"YOUR
RIGHT TO KNOW"
SAFETY
AT JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITYÕS FLORENCE SEMESTER PROGRAM
In compliance with the federal Jeanne Clery
Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998 (formerly the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act
of 1990)
May 1, 2007
Safety in Florence and Palazzo Capponi, the
residential and operating premises of the JMU Masters in European Union
Policy Studies and the Semester in Florence program
is a natural source of concern for parents, students and university employees
alike. Education - the business of James Madison University - can take place
only in environments where students and employees feel safe and secure. JMU
recognizes this and employs a number of security measures to protect the
members of its community.
Although the area has a low violent crime rate,
crime prevention remains a
priority. JMU does its part to
ensure the safety of its students and employees. The local Florentine police
force, a closely screened and well-trained residence life staff, and the
students and employees themselves all share in the responsibility of making Florence
and, more specifically our residential premises, Palazzo Capponi, a safe place
to study, work and live.
Palazzo Capponi is situated just off Piazza Santo
Spirito in the so called Oltrano
district of the city of Florence. The exact address is ( also see map):
Palazzo Capponi
Via dei Michelozzi 2
50125 Firenze
Italy
In Italy there are different types of police all
serving the general public in different ways. Firstly, there are the Carabinieri, the military police, who intervene at all levels in order
to maintain public order. They
respond, very quickly, to all calls made to 112 and their cars or vans (which
are navy blue with a red stripe along the side) can be seen either stationed in
the major squares, piazzas, or
patrolling the streets at intervals both day and night. Naturally, it is better to call them at
the time of the emergency, otherwise, if a student simply needs to make a
police report for insurance purposes, following a theft or loss of personal
possessions, or if a student wants to report a criminal act which has already
taken place then they should go to the central station in Borgo Ognissanti 48,
stating at the entrance that they wish to make a denuncia. Here
students will find English translators who can assist them with their police
statements. Whereas if they go to
a different station they are likely to encounter difficulties with the language
since they will not find an interpreter. Secondly, equally accessible, are the State Police, Polizia
di Stato, who respond to all calls made to
113. Like the Carabinieri they can be seen patrolling the city (in light blue and
white cars) both day and night.
Thirdly, there are the Vigili Urbani or Polizia Municipale, the traffic police, whose responsibility is limited to monitoring
parking and driving and who frequently issue very hefty fines for driving and
parking offences. And fourthly,
there is la finanza, the fiscal police, who are called upon to intervene in all
fiscal matters.
Florence by day is an extremely safe place by any standards. However, petty offences, such as theft,
frequently occur. Florence by
night is less so, due to an increasing tendency to abuse alcohol or consume
drugs, particularly cocaine, both on the part of students attending study
abroad programs and locals, which in turn has led to an increase in the number
of rapes, especially involving foreign students. However, if students stay in groups and moderate their own
behavior problems rarely occur. As always, one should always be vigilant and
take precautions to minimize becoming a victim of a criminal act (for more on
that see the addendum ÒHow
Participants Can Have A Safe Florence SemesterÓ at the end of this
report).
Emergency Telephone Number
At the initial on-site orientation to Palazzo Capponi, each student is provided
with a mobile phone. The numbers for which are then distributed to the Resident
Manager and JMU staff. Students are also provided with pocket-sized laminated cards
which include emergency numbers for JMU staff, an English Speaking Doctor, the
American Consulate, Police, Ambulance and Fire Services. If students should ever find themselves
in an emergency without sufficient credit in their cell phone to make a call
they can digit 4888, before the telephone number of the person they wish to
call, and this will enable them to make a collect call.
Students also are
advised to alert the Palazzo Capponi Resident Manager or the Administrative
Coordinator of any suspicious persons or activities in and around Palazzo
Capponi.
|
Carabinieri
(Military Police) |
112
|
|
Polizia di Stato (State
Police) |
113 |
|
Ambulance |
118 |
|
Fire
Service |
115 |
|
Resident
Manager, Chiara Martinelli |
328 4254937 |
|
Administrative
Coordinator, Claire Stypulkowski |
392
8731231 |
|
Assistant
Director Florence Programs, Caterina Paolucci |
338
3228078 |
|
Director,
Florence Programs, Alessandro Gentili |
329
6940872 |
|
American
Consulate |
055
266951 |
|
JMU
Director of Residence Life |
540-568-6590 |
|
Faculty
in residence from the USA |
011-44-208-883-3189 |
|
Office
of International Programs at JMU |
540-568-6419 |
Security
in University Housing
Overseeing the security of Palazzo Capponi is a full-time, live-in Resident Manager, Chiara Martinelli. She can be contacted by telephone, 328 4254937, or by e-mail at:
martincx@jmu.edu. The generic program e-mail address is: florenceprograms@jmu.edu.
