College voluntarily publishes crime report
David Steffen
Issue date: 1/29/09 Section: News
In a college town devoid of campus SOS phones and dotted with silos and water towers, campus crime is relatively sedate. However, Hillsdale College campus security maintains annual crime statistics for its own reference and for campus curiosity.
"We're fortunate," said Rich Péwé, vice president of administration. "We're not located in a major metropolitan area where there are more individuals coming onto campus."
Since the college does not receive federal funding, it is exempt from requirements to publish campus crime statistics.
"The difference between us and other schools is the Title 4, but it's not a big issue," Péwé said.
He said Collegian reporters often request the crime report, and occasionally parents express interest in perusal as well. He said students rarely ask to view it. The college published the statistics in a student agenda addendum in previous years but eventually removed it.
Director of Campus Security Mike Wertz said any student, faculty or staff member or parent may see the report upon request.
The report details crime statistics from 2003 to 2007 in various categories, including arson, manslaughter, rape, murder, robbery, aggravated assault, breaking and entering, hate crime, motor vehicle theft and liquor and weapons abuses. They follow the standards of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reports.
Recorded crimes were predominantly alcohol-related, with a scattered arson or assault over the past five academic years.
There has never been a severe crime - like a rape or murder - that has occurred on campus in Wertz's memory. As a 16-year Hillsdale College employee and Hillsdale native, he said he had never heard of any such crimes taking place on Hillsdale College's campus.
Wertz said offenses for minors in possession were most common. He said on-campus MIP offenses have decreased. During the 2002-03 academic year, for example, there were 30 reported MIP offenses, compared to six for the 2006-07 academic year. Wertz said in many cases, courtesy and diplomacy with local police can alleviate many minor alcohol-related offenses.
"If you come in with a chip on your shoulder, you'll end up with a ticket," Wertz said.
Despite little demand for the report, Wertz said a few parents of prospective students last year requested to see it and were from larger metropolitan areas. He said he sympathizes with their concern.
"Parents are picky about where they're sending their child - they want them to be safe," Wertz said.
"We're fortunate," said Rich Péwé, vice president of administration. "We're not located in a major metropolitan area where there are more individuals coming onto campus."
Since the college does not receive federal funding, it is exempt from requirements to publish campus crime statistics.
"The difference between us and other schools is the Title 4, but it's not a big issue," Péwé said.
He said Collegian reporters often request the crime report, and occasionally parents express interest in perusal as well. He said students rarely ask to view it. The college published the statistics in a student agenda addendum in previous years but eventually removed it.
Director of Campus Security Mike Wertz said any student, faculty or staff member or parent may see the report upon request.
The report details crime statistics from 2003 to 2007 in various categories, including arson, manslaughter, rape, murder, robbery, aggravated assault, breaking and entering, hate crime, motor vehicle theft and liquor and weapons abuses. They follow the standards of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reports.
Recorded crimes were predominantly alcohol-related, with a scattered arson or assault over the past five academic years.
There has never been a severe crime - like a rape or murder - that has occurred on campus in Wertz's memory. As a 16-year Hillsdale College employee and Hillsdale native, he said he had never heard of any such crimes taking place on Hillsdale College's campus.
Wertz said offenses for minors in possession were most common. He said on-campus MIP offenses have decreased. During the 2002-03 academic year, for example, there were 30 reported MIP offenses, compared to six for the 2006-07 academic year. Wertz said in many cases, courtesy and diplomacy with local police can alleviate many minor alcohol-related offenses.
"If you come in with a chip on your shoulder, you'll end up with a ticket," Wertz said.
Despite little demand for the report, Wertz said a few parents of prospective students last year requested to see it and were from larger metropolitan areas. He said he sympathizes with their concern.
"Parents are picky about where they're sending their child - they want them to be safe," Wertz said.
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