Crime Awareness College Security Report

College Rules and Regulations Prohibits
Consumption of alcoholic beverages outside the assigned dorm is a violation of the TSTC rules. Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages in TSTC classrooms, surrounding areas and the athletic fields is prohibited

Drug and Alcohol Counseling
Counseling, treatment and rehabilitation programs for drug and alcoholic abuse are available to TSTC students and employees. Contact the TSTC Counseling Office for help.

TSTC College Police/Security Policies
All persons who reside, work, attend college or visit TSTC are responsible for protecting their own property and should take appropriate measures in preventing losses. Section 51.209 of the State of Texas Education Code authorizes the college administration or its designated representatives to refuse admission, or the right to remain at the college, to any person who has no legitimate business with the college community members. The TSTC Police may request proper identification of individuals they encounter at the college, especially those encountered during the late night hours, under suspicious circumstances or in response to reports from the TSTC community members.

 As required by federal law, an annual TSTC Police/Security Report shall be prepared, published and distributed by each college to all employees and students of the college by September 1 of each year. This report shall contain elements specified by the Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act (Public Law 101-542) as amended by the Higher Educations Technical Amendments of 1991 (Public Law 102-26) and the Higher Education Amendments of 1992 (Public Law 102-325). Timely reporting of a crime to the college community shall be decided on a case by case basis due to the nature of the crime. The TSTC President shall notify the college community of reported campus crimes that, in the President’s opinion, constitute a threat to other students and employees. Such notification shall be broad and timely to reduce potential risks at the college.

Students’ Rights
If the victim and perpetrator are TSTC Students, both will be entitled to the same due process and both shall be informed of the outcome of the TSTC disciplinary action. The Dean of Students will have primary authority of the TSTC disciplinary action. The final outcome may include TSTC probation – up to and including suspension from classes, dormitory privileges and the college campus. The TSTC disciplinary action will not have any effect on any pending criminal charges.

Disciplinary Sanction
Complaints and disciplinary action, unless otherwise provided, are considered confidential, and are subject to the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (Public Law 93-389).

Violators of any criminal offenses, including sexual assault, shall be dealt with in accordance with the TSTC disciplinary process as outlined in the TSTC Student Handbook. Sanctions following an appropriate disciplinary procedure, shall include suspension from the college or termination of employment. Disciplinary procedures shall proceed regardless of other possible or pending criminal actions.

The victim and the person accused of the sexual assault shall: (1) be entitled to have an adviser present during any college disciplinary proceeding; and (2) be informed of the outcome of any TSTC disciplinary proceedings Dormitory Students.

Students who report that they are the victims of sexual assault at TSTC may at their discretion, request that the TSTC Housing Supervisor change their on-campus residence assignment for security purposes. The TSTC Housing Supervisor shall make all reasonable efforts to accommodate the student based on the availability of housing units.

Academic Schedule
TSTC students who report that they are the victim of a sexual assault may request, through the Dean of Students, a change in their academic class schedule. These requests shall be accommodated, providing the appropriate class sections are available.

TSTC Crime Prevention
The TSTC Police promote crime prevention through distribution of materials, posters, and presentations geared towards familiarizing students, faculty and staff with their responsibility in reducing crime at TSTC.The TSTC State of Texas certified Crime Stoppers Program assists the students, staff and faculty and TSTC Police in solving crimes that are not committed on this campus. Call 364-4TIP.

The TSTC Police offer several personal, property and vehicle protection programs that will assist all members of the college community.

Self-awareness programs are presented periodically through the efforts of the College Police, Support Services and Student Services. These programs include;

1. Sexual Assault Procedures
2. R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) and 
3. Safety Awareness on Campus.

The following suggested tips, may assist students in preventing or eliminating a criminal offense on campus:

1.  Students must lock their dorms each time they are away from their assigned dorms.
2. Windows must be closed at all times. 
3. Visitors are not allowed after midnight. 
4. Students shall not prop open or in any manner alter a door or window so it will not close properly. 
5. Students should report maintenance deficiencies to the housing office. 
6. A TSTC Night Security Officer patrols the housing area five nights a week, and reports all offenses to a TSTC Police Officer.

Definitions
Sexual Assault: A person may be guilty of a second degree felony if he/she intentionally or knowingly attempts or completes any sexual act as defined by Article 22.011 of the State of Texas Penal Code. These acts include: sex without the consent of another person, by force, through the use of a chemical substance, with a child younger than 17 years of age, or if the victim has a mental defect, does not know that the sexual assault is occurring, or is coerced by a public official, mental health service provider or minister.

