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Annual Security Report

A Safe Environment

CCU is committed to providing a safe environment for all members of the community. That is why we have created and implemented policies for handling and reporting crimes.

Each year Colorado Christian University publishes crime statistics and University policies in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (“Clery Act”) and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). This report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Colorado Christian University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from university property. The report also includes institutional policies on campus security policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes and other matters.

This report is prepared in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, CCU Campus Security, Human Resource Services, and the Division of Student Life. These entities provide updated information on their educational efforts and programs to comply with the Act. Campus crime, arrest and referral statistics include those reported to the CCU Campus Security Department, designated campus security officials as defined under the Act and local law enforcement agencies. Each year, notification is sent to all enrolled students, faculty and staff. The notification provides information on how to access the Annual Security Report online. The policies in the report and statistics apply to all locations unless otherwise stated.

Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Policies

Campus crime reporting

The University strongly encourages victims and witnesses to report all crimes and incidents to CCU Campus Security, regardless of their nature, as well as to local law enforcement. Crimes occurring on the CCU campus or any of its non-campus properties can be reported in person or by calling CCU Campus Security at (303) 963-3222 at any time. Crimes occurring off the campus should be immediately reported to the Lakewood Police Department at 911 or 303-987-7111 (non-emergency). In addition to the reporting of incidents to Campus Security, the following are designated Campus Security Authorities, to which reports can be made. Information from these reports will also be used for the purpose of making timely warnings of criminal offenses as necessary.

  • Director of Campus Security
  • Vice President for Student Development
  • Dean of Students
  • Director of Residence Life

Confidential reporting

We encourage anyone who witnessed or has been a victim of a crime to immediately report the incident by dialing 911 or for a non-emergency, 303-963-3222 for Campus Security or 303-987-7111 for Lakewood Police non-emergency number. Crimes can be reported on a voluntary, confidential basis for inclusion in the Annual Security Report. CCU Campus Security can file a report on the details of an incident without revealing your identity. The purpose of a confidential report is to maintain anonymity, yet it allows CCU Campus Security to take steps to ensure your future safety and that of others. With such information, the university can keep an accurate record of the number of incidents involving students, employees and visitors and alert the campus community to potential danger if necessary. Reports filed on a confidential basis are counted and disclosed in the annual crime statistics for the university. All licensed mental health professionals and pastoral counselors are encouraged to refer persons they are counseling to report crimes on a voluntary, confidential basis.

Timely warning reports

The Vice President for Student Development or his designee will be responsible for issuing the warning. Notification will be made via text and e-mail through the RAVE Alert System as well as notices posted on campus.

CCU is responsible for issuing timely warnings in compliance with the Clery Act. Timely warning notifications will be issued to the campus community in response to reported crimes committed or actively occurring on campus property or surrounding public property that—in the judgment of the University—constitutes a direct or ongoing threat to students, staff and faculty.

Anyone with information believed to warrant a timely warning should promptly report the circumstances to Campus Security by phone at (303) 963-3222 or in person at the CCU Campus Security Office located in Waite Hall. The Director of Security will consult, as appropriate and necessary, with other University officials regarding whether a timely warning should be issued. The decision to issue a timely warning shall be made on a case-by-case basis after consideration of the available facts, including factors such as the nature of the crime, the continuing danger or risk to the campus community, and the possible risk of compromising law enforcement efforts. Timely warnings are considered for the following classifications of reported crimes: criminal homicide, sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft and arson. Timely warnings may also be issued for other reported crimes as deemed appropriate under the circumstances. The decision will be made in compliance with the Clery Act and in an effort to prevent similar crimes from occurring.

When a determination is made that a timely warning should be issued, CCU Campus Security and the Student Life Office will take appropriate steps to ensure timely notification of the campus community. Options for notification include, but are not limited to, the University’s mass notification system, RAVE ALERT (text messages and e-mails); campus-wide emails; physical postings on doors and bulletin boards; and connect.ccu.edu. The warnings will include some or all of the following information: the date, time and location of the reported crime; a summary of the incident; a description of the suspect and/or vehicle, if available; and any other special instructions or incident specific safety tips.

To the extent possible, CCU will attempt to withhold any information in the issuance of a timely warning that could be used to identify the victim of the crime. However, some potentially identifying information (e.g., the exact location of the crime, a general description of the victim) may need to be released in order to inform members of the campus community in such a way that they can take adequate steps to protect themselves.