The
e-mail addresses for the other key administrators and support personnel are:
Alessandro
Gentili, Director, JMU Programs in Florence: gentilax@jmu.edu
Caterina Paolucci, Academic Coordinator,
EUPS Program, and Assistant Director, JMU Programs in Florence:
paoluccx@jmu.edu
Claire Stypulkowski, Administrative
Coordinator, JMU Programs in Florence: stypulcx@jmu.edu
Palazzo
Capponi can house a maximum of 36 guests. The sixteen (16) studentsÕ rooms, including one (1) triple and eight (8) doubles, can accommodate a maximum of 25 students. In addition to
the student rooms (located on the first, mezzanine, and second floors) Palazzo
Capponi mantains one (1) apartment and two (2) rooms on the second and third
floor reserved for visiting scholars, faculty and other guests of the
University. Students
are not permitted to entertain overnight guests. Guests are required to vacate
the building by 12:00 a.m.
Our policies prevent Palazzo Capponi from offering
rooms to the general public, thereby minimizing risks to security. During
on-campus and on-site orientations, students are cautioned to abide by the Palazzo
Capponi policies.
ÒNon-Campus AreaÓ Classroom Facilities Remote
from Palazzo Capponi
All MEUPS (Masters in European Union Policy Studies) classes will take place
in Palazzo Capponi. Whereas the two-week
Italian language course will be held at the school of the British
Institute of Florence, Piazza degli Strozzi 2, a ten minute walk from Palazzo
Capponi, just across the river Arno.
Alcohol and Drug Policies
Alcohol
James
Madison University prohibits the illegal or otherwise irresponsible use of
alcohol by students. It is the responsibility of every student to know
the risks associated with alcohol use and abuse. This responsibility
obligates students to know relevant University policies and federal, state, and
local laws and to conduct themselves in accordance with these policies and
laws. JMU students traveling abroad may be studying in countries where
the legal age for alcohol consumption is different than in the United
State. Thus, while overseas, it is the responsibility of the student to
know the relevant country and local laws concerning the possession, use, and
abuse of alcohol. If students who are of legal age choose to consume
alcohol while abroad, they are expected to drink and behave responsibly.
The illegal or excessive consumption of alcohol or misconduct due to alcohol
consumption will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action,
including dismissal from the program and follow-up through the JMU judicial
system.
Many physical and psychological health risks are
associated with the abuse of alcohol and other substances, including the
following:
Staff members at the JMU Health Center and the JMU
Counseling and Student Development Center can provide additional information
about these concerns. More complete information on JMU's substance abuse policy
can be found in the section on "University Policies.Ó
Drugs
Illegal
drug use in any form is not tolerated. JMU students traveling abroad may
be studying in countries where drugs that may be legally possessed and used in
the United States are prohibited by law. Thus, while overseas, it is the
responsibility of the student to know the relevant country and local laws
concerning the possession and use of drugs. Most foreign criminal systems
are considerably less accommodating than those within the United States;
student possession or use of illegal drugs may be punishable by fine,
imprisonment, and/or deportation. Study abroad participants found using
or possessing illegal drugs in any form are subject to immediate dismissal from
the program and/or follow-up through the JMU judicial system.
Prevention Efforts
Students are informed, at their first orientation
session, of JMU's "Right to Know" policy. They are reminded of their
responsibilities in maintaining a safe secure building and premises. Students
are informed about any previous crimes on Palazzo Capponi premises since under
JMU management.
Palazzo
Capponi has an electronic, computer programmed, key access system, which
controls both access to studentsÕ residential quarters and classroom spaces on
the ground floor. Students are
responsible for the safekeeping of their own electronic keys.
Emergencies
Involving Students
Palazzo Capponi is located near Piazza Santo
Spirito (a 25 minute walk or 10 minute cab ride) from the casualty department
(emergency room) of the Santa Maria Nuova Hospital in the cityÕs center, or a
25 minute cab ride to Careggi, which is the main Tuscan University Hospital,
which offers greater expertise in most medical fields and is situated in the
outskirts of the city. If a student requires assistance, they will
be accompanied to the hospital by the Resident Manager or Administrative
Coordinator. In addition, students will have access to Specialists working for
the Misericordia in Vicolo degli
Adimari 1, near to the Cathedral Il Duomo
or an English speaking General Practitioner, Dr Stephen Kerr, in Via Porta
Rossa 1. Assistance will be given
to get appointments for any other specialist treatment which is required.