Aggravated Sexual Assault: A person may be guilty of a first degree felony if he/she intentionally or knowingly attempts or completes any sexual act, as defined by Article 22.021 of the State of Texas Penal code. These acts include: sex through force that causes serious physical injuries or attempts to cause death by acts or words that places the victim in fear of serious bodily injury; kidnapping or death; use of a deadly weapon during the commission of the crime; using an object to commit the acts; acting against the person’s will; or when the victim is younger than14 years of age, older than 65 years of age, or is incapable of giving consent.

Non-forcible Sex Offense: Any act or unlawful, non-forcible sexual intercourse, including incest and sexual assault of a child and criminal offense of indecency with a child as defined by Art. 21.11 of the Texas Penal Code. Forcible sex offense: Any act directed at another person, forcibly and/or against that person’s will, or not forcible or against the person’s will where the victim is incapable of giving consent, and includes any type of sexual assault with an object and forcible fondling.

Date/Acquaintance Rape: Depending on the criminal evidence and the criminal intent within the act, Date/Acquaintance Rape could fall within either the Forcible or Non-forcible Sex Offenses.

Procedures on Sexual Assault
All victims of any type of sexual assault should immediately report the criminal incident to the College Police Department. After an assault, attempt to gain control of yourself and do not panic! If immediate medical attention is needed, call 911

• Do Not throw any evidence of the crime away
• Leave the crime scene as it is
• Do Not clean the crime scene up
• Do Not Shower or Bathe
• Do Not change clothes or wash the clothing

The TSTC Police Officer must ask several difficult questions. These questions may bring back painful memories, but the questions must be asked. Many times the questions will be asked by a male officer to a female victim. Please, understand the questions are all professional and must be answered as correctly as possible. Attempt to rule out the male/female situation during reporting. TSTC and the College Police Department will at all times, offer assistance in the reporting and in the investigative process as allowed by law, and will offer anonymity if requested.

Counseling Available
If the victim of a sexual offense or any type of violent criminal offense wishes counseling, TSTC counselors are available, and are able to refer the victims of campus crimes to State of Texas and local agencies for further assistance.

Investigation of Offense
All criminal offenses that occur on TSTC property and to TSTC students shall be investigated by the College Police. Periodically, outside law enforcement agencies may be called to assist. All criminal offenses that do not occur on TSTC Property, but are reported to the College Police, shall be reported to the proper law enforcement department. If a victim is in doubt of the proper law enforcement department, the victim should contact the College Police, and they shall contact the proper agency.

Student Right-To-Know & Campus Security Act
It is the policy of Texas State Technical College to fully comply with the published mandates of the Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act (Public Law 101-542), the Higher Education Technical Amendments of 1991 (Public Law 102-26), the Higher Education Amendments of 1992 (Public Law 102-325), and that each operating unit of the System prepare and follow procedures to satisfy the stipulations of the Act, as amended.

Certified Law Enforcement Personnel
The TSTC Police Officers are fully certified State of Texas Peace Officers and have graduated from a Texas Police Academy that has been certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education, and have all the powers and duties of any State of Texas Peace Officer. Jurisdiction of the TSTC Police Officers shall be within any county in which Texas State Technical College has properties. The qualifications and jurisdictional boundaries have been established by the State of Texas Legislature, Education Code, Section 51.203.

Report All Criminal Activities
College crime is a reality. The TSTC Police Department encourages all staff, faculty, visitors and students to become involved in a shared responsibility of the prevention of criminal activity on this campus.

Traffic, suspicious activities and criminal conduct are monitored by the TSTC Police Officers, through vehicle patrol, bike patrol and foot patrol procedures. These patrol officers assist in ensuring the safety and security of students, visitors, staff and faculty.

The TSTC Police Department telephone numbers are located in numerous places within TSTC Property and are readily available in several college handouts and student handbooks.

Contact Numbers
TSTC Police Department –(956) 364-4220 or (956) 873-2677
TSTC Emergency – 9-911
TSTC Crimestoppers – (956) 364-4TIP

The TSTC Police Department encourages all reporting parties to give the following information:

• Your name
• Number of Weapons
• Description of Suspect(s)
• (Sex, Race, Clothing Worn)
• Description of Vehicle
• Vehicle License Plate 
• Location of Incident
• If ambulance is needed
• Type of Incident
• Direction of Travel

If You Are Assaulted
If you are assaulted, contact the TSTC Police Department immediately. As soon as the incident is reported, a search of the campus and general area will be made. At the time of the reporting of the incident remain calm and try your best to give the following information:

• Do you need medical attention?
• Scars, Marks or Tattoos on Suspect
• Suspect's Name (if known)
• Approximate Age of Suspect
• Suspect's Clothing
• Suspect's Build
• Description of Vehicle
• Direction of Travel

TSTC Sexual Assault Policy
Policy: All sexual assaults that occur, whether on the TSTC Campus or off-campus, should be reported immediately to a law enforcement official. The victim should be examined by a medical doctor as soon as possible.

*See TSTC Harlingen Crime Statistics chart.