University Policies

Missing Student Notification Policy and Procedures

Scope:
This policy applies to students who reside in campus housing, defined as Bell Hall, Carlisle Hall, Hart Hall, and any and all off-campus apartments leased by Husson University for the purpose of housing residential students.

Purpose:
The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures for the university's response to reports of missing students, as required by the Higher Education Act.

For purposes of this policy, a student will be considered missing, if a roommate, classmate, faculty member, family member, or other person has not seen the person in a reasonable amount of time. A reasonable amount of time may vary with the time of day and information available regarding the missing student's daily schedule, habits, punctuality, and reliability. Students will also be considered missing immediately if their absence has occurred under circumstances that are suspicious or cause concerns for their safety.

Procedures for designation of emergency contact information:
In addition to registering a general emergency contact, students residing in campus housing as designated above, have the option to identify confidentially an individual to be contacted by Husson University in the event that the student is determined to be missing for more than 24 hours. If a student has identified such a contact, university officials will notify that confidential individual no later than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing. A student who wishes to identify a confidential contact can do so through the Husson University Residential Life Office or the Department of Campus Safety and Security. A student's confidential contact information will be accessible only by authorized university and law enforcement officials in the course of the missing person investigation.

Official notification procedures for missing persons:
Any individual on campus who has information that a residential student may be a missing person should contact a member of the residential life staff and/or campus safety and security forthwith. Residential life staff when notified of a missing student will notify campus safety and security forthwith.

Residential life staff and campus safety and security staff will gather information about the residential student from the reporting person and from the student's acquaintances (description, clothes last worn, where the student might be, who student might be with, vehicle description, information about the physical and mental well being of the student, an up-to-date photograph, class schedule, etc.). Appropriate university staff and resources will be utilized to assist with locating the missing student.

After investigating a missing person report, should the Husson University Department of Campus Safety and Security determine that the student has been missing for 24 hours, the department will notify the Bangor Police Department and the missing student's emergency contact no later than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing. If the missing student is under the age of 18 and is not emancipated, University officials will also notify the missing student's parent/s or legal guardian forthwith.

If it is immediately apparent that foul play is suspected (e.g., witnessed abduction), the campus safety and security officer will immediately contact the Bangor Police Department and the Director of Campus Safety and Security. The Director of Campus Safety and Security will in turn notify the Dean of Students forthwith.

Note: If a commuter or nontraditional student is believed missing, the reporting person should immediately notify campus safety and security and/or local law enforcement authorities. The campus safety and security department will utilize university resources to assist outside agencies with these investigations as requested.

Husson University Department of Campus Safety and Security
Room # 106 Peabody Hall
207-941-7911

Alcohol and Substance Abuse Policy

Husson University prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol by students and faculty/staff on college property or at any of its college activities. In accordance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, Husson University distributes annually a booklet that informs all students and faculty/staff of the University's substance abuse policy, sanctions for violation of the policy, and statutory prohibitions and sanctions for illegal drugs and alcohol.

Preventing and Responding to Sex Offenses Policy Statement

Definition:
The FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) edition of the UCR defines a sex offense as any sexual act directed against another person, forcibly and/or against that person's will; or not forcibly or against the person's will where the victim is incapable of giving consent.

Note: Husson University defines those under the influence of alcohol or other mind-altering substances as being incapable of giving consent.

Husson University educates its student community about sexual assaults, date rape, and acquaintance rape through mandatory freshman (Husson Experience classes HE-111) each year during the fall semester. The Department of Safety and Security in collaboration with the Department of Student Life offers Rape Aggression Defense (RAD System) Training to all interested female students at least once each semester. The university also mandates that all-female residential assistants be RAD System trained during the summer RA training period. All RAD System Training is conducted on campus by certified RAD System instructors. In addition, the department also offers "Non-Violent and Bystander Intervention" training to the university community.

If you are a victim of sexual assault at this institution, your first priority should be to get to a place of safety and obtain necessary medical attention. The Department of Campus Safety and Security strongly advocates that a victim of sexual assault report the incident immediately to campus safety and security and/or the Bangor Police Department keeping in mind that time is a critical factor for evidence collection and preservation. An assault should be reported directly to a Campus Safety and Security Officer, Bangor Police officer, or a Residential Life Staff Member.

