Over 570 Criminal Offenses Reported at Colleges in RI in Past Three Years

Over 570 Criminal Offenses Reported at Colleges in RI in Past Three Years

Over 570 criminal offenses were reported at Rhode Island's four year colleges and universities in 2011 through 2013, according to the most recent data available through the U.S. Department of Education.

The purported violent and property crimes reported included forcible rape, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson, and robbery.  Colleges that participate in federal student aid programs are required to submit the information annually in accordance with the Clery Act, which was signed into law in 1990.  

SLIDES:  Crimes Reported - and Disciplinary Actions - at RI Four Year Colleges and Universities BELOW

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Over the course of the three years, the highest totals of alleged criminal offenses at Rhode Island colleges and universities' main campuses were burglaries (346) followed by forcible rapes (153).  

Legislation has been introduced in the Rhode Island General Assembly this session to require institutions of higher education to report allegations of sexual assault to local law enforcement.

The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (AICU) Rhode Island has said that they are opposed to mandatory reporting to local authorities, however. 

 “This is actually an issue of national scale,” said Representative Mia Ackerman (D-Dist. 45, Cumberland, Lincoln) who introduced the bill, 2015-H 5034, on January 8. “We have some great colleges and universities in this state, and we’re not saying they’re not equipped to handle the problem (of sexual assault on campus). But our local law enforcement agencies are very well trained, equipped with special victims units, and best able to handle complaints of sexual assault."

Under the wording of the bill, institutions of higher learning would still be able to investigate allegations of sexual assault for the purpose of imposing disciplinary action on the alleged perpetrators.

However, the AICU Rhode Island has come out opposed to reporting requirements.  

“AICU Rhode Island supports an open dialogue with state legislative leaders regarding the complexities of sexual assault reporting and the numerous federal, state, and local regulations and processes currently in place. Along with victims’ advocacy organizations, we are opposed to state legislative action requiring mandatory reporting by sexual assault victims at this time," said AICU President Dan Egan. "We look forward to working with Representative Ackerman to discuss our campuses’ responses to this important issue and the potential for improving the current reporting process.”

Looking at the Numbers

During the 2011-2013 period, the three Rhode Island colleges with the highest total of violent and property crimes on their main campuses were URI with 214 incidents, followed by Brown with 167.  For both schools, over half of the reported criminal offenses were burglaries. 

Rhode Island College had 22 occurrences of criminal offenses on campus in the three year time frame.  RIC Director of Communications Laura Hart offered her perspective.  

"We monitor the data in our Clery reports to help identify trends which we then work to mitigate. For example, about five years ago, RIC and several other Providence-based campuses experienced a rash of car break-ins. In response to this uptick in incidents, our campus police beefed up patrols of parking areas," said Hart. 

"Like most colleges, RIC puts a great deal of effort in educating its community members about preventing crime and reporting questionable activity. Campus police offers programs tailored to  residence life, student clubs and student government," continued Hart.  "Last year, it also started sending electronic safety tips to the college community. Unfortunately, no amount of proactive education programs can stop all young adults from overestimating their safety and underestimating risk."

Brown's Mark Nickel spoke to the greatest challenges currently facing the university, in terms of campus safety -- and what steps people could take.

"Encouraging all members of the community to take reasonable steps that will contribute to their personal safety: avoid walking alone at night, use the University's shuttle and escort services, do not prop open doors that are meant to be locked and secure," said Nickel.  "The Department of Public Safety communicates regularly, noting any reports of problems, providing tips for personal safety and for securing property, and sending security alerts as needed."

Spotlight on Sexual Assault

The colleges that responded to questions about the Clery Act data -- and Ackerman proposal -- presenting their concerns with the legislation.

"We (through our trade group, the Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Rhode Island) plan to meet with Rep. Ackerman to discuss her legislation.  We are looking forward to learning more from that discussion as to how colleges would be expected to comply and especially how it would impact our students both narrowly and broadly," said Providence College's Maurano.  "We are concerned that requiring mandatory reporting of sexual assault incidents to law enforcement may have unintended consequences and could dissuade some victims from reporting."

"As a standard operating procedure, campus police, health services and counselors always urge victims of sexual assault to report the crime to law enforcement. Moreover, RIC is actively working with Day One and the Green Dot bystander training to improve campus-wide awareness and education in the area of sexual assault and violence," said RIC's Hart.  "With regards to Rep. Ackerman’s legislation, while we applaud her intent, we are concerned that mandatory reporting may cause some students, fearing publicity, to remain silent and not get the counseling and medical services they urgently need."

Brown, which recently took action by sanctioning two fraternities for sexual misconduct  -- and released an interim report on sexual assault last fall calling campus culture "unacceptable" -- deferred to the AICU's position, that being opposed to the legislation.  

Ackerman in her bill introduction said that she hoped to engage in a robust dialogue on the issue.  

“I’m trying to get everyone to the table to have a conversation about this,” said Representative Ackerman. “I purposely made the bill broad so everyone could come and give us input so Rhode Island can take the lead and become a model for the whole country.”