Assault and Violence
UAS does not condone physical acts of aggression (violent or non-violent in nature) between students, faculty or staff. Anyone engaging in such acts will be subject to the appropriate disciplinary and sanctioning process. For most cases of physical assault, the police may be called and offenders will be suspended, expelled, or evicted from student housing. The possibility to remain in student housing will likely be dependent on recommendations from a mental health clinician after a mandatory assessment has been completed.
- Physical Assault: Individuals found to have physically assaulted others with any portion of their body using force, or with the use of inanimate objects, tools, or weapons, will receive discipline sanctions up to legal prosecution and expulsion from the university.
- Domestic/Dating Violence: Violence between partners in family housing, between singles students in a relationship with one another, or violence between members of the same household will be reported to the police and treated as physical assault.
- Stalking: Stalking is a form of criminal violence and will be treated as such. Stalking consists of any unwanted behavior, communication, advances, or presence that the victim is subjected to. It may take the form of a tormentor persistently sending harassing emails or Myspace/Facebook messages, following a victim or waiting for him/her outside of buildings and classrooms, or constantly being in the presence of the victim, who has expressed a desire not to be in proximity of the tormentor, among other behaviors. Like in cases of harassment, victims should clearly state their discomfort with the tormentor’s presence and their unwillingness to engage in a relationship or interaction with that person. Continued conscious efforts to be a harassing presence should be reported to residence life staff immediately.
Abuse and Neglect
Abuse and neglect of children, elders, incapacitated individuals, or other dependents considered not to be able to physically defend themselves or to adequately care for themselves will not be tolerated. Abuse refers to any form of physical maltreatment, and neglect refers to knowingly or carelessly leaving these individuals unattended. Abuse and neglect of children, elders, or others will be reported to the police and/or social services.
Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct
Sexual assault is defined as sexual contact (touching of a person’s intimate parts or penetration of a person’s intimate parts) if any of the following circumstances exist:
- Force or coersion is used to accomplish the sexual contact without the person’s consent.
- The victim is mentally incapacitated by being rendered temporarily incapable of appraising or controlling his/her conduct due to the influence of alcohol, other drugs or other substances to that person with or without their consent.
- The victim is physically helpless by being unconscious, asleep or for any other reason is physically unable to communicate unwillingness to act.
- The actor knew or should have known that the victim was mentally incapacitated or physically helpless.
Sexual misconduct is defined as the intentional touching of a person’s intimate parts or the clothing covering the immediate area of a person’s intimate parts without their consent.
NOTE: The use of alcohol or other drugs will not be considered a defense.
Personal Safety
Members of the student housing community are expected to act with respect and consideration for the rights, privileges and sensibilities of others. Actions that in any way threaten or endanger the personal safety or security of others will not be tolerated. The following offenses will be regarded as extremely serious:
- Deliberate participation in a riot or general disturbance which threatens the safety or seriously threatens the property of either campus community members or townspeople.
- Intimidation by violence, a threat of violence, or property damage or that which seeks to interfere with the free expression of ideas or attempts to punish such free expression.
- The possession, storage or use of firearms/weapons or ammunition or any explosive or incendiary device (including firecrackers and other fireworks) on campus.
- The use or threatened use of weapons or objects capable of being used as weapons.
- Any physical assault committed in the course of any university function or activity or on the premises of the university.
- Any other act that seriously endangers human life or threatens serious physical or psychological injury.
Hazing
Recognizing that the physical and psychological well-being of members of the UAS residential community need to be safeguarded and that interference with any person’s academic pursuits needs to be avoided, UAS prohibits any hazing of an individual in any activities pursued by any university organization, campus group, or individual.
Hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created, whether on or off university premises, which produces mental, emotional or physical discomfort, harassment or ridicule, or which prohibits persons from meeting academic or other personal obligations to the best of their abilities.
The interpretation of this definition is to include, but not be limited to the following: paddling; creation of excessive fatigue; restraining people against their will; physical and psychological shocks; public displays which are unreasonably disruptive to other members of the campus and/or public; wearing publicly costumes which are conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in compulsory public stunts, buffoonery, morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; forced ingestion of any substance (particularly alcohol); and any other activities which are not consistent with the policies or regulations of the University of Alaska Southeast.
Walk-ins, captures and rip-offs shall not be allowed on or off campus. Any violations of this policy will follow standard disciplinary procedures set forth in the Residence Life Handbook. Individual students or groups who violate this prohibition against hazing will have their cases heard by the Residence Life Manager or the Campus Judicial Officer because violations of the Anti-Hazing Policy may result in the suspension of individuals or organizations.
Theft and Vandalism
Members of the UAS Student Housing community are expected to act with consideration for the property of the university and of individual persons. The following offenses are regarded as serious:
- Willful or careless misuse, damage or destruction of the property of others or of the university, including the deliberate defacement of materials, buildings, sidewalks, walls, equipment, decorations, trees and landscaping, or furnishings. The penalty for willful or careless damage will ordinarily include charges for replacement or repair plus disciplinary action.
- The deliberate setting of unapproved fires, including bonfires, on university property, even where human life is not deliberately endangered.
- Theft or unauthorized borrowing or conspiracy to commit theft. While the university does not assume responsibility for losses incurred by students which may result from vandalism or theft, it will support actions taken against those persons responsible for such activities whether such action is commenced through the campus judicial system and/or by the local police.
Personal belongings of students are not covered under the university insurance policy. The institution assumes no responsibility for personal property that is damaged or destroyed by theft, vandalism, fire, smoke, rain, snow, ice, wind, hail or water. Students are encouraged to check with their homeowner’s insurance as to whether their belongings are insured. It is recommended that students provide their own renter’s insurance to protect their belongings in the case of damage or theft.
The University of Alaska Southeast is in full compliance with Section 485f of the Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act of the Federal Government and annually makes available statistical information on campus crime.