Please note that filing a report with a University official will not obligate the victim to prosecute, nor will it subject the victim to scrutiny or judgmental opinions from said officials.

Filing a report will:

• Ensure that a victim of sexual assault receives the necessary medical treatment and tests, at no cost to the victim;
• Provide the opportunity for collection of evidence helpful in prosecution, which cannot be obtained later (ideally a victim of sexual assault should not wash, douche, use the toilet, or change clothing prior to a medical exam);
• Assure that the victim has access to free confidential counseling from counselors specifically trained in the area of sexual assault crisis intervention.

When a victim of a sexual assault contacts the Department of Safety and Security, a preliminary report will be generated which will be distributed to the Dean and Associate Dean of Students / Residential Life, the Director of Student Counseling, the Bangor Police Department (if requested by the victim) and the Director of Campus Safety and Security or his designee will be notified immediately. The victim of a sexual assault may choose for the investigation to be pursued through the criminal justice system and the university code of conduct disciplinary system, or just the latter. In any event, the university officials will guide the victim through the available options and support the victim in her/his decision.

University officials will also provide valuable information regarding counseling and support services, i.e. on-campus student Counseling and Health Services, off-campus 24-hour crisis hotline, and Rape Response Service.

Policy Statement Addressing Sex Offender Registration

The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act (CSCPA) of 2000 is a federal law that provides for the tracking of convicted sex offenders enrolled and/or employed at institutions of higher learning. The CSCPA is an amendment to the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Act. Federal law requires state law enforcement agencies to provide Husson University and all higher education institutions with a list of registered sex offenders who have indicated that they are either enrolled or employed at the said institution.

In addition to the aforementioned law, Husson University conducts nationwide criminal and sex offender registry background checks on all new staff/faculty and work-study hires.

The Office of Campus Safety and Security will monitor and maintain a list of local sex offender registrants which will be updated on a regular basis.

In addition, a list of all registered sex offenders in the state of Maine is available from the Maine Department of Public Safety Sex Offender Registry. Husson University is located in Penobscot County with a zip code of 04401.

The CSCPA further amends the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) to clarify that nothing in the Act can prohibit an educational institution from disclosing information provided to the institution concerning registered sex offenders.

Unmanned Aircraft (Drones, UAV’s and Model Aircraft) on Campus Policy

PURPOSE:

Husson University is committed to providing a safe environment for all students, guests and employees. In spite of all of their positive recreational and commercial uses, unmanned aircraft by their very nature have the potential to create a public safety hazard. Unmanned aircraft also have the potential to violate privacy rights and can interfere with the peace and tranquility of the learning environment.

Husson University is unique in that our campus is situated within 2 miles of an active international airport and Air National Guard installation. The use of unmanned aircraft in close proximity to commercial and military aircraft is problematic and potentially catastrophic for other aircraft. In an effort to meet federal aviation guidelines, protect the occupants of our campus while simultaneously ensuring aviation security, Husson University has established this policy.

For the purposes of this policy unmanned aircraft includes any of the following:

• Drones
• Model Aircraft
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s)
• Unmanned Aerial System (UAS’s)

DEFINITIONS:

1.  Unmanned Aircraft is defined as the flying portion of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). This aircraft is flown by a pilot on the ground via some type of ground control system, or remotely through the use of an onboard computer. The term “unmanned” is not gender specific and is a commonly used term in the federal regulations regarding this subject matter.
2. Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) is defined as the unmanned aircraft and all associated systems and support equipment, such as the control station, data links, navigation equipment etc. that is necessary to operate the unmanned aircraft. The system also refers to any human operator controlling the flight.

III.      Model Aircraft are defined differently by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) than unmanned aircraft systems. The FAA states that model aircraft are not for commercial purposes but are only for hobby and recreational purposes. The FAA states that model aircraft must weigh less than 55 pounds, must be kept within visual sightline of the operator and must be flown a sufficient distance from populated areas.

1. 333 Exemption is an exemption granted by the FAA. Specifically, it grants the Secretary of Transportation the authority to determine whether an airworthiness certificate is required for a UAS to operate safely in the National Airspace System.
2. Husson University Campus is defined as all buildings, grounds, land and other property that are owned, leased or otherwise controlled through formal contractual arrangements by Husson University.
3. Drone is simply defined as any type of aircraft that can be remotely or autonomously guided.