JMU Florence students can maintain contact with
the home campus of JMU while away through phone, fax and e-mail, and have at
their disposal the normal services on campus, including the JMU counseling
center and the Sexual Assault Education Coordinator. Additionally, the Resident
Manager or Administrative Coordinator on site can arrange access to similar
counseling services in Florence.
If a staff member of the Semester in Florence or Masters
in European Union Policy Studies Program suspects
that a student is missing because they have not attended class or have not been
seen at their place of residence, whether it be in the Palazzo or at their home-stay,
then all possible efforts will be made to locate the student and to determine
his or her state of mind and general well being. If after 24 hours there is still no news from the student
the appropriate police authorities will be notified. If the student is an in-house resident, the police will be
given authorization from the Florence Semester officials to make a welfare
entry into that studentÕs room. Concurrently university officials will endeavor
to determine the studentÕs whereabouts through contact with friends and
associates.
If located, verification of the studentÕs general state
of health will be made as well as their intention of returning to the program. If
requested, or deemed appropriate, a referral will be made to a professional
counselor(s) and/or medical practitioners.
If not located, the family will be notified 24 hours
after the reported disappearance of the student, also to establish if they know
of his or her whereabouts. The Florence Semester staff will, of course, do
everything within their power to cooperate, aid, and assist the police
authorities with their investigations.
All pertinent law enforcement agencies, be they
Italian or otherwise, will be notified and requested to render assistance,
through direct telephone contact or visit, electronic data (teletype) message,
and/or radio transmission with a comprehensive BOL message based on the totality
of up-to-date information.
Upon closure of the investigation, all parties
previously contacted will be advised of the status of the case.
General
Security Procedures
Students will be made aware from their very first
day in Florence that no one is to be admitted into Palazzo Capponi without
prior approval from the Resident Manager or program staff. Officially, the Resident Manager will
be on duty during the normal working hours (9 a.m. - 5 p.m., weekdays).
However, because the manager lives on the premises, students are likely to find
her just about any time, day or night. Alternatively, they can call the Administrative
Coordinator or any other member of staff for verification. However, if in doubt, students will be
asked not to admit the person or persons in question. The Director, Assistant Director and Administrative
Coordinator have office facilities in Palazzo Capponi. And the Assistant Director and
Administrative Coordinator live in Florence, the latter also nearby, and can therefore
be summoned by students in an emergency.
The health and well-being
of all students is one of their primary concerns. Students and visiting faculty will participate in informative
orientation sessions before departing for Florence. Then, during the first few days in Florence, students will
also be informed of personal safety and security issues, Italian legal matters,
emergency procedures and the rules and regulations of Palazzo Capponi and their
home-stay families. Much of this information is included in handbooks prepared
for the students and distributed beforehand. On-site orientation materials will be given to students upon
arrival in Florence, providing additional useful information.
Students will be kept informed of any home campus,
Department of State or U.S. Office of Public Safety notices considered
pertinent while abroad, or which notify them of any adverse events on the main
(US) campus. In such instances, a copy of the notice will be posted at our Florence
facility. The electronic bulletin board is immediately accessible via
computer by all off and on-campus faculty, staff and students.
The requirement for crime log maintenance applies
only to schools and/or branch campuses that feature a campus police or security
department. Palazzo Capponi has neither. Even so, Palazzo Capponi
students (MEUPS and SIF) will be kept aware of
reported incidents on site and in the immediate vicinity by the Resident Manager
and JMU staff.
Timely
Warnings
Depending on the particular circumstances of a
crime, especially in situations which could pose an immediate threat to students
or visiting faculty, the staff at Palazzo Capponi will ensure that all parties
are notified, either by posting on site bulletins in prominent locations in the
building, if the situation is less urgent, or by notifying everyone directly,
via cell phones or in person. Anyone with information warranting a timely warning should
report the circumstances to the Palazzo Capponi staff, by calling any one of
the cell phone numbers provided.
Sex Offender Registry and
Access to Related Information
Italy does not maintain a sex offender registry.
Information about an individual's past criminal history is not made available
to the public at large.
However, the JMU Office of Residence Life Housing
Contract provides for the cancellation of housing contracts for known sex
offenders, or any other convicted person, who is disruptive to the educational
environment of the residence.
Prevention, intervention and education programs
specifically addressing rape, acquaintance rape and other sexual offenses are
regularly sponsored by a variety of organizations at JMU. The JMU Health
Center, Sexual Assault Education Coordinator, Counseling and Student
Development Center and Women's Resource Center present programs throughout the
year in classes, residence halls and student organizations. Programs on sexual
assault occur at least once each semester in all residence halls and the topic
is addressed at freshman orientation. Students are encouraged to attend
on-campus sessions prior to going to Florence.
