Monitoring and Recording Criminal Activity of Student Organizations at Off-Campus Locations

Norfolk State University has no off-campus facilities for student organizations that are recognized by the University. The Department, however, has a working relationship with local police agencies throughout the area as a means of monitoring and investigating criminal activity at off-campus locations. In addition, the University’s Community Policing/Crime Prevention Unit maintains weekly telephone contact with the local police to ascertain any incidence of criminal activity of our students off campus.

In the event of a serious incident, timely telephone notification is also made to Norfolk State University Police Department for follow-up investigation. These statistics are recorded by the Community Policing/Crime Prevention Unit and are used for Community Policing/Crime Prevention Education programs and the department’s annual Campus Security Report. Additionally, Norfolk State University Police Department communicates regularly with other colleges and Universities about Norfolk State students who are involved in criminal activity occurring on other campuses. Norfolk State University students are expected to conduct themselves as mature and law-abiding men and women, both on and off campus.

The University is authorized by the Board of Visitors to impose such penalties as deemed appropriate, including expulsion from the University for Student Misconduct that discredits or injures the educational goals of the University or its surrounding communities.

Under the Codes of Conduct administered by the University’s Judicial System, student misconduct that occurs off campus is subject to institutional disciplinary sanctions under the following circumstances:

• Physical or sexual assault or conduct that threatens the health or safety of a student or staff member at University sponsored or supervised functions.
• Any violation of federal, state, or local law if such directly affects the University’s pursuit of its educational purpose.
• Illegal drug use or trafficking at University sponsored or supervised functions or under other circumstances involving a direct and substantial connection with the University.

The University ensures that any victim of crime will be treated with respect and dignity and will be administered all rights through University policy and the criminal justice system of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Students have a responsibility to the University and to themselves to understand and realize the potential consequences of breaking the law. All students are required to know the law.

The State of Virginia will not tolerate crime on its college campuses, and the law will be enforced. “Ignorance of the law is no excuse for crime” The Commonwealth of Virginia, Office of the Attorney General has published a resource book entitled, CLASS ACTION: College Students and Virginia Law. The handbooks are distributed to students during residential hall safety seminars, and during Freshman Seminar classes. It is strongly encouraged that students become familiar with this handbook.

For information regarding how to report a crime, contact University Police at (757) 823-8102.