Additional information - University of Texas

From the University of Texas, additional perspective on my query:

Good Morning,

My name is William Pieper. I am a crime prevention specialist with The University of Texas at Austin Police Department. I am sure you have already heard form my partner in crime…prevention that is, Officer Halstead, regarding your questions. I wanted to provide some additional information or simply reinforce what Officer Halstead has provided. Please see the attached document with my responses.

Be Safe!

William R. Pieper

Crime Prevention Officer

Office: 512-232-9638

Fax: 512- 471-7505

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth A Pound of Cure

”Intellectuals solve problems; geniuses prevent them.”

-Albert Einstein

1. How can students and parents find out about campus crime statistics at your school? (Please provide Web link)

The Vice President for Student Affairs with The University of Texas at Austin also sends out a brochure on an annual basis. The brochure is entitled The University of Texas at Austin: What You Need To Know. The brochure includes information on campus security and crime awareness, selected campus policies and reports, and the policy mandating the campus as a drug free university. The brochure lists the following web addresses:

Campus Security and Crime Awareness: http://www.utexas.edu/student/vpsa/security

The University’s policies concerning privacy: http://www.utexas.edu/student/registrar/catalogs/gi06-07/app/appc09/html

The University’s policy regarding illicit drugs: http://www.utexas.edu/student/vpsa/security/drugfree/index.html

Information for Students with Disabilities: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/ssd/

Information pertaining to registered sex offenders: http://www.utexas.edu/police/alerts/sex_offenders.html

The brochure also contains text regarding university standards of conduct which includes drug and alcohol information, offenses, penalties (federal, state and university penalties) and information for available counseling and rehabilitation.

2. Where can students and parents find recent daily campus police logs at your school? (Please provide Web link)

In addition to the Campus Watch, anyone is free to visit the police department to review the daily police blog that lists crimes reported to or observed by the police department.

3. Does your university have a stated policy on illegal alcohol and drug use? If so, what is your policy?

The University of Texas at Austin does have a stated policy regarding illegal alcohol use and drug use on campus. This policy can be researched at http://www.utexas.edu/student/vpsa/security/drugfree/conduct.html

4. What the single most important factor in the ability of students to avoid being victimized by personal and property crimes at your school?

Knowledge is key: students need to know what the risks are, how to recognize a potential problem and how to prevent or avoid crimes as they arise. The police department offers a variety of crime prevention seminars and posts prevention information on their web-site.

5. Do your security officers carry weapons? Does your university have a stated position on concealed carry by students or faculty?

The police officers with The University of Texas at Austin Police Department are commissioned peace officers and do carry side arms. State law in Texas prohibits citizens from carrying any prohibited weapons on campus.

6. What's the single most significant change to campus/residence hall security policies or procedures in the past five years? Please provide a link or email any helpful PowerPoint presentations on student security, if possible.

The police department routinely trains with Housing and Food Staff which allows the two departments to develop good working ties. The crime prevention office also provides the resident assistants with a variety of programs and literature to provide them with a good base knowledge for creating a crime free environment.