Safety Resources & Prevention Services
Below are some common sense tips for how to avoid or stop harassing, annoying, or potentially dangerous situations.
On- & Off-Campus Resources — Personal Health & Safety
Important phone numbers
- Campus Safety
- University Police: 518-564-2022
- Emergency: 911
- Office of Director of Student Conduct: 518-564-3882
- Student Health Center: 518-564-2187
- Counseling & Psychological Resource Center: 518-564-3086
- Angell Center Desk: 518-564-2121
- Maintenance & Operations: 518-564-5010
- Hazing Hotline: 518-564-5555
- City of Plattsburgh Police Department: 518-563-3411
- Health & Wellness Related
- Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital: 518-561-2000
- Sexual Assault Services/ Help Line: 877-212-2323
- Clinton County Suicide Hotline: 866-577-3836
- Domestic Violence Hotline: 518-563-6904
- Alcoholics Anonymous: 518-561-8444
- County Mental Health Association: 518-566-0100
- Poison Control: 800-336-6997
- Hazing Hotline: 518-564-5555
- Title IX OfficerTitle IX coordinator: 518-564-3281
Personal Safety Tips
General Tips
- If you would like your student information and phone number unlisted, file a request for confidentiality with the registrar’s office. This will place a warning next to your name that instructs college personnel not to give out your information.
- Report alarming phone calls to University Police.
- Avoid intoxicated persons. If you see a bad situation, alert University Police.
- Stalking
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, stalking is generally defined as a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. As many as 1-in-4 women and 1-in-13 men have experienced stalking victimization at some point during their lifetime and most often the stalker is someone the victim knows — an acquaintance, a relative, or a current or former intimate partner. Stalking is unpredictable and dangerous. No two stalking situations are alike. There are no guarantees that what works for one person work for another, yet victims can take steps to increase their safety
What to Do
- Call University Police to report it.
- Walk in well-lit, well-traveled areas.
- Trust your instincts. Victims of stalking often feel pressured by friends or family to downplay the stalker’s behavior, but stalking poses a real threat of harm. Your safety is paramount.
- Call University Police if you feel you are in any immediate danger.
- Keep a record or log of each contact with the stalker. Be sure to also document any police reports.
- Stalkers often use technology to contact their victims. Save all e-mails, text messages, photos, and postings on social networking sites as evidence of the stalking behavior.
- Get connected with a local victim advocate to talk through your options
- If you suspect that others have your residence hall entry code or room combination, request that it be changed at residence life.
- If you suspect that a car is following you when you are on foot do an “about face”, walk in the other direction and go to the nearest public phone and call 911.
- If you suspect you are being followed by someone on foot, cross the street walking in the opposite direction and call 911.
- If while driving you suspect you are being followed by another vehicle, call 911 and drive directly to the closest police station and honk your horn until an officer comes out to help.
Additional Resources
- Residence Halls
- Don’t share your residence hall entry code or room combination with anyone.
- Don’t admit strangers to the residence hall, even if they look plausible. Send them to University Police or phone University Police to assist them.
- Report any suspicious persons or activity to University Police.
- Keep your room locked both when you are home or away.
- Use the door viewer to identify callers before allowing entry.
- Keep cash, credit cards, and Personal Identification Numbers secure.
- Don’t send money or give out personal information in response to an unexpected request, whether it comes as a text, a phone call, or an email.
- Don’t deposit a check and wire money back. Hang up on robocalls. Be skeptical about free trial offers. Don’t pay up front for a promise.
- If you drink, drink responsibly.
- Off-Campus Apartments
- Keep your door locked when you are at home and away. Intruders can easily enter when you are in the backyard, etc.
- Keep curtains closed at night.
- Place alarm stickers on your windows and doors.
- Get a dog, or at least a dog dish. Leave the dish out on the porch where potential burglars can see it.
- Be certain your smoke alarms are operational and replace the batteries once a year. Test the alarms at least once a month.