Campus security jurisdiction

CCU Campus Security Guards are not sworn officers and do not have arrest authority, however the University enjoys a working relationship with the Lakewood Police department which is located just about a mile away from the main campus. Lakewood police officers are hired to be a presence on campus daily and assist in any situation. The CCU Security Guards and Lakewood police officers proactively patrol the campus.

Access to security of campus facilities and residence halls

The CCU campus is located within the City of Lakewood and, as such, is generally open to the public. Except as restricted in individual cases, the academic and administrative buildings are open to the public, at a minimum, during normal business hours. Most facilities are locked at 10:00 p.m. each night, but may vary at different times of the year. Access to these buildings is also controlled by a key after normal business hours. Security Guards patrol the academic and administrative buildings on a regular basis. Access to residence halls is restricted to residents, their approved guests and other approved members of the university community. CCU has 7 residence halls on the campus. All living units are apartment style and accessed via a hallway or stairwell. The only exception to this is Yetter Hall which has one entrance which is locked at 10:00 p.m. Residents gain entry by using their physical key or by using their student ID card (Yetter). Residents are urged to deadbolt doors and are not allowed to prop open doors. CCU Security Guards and the Resident Assistants patrol the residence halls on a regular basis. Resident Directors, Assistant Resident Directors, and resident assistants also maintain security measures in the halls and work with residents to achieve a community respectful of individual and group rights and responsibilities.

Maintenance of campus facilities

Facilities and landscaping are maintained in a manner designed to minimize the potential for hazardous conditions. The CCU security guards regularly patrol the campus and report malfunctioning lights and other unsafe physical conditions to the Facilities and Grounds Department for correction. Campus lighting typically meets or exceeds the industry standard for pedestrian walkways, and parking lots are well-lit and routinely patrolled by CCU Campus Security. Other members of the university community are helpful when they report equipment problems to the CCU Campus Security Department or Facilities or Grounds Department. An online work order system is available to report any issues.

Missing student notification

Students living on campus who are reported missing for 24 hours will be reported to the Director of Residence Life Dean of Students and Director of Campus Security. Students living on campus have the option of registering a confidential contact person to be notified in case that student is determined to be missing. Law Enforcement will be contacted immediately if the student is determined to be missing after the contact person has been notified or the missing student has not registered a contact person with the University. If the student is less than 18 years of age, the parent or guardian of that student will be notified. Only University officials and law enforcement may have access to this contact information.

Campus safety and security education programs

The Dean of Students and the Department of Resident Life typically address new students in a group setting at least once during New Student Orientation. Topics covered include sexual harassment, personal safety and crime prevention. In addition, new students are provided information regarding sexual misconduct awareness, prevention and reporting of violation through an online training course. Students within the INT 101 class also participate in classes dedicated to the effects of alcohol and marijuana. Resident Assistants are trained each year on all areas of University policies with special attention given to sexual misconduct violations and reporting. Campus leaders are given a refresher course on sexual harassment and sexual assault annually during the Leadership Conference. Throughout the school year, CCU and will occasionally send campus-wide emails to highlight specific safety concerns such preventing bicycle thefts.

Drug and alcohol policies

CCU prohibits the manufacture, distribution, possession, dispersion, sale, offer to sell, purchase, and/or use of drugs (including marijuana) and/or alcohol on the CCU campus, at its offsite locations and at any CCU-sponsored activity. By state law, the possession of alcohol by anyone less than 21 years of age in a public place or a place open to the public is illegal. It is also unlawful to sell, furnish or provide alcohol to a person under the age of 21. The University reserves the right to refer violations of those state and federal laws concerning alcohol and controlled substances to appropriate civil authorities. The Staff, Faculty, and Student Handbooks contain all applicable alcohol and drug policies in full, including sanctions for violations. Students found in violation of the drug or alcohol policy are referred to the drug and alcohol education program provided by the CCU Counseling Department.

Emergency response and evacuation procedures

For all localized campus emergencies, CCU Campus Security serves as the primary responder and will contact the appropriate authorities as needed. If an immediate evacuation is necessary, Residential Life personnel will direct the evacuations in residence halls, while staff members serving as volunteer Emergency Response Coordinators (ERCs) direct evacuations in their individual work areas and faculty members do so in classrooms. Designated evacuation routes for each residence hall building are posted throughout in each room. Additionally, Emergency Response Summaries are posted in each classroom and residence hall apartment. If evacuation is unsafe or not possible, individuals should shelter-in-place.

