"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.

Police Protection

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.

Missing Student

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.

Crime Log Information

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.

Sexual Assault

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

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