- Keep a fully charged fire extinguisher accessible.
- Do not leave cooking food unattended.
- Smoking is the leading cause of death from fire. Smokers falling asleep with a lit cigarette is a common cause.
- Make sure there are multiple means of getting out in case of fire. Do not store property where it can block a fire exit. Do not block window openings.
- Make an escape plan in advance and test it. Ask yourself, “Where can I get out if a fire starts ___________?”
- Be sure fire escapes are operational and accessible. Report any deficiencies to the City of Plattsburgh building inspectors office at 518-563-7707.
- Your Personal Property
- Keep cash, credit cards, personal billing number and personal identification numbers secure.
- Keep your car locked and valuables out of sight.
- Use book bag lockers at the dining halls.
Interpersonal Violence & Hate Crimes
Laws and resources you should know about.
- Judicial Process
You are encouraged to report to University Police any sexual assault, dating/partner violence, stalking and/or hate crimes or incident. University Police will investigate your complaint and help you move forward with criminal charges and/or the college judicial process.
You may also report to the Office of Student Conduct & Judicial Affairs. However, in this case you will not have the benefit of a police investigation. The Office of Student Conduct & Judicial Affairs can be reached at 518-564-3282. Where there is probable cause to believe the college’s regulations prohibiting sexual assault, dating/partner violence, stalking and/or hate crimes have been violated; the college will pursue strong judicial sanctions. Sanctions include, but are not limited to, suspension or dismissal from the college.
The college will make every effort to be responsive and sensitive to the victims of these serious crimes. Protection of the victim and prevention of retaliation or continued incidents or crimes is the college’s priority. When the victim and the accused live in the same residence hall, an immediate hearing with the Office of Student Conduct & Judicial Affairs will be held to determine the need for modifying the living arrangements. Assistance for any other personal or academic concerns will be reviewed and options provided.
During the judicial process, the accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during a disciplinary proceeding as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.
The victim also has the right to:
- Make a “victim impact statement” and to suggest an appropriate penalty if the accused is found in violation of the regulation.
- Be informed immediately of the outcome of the hearing.
- Remain present during the entire proceeding. If the victim has been sexually assaulted on campus:
- As established in state criminal codes, be assured that his/her irrelevant past sexual history will not be discussed during the hearing.
The rights of the accused during the judicial process are described in the Student Conduct Manual, Section IV. STUDENT RIGHTS WHEN CHARGED WITH A VIOLATION.
Victims have the right to pursue adjudication of crimes that occur on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus through criminal courts and/or through the college’s internal judicial process (see Student Conduct Manual). University Police are trained to assist with prosecution in both systems.
- Rape Drugs
Alcohol is the number one rape drug. Other drugs increase the risk of sexual assault when slipped into a drink, i.e. Rohypnol, Ketamine, and GHB. These drugs are colorless, odorless, and tasteless. The effects happen within 15 to 30 minutes and can last for hours. Effects can include dizziness, feeling intoxicated, sleepiness and amnesia like symptoms.
Some precautions that can help you reduce the risk from these drugs:
- Only drink from un-opened containers or drinks you’ve seen poured.
- Never leave your drink unattended.
- Avoid group drinks like punch bowls.
If you feel really tired or really drunk, you may be feeling the effects of a drug. Tell a friend and go the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) Emergency Center for immediate medical assistance and drug screening. These drugs can metabolize within the body in a short period of time and may be undetectable if too much time has elapsed.
- Partner Violence Information
Partner violence happens everywhere to women and men of all ages, income levels, and backgrounds. Research has found that:
- Partner violence is the leading cause of injury to women ages 15–44 in the United States.
- Most abusers are male, and most victims of partner violence are female. However, partner violence also occurs in same-sex relationships, and women can be abusers too.
- Women ages 16–24 are the most likely to experience partner violence.