For large scale emergencies, including fires, hazardous spills, flooding, explosion, and civil disorders, CCU maintains an Emergency Response Plan that describes the campus community's plan to address the emergency. The plan is activated by the University President or designated alternate, who is empowered to declare a “state of emergency,” whenever there is a threatened or actual condition of disaster or extreme peril which cannot be managed by ordinary campus procedures.

Emergency Response Protocols are maintained and updated each year and distributed throughout the University. An Emergency Response Team is identified in the protocols.

Emergency notifications will be issued to the campus community in response to emergencies that, in the judgment of the University constitutes a direct or ongoing threat to students, staff, and faculty. The decision to issue such a notification shall be made on a case-by-case basis after consideration of the available facts, including factors such as the nature of the emergency and the continuing danger or risk to the campus community. A notification may not be issued in the event of an emergency if doing so risks compromising efforts to assist victims or to contain, respond to, or otherwise mitigate the emergency.

When a determination is made that an emergency notification should be issued, CCU will take appropriate steps to ensure timely notification of the campus community. Options for notification include, but are not limited to, the University’s mass notification system (RAVE text messages), campus-wide emails, and physical postings on doors and bulletin boards. Information may also be made available on the University’s main or emergency website. The notifications will include some or all of the following information: the location of the emergency situation; a summary of the incident; and any special instructions or incident specific safety tips. When the emergency has ended and no danger to the campus community remains, notification will be made indicating the steps to be taken prior to resuming normal campus operations. Communication with outside news media will be made by the President’s Office.

Campus safety and security department

CCU Campus Safety recognizes that although students reside on a Christian university campus, we live in a world with very real dangers. CCU Campus Safety personnel have several specific tasks to perform on each tour of duty, and because of this, students are encouraged to think about the well-being of other students whenever possible, while being aware of their surroundings and avoiding unnecessary risks. Should students need a CCU Campus Security escort, they are encouraged to call the Security Guard on duty. Security personnel are available to serve and assist with students’ safety. Students may request that a guard to escort them to their destination rather than walking alone after dark (or anytime there may be a safety concern).

Sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking policies

Standards of conduct

Sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking are serious violations of law and University policy. In addition, they violate the sanctity of the human body and spirit and will not be tolerated within the Colorado Christian University (CCU) community.

Definitions

“Sexual assault” means any offense classified as a forcible or non-forcible sex offense under the uniform crime reporting system of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, including rape, forcible sodomy, sexual assault with an object, forcible fondling, incest and statutory rape.

“Domestic Violence” includes asserted violent misdemeanor and felony offenses committed by the victim’s current or former spouse, current or former cohabitant, person similarly situated under domestic or family violence law, or anyone else protected under domestic or family violence law. DPS and the Wellness Center hold an annual alcohol awareness event on Caf Lane.

“Dating Violence” means violence by a person who has been in a romantic or intimate relationship with the victim. Whether there was such relationship will be gauged by its length, type, and frequency of interaction.

“Stalking” means a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for her, his, or others’ safety, or to suffer substantial emotional distress.

Following a sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking

A victim of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking is strongly encouraged to make a report as soon as possible. Sexual assaults, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking should be reported to the Lakewood Police Department at 911 or (303)-987-7111, CCU Campus Security at (303)-963-3222, or the Dean of Students at (303) 963-3369. University personnel are required by law to assist victims in contacting the appropriate law enforcement authorities if the victim so chooses, though the victim has a right to decline to notify such authorities. Students may also elect to file a disciplinary complaint against the alleged perpetrator by contacting the Dean of Students. Timely reporting of sexual assaults is an important part of preventing the commission of similar crimes by the same individual in the future.

Additionally, it is important to preserve evidence as may be necessary to prove criminal sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking, or to obtain a protection order. To aid in the prompt and accurate collection of evidence following a sexual assault, it is recommended that the victim not shower, wash, or douche; use the toilet; or change clothes prior to medical examination.

Whether or not an individual makes an official report, he or she is urged to seek appropriate help, which may include medical evaluation, obtaining information, support, and counseling, either on or off campus.

University Counseling Services offers free counseling to undergraduate students who are victims of sexual assaults, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking. Appointments can be made by e-mailing ccucounseling@ccu.edu. University Counseling Services is also able to provide referrals for off-campus counseling and health services. Blue Bench a 24 hour Rape Crisis Hotline at (303) 322-7273.

