Alcohol and Other Drug Issues

The Fredonia State Campus is concerned about the impact of alcohol and other drugs on the health and safety of all members of the campus community. The College complies with federal, state and local laws including those which regulate the possession, use and sale of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances. The following represents the drug and alcohol policies of SUNY College at Fredonia:

On the College premises or at college-sponsored activities, the following are prohibited:

• Distribution, possession, or use of any illegal drug or controlled substance:
• Providing alcoholic beverages to individuals under 21 years of age or possession of alcoholic beverages by individuals under 21 years of age:
• Illegal possession of an open container of an alcoholic beverage, public intoxication, driving while intoxicated and drinking alcoholic beverages in an unlicensed public place.

The Alcohol and Drug Policy details offenses and discipline for students – including probation, suspension or dismissal from the college for such acts.

The College at Fredonia Counseling Center and the Student Health Center provide assessment and assistance to students. Educational programs addressing alcohol-related and drug-related issues are co-sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs, Residence Life, Department of University Police, Counseling Center, Student Health Center, and by several student organizations.

Although alcohol is often viewed as a "social lubricant," it can quickly deteriorate social relations, as well as have other consequences. Some of the consequences include: increased risk of accidents, homicide, suicide, physical injury, sexual assault and psychological and behavioral problems. This is in addition to the legal, health and academic risks of abuse. These same risks hold true for alcohol or drug impaired faculty and staff.

If you decide to drink, some of the following tips may help prevent problems.

• Remember that the legal drinking age is 21. Underage drinking puts you at risk for sanctions.
• Set your own alcohol limit and stick to it. Pace your drinking.
• Designate a non-drinker in your group. This person can watch out for potential problems, including excessive drinking.
• Don’t leave your group of friends, and don’t put yourself at risk by leaving with a new acquaintance.
• Monitor your drinking at all times. Do not drink "punches" or other drinks that you did not see made. Discard your drink if it has been left unattended for any length of time.
• Consider your use patterns.

Problem Use: A Personal Checklist

Others can help you make decisions about your use, but the real responsibility is yours. As a start, answer the following questions for yourself:

*Do I drink/use drugs to warm up for social events?

• Do I ever regret what I did or said while under the influence?
• Has my use ever affected my job, course work or other responsibilities?
• Have others expressed concern about my use?
• Do I get drunk/high when I intended to stay sober?
• Do I have to drink/use more to get the same high that I used to?
• Do I have trouble remembering what happened when I drink/use?
• Do I feel uncomfortable if alcohol/drugs aren’t available at events?
• Do I drink/use after a disappointment or a difficult time?

If you said yes two or more times, there may be a cause for concern. You may wish to seek assistance from the Counseling Center. If you are concerned about a friend or loved ones use, the same questions also apply.

Getting a Person to Seek Help

Alcohol/Drug abuse is often characterized by denial; here are a few hints for getting the message across:

• Talk with the person when they are sober
• Give facts, not lectures
• Do not make or accept excuses for drug affected behavior
• Identify benefits of seeking help, and the consequences of not seeking help
• Show honest concern and patience
• Be prepared with information and referrals
• Seek assistance in helping this person
• Do not rescue, let the person clear up his/her own mistakes, and assume responsibility for their drinking/using behavior.

Domestic Violence

If you have been battered, shoved, or physically abused in any way, IT IS A CRIME. Unreasonable jealousy or distrust, verbal abuse and the destruction of property are all symptoms of domestic violence. The College has Counselors in the Counseling Center who will assist, as well as the University Police Department.

What You Can Do

To prevent the escalation of violent incidents, every member of the campus community should learn how to recognize and report behavior that could lead to violence. If you are the victim of an assault, or of a direct threat, you should report the incident to the University Police Department and to your supervisor, or another College Official. The person to whom you make the report should take immediate steps to ensure your safety and address the problem behavior. The University Police may take a report, or arrest the responsible individual if a crime has been committed.

*Do not ignore or down play direct or indirect threats, as they could escalate into serious incidents.

Harassing and Threatening Phone Calls

Anyone can be the victim of harassing, annoying, obscene or threatening phone calls. These may include random calls by pranksters, calls at hours when you are sleeping, frequent pointless calls or those where the caller says nothing, obscene calls, calls from former romantic interests, or calls where some threat is made against you, those you live with or your property.

These calls are intended to upset you, either for revenge or to gratify the caller’s personal urges. Most can be prevented or avoided by learning and using some simple techniques to decrease your potential for victimization.