What to Do If You Are Experiencing Partner Violence
If you are experiencing partner violence, the following actions can help make you safer:
- If you are in immediate danger and are able, call 911.
- Consider leaving the relationship. Abuse usually gets worse, and you deserve to be safe.
- Talk to someone you trust such as clergy, other family members, social workers, your doctor or good friends about what is going on. University Police can help too.
- Keep a crisis line phone number on hand in the event you have to leave in a hurry. Keep a fully charged cell phone on you at all times so you’ll be able to make emergency calls.
- Establish a secret emergency phrase or word that will tell friends and family to call the police
- Leave an “emergency kit” with someone you trust such as a friend or another family member. The kit should include money, important telephone numbers, important papers, and other items you would need in the event you would have to leave in a hurry.
Partner Violence Red Flags
While these can be useful, each situation is different and there is no foolproof way to predict or recognize abuse. Trust your instincts.
- Quick Involvement — Abusive relationships are often intense and quick to form.
- Jealousy and Isolation — Abusive partners often begin the cycle of abuse by isolating their partner from friends, family, and anyone else who might challenge their abusive behavior.
- Anger and Violence — Abusive partners often show explosive anger or violent behavior before directing it at their partner.
- Unpredictable Behavior — Abusive partners may switch moods quickly. This is one way to establish control over a fearful partner.
- Belief in Personal Superiority/Sexist Thinking — For example, many abusive men in heterosexual relationships believe that men should control women, that women should be kept “in their place,” etc.
- Abusive Behavior — Once a relationship has been established, abusers gradually introduce a range of abusive actions, such as hitting, kicking, slapping, pushing, embarrassing their partner, intimidating their partner and forcing their partner to do things they don’t want to. These behaviors can escalate into threatening to harm family/friends/pets, isolating their partner and blaming their partner for the abuse. Abuse tends to become more extreme and violent over time.
Remember: No one deserves to be abused. Perpetrators are responsible for their own actions. Survivors are never to blame.
- Helping A Friend
Someone in an abusive relationship may have a very tough time leaving. By being a good friend and offering your support, you can make it a little easier. Help your friend recognize the abuse. Tell your friend you are worried about them. Help them find counseling and other resources. See page two and/or page eight of this booklet for appropriate resources — these agencies can help with safety planning.
Don’t threaten to break off your friendship. This will only isolate your friend further, and make it harder for them to leave. Get professional help. Ask a counselor for the best ways to help your friend.
- Sexual Assault & The Law
Sexual contact with someone who is mentally or physically incapable of giving consent is a crime. This includes intoxicated persons.
Sexual assault is non-consensual physical contact of a sexual nature.
Sexual assault is prohibited by campus regulation and by New York State penal law. New York State Law contains the following legal provisions defining the crimes related to sexual assault:
Section 130.20 — Sexual Misconduct. This offense includes sexual intercourse without consent and deviate sexual intercourse without consent. The penalty for violation of this section could result in imprisonment for a period of up to 1 year.
Section 130.25/.30/.35 — Rape. This series of offenses includes sexual intercourse with a person incapable of consent because of the use of forcible compulsion or because the person is incapable of consent due to being mentally disabled, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless. This series of offenses further includes sexual intercourse with a person under the age of consent. The penalties for violation of these sections could result in imprisonment for a period of up to 25 years.
Section 130.40/.45/.50 — Criminal Sexual Act. This series of offenses includes oral or anal sexual conduct with a person incapable of consent because of the use of forcible compulsion or because the person is incapable of consent due to being mentally disabled, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless. This series of offenses further includes oral or anal sexual conduct with a person under the age of consent. The penalties for violation of these sections could result in imprisonment for a period of up to 25 years.
Section 130.52 — Forcible Touching. This offense involves the forcible touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of another person for the purpose of degrading or abusing such person; or for the purpose of gratifying the actor’s sexual desire. Forcible touching includes the squeezing, grabbing, or pinching of such other person’s sexual or other intimate parts. The penalty for violation of this section could result in imprisonment for a period of up to 1 year.