If a sexual offense should occur while in Florence,
the victim should take the following actions:
á
Get to a safe place
á
If the aggressor is still
nearby, call the police
á
Notify the Resident Manager
or Administrative Coordinator who will come immediately and assist in getting
medical assistance and pharmaceutical protection (to lessen the likelihood of
contracting sexually transmitted diseases) from the main hospital. Upon arrival at the hospital the police
will automatically be notified and female counselors and translators provided
á
However difficult, do not
take a shower, bath or douche after the aggression before going to the hospital.
á
However difficult, again, do
not eat, drink liquids, smoke or brush teeth if oral contact took place before
going to the hospital.
á
Keep the clothes worn during
the offense. If clothes are changed, place clothes in a paper bag (evidence
deteriorates in plastic) and take them with you to the hospital.
á
Do not destroy the physical
evidence that may be found in the vicinity of the crime. If the crime occurred
in the victim's room, the victim should not clean or straighten until the
police have had an opportunity to collect evidence.
á
The Resident Manager or
Academic Coordinator will accompany the student to a later appointment with the
police to make a statement.
á
Try to tell the Resident
Manager or Academic Coordinator as many details of the assault as can be remembered
to help with the translation of your statement.
á
Write down all details remembered as soon as possible.
á
If helpful, contact a friend
or family member.
á
Seek counseling, JMU staff will help to arrange these
appointments with English speakers.
Following an incident, victims are always encouraged
to make a report to local police. If they choose to do so they will be summoned
to appear in court should the aggressor be arrested. The earlier an incident is reported, the easier it is to
collect valuable evidence. If making a report through a professional or
pastoral counselor, victims have the option of keeping their report of sexual
assault in complete confidence, protecting their right to anonymity.
University judicial action, criminal prosecution
and civil suits are all options available to victims of sexual assault. To begin university judicial action,
should the aggressor be a fellow JMU student, the
counselor or victim should contact the university judicial officer to initiate
a complaint. Technically speaking,
the police could so proceed as well, though it is highly doubtful that the
Italian police would do so. During campus judicial proceedings, both the victim
and the accused may be present and may have a counselor, solicitor (attorney)
and/or adviser present to provide support and advice. Both the victim and the
accused will be informed of the results of the proceeding. Sanctions for sexual
assault may range up to and include suspension or expulsion from JMU.
Date rape drugs can be placed in any drink, not
just alcohol. Effects may range from a feeling of well being and short term
memory loss to an apparent aphrodisiac and intoxication effect. Serious adverse
effects can occur such as seizures, insomnia, anxiety, nausea, dizziness,
hallucinations, coma, even death. Some common side effects of these drugs
include a drunken appearance, drowsiness, light-headedness, staggering,
confusion, muscle relaxation and amnesia that lasts up to 24 hours.
If in Florence someone suspects that they, or
someone else, has been drugged and/or assaulted, first they should go to a safe
place, or stay with the person who they suspect of having been drugged, then
they should notify the Resident Manager or Administrative Coordinator
who will accompany the person to the casualty
department (emergency room) of the nearest hospital for immediate treatment and
tests.
Resources
For Support and Assistance
|
Ambulance
Service |
118 |
|
Careggi
Hospital (the leading Tuscan university hospital) |
055
794111 (switchboard) |
|
Dr Alessandro Corsi, Emergency Room, S.
Maria Nuova Hospital |
055
27581 (switchboard) |
|
Dr
Mary Ann Santoro Bellini, Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist |
055
680721 |
|
Artemisia
WomenÕs Shelter - assistance with physical and sexual abuse |
055
602311 |
|
Dr. Maria
Rosaria Di Tommaso (Gynaecologist) |
055 476749 |
|
Center
for Alcohol & Drug Abuse, San Luca at Careggi |
055
7946873 |
|
Alcoholics
Anonymous (St James Church) |
055
710091 |
|
Dr
Di Bernardo – Eating Disorders |
055
221691 |
Silent Witness: If you have any information you feel would be helpful in an
investigation but wish to remain anonymous, you have the option to report it
through Silent Witness at: http://www.jmu.edu/pubsafety/SilentWitness.shtml
Officials with Significant Responsibility for
Student and Campus Activities otherwise known as:
"Campus
Security Authorities"
As
specified in the Clery Act those
considered to be "Campus Security Authorities" are deans
(or other senior student administrative personnel), coaches, Residence Managers;
overseers and advisors to student clubs, organizations, and Greek houses; and
other campus officials having "significant responsibility for student and
campus activities," not just police and/or security officers. All must
report annual campus crime statistics (professional and pastoral counselors
excluded; passages in quotations are taken directly from the applicable Federal
Register)(1).
