A compilation of crime statistics for the fall semester of 2001 shows that PSC students are involved with significantly less crime and policy violations than previous years. The total number of violations on campus in the fall semester of 2000 alone reached 437, but this past fall held only 242 violations campus wide, a considerably lower number than any of the previous six years.
Although several factors have led to the decrease in crimes and policy violations, the campus Judicial Office and Campus Police believe that the attacks of September 11 had an effect campus wide in creating less violations and more understanding. “I think 9/11 has had a sombering effect on the student body and people’s attitudes toward one another,” said Tim Keefe, Associate Dean for Student Affairs. Keefe believes that the tragedies of the terrorist attacks have fostered a strong environment for education and awareness, as well as a stronger sense of camaraderie throughout the school.
Other colleges, however, have had contradicting views, claiming that the events of September 11 led to more crime and vandalism, but Keefe believes PSC has used said events to help us grow stronger. “One of the great things about Plymouth is that we have a continuous education of our students along with a strong student body.” He claims that such characteristics have provided an opportunity for fostering a tight community.
Along with the events of September 11, other factors have been introduced to the judicial program that have helped to decrease the number of violations, particularly those involving alcohol or the abuse of other substances. One change the college has recently made was the decision to send letters home to the parents of students who have violated certain policies or laws pertaining to alcohol or drug use. The letter is a general statement informing parents that their son or daughter has violated a school policy and it is in that student’s best interest to have a constructive dialogue with a parent or other trusted family member. Although this method of sanctioning has been seen as a deterrent, statistics have shown that students who have violated such policies rarely repeat their actions after conversing with someone close to them. The school also engages parental interest by attaching a survey to the letter to learn if parents find the letters effective and necessary. The surveys have shown that parents are strongly in favor of being informed of their sons or daughters misdoings while at PSC.
Another program that has led to the decrease of crime and violations on campus is an alcohol awareness program called On Campus Talking About Alcohol (OCTAA), which every student who has violated alcohol policies is required to attend. OCTAA, a 12-hour course and open to anyone, discusses the negative effects of alcohol abuse. The student attending the course does have to pay a $100 fee. According to Keefe, students who take the course once usually gain enough insight to keep them from violating policies in the future. It is a reactive course that helps to students to see the errors in alcohol use instead of preaching about them.
Keefe believes that taking an educational role in dealing with alcohol and other violations is far more effective than preaching. “People don’t listen when they’re being preached to,” he says. But he does agree that providing education about myths, facts and social norms will help to modify behavior.
One organization on campus that has had a strong effect on reducing crime and violations is Campus Police. According to Sergeant Michael Clark, the campus police force has been working to prevent crime, as always, and educate students as much as possible. “I think it’s visibility and education that’s made a difference,” says Clark. “Officer Mike Barney has been meeting with sports teams, keeping them informed of campus policies, and we’re keeping in contact with students all over campus.”
Two changes that Campus Police have made are the additions of the Silent Witness Program and the TIPS Hotline. Programs like these have helped to remove the negative feeling that one person is “ratting” another student out. Both programs have been well received and effective so far this year. “With programs like this you’re not turning someone in,” says Clark, “but you’re letting the police know if there’s something bad happening in the area where you live that might make you fee unsafe.”
Also joining the efforts of campus police is the Chemical Health Advisory Taskforce (CHAT). CHAT is an organization designed to increase awareness of substance abuse on campus, and educate students about the harmful effects and consequences that can follow alcohol and drug use. According to Keefe, and organization such as this benefits the school because it educates students, establishes policies and enforces those policies, though awareness is the main goal. Throughout their efforts, CHAT has hosted two focus groups of PSC students: one that has interacted with the college judicial system, and one that has not. The results have found many students are becoming more aware of the campus policies and abiding by them, making the campus more attractive. “More students seem like they want to be here,” says Keefe. “Students are becoming more intolerant of other students involved with substance use, abuse and vandalism.”
All of the efforts combined in conjunction with the tragedies of September 11th have led to an overall trend of good behavior that has spread among most students. Some officials fear that this trend could reverse itself at anytime, but the Judicial Office and Campus Police have high hopes in that the trend will continue in its current direction. Both offices, along with others around campus, will continue doing what they can to keep the crime statistics low. “The important thing is when things are getting out of control and we see people behaving well, that we notice that and give them praise,” states Clark. The school has moved away from traditional forms of sanctioning and into a more educational, reactive approach.
“We’re a campus that likes to engage each other in dialogue,” says Keefe. “One of PSC’s strengths has always been strong relationships with students, faculty and the town.”