What exactly is a University
Referral?
A University Official Notice, or also known as a Referral,
is an enforcement tool utilized by the University Police Department.
It is the beginning of the University's judicial system and
requires a student to schedule a meeting with the Dean of
Students Office to discuss a violation. It is important to
note that the University Official Notice is not a criminal
charge. This document can also serve as a trespass notice
for non-students. As a trespass notice it directs an individual
not to return to the University's property for one year. The
consequences for returning to the property could be a criminal
charge for second degree trespassing. Trespass notices may
be appealed to the Chief of Police at (910) 962-2222.
Will you unlock my vehicle if I lock my keys
in it? Jumpstart my car if the battery is dead? Assist with
a flat tire?
These are three of the most common ways
that the University Police Department assists motorists. If
you find yourself in a situation where you need help with
any of these three needs or similar issues please call 962-2222,
or use an emergency call box, and an officer will respond
to assist you.
What is the University's Policy on Alcohol?
Anyone over the age of 21 can possess and
consume alcoholic beverages in his/her residence only, and
cannot provide alcohol to anyone who is not 21 years of age.
Open containers of alcohol are not allowed outside of the
residence. This entire policy is available in the UNCW Code
of Student Life handbook under UNCW Policy on Alcohol.
What do I do if I am receiving harassing
phone calls or emails?
If you live on campus you should contact the University Police
Department at 962-2222, and provide us with complete details
about the calls. Information such as how often, the duration
of the calls, the times of the calls, what the caller is saying
or not saying, and if they have threatened you in any way.
If you wish, a Police Officer will respond to your location
and take a complete report about the harassment you are receiving,
and give you information and options about how to handle this
problem. Some tips to help handle this situation are: don’t
talk to the caller, hang up the phone, unplug the phone, blow
a loud whistle in the receiver of the phone, and request to
change your telephone number. You can also notify your Resident
Assistant about the situation. It should be noted that North
Carolina Law defines harassing phone calls as using profane,
indecent, or threatening language to any person over the telephone,
annoying or harassing by repeated telephoning, or making false
statements over the telephone (N.C.G.S. 14-196). It is also
important to note that this law also applies to electronic
communication and electronic mail. You may request to have
your on campus residence telephone number changed through
the University Telecommunications Office at 962-4019.
What happens to someone
who is arrested on campus?
When someone is placed under arrest he/she is transported
to the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Department, located
at 3950 Juvenile Center Dr. which is off of Blue Clay Rd.
off of North College Rd, where they will appear before a magistrate.
If the person is a student of the University, he will be referred
to the Dean of Students Office as well. If the person is not
a student, he would most likely be trespassed from the University’s
property for the period of one year. The individual may also
be referred to the Dean of Students Office, be trespassed
from the University, or be issued a North Carolina Uniform
Citation instead of a physical arrest
What should I do if I am involved in a traffic
accident on campus?
If you are involved in a traffic accident,
contact the University Police as soon as possible at 962-2222,
at 911, or use an emergency call box. Be prepared to
tell the Police Telecommunicator where the accident occurred,
whether or not there are any injuries, how many vehicles are
involved, and the colors and types of the vehicles. A Police
Officer will respond to your location.
How does the University
Police handle skateboarding?
Skateboards are an acceptable means of transportation
on the campus and are to be used for that purpose. Skateboarding
on steps, landscaping planters, picnic tables and other University
property causes damage and therefore is prohibited. Should
a skateboarder be caught in violation of this policy, a Police
Officer has a number of options available, including a verbal
warning, a University Traffic Citation, and a University Official
Notice, or referral to the Dean of Students Office.
What do I do if I receive a citation?
There are a few different forms of citations
or “tickets,” including Parking Citation, Traffic
Warning Citation, University Traffic Citation, and the North
Carolina Uniform Citation. If you receive:
Parking Ticket- you will have the option of either
paying the amount noted on the citation at the Cashier's Office
in James Hall, or appealing the citation at Auxiliary
Services.
Warning Citation- the officer and your copy will provide
instructions on what you need to do.
University Traffic Citation- you will also have the option
of paying the amount of the citation at the Cashier's Office
in James Hall, or appealing the citation at Auxiliary Services.
Most traffic fines are $50.00. Your copy will provide instructions
for both paying and appealing the citation.
North Carolina Uniform Citation- the officer and your
copy of the citation will indicate if you are required to
appear, and where to appear, in district court for the offense
charged. If an appearance in court is mandatory, you must
be in attendance on the scheduled date and time at the New
Hanover County District Court Building in the appointed room.
How do I make an anonymous report to the police?
To make an anonymous report of criminal activity to the police
you can call the University Police Tips Line at 962-TIPS (962-8477)
or by our confidential crime report page. If you utilize this means of reporting a crime,
please do so responsibly and provide as much information about
the incident as possible. The University Police Department
will also respect your privacy in reporting an incident that
may be sensitive to your living arrangement when filing a
report with an officer.
If the police find something illegal in my room but it belongs
to my roommate, do I get in trouble as well?
Whether or not you get in trouble for something illegal being
in your room is determined upon whether or not you were in
possession of that item. If contraband is found in a common
area of the room, an area that both you and your roommate
use regularly, you both could be charged with possessing it.
This is defined through North Carolina State Law as “constructive
possession.” If the contraband were found in an area
that is under the exclusive control of your roommate, such
as a top desk drawer that can be locked with a key, then possession
would be exclusive to the person who controls that area. The
recommended way to handle a situation in which you know your
roommate possesses an illegal substance or other contraband
would be to notify the University Police Department and allow
us to investigate the matter appropriately. The UNCW Code
of Student Life states that it is against policy for an individual
to “conduct himself/herself in a manner which encourages
or enables illegal activity or a violation of the Code of
Student Life by failing to confront the behavior or by implicitly
condoning the behavior by his/her presence during the activity.”
What exactly is the
University Police Department’s jurisdiction? Can you
stop somebody off campus?
The University Police Department has jurisdiction
while within the geographical boundaries of the University
property, adjoining roads, streets, or highways leading upon
University property, and all property owned or leased by the
University. A University Police Officer is authorized to stop
a vehicle or person who was observed committing a violation
on the University’s property. Additionally, officers
are authorized to engage in “hot pursuit” that
leaves the University’s property when the officer is
pursuing a violator or suspect who has committed a violation
on campus and is fleeing from that officer.
Other law enforcement agencies, within New Hanover County,
such as the Wilmington Police Department, New Hanover County
Sheriff’s Department, or North Carolina Highway Patrol
may also request the assistance of the University Police Department
in what is called a “mutual aid agreement,” and
depending on the agreement may grant University Police the
powers of arrest outside of its usual territorial jurisdiction.
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