safety-recommendations for personal safety, e.g., beware of your surroundings, keep in well populated areas, walk with a purpose, etc.
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Burglary Prevention-tips to reduce the odds of being a victim of a residential or vehicle burglary
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Winter Driving-a refresher on winter driving techniques, importance of vehicle maintenance, and road report resources for those traveling during the holidays
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Holiday Safety-safe shopping tips for the holiday season
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Spring Break Safety-safely enjoying all that Idaho’s outdoors has to offer
In addition, ICOM sponsors self defense classes several times per year, allowing students and employees the opportunity to practice hands-on techniques learned in the class.
Safety Escorts
ICOM students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to contact the on-duty Campus Security Officer if they would like a safety escort to their vehicle. During winter months this is even more important due to the shortened daylight hours. The on-duty Security Officer can be reached at the front Security/Reception Desk, or by calling 208-795-4311.
Emergency Telephones in Parking Lots
ICOM maintains three Blue Pole Emergency Telephones within the campus parking lots; one is located on the north side of the building, one is located on the east side, and an additional emergency telephone is located in the parking annex located at E. Central Drive and N. Locust Grove Roads. In addition, Idaho State University maintains two Blue Pole Emergency Telephones, one on the west side of the ICOM building and one in front of the main ISU entrance. Pushing the red button on the pole places a 9-1-1 call directly to the 9-1-1 Operator. The location of the phone is displayed with dispatch and the external speaker allows the caller to speak directly with the dispatcher. The Blue Pole Emergency Telephones are tested monthly to insure proper operation.
PRIMARY POLICY OWNER:
Director of Campus Security
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
| Annual Security Report | https://www.idahocom.org/campus/safety/ |
APPROVAL:
Effective: 10/25/21
Last Reviewed: 21/25/24
Review Requirement: Annual