Campus Safety

• To contact a police officer on campus and from a campus phone, dial 3000.
• You may also dial (704) 463-3000.
• If there is an emergency on campus, immediately call 911.
• To contact Chief McGinnis, call ext. 3001 or (704) 463-3001.

Pfeiffer University utilizes the LiveSafe app, a mobile safety communications platform and enables users to provide actionable crowdsourced intelligence gathering for security officials and offers immediate emergency information for students, faculty, and staff. Download the LiveSafe app in App Store or Google Play Store.

Don’t walk alone.

The Misenheimer Police Department provides escorts 24 hours a day year-round. To request an escort, dial either (704) 463-3000 from a non-campus phone or ext. 3000 from a campus phone. Be sure to give the officer a phone number so he/she can notify you in case there is an emergency in progress that might delay the response.

1. Keep all doors locked when you are out of your room or asleep.
2. Do not remove screens from your windows.
3. If you observe a stranger walking around inside the residence hall without an escort or lingering around outside, call the police department immediately.
4. Never attach identification information to your key ring.
5. If you lose your room key or building key, notify police and Office of Student Development immediately.
6. Do not wedge open entrance or stairwell doors.
7. Never loan your hall or room keys to anyone.
8. Be familiar with all emergency procedures and fire exits.
9. If you return to your room and notice that it has been broken into, do not go into the room. Notify the police department immediately.
10. Solicitors are not permitted in the halls. If a solicitor comes to your door, contact the police department.
11. Never leave anything in the lobby or hallways unattended. It only takes a few seconds for a thief to steal your possessions.
12. Keep your shades closed while dressing.

1. Don’t walk alone. Call for an escort.
2. If you observe or hear anything strange, contact the police department immediately.
3. If you observe a strange vehicle on campus, write down the description of the vehicle and its license plate number and contact the police department immediately.
4. Avoid remaining in a building alone. Invite a friend to keep you company if you realize that everyone else has left the building.
5. If you are being harassed by anyone on campus, get to a phone. If during the day, go to the closest office and contact the police department.
6. Stay in well-lit areas when walking at night.
7. When walking off campus, always walk with a friend.
8. Never walk off campus after dark.
9. Do not use athletic fields after dark; this is prohibited.
10. When walking to your vehicle or hall, have your keys in hand.

Whistle Safety Program

Whistles are offered to new students, when available.

Video Documentation

Misenheimer police officers utilize multimedia to record crimes and misconduct on campus. The findings are used to settle violation disputes in campus and criminal court.

In cases of severe weather, it is crucial that you know what to do for your safety. The police will notify the residence hall and other campus staff in specific directions.

Follow all directions delivered by university officials during dangerous weather. If evacuation of residence halls is necessary, students will be directed to the basements of the library and of Harris Science Building.

Citations

Officers have authority to write North Carolina state citations and Pfeiffer University campus citations. If you receive a state citation, it must be dealt with at the Stanly County Courthouse located in Albemarle, N.C.

If you receive a campus citation for misconduct, payment must be submitted within two weeks to the Pfeiffer Business Office. To appeal the campus citation an appeal letter must be submitted to the Chief of Police within two weeks of receiving the citation. Appeals will not be accepted after two weeks.

Alcohol

A person under the age of twenty-one may not purchase, attempt to purchase or possess alcoholic beverages. This includes malt beverages, fortified or unfortified wine, liquor, and mixed drinks. Giving your identification to someone else to purchase or attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages is also illegal. Alcohol is prohibited in all public areas on campus. If you are abusing alcohol, please seek counseling immediately.

Drugs

The university adheres strictly to federal and state laws governing the possession, distribution, or consumption of drugs or other controlled substances. Any person illegally possessing, distributing or using such drugs or controlled substances will be subject to criminal prosecution. If you are using illegal drugs or abusing prescription or over-the-counter drugs, please seek counseling immediately.

Weapons

State law and departmental regulation govern the use of weapons by university officers. Officers shall use their firearms only to:

• Protect their lives or the life of another when there is a clear and immediate danger to life
• Prevent grievous injury to themselves or another when a clear and present danger exists.

The use or possession of firearms or other weapons by anyone while on campus is not permitted even if such persons possess a North Carolina concealed weapons permit.

If you become aware that a person has a weapon on campus, do not approach them. Instead, notify the police immediately.

Counseling is available on campus for all persons that need assistance. Visit our office in Stokes Student Center Mon.-Fri. between 8-5 or make an appointment by email or by calling (704) 463-3439.

If you do not feel comfortable with seeking assistance on campus, please contact an outside agency for help:

Crisis Council Inc.
24-Hour Crisis Line
(800) 551-5497
(704) 985-1966

Sexual assault and harassment are very serious crimes that should not go unreported. If you do not report it to the police department, be sure to report it to someone of authority on campus.

If you are a victim of a sexual assault, try to remember these rules:

1. Contact the police immediately.
2. Do not take a shower or douche.
3. Do not wash the clothes or bedding on which the incident may have occurred. Put all articles of clothing that you had on during the assault in a paper bag.
4. Try to write down what the assailant looked like and any other information that might be important to the police.
5. If the attack occurs off campus, contact the local law enforcement agency where the attack occurred.
6. Even if you do not report a sexual attack, be sure to seek medical treatment and counseling.

These few rules are very important when trying to convict a suspect.