Victims of alleged sexual assaults, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking may request a change of academic schedule, work, residential living, and transportation situations. The University is legally obligated to grant such requests if the changes are reasonably available regardless of whether or not the victim chooses to report the crime to law enforcement.

The University will make a reasonable effort to accommodate orders of protection, no-contact orders, restraining orders, or similar orders issued by a criminal, civil, or tribal court obtained by victims of sexual assaults, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Once obtained, the victim should provide a copy of the order(s) to a University official.

Additionally, the University will make every effort to protect victim confidentiality, including in its keeping of publicly available records, to the extent permissible by law.

Enforcement

Violation of these Standards and Protocols will result in appropriate legal and/or administrative action, up to and including dismissal from the University. Violation of these standards and protocols also may subject the offender to criminal prosecution or third party civil litigation.

A student alleged to have violated this policy may be subject to the Student Conduct Process as set forth in the Student Handbook, even if the violation occurred off campus. Where an allegation involves a University employee, other relevant administrators will also be involved in and/or oversee the enforcement of these Standards and Protocols.

When situations arise which potentially call for conduct actions, the University will do the following to ensure a prompt, fair, and impartial investigation and resolution:

  • Inform the involved parties of the alleged violations of University policy;
  • Offer both parties a fair and reasonable opportunity for explanation;
  • Interview potential witnesses
  • Make determination that the alleged offense occurred based upon preponderance of evidence;
  • Give the accuser and the accused the same opportunities to have others present during proceedings, including the opportunity to be accompanied to any related meeting or proceeding by an advisor of their choice;
  • Inform both the accuser and the accused simultaneously in writing of the outcome of the proceedings, the procedures to appeal the results, any subsequent change to the results before they become final, and when such results become final.
  • Provide an avenue of appeal, when appropriate.

In cases of alleged sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, additional procedures include proceedings conducted by officials who receive annual training on issues specifically related to the above crimes and on how to conduct proceedings that protect victim safety and promote accountability.

At any time, the University may impose such penalties as it concludes are appropriate, ranging from warning to expulsion to termination of employment. Additionally, the University reserves the right to deny re-enrollment to any student if such action is deemed to be in the best interests of the University or the student.

Awareness programs

Each year new students are enrolled in an online training course to provide awareness and education on Sexual Misconduct violations and how to report. A website is also available through the student portal providing information on who to report to and how to get help. An e-mail is sent each semester to the students identifying pertinent policies and the website. Additionally offices around the campus have access to brochures students can pick up to find out how to report a sexual offense.

Annual fire safety report

All of the buildings on the campus of Colorado Christian University are equipped with either smoke detectors, alarm systems or both. West Campus, located at the 9500 block of W. Alameda frontage road, is comprised of four apartment buildings leased by the University. Below is a listing of each housing facility and the type of fire systems equipped in each building.

Harwood and Waite Halls:
  • Smoke detectors in each apartment
  • Fire extinguishers in each stairwell
La Plata, Kit Carson, Red Cloud, and Snowmass Halls:
  • Smoke detectors in each apartment
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Sprinkler systems
  • Pull stations
  • Audible alarms located on each floor
Yetter Hall:
  • Smoke detectors in each apartment
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Sprinkler systems
  • Pull stations
  • Audible alarms located on each floor
West Campus:
  • Smoke detectors in each apartment
  • Fire extinguishers in each apartment
East Campus:
  • Smoke detectors in each apartment
  • Fire extinguishers in each apartment
Kuyper House, Nightingale House, Washington House, Thatcher House
  • Smoke detectors in each house
  • Fire extinguishers in each house

The fire systems on campus are serviced each year by the University fire vendor and inspected annually by the West Metro Fire Department. Fire Drills are held at the beginning of the fall semester and instructions for evacuating the residence halls are on the back door each resident's apartment. Students are not allowed to overload wall sockets and only approved extension cords are allowed. The use of grills, hibachi's or any other open flames devices within 10 feet of Residence Halls is prohibited. Students are reminded not leave electrical equipment unattended and only use those appliances with heating coils, hot plates, and frying utensils and other cooking appliances in the kitchen area. Upon discovery of a fire residents are required to activate the fire alarm (if available) nearest to their point of exit, call 911 and the notify Campus Security. Campus Security will then make proper notifications and the Emergency Alert System will be activated. Residence Hall Staff members undergo training at the beginning of the fall semester regarding use of fire extinguishers, basic fire safety, and evacuation procedures.