 

• Your telephone is for your personal use and service. Hang up if the caller doesn’t speak or if you simply don’t feel comfortable talking to the caller.
• Ask for the caller’s identity or affiliation. If the caller makes an improper response or does not respond immediately, Hang Up!
• Some "silent" callers are looking for a response and may want you to become angry or scared. Don’t give them the satisfaction.
• If the caller asks "who is this?" or "what number have I reached?" DON’T ANSWER. Instead ask, "Whom do you want?", "What number did you call?" If the call is not legitimate, that will probably end it. Don’t give out any information to anyone you don’t positively recognize or who fails to give you satisfactory ID or affiliation. If the caller asks for your roommate, simply say that you will be happy to take a message. Under no circumstances should you give the names of others living with you to someone who doesn’t already know them.
• If a caller persists after you have made it clear you do not want to talk to them, the simplest response is to hang up. Remember, don’t speak unless you want to, don’t give out any information and do not respond to questions if you do not know the caller.

REMEMBER: CALL University Police IMMEDIATELY AND REPORT THE HARASSING CALL!

Hate Crimes

Specific guidelines for Hate Crime determination are:

• The Hate Crime must involve a specific target, such as an individual residence, house of worship, religious or ethnic organization or business.
• Graffiti must be racial, ethnic, religious, or homophobic in nature, such as swastika, KKK, Nazi, or other Hate Group symbols or slogans, or involve the use of epithets.
• Bigotry must be the central motive for the attack, rather than economics, revenge, etc. as in other kinds of crime.
• Any assault against a person, in the absence of other apparent motivation, when initiated with racial, ethnic, religious, or homophobic epithets, will be considered to be a Hate Crime.
• Vandalism to a house of worship, or ethnic, religious, Gay or Lesbian organization will be considered a Hate Crime in the absence of evidence of other motives.
• Obscene or threatening phone calls, when containing racial, ethnic, religious or homophobic slurs, are considered Hate Crimes when it is determined that hate is the primary motivation for the call.
• Call University Police immediately if you think you have been the victim of a hate crime.

Weapons Possession

The unapproved possession, use or sale of firearms, ammunition, fireworks, major or minor explosives or any lethal weapon is forbidden and subject to college discipline as well as to criminal sanctions.

Acquaintance Rape

One out of six college women will be sexually assaulted this year. Freshman women are especially at risk. Men can also be sexually assaulted, and men sometimes feel pressured into sexual experiences they don’t want. One out of fifteen male college students reports committing rape or attempting it. Most of the time, the victim is another student. The vast majority of rapes and sexual assaults involve two people who know each other, who trust one another.

• Believe in your own right to set limits on sexual behavior. If you feel confused about what you want, insist on "time out" to think and talk about what you do or don’t want.
• Communicate clearly and assertively. Being very polite or soft spoken and smiling may be taken to indicate that your NO doesn’t really mean NO, or that you can be easily bullied. Be straight-forward and firm.
• If you begin to feel uncomfortable with someone, trust yourself. Speak up, and get to a place where other people are around.
• Remember that alcohol and drugs make it much harder to think clearly, to communicate assertively, and to control one’s own or another person’s behavior.
• Remember that consent is NOT the absence of NO. Consent is a clear, unambiguous YES.

Definitions

Forcible Rape

Sexual Intercourse agains another person with force or against the person's will, or where the victim is legally incapable of giving consent.

Vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse OR vaginal or anal penetration with an object other than genetalia.

Forcible Fondling

Touching the private parts of another forcibly or agains the person's will or without legal consent as above

Non-Forcible

Incest and Statutory Rape

If You Are Raped or Sexually Assaulted:

• Get to a safe place as soon as you can.
• TRY TO PRESERVE ALL PHYSICAL EVIDENCE. Do not wash, use the toilet or change clothing, if you can avoid it. If you do change clothes, put all clothing you were wearing at the time of the attack in a paper bag, not plastic.
• CALL THE CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY HOTLINE FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND RAPE CRISIS (1-800-252-8748). On the telephone or in person, a trained volunteer can provide emotional support, help explain your options and, if you like, accompany you in reporting to the police, having evidence taken at the hospital, and so on.
• GET MEDICAL ATTENTION as soon as possible. A medical examination will provide any necessary treatment and collect important evidence. Injuries may not be immediately apparent.
• CONTACT University Police by calling 673-3333. On campus, a blue light emergency telephone will connect you directly with University Police.
• TALK WITH COUNSELORS who will maintain confidentiality and who can assist you with your long-term emotional recovery. While talking with a counselor about one’s feelings can be difficult work, it is one of the best ways to come to terms with what has happened and learn to feel strong and whole again.
• CALL A SEXUAL ASSAULT ADVISOR. The college has a specially-trained group of professional staff members who are able to help you understand your options regarding medical attention, legal implications and college disciplinary actions if another student is involved. A complete list of these resource persons and their telephone numbers is provided on the following page.
• CONTACT SOMEONE YOU TRUST, a close friend or a resident assistant, to be with you and support you.