Section 130.53 — Persistent Sexual Abuse. This offense involves the commission of a sexual offense after having previously been convicted two or more times of the commission of certain sexual offenses within the previous ten years.
Section 130.55/.60/.65 — Sexual Abuse. This series of offenses includes sexual contact with a person by forcible compulsion, or with a person who is incapable of consent due being physically helpless, or due to the person being under the age of consent. The penalties for violation of these sections could result in imprisonment for a period of up to 7 years.
Section 130.65-a/.66/.67/.70 — Aggravated Sexual Abuse. This series of offenses occurs when a person inserts a finger or a foreign object in the vagina, urethra, penis or rectum of another person by forcible compulsion, when the other person is incapable of consent by reason of being mentally disabled, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless, or when the other person is under the age of consent. The level of this offense is enhanced if the insertion of a finger or foreign object causes injury to the other person. The penalties for the violation of these sections could result in imprisonment for a period of up to 25 years.
Section 130.90 — Facilitating a sex offense with a controlled substance. This offense includes knowingly and unlawfully possessing a controlled substance or any preparation, compound, mixture or substance that requires a prescription to obtain and administers such substance to another person without such person’s consent. The penalties for the violation of this section could result in imprisonment for a period of up to 7 years.
It is important to note that the laws of New York State and SUNY Plattsburgh’s regulations operate independent of one another and that they do not substitute for each other. SUNY Plattsburgh may pursue enforcement of its own rules whether or not legal proceedings are initiated. The college makes no attempt to shield its members from the law.
- Sex Offender Registry
If registered sex offenders are employed at the college or enrolled as a student at the college, information regarding these sex offenders will be made available to the public, according to the sex offender registry guidelines. The public should contact a University Police supervisor at (518) 564-2022 or in person at University Police located in the Health Center Building during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) to request sex offender information.
- Bias-related Incidents & Hate Crimes
Applicable Laws, Ordinances & Regulations
Hate crimes, also called bias crimes or bias-related crimes, are criminal activity motivated by the perpetrator’s bias or attitude against an individual victim or group based on perceived or actual personal characteristics, such as their race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Laws prohibiting such conduct are enforceable both on and off campus and include the federal Hate/Bias Crime Reporting Act of 1990 and the New York State Hate Crimes Act of 2000 which includes the provisions of the NYS Penal Law Article 485 which defines Hate Crimes in the State of New York. In addition, the University’s Student Conduct Manual and SUNY regulations prohibit the commission of Hate Crimes and are enforceable at SUNY Plattsburgh.
Penal Law Section 485.05 Hate Crimes
1. A person commits a hate crime when he or she commits a specified offense and either:
(a) intentionally selects the person against whom the offense is committed or intended to be committed in whole or in substantial part because of a belief or perception regarding the race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation of a person, regardless of whether the belief or perception is correct, or
(b) intentionally commits the act or acts constituting the offense in whole or in substantial part because of a belief or perception regarding the race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation of a person, regardless of whether the belief or perception is correct.
2. Proof of race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation of the defendant, the victim or of both the defendant and the victim does not, by itself, constitute legally sufficient evidence satisfying the people's burden under paragraph (a) or (b) of subdivision one of this section.
