backAnnually every campus in the country that receives federal financial aid is required to make all faculty, staff, and students aware of some very important information concerning campus safety and crime statistics, alcohol and drugs. In addition USM has important information on sexual assault, stalking/relationship violence, copyright and the internet. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with each of the documents described below. If you have any questions or would like a printed copy of those documents and policies posted on web, please contact Stephen Nelson, Director of Community Standards at (207) 780-5242 or by e-mail at snelson@usm.maine.edu.
Safety and Security Information Report
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998 (Clery Act) requires campuses to inform the campus community about policies, procedures, equipment, and personnel that are in place to make the campus a safer community. In addition, the Clery Act requires that the University provide people with important statistics on the number of occurrences during the past three calendar years certain criminal offenses have occurred. The report is located at http://www.usm.maine.edu/police/safetyreport.htm.
Information About Alcohol and Drugs for Students and Employees of the University of Maine System
The Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 requires each campus to send information related to alcohol and drugs to all members of the campus community. Included in this document is information on the University of Maine System policy on alcohol and drugs, federal and state laws and penalties, risks associated with alcohol and drug abuse, and finally where students, faculty and staff may seek help. The law requires that the University attach a copy to an e-mail or mail a hard copy. We have chosen to attach a copy to this e-mail. In addition the document is located at http://www.usm.maine.edu/ocs/Alcohol%20&%20Drug%202006.pdf.
Stalking and Relationship Abuse Policy
The University of Southern Maine will not tolerate and prohibits rape, acquaintance rape, and sexual assault in any form. These acts are against Maine State Law. If there is reason to believe that the USM campus regulations prohibiting stalking or relationship abuse have been violated on or off campus the administration will pursue disciplinary action through the appropriate University procedures, if requested to do so by the complainant. The policy is located at http://www.usm.maine.edu/ocs/rvspolicy.html.
Policy on Sexual Assault
The University of Southern Maine will not tolerate and prohibits rape, acquaintance rape, and sexual assault in any form. These acts are against Maine State Law. Rape and other sexual assaults also violate the University’s policy prohibiting sexual harassment. If there is reason to believe that the USM campus regulations prohibiting sexual assault have been violated on or off campus the administration will pursue disciplinary action through the appropriate University procedures, if requested to do so by the complainant. The policy is located at http://www.usm.maine.edu/ocs/assaultpolicy.html.
Illegal Downloading and File-sharing of Copyrighted Material
Each year there are a number of news stories about students downloading and uploading music and movies who have run afoul of the recording (RIAA) and motion picture (MPAA) industries. During the 2007-08 academic year USM received notification of 163 students and 2 employees involved in these activities who have been identified by these organizations. The illegal downloading and file-sharing of copyrighted material without permission is a violation of the USM's Acceptable Use of Information Resources Policy located at http://www.usm.maine.edu/computing/policies/acceptableuse.jsp , as well as, the copyright laws of the United States (17 USC).
There are consequences to violation of this policy but they pale in comparison to the penalties that can be imposed by a court if RIAA or MPAA takes legal action. Twenty-eight (28) of the 163 students in 2007-08 also were notified by the one of the organizations that they would be sued if they did not pay $3,000 to resolve their violation out of court. In October 2007 a single mother in Minnesota received court imposed sanctions of over $250,000 for having under 20 songs obtained illegally.
Please take the time to reread our policy and understand that there significant personal monetary damages that can be imposed. If you have music and/or movie files on your computer that you did not obtain legally, or the software that enables you to share these types of files, please remove these from your computer. If they are discovered and we are notified we will impose our sanctions and will, subject to University Counsel approval, provide these organizations any identifying information they may request.
Good Samaritan Policy Related to Alcohol and Drugs
For students University wants to bring to your attention the University’s Good Samaritan Policy related to alcohol and drugs.
Abuse of alcohol and other drugs can create life-threatening situations that require an immediate response from emergency services personnel. In all instances, the University's main concern is that those in need receive prompt medical attention.
The University cannot guarantee absolute immunity from sanctions associated with violations of the Student Conduct Code. However, efforts may be made to mitigate sanctions under the Student Conduct Code associated with alcohol and other drugs offenses for "Good Samaritans." These considerations apply to the person in need of medical attention and the individual who may have contributed or participated in the use and abuse of alcohol or other drugs. Only those individuals who have actively sought medical attention at the time of the incident for themselves or others as a "Good Samaritan" may receive consideration for mitigation of sanctions.
Stephen Nelson
Director of Community Standards
University of Southern Maine
(207) 780-5243