In
Florence, although the timely reporting of criminal activity to the police is encouraged, in some instances students at
Palazzo Capponi may choose to file a report with the Resident Manager who is
the primary Campus Security Authority for
Palazzo Capponi. By law, James Madison University officials who learn about
sexual assaults, as well as other crimes, will inform the victims that they can
take their complaints to the police. JMU officials will help the victims if
asked to do so. If making a crime report directly to the police the program
participant is encouraged to make a report to a Resident Manager as well.
Crime
statistics are monthly and annually gathered from JMU Campus Security
Authorities, including those in Florence - once the programs are up and running,
via fax, online and campus mail reporting utilizing a report/survey form supplied by
the Clery Act Compliance
Coordinator. Any reportable crime made to a Campus Security
Authority can be immediately transmitted to
the JMU Police via fax machine, e-mail or conventional campus mail.
Other
people holding positions in JMU program considered to be campus security
authorities under the law are the Florence Semester Programs Director
and The Faculty Member(s) in Residence (FMIRÕs).
(1) From page 59063, Federal Register/Vol. 64, No. 210/Monday. November 1, 1999/(Final) Rules
and Regulations: "For example, a dean of students who oversees student
housing, a student center, or student extra-curricular activities, has
significant responsibility for student and campus activities. Similarly, a
director of athletics, team coach, and faculty advisor to a student group also
have significant responsibility for student and campus activities. A single
teaching faculty member is unlikely to have significant responsibility for
student and campus activity, except when serving as an advisor to a student
group. A physician in a campus health center or a counselor in a counseling
center whose only responsibility is to provide care to students are unlikely to
have significant responsibility for student and campus activities."
Policy and Procedures for Developing Information
for this Report
The
offices of JMUÕs Florence Semester, Judicial
Affairs and Public Safety serve as "clearing houses" in the
statistical gathering of crime data from those with "significant
responsibilities for students and campus activities" and reports such statistics
involving pertinent criminal incidents and arrests or referrals gathered from
various "campus security authorities" to the Public Safety office on
a monthly and/or annual basis. The offices of Public Safety and Judicial
Affairs routinely compare and reconcile the gathered information to minimize
multiple postings for the same reported criminal incidents or arrests.
Notice of
Availability of Annual Campus Crime (Your Right to Know) Report
Each year e-mail and conventional mail notification is made
to all enrolled students and employees that provide the web site to access this
report. Availability of the print version is also imparted to the
community through the same means (ÒsummaryÓ statement on a 5Ó X 7Ó mailer card).
Prospective student and employees are informed of the report and how it may be
secured. The report is also made available to the general public upon
request.
Crime
Statistics
Crime statistics for
Florence are not currently available since the Florence program did not attain ÒBranch
CampusÓ status until August 2007.
However, they will be collated, from September 2007 onwards, once the
programs are up and running in Palazzo Capponi, by the Resident Manager, with the
addition of city crime statistics where these are made available by the Authorities.
However a useful website to consult for public safety information is that of
the Italian State Police: http://www.poliziadistato.it/pds/index.html
REPORTABLE
INCIDENTS AND ARRESTS CALENDAR YEAR 2007 (There are no numbers to report as the
Florence program did not attain ÒBranch CampusÓ status until August of 2007)
|
OFFENSE (Mandatory
Reporting) |
YEAR |
ON CAMPUS |
**RESIDENTIAL
FACILITIES (Subset of On
Campus ) |
NON-CAMPUS |
PUBLIC AREAS |
OPTIONAL TOTAL |
|
MURDER / NON-NEGLIGENT MANSLAUGHTER |
2006 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
2005 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
2004 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
NEGLIGENT MANSLAUGHTER |
2006 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
2005 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
2004 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
SEX OFFENSES, FORCIBLE 1 |
2006 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
2005 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
2004 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
SEX OFFENSES, NON-FORCIBLE |
2006 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
2005 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
2004 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
ROBBERY |
2006 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
2005 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
2004 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT |
2006 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
2005 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
2004 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
BURGLARY 2 |
2006 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
2005 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
2004 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT |
2006 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
2005 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
2004 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
ARSON |
2006 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
2005 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
2004 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
LIQUOR LAW ARRESTS 3 |
2006 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
2005 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
2004 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
LIQUOR LAW VIOLATIONS REFERRED FOR DISCIPLINARY
ACTION 3 |
2006 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
2005 |
0 |
0 |