3. A “specified offense” is an offense defined by any of the following provisions of this chapter: section 120.00 (assault in the third degree); section 120.05 (assault in the second degree); section 120.06 (gang assault in the second degree); section 120.07 (gang assault in the first degree); section 120.10 (assault in the first degree); section 120.12 (aggravated assault upon a person less than eleven years old); section 120.13 (menacing in the first degree); section 120.14 (menacing in the second degree); section 120.15 (menacing in the third degree); section 120.20 (reckless endangerment in the second degree); section 120.25 (reckless endangerment in the first degree); section 121.11 (criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation); section 121.12 (strangulation in the second degree); section 121.13 (strangulation in the first degree); subdivision one of section 125.15 (manslaughter in the second degree); subdivision one, two or four of section 125.20 (manslaughter in the first degree); section 125.25 (murder in the second degree); section 125.26 (aggravated murder); section 125.27 (murder in the first degree); section 120.45 (stalking in the fourth degree); section 120.50 (stalking in the third degree); section 120.55 (stalking in the second degree); section 120.60 (stalking in the first degree); section 130.20 (sexual misconduct); section 130.25 (rape in the third degree); section 130.30 (rape in the second degree); section 130.35 (rape in the first degree); former section 130.40; former section 130.45; former section 130.50; section 130.52 (forcible touching); section 130.53 (persistent sexual abuse); section 130.55 (sexual abuse in the third degree); section 130.60 (sexual abuse in the second degree); section 130.65 (sexual abuse in the first degree); section 130.65-a (aggravated sexual abuse in the fourth degree); section 130.66 (aggravated sexual abuse in the third degree); section 130.67 (aggravated sexual abuse in the second degree); section 130.70 (aggravated sexual abuse in the first degree); section 135.05 (unlawful imprisonment in the second degree); section 135.10 (unlawful imprisonment in the first degree); section 135.20 (kidnapping in the second degree); section 135.25 (kidnapping in the first degree); section 135.60 (coercion in the third degree); section 135.61 (coercion in the second degree); section 135.65 (coercion in the first degree); section 140.10 (criminal trespass in the third degree); section 140.15 (criminal trespass in the second degree); section 140.17 (criminal trespass in the first degree); section 140.20 (burglary in the third degree); section 140.25 (burglary in the second degree); section 140.30 (burglary in the first degree); section 145.00 (criminal mischief in the fourth degree); section 145.05 (criminal mischief in the third degree); section 145.10 (criminal mischief in the second degree); section 145.12 (criminal mischief in the first degree); section 150.05 (arson in the fourth degree); section 150.10 (arson in the third degree); section 150.15 (arson in the second degree); section 150.20 (arson in the first degree); section 155.25 (petit larceny); section 155.30 (grand larceny in the fourth degree); section 155.35 (grand larceny in the third degree); section 155.40 (grand larceny in the second degree); section 155.42 (grand larceny in the first degree); section 160.05 (robbery in the third degree); section 160.10 (robbery in the second degree); section 160.15 (robbery in the first degree); section 230.34 (sex trafficking); section 230.34-a (sex trafficking of a child); section 240.25 (harassment in the first degree); subdivision one, two or four of section 240.30 (aggravated harassment in the second degree); section 240.50 (falsely reporting an incident in the third degree); section 240.55 (falsely reporting an incident in the second degree); section 240.60 (falsely reporting an incident in the first degree); subdivision one of section 265.03 (criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree); subdivision one of section 265.04 (criminal possession of a weapon in the first degree); section 490.10 (soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism in the second degree); section 490.15 (soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism in the first degree); section 490.20 (making a terroristic threat); section 490.25 (crime of terrorism); section 490.30 (hindering prosecution of terrorism in the second degree); section 490.35 (hindering prosecution of terrorism in the first degree); section 490.37 (criminal possession of a chemical weapon or biological weapon in the third degree); section 490.40 (criminal possession of a chemical weapon or biological weapon in the second degree); section 490.45 (criminal possession of a chemical weapon or biological weapon in the first degree); section 490.47 (criminal use of a chemical weapon or biological weapon in the third degree); section 490.50 (criminal use of a chemical weapon or biological weapon in the second degree); section 490.55 (criminal use of a chemical weapon or biological weapon in the first degree); or any attempt or conspiracy to commit any of the foregoing offenses.
4. For purposes of this section:
(a) the term “age” means sixty years old or more;
(b) the term “disability” means a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity;
(c) the term “gender identity or expression” means a person's actual or perceived gender-related identity, appearance, behavior, expression or other gender-related characteristic regardless of the sex assigned to that person at birth, including, but not limited to, the status of being transgender.