What Police Will Want to Know When You Call

University Police need to know basic information about the crime. Expect to hear these types of questions:

WHERE ?

• Where are you now?
• Where did the crime happen?
• If the suspects are gone, where did they go? In what direction?
• Did they use a car or some other transportation? Did you get a license number?

WHAT?

• What exactly happened or is happening? Describe the situation in complete detail.
• What are the suspect’s physical characteristics (race, sex, height, weight, hair color, etc.)? What was the suspect wearing?

WHEN?

• When did the crime happen? Is it still in progress?

WHO?

• Who are you? What phone number are you calling from?

Past Abuse

Many individuals experience sexual assault and don’t tell anyone about it at the time of the incident. If you were victimized weeks ago or even years ago, assistance is still available. Talking with someone now may help you cope better with abuse from the past, whether it was rape, child sexual abuse, incest or sexual harassment.

Male Victims

While most victims of sexual assault are women, some men are also victims. Male victims at Fredonia can receive the same service as women. Emotional support, options counseling, and medical treatment are available to assist all of those recovering from sexual assault.

Resources

ON-CAMPUS EMERGENCY……………………………………………………673-3333 or 911

OFF-CAMPUS EMERGENCY………………………………………………….911

MEDICAL TREATMENT:

Health Center……………………………………………………………………673-3131
Hours: Monday-Friday – 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Saturday – Noon-4:00 p.m.
Brooks Memorial Hospital Emergency Room……………………………………366-1111

ON-CAMPUS POLICE AND OTHER POLICE INFORMATION:

On-Campus: University Police…………………………………………………….673-3333
Off-Campus: Fredonia Police……………………………………………………679-1531

COUNSELING AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT:

Counseling Center………………………………………………………………………...….673-3424
Hotline for Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis…………………………………....1-800-252-8748

STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICE:

Vice President – Dr. David Herman.……………………………………………………….673-3271
Assistant V.P. – Monica White………………………………………………………….673-3271

SEXUAL ASSAULT ADVISORS:

Leanna Jardin……………………………………………………………………………....673-3424
Ann McCarron Burns………………………………………………………………………673-3333

Medical Treatment

It is important to seek immediate and follow-up medical attention for several reasons:

• To assess and treat any physical injuries you may have sustained.
• To determine the risk of sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy and take appropriate medical measures.
• To gather evidence which would aid criminal prosecution.

Physical evidence should be collected immediately, ideally within the first 24 hours. It may be collected later than this, but the quality and quantity of evidence may be diminished.

Immediate Emergency Services

A special hospital exam is performed by an emergency department physician or gynecologist. A nurse is present throughout the procedures, and a support person of your choice also can be present. The Hotline for Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis can provide a support person. Students can receive the exam at Brooks Hospital. The hospital emergency departments follow national standards for victim care, rape exams and evidence collection procedures.

Transportation

University Police is available to transport sexual assault victims to the hospital if necessary. To arrange transportation, call the University Police dispatcher and indicate your need for immediate assistance.

Reporting to University Police

Immediately following an incident, call the University Police office at 673-3333. To report an incident at a later date, call the University Police office at the above number.

Reporting to the University Police office helps:

• Protect yourself and others from future victimization.
• Apprehend the alleged assailant.
• Maintain future options regarding criminal prosecution, University disciplinary action, and/or civil actions against the perpetrator.

When you report the incident, a University Police Officer will take a statement from you regarding what happened. You will be asked to identify or describe the alleged assailant(s). You may be asked questions about the scene of the crime, any witnesses, and what happened before and after the incident.

University Police will take a written report which will be important to you in case you wish to bring charges, immediately or at a later date. Your identity can be kept confidential.

Counseling and Emotional Support

ON-CAMPUS

The Counseling Center can be reached at 673-3424 during regular office hours. The Counseling Center staff also maintains an on-call schedule for emergencies and may be reached through the University Police office (673-3333). Counselors in this office are available to assist in a crisis situation and to provide you with information about your options including medical assistance, psychological counseling, college disciplinary actions, and legal prosecution.

These counselors can provide safe, confidential support for you during this difficult period. They can inform you of common reactions to crisis and discuss coping methods that may assist you immediately following the assault and later. Talking about your concerns with one of these counselors may help you sort through feelings and decide what to do.

You do not need to disclose your name if you call the Counseling Center for information. Counselors will not reveal your identity to anyone without your permission.

The Sexual Assault Advisors, listed on the previous page, also can provide important emotional support and understanding of available options.

Chautauqua County Hotline for Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis

Trained volunteer counselors can provide information and confidential options counseling to those who have been sexually assaulted. The Hotline also provides support groups for survivors of sexual assault. They can be reached at 1-800-252-8748.