VII.      LAANC is the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability, a collaboration between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and private industry partners. It provides access to controlled airspace near airports through near real-time processing of airspace authorizations in approved altitudes.

POLICY:

It is the policy of the University that unmanned aircraft are not allowed to operate in the airspace of the campus or to be controlled from the grounds of the campus. Because the grounds are private property, Husson University controls the right to the use of that property. Therefore, the use of unmanned aircraft of any type, without prior approval by the AVP of Safety and Security or designee, on the Husson University campus for hobby or recreational use is expressly prohibited.

The following exceptions to this policy exist:

•  The use of unmanned aircraft for public safety purposes by appropriate law enforcement, emergency medical service agencies or fire departments is allowed. Appropriate liaison between these agencies and the AVP of Safety and Security or designee is expected as soon as practical during exigent circumstances.
• Unmanned aircraft operation in support of Husson University is allowed. Examples include; a flight to examine a structure for damage or video productions for marketing purposes, or the Athletic and Marketing Departments utilizing unmanned aircraft for training, development and recruiting purposes. The individual or department requesting to utilize (or contracting the use of) the unmanned aircraft is required to obtain prior approval from the AVP of Safety and Security or designee as outlined below. If the flight is commercial in nature (i.e. a contracted vendor), the flight must be operated by a person that holds a valid Part 107 Airman certification.
• The usage of unmanned aircraft as part of approved Husson course(s) or any Husson recognized club. The faculty or staff member responsible for the course or the advisor of any approved Husson club will be required to obtain approval from the AVP of Safety and Security or designee before flights occur. Also, the advisor must be physically present during the operation of unmanned aircraft on campus to ensure that safety and privacy concerns are observed.
• Husson University receives student activities fees, therefore a part 107 Airman Certificate would be required for an advisor to conduct the club if any flying is conducted outdoors. It should be noted that Husson University is located in class C airspace and therefore, approval is required from Air Traffic Control to fly outside.
• Drone clubs or classes should attempt to confine their operation to an approved indoor space, like the gymnasium, with pre-approval from the Athletic Department.

In addition to obtaining approval from the AVP of Safety and Security, any individual or department seeking the use of unmanned aircraft on campus property will ensure that the operators are in compliance with FAA requirements, state law and any other applicable laws or regulations regarding unmanned aircraft. All unmanned aircraft, regardless of ownership, must be registered with the FAA and display the registration number as required by law. In addition, the operators of the unmanned aircraft by outside entities must have liability insurance in place to cover damages. Proof of insurance coverage will be required before approval is given by the AVP of Safety and Security or designee.

Any second party commercial operator of an unmanned aircraft, working on behalf of Husson University should be escorted by a university employee at all times while operating the aircraft.

Any individual or department requesting unmanned aircraft usage on campus property should ensure that the aircraft is not allowed to monitor or record areas where a reasonable expectation of privacy could exist. Unmanned aircraft will not be allowed to record or monitor residential hallways, dorm rooms or other living areas or fly over the populated areas of outdoor events, such as stadiums or sporting events.

Any request for unmanned aircraft usage on campus should be made by completing and submitting the “UAV Flight Request Form” and sent to the AVP of Safety and Security via email at least two business days in advance of the proposed date of usage.

Once a requestor submits the form with all required information, the Associate Vice President or designee has the discretion to authorize, modify or decline any request based on the safety and security of the campus community.

Any commercial operator of an unmanned aircraft, working on behalf of Husson University should be escorted by a university employee at all times while operating the aircraft. This employee should use proper judgement in supervising the use of the unmanned aircraft to ensure that safety and privacy concerns are constantly met.

Husson University, through the AVP of Safety and Security or designee, reserves the right to immediately suspend previously granted permission for flight activity if dangerous, inappropriate or disruptive actions occur.

Legal action, to include criminal and/or civil sanctions may be pursued against third parties who operate an unmanned aircraft in violation of this policy.

Any financial damages, fines, physical damage, or injuries resulting from actions by parties that do not comply with this policy will be the responsibility of the parties involved and will not be paid by Husson University.

Additional resources can be found at https://www.faa.gov/uas/

Click here for the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Authorization Form