Penalties for Commission
Penalties for bias-related crimes are very serious and range from fines to imprisonment for lengthy periods, depending on the nature of the underlying criminal offense or the use of violence or previous convictions of the offender. New York State crimes charged as hate crimes will bring with them more severe penalties and jail time than non-hate crime offenses. Perpetrators who are students will also be subject to campus judicial process where sanctions including dismissal are possible.
Reporting and the Availability of Counseling or Other Support Services
Campus community members are encouraged to report bias incidents, hate crimes and discrimination. There are several reporting options available by phone, in-person and online through the campus’ reporting page. Anonymous options are also available.
Campus community members experiencing bias can report incidents both to the University Police Department at 518-564-2022 or [email protected] or, to the DIRECT team through their online reporting page. Members of the campus community experiencing harassment or discrimination may also report such conduct to the campus’ Affirmative Action Office through the complaint procedure or by contacting the affirmative action officer at 518-564-5067.
Harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex is a violation of the law. (Section 703 of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the New York State Human Rights Law) and will not be tolerated at SUNY Plattsburgh. Civil liability related to sexual harassment may include “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and/or verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature including the establishment of a hostile work or school environment.”
Information and assistance regarding formal and informal complaint procedures for sexual harassment and sex discrimination are available through the SUNY Plattsburgh Title IX coordinator at 518-564-3281.
Counseling and Support Services
SUNY Plattsburgh’s Student Health and Counseling Center is located in the Health Center Building, 45 Rugar Street. Services are available by walk-in or appointment. Availability of different counseling and support services options can be found by visiting their web page.
Nature of Bias-Related Incidents and Hate Crimes
At SUNY Plattsburgh, we strongly condemn bias-related incidents and hate crimes. We have developed the Diversity Incidents Response Education and Communication Team (DIRECT) to oversee responses to diversity issues and support affected individuals. This team facilitates reporting through an online form or anonymously and coordinates appropriate actions, including investigations and interventions. Our commitment is to create a student-centered, equity-minded and trauma-informed environment, ensuring all students feel safe and respected on campus. For more details, visit SUNY Plattsburgh’s DIRECT page.
Campuses across the United States are negatively affected by bias incidents and hate crimes. Some of the more common circumstances and characteristics of these incidences are as follows:
1. Verbal Harassment and Threats
Nature: Insults, slurs, derogatory comments, and threatening language targeting specific characteristics.
Circumstances: Often occur in public spaces like classrooms, residence halls, social gatherings, or online platforms. Such incidents can be spontaneous or premeditated.
2. Physical Assault
Nature: Physical attacks ranging from minor altercations to serious assaults.
Circumstances: Can happen in secluded areas such as parking lots, poorly lit pathways, or even during campus events. Alcohol and substance abuse can sometimes play a role in escalating these incidents.
3. Vandalism and Property Damage
Nature: Defacing property with offensive symbols, words, or messages, destruction of cultural or religious symbols.
Circumstances: Often occurs under the cover of darkness or in isolated or private areas such as rest room stalls or outdoor areas hidden from view.
4. Cyberbullying and Online Harassment
Nature: Harassment, threats, and spreading of hateful content through social media, emails, and other online platforms.
Circumstances: Usually happens anonymously through applications like “Yik Yak,” making it easier for perpetrators to evade immediate identification. Online hate campaigns can quickly gain traction and cause widespread distress.
5. Discrimination and Exclusion
Nature: Unfair treatment in academic settings, student organizations, housing, and campus services.
Circumstances: Can be systematic or isolated incidents. For example, a student may be denied participation in certain groups or events based on their identity, or they may face biased grading and evaluation.
By understanding the nature and common circumstances of hate crimes on college campuses, students, faculty, and administration can work together to create a safer, more inclusive environment for everyone.