Campus Life Links
Residence Halls
Student Handbook
Emergency Information
Hurricane Preparedness Information
Campus Security
Student Services

Crime Statistics

Any member of the campus community or anyone interested in employment or enrollment may pick up a copy of the most current statistics in the security office, located on the first floor of Russell West.  Updates may be obtained by calling the Director of Security at 863-7102.

THIS REPORT IS PUBLISHED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE STUDENT
 RIGHT TO KNOW AND CAMPUS SAFETY ACT OF 1998.

Maintaining a Safe Environment on Campus

Providing a safe and secure environment in which to learn and grow is the goal of our campus security operation.  The mission of the university, “Promoting Academic Excellence in a Christian Environment,” presents a unique challenge to our security operations.  Meeting the needs of our students, upholding mission of the university, providing for a high degree of safety, and handling the increasing number of services needed on campus is our challenge.

Security at CSU is served by a combination of university and contract security officers supplemented by student security aids.  The university is licensed by the state of South Carolina as a “Premise Security Operation.”  Under this license university officers and contract officers have full police powers on campus, including the power of arrest.  Student security aids monitor, observe and report; they have no other authority.  In addition, the university maintains a close relationship with city, county, and sate police agencies.  These agencies are always available to assist university security through the countrywide 911 system. 

Our primary police agency is the North Charleston Police Department.  We work closely with them in matters of a criminal nature, they patrol our campus, assist us with traffic events, and conduct speed monitoring on campus. 

Emergency Quick Links CSU Crime Report Crime Statistics Fire Safety General Safety Information

The following report will give the campus community an update on the general status of our security operations:

GENERAL SECURITY OPERATIONS

1. Three uniformed female officers patrol the halls in addiction to the stationary residence hall security persons and exterior patrols throughout the female residence halls.
2. A campus wide 20# emergency phone system is active.  The phone is answered at the switchboard from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and by radio telephone to the patrol security officer from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.  Off campus persons may access the same system by dialing 553-5896.
3. Student security workers are posted in the evening at each computer lab, the library, Little John Parlor, and all other social/study lounges.  They are available to serve as escorts for anyone throughout campus.  Escorts may be obtained by calling 20# or 553-5896.
4. Security officers are available at all times to provide escorts.
5. Eight emergency phones have been installed throughout campus.  One each at University Park, outside the gym, the south end of Russell West, parking lot side of Wingo Hall, the Art lab, Hunter Reception Center, Quad III parking lot side, and the library parking lot side.
6. Another service is anytime 911 is called, the on duty officer receives a beep notifying them of the room that initiated the call.
7. Residence Life Coordinators (radio equipped) and Resident Directors (radio equipped) make regular rounds and check all security and work study stations.
8. Students are instructed in the use of the 20# emergency number to reach security.  First floor residents are reminded of the importance of keeping windows shut and locked at all times.
9. All vehicles or persons on campus after residence hall closings are monitored for suspicious behavior.  These persons and vehicles are subject to being stopped and questioned by security.
10. Radio dispatched, professional, uniformed security officers are present in all residence halls, classroom, gym, and parking lot areas during evening hours.
11. Campus road patrol is handled by two marked patrol vehicles operating on overlapping patrols through the parking lots and around the exterior of women’s halls, and one unmarked vehicle used by the director for periodic unscheduled patrols at night.  Additionally, our campus is patrolled periodically by the North Charleston Police, the Charleston County Sheriff, and the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
12. Persons not having business with the university, or non-students found on campus will be escorted off the premises anytime their presence is deemed unacceptable.  Members of the campus community are encouraged to report such persons immediately by pressing 20# on any campus phone.

SECURITY AWARENESS INFORMATION PROGRAMS

There is no better deterrent to crime than an informed and educated public. Each year the office of residence life in cooperation with campus security produces a variety of educational programs aimed at giving each CSU family member as much information as he or she desires. These programs cover a variety of topics such as: dangers of the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs, self-defense tactics, residence hall security measures, office safety and security, classroom safety, fire prevention, personal safety measures, dangers encountered in dating and other social activities and many more. These programs are seminar type and allow each person to interact with the group in an atmosphere of free discussion. The “Buc In Print” will have the dates and times of these programs. You may also check with your RA or the housing and security office.


SEXUAL ASSULT INFORMATION

Charleston Southern University is committed to maintaining a Christian environment for work, study, and social activities. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law the University prohibits any member of the faculty, staff, administration, student body, or visitors to campus, whether they be guests, patrons, independent contractors, or clients, regardless of sex of the other party, from sexually assaulting/harassing any other member of the University community. Reports of sexual harassment will be met with appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University. For more information consult the Charleston Southern Handbook or stop by the campus safety office for a complete copy of the policy.

OPERATION I.D.

All members of the campus community are encouraged to mark their valuables. Items such as radios, tape players, computers, stereos and televisions are easy to steal and hard to trace. Engraving an identifying code (Driver's License # is recommended) on these items makes it easier to trace items if they are stolen. Persons wishing to do so may engrave their own items with engravers available in the housing and security office or may call to make an appointment for someone to come to their room or office to do the engraving.

CAMPUS WATCH

Each member of the campus community is encouraged to take responsibility for assisting in making the campus as safe and secure as possible. To assist in this effort the university has established a 24-hour emergency number. Anyone who notices anything out of the ordinary, anybody acting in a suspicious manner, or any unsafe or dangerous conditions is asked to call 20# from any campus phone (*81 from pay phones) to alert the security officer on duty.

CAMERAS

We have installed video surveillance in a variety of areas throughout campus.  The initial main thrust has been the Quads and surrounding areas as well as various high traffic areas.

DORM SAFETY

This year we added hall locking doors in Russell West, Russell East, Women’s North, and Women’s South.  This includes a FOB system for limited student access.

CRIME STOPPERS

In an effort to ensure that CSU remains crime free, the housing and security departments have established the Campus Crime Stoppers Program. Call 863-7175 to leave an anonymous tip about a crime, or you may submit an anonymous tip through our campus website.

VEHICLE REGISTRATION

All motor vehicles driven on campus are required to be registered with the security office. Campus community members are encouraged to keep their cars locked at all times and call for an escort should they feel the need. These services can be obtained by calling 20# or asking the nearest security patrol, student patrol or escort officer.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG POLICY

Being under the influence of, possessing, selling, using, distributing or knowingly being in the presence of alcoholic beverages, narcotics, marijuana, stimulants, hallucinogens, or other similar drugs and/ or chemicals or possessing the paraphernalia associated with these substances on campus or at university sponsored events is strictly prohibited.


CONCEALED WEAPON LAW AND HOW IT APPLIES TO CSU

South Carolina passed a concealed weapons law allowing persons to carry concealed weapons with the proper permits. However, state law still prohibits the possession of concealed weapons on any college campus. CSU policy is NO weapons on campus, except by sworn police officers. This applies to faculty, staff, students and visitors.