Rape Trauma Syndrome

Many rape and sexual assault survivors endure long-lasting emotional effects. Although these effects will differ for every person, certain responses are quite common.

1. There is no right or wrong way to respond emotionally to sexual assault. In the aftermath of the event, victims tend to respond in either a very controlled manner, projecting an unreal calm; or in a very expressive manner, crying, shaking and acting disoriented. All victims, regardless of how "in control" they seem, need plenty of gentle, non-intrusive support. Unfortunately, many decisions must be made by victims immediately after the assault. Support people can provide information about options, but it is essential that the victim make his or her own choices about reporting, seeking medical care, etc.
   
2. In the disorientation phase victims typically struggle with fear, anger, self-doubt, shame, and difficulty trusting others. Physical symptoms such as disturbances in eating or sleeping, headaches, and digestive disturbances are common as well. Victims frequently try to block out the memory of the assault, and they may dramatically limit their activities in an effort to avoid anything which might trigger memories or fear. They may focus on blaming themselves for having been vulnerable to the assault and for not being able to "snap out" of its emotional aftermath.

   The severity and duration of this phase can be influenced by the responses of friends and family. Those close to the victim should avoid questioning him or her about the event in a way that might be taken to imply blame, and they should avoid urging the victim to hurry the process of emotional recovery. Helpful responses include allowing the victim to decide when and how much to talk about the assault, listening in a caring, non-judgmental way, and encouraging the victim to do what he or she feels will be helpful for him or herself. Counseling, a "survivor’s" group, and the support of genuinely caring friends and family can assist with the transition to the next phase.

    

3. During the reorientation phase, the victim becomes a SURVIVOR. The person will never be the same as before the assault, and may come to feel that he or she has grown stronger and wiser through the painful process of coming to terms with the experience. The survivor can live a satisfying, productive life, build healthy relationships, and feel good about him or herself. Often survivors will choose to work in some way to raise awareness about rape and sexual assault or to assist others who must deal with these issues.

N.Y.S. Crime Victim’s Board

Crime victims can receive help including lost earnings, expenses involving medical, burial, rehabilitation, counseling, transportation, shelter, property loss, and compensation for good samaritan victims. The Crime Victim’s Board phone number is 518-457-8727. Under New York State Law, police and other officials are prohibited from disclosing the names of alleged rape and sex crime victims.

Campus Consequences

Sexual assault is prohibited. Sexual assault is defined as forced, manipulated, or coerced sexual acts, which include but are not limited to, unwanted touching of an intimate part of another person such as a sexual organ, buttocks, or breast; sodomy; oral copulation; and rape by a foreign object. Violations may lead to University disciplinary action and/or arrest.

Rape is prohibited. Rape is defined as sexual intercourse by a friend, acquaintance, or stranger:

1. which is forced, manipulated, or coerced through the use of verbal coercion, intimidation (emotional and/or physical), threats, physical restraint, and/or physical violence; and/or
2. where no consent was given due to the victim being unconscious or asleep, being unable to communicate, or the victim saying nothing; and/or
3. where the victim is temporarily incapable of appraising or controlling his or her conduct owing to the influence of alcohol or other drugs consumed without his or her consent or to any other act committed upon him or her without his or her consent.

Criminal Investigation and Charges

If you want to bring criminal charges after a sexual assault, University Police will assist you in prosecution. If apprehended, the suspect will be taken to court by University Police and charged with the appropriate offenses at a preliminary arraignment. The assailant may be jailed or released on bail, depending upon the circumstances of the crime. If you are contacted by the assailant after charges have been filed, or feel threatened in any way, you should call University Police immediately. Bail can be revoked and additional charges can be filed if necessary. A lawyer from the District Attorney’s Office will handle the criminal proceedings.

Sexual Assault Awareness Education

Educational programming is provided by several departments which normally work together. The peer education program (STEPS) described below, the Counseling Center, and the University Police Department present programs during Summer Orientation for the incoming freshmen. Throughout the year they also present programs for the Residence Halls and any student group who may be interested.

The Hotline for Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis is also very active in providing educational programming to students whenever requested. To request a program or information, simply call University Police, the Counseling Center, of the Hotline for Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis.

Students Teaching Equals Positive Sexuality

The purpose of the STEPS (Students Teaching Equals Positive Sexuality) is to raise the level of awareness of SUNY Fredonia students about issues like acquaintance rape and AIDS, and to increase students’ skills in communicating effectively and maintaining healthy relationships.

Volunteers conduct workshops, lead discussions, and design programs for various student groups. By involving trained student volunteers in outreach and education, we hope to provide programming that is exciting, effective, and in touch with student needs. We also hope to reach a greater number of students than could possibly be reached by professional staff alone. Call the Counseling Center (673-3424) to request a STEPS Program or to learn more about becoming a part of STEPS.