• If you are a victim of sexual harassment, contact the police and fill out a report. A person cannot be convicted of harassment unless each incident is documented.
• Both sexual assault and harassment are very serious. If you are a victim of one of these crimes and do not report it, you are not only hurting yourself but also the next person that is attacked.

Blind (Anonymous) Reporting of Sexual Assaults

The police department offers blind (anonymous) reporting of sexual assault incidents that occur on or around campus. All faculty and staff members (clergy and counselors excluded) with knowledge of a sexual assault that occurred on or near campus (whether or not the victim was a student) are required by Clery Act (formerly the Campus Security Act) to report the incident to campus police immediately.

You can report an assault using the blind reporting form if you prefer this method of reporting.

Stalking

If you are a victim of stalking, file a report with the university and police of all incidents and preserve all electronic communications as evidence.

Investigation

All reports of sexual assault, harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking are investigated and then adjudicated before a trained Campus Conduct Board. Both parties will be advised of their rights throughout the process and will be informed in writing of the decision of the board and the appeal process.

This board’s level of evidentiary proof for hearings shall be a preponderance of the evidence.

Education

Pfeiffer University has policies in place for students and employees as well as ongoing educational programming to address sexual assaults, domestic and dating violence stalking and all types of harassment. The Pfeiffer community is one in which all persons should be able to participate without fear.

Domestic Violence Orders

If you have a domestic violence order issued, the police department must be notified and have a copy of the order so it may be enforced.

If you have an order issued please contact the chief of police as soon as possible at ext. 2567.

Sexual Assault Victim’s Bill Of Rights

If a sexual assault does occur the victim has the following rights:

1. Both accuser and accused have the right to have others present during any questioning.
2. Both parties will be informed of the outcome of any disciplinary proceeding.
3. The survivor has the option of reporting the assault to law enforcement or handling the disciplinary actions through the campus judicial system.
4. Counseling is available on campus through Health and Counseling Services for all persons that need assistance. Visit our office in Stokes Student Center Mon.–Fri. between 8–5 or make an appointment by email or by calling (704) 463-3439. If you do not feel comfortable with seeking assistance on campus, please contact an outside agency for help: Crisis Council Inc. 24-Hour Crisis Line (800) 551-5497 or (704) 985-1966.
5. In severe situations, if the survivor needs to change the academic or living environment, the university will utilize all avenues to accommodate the survivor. This will be coordinated through the Dean of Student Development.

Members of the village and university community are urged to notify the police department immediately of any criminal activity or other emergencies that occur within the incorporated limits of Misenheimer, including the university. Police officers will respond quickly and initiate whatever action is necessary to resolve the emergency, including the activation of outside police, fire or medical agencies when appropriate.

The emergency telephone number off-campus is 911 and on campus is ext. 9-911 (Stanly County Communications). For all other calls, dial extension 3000 if on the campus of Pfeiffer University and (704) 986-3700 when off-campus. All crimes reported to the police department will be investigated until an arrest is made, leads are exhausted or the victim decides not to prosecute or cooperate. Reports will be used to calculate annual statistical information.

Reporting Of Crime Off-Campus

The campus community will also be notified within forty-eight hours should the university become aware of any crime of a severe nature that takes place near campus or at off-campus functions that are sponsored by Pfeiffer.

Notification of campus crime and dissemination of campus security statistics:

1. A log of campus crime will be posted on the campus safety board the first week of every month. This log will indicate what crimes have taken place the month before the posting.  If a crime of a severe nature occurs, a notice will be posted within forty-eight hours after being reported.
2. The Clery information will be disseminated in the following formats:

1. a)    In a complete book with extensive information, including charts and graphs. The book will be given to the president, vice president for institutional research, dean of student development, vice president for academic affairs and the admissions office.
2. b)    In a pamphlet that will be handed out at registration; copies will also be kept in key offices around campus so the community can obtain the information anytime during the year.
3. c)     Safety and statistical information are also located on the Pfeiffer University website (pfeiffer.edu).

When and Why Officers Stop and Question

Sometimes it is necessary for police officers to stop a person and make an inquiry such as:

•  What is your name?
•  What is your address?
•  Do you have any identification?

The Misenheimer Police Department strives to provide service to everyone in the community fairly and equally. This page explains what to expect if a police officer stops you for questioning and also provides some guidelines on how to respond to the questioning process. (This is not a legal advisory.)

Why Questions?

When police officers question a person, there are underlying reasons. They may be checking on a complaint phoned in by someone in the community. They may have received a report of criminal activity, and your presence might indicate that you are a potential witness who could provide valuable information in an investigation. In some cases, an officer may think you are having trouble and need assistance.

The best way for them to clarify the situation is to ask questions. Officers have a responsibility to properly investigate all situations. Their questions are not necessarily an accusation, and your cooperative response can alleviate potential conflict.

If the Police Stop You on the Street

Problems may arise when it appears an officer has stopped to question you for no reason at all. Time may be crucial in investigating a possible crime, and police officers are trained to evaluate a situation and act if they have a reasonable suspicion that you may be involved in an incident. We ask that you cooperate.

Village of Misenheimer Community/Campus Watch Program

In line with the department’s commitment to community-oriented law enforcement, we established a Community Watch Program in the Spring of 2004. To receive more information about community watch, please contact Chief McGinnis.