February 1, 2005 62LCB#6 Commission
on Personal Safety
Sponsored by: Veronica
Crespin Tri-Executive
Garrett
Stanton Tri-Executive
Joseph
Neguse Tri-Executive
Authored by: Katy Milani Safety Director
Jessica
Bralish Public
Relations Director
Veronica
Crespin Tri-Executive
A Bill
Bill History
The
Committee on Personal Safety (COPS) was first initiated by administration in
1991 to address current
safety issues. Its intent was to inform
students, faculty, and staff about available campus security resources through
publications, programs, and involvement with groups. The committee specifically
promotes safety by providing safety information at orientation, evaluating
campus lighting, and supporting the CU Rape and Gender Education program
(COURAGE) and Nightride/Nightwalk programs.
The committee is comprised of representation from many different
departments on campus, such as Facilities Management, CUPD, Judicial Affairs,
Resident Hall Association, Housing, Dining Services, Greek Affairs, Ombuds,
Boulder Fire Department, Student Affairs, and Public Safety. In the future, the
committee should outreach and invite other groups on campus such as GLBTRC,
WRC, Office of Victim’s Assistance, Helpline, SHOC, IFC and Panhellenic to be
on the committee to provide diverse perspectives in regards to safety issues.
While the intent and mission of the committee is
valid, it has lacked continuity, and has hindered the committee from
advancement. With recent concerns about
safety amongst administrators and faculty on campus, it is imperative that
students engage in discourse concerning safety initiatives and matters. COPS has the potential to be an outlet for
students to exchange ideas with administration. However, in the past, the sole student representative has been
the UCSU Safety Director. While,
his/her participation is valued, the voices of a variety of students are not
being represented and follow-through is limited. Current members of the COPS committee have expressed their
interest in expanding the membership and mission of the committee.
Bill Summary
This bill
establishes a Commission on Personal Safety to add legitimacy and student
representation to the already established Committee on Personal Safety
(COPS). The principle purpose of the
commission is to work in conjunction and with time, in place of the existing
COPS committee, and allow for further student participation in safety discourse
and follow-through by establishing guidelines for involvement. Increased student participation will allow
for more diverse safety initiatives to be addressed.
THEREFORE BE IT ENACTED by the Legislative Council
of the University of Colorado Student Union, THAT:
SECTION 1:
Mission. The purpose of the Commission on Personal
Safety is to address current safety issues within the University of Colorado at
Boulder campus community. The
Commission will inform students, staff, and faculty about a variety of
available resources through literature dissemination, orientation, sessions and
involvement with student and staff issues through the support of current campus
programs. The commission promotes
student safety by supporting/developing and implementing safety programs.
Issues addressed will accommodate the current and future campus culture
concerning safety. The commission
cooperates with research studies directed toward current and/or potential
safety programs and other safety issues on the University of Colorado at Boulder
campus.
SECTION 2: Duties. The
Commission on Personal Safety is charged with keeping abreast of the overall
picture of safety for individuals within the campus community (student, staff,
faculty, and community members). COPS
brings safety related concerns to the attention of appropriate
departments.
The Commission will focus specifically on the
following:
1.
Environment
consideration: Trees, shrubbery, lighting, parking, emergency phones.
2.
Nightride/nightwalk:
Services that provide an escort home to both on and nearby campus locations.
3.
Communication/collaboration
with law enforcement officials on campus: Training, educational programs,
policy development, identification of other safety related needs on
campus.
4.
Victim
support services: Centralized resources, advocacy counseling for victims within
the campus community.
5.
Awareness/Education:
Acquaintance rape, sexual assault, battering, harassment, sexual harassment,
obscene phone calls, self-dense, hate crimes, theft and other forms of
victimization.
6.
Orientation
sessions for incoming freshman.
7.
Cooperation
and communication with the university community and media to coordinate
activities, educational programs and resources to meet the above stated
objectives.
8.
Current
and future immediate campus culture issues concerning safety.
SECTION
3: Leadership. The commission shall have one (1) student chair. The student chair will be elected by the
entire commission, and all student members are eligible for the chair
position. The chair is subject to
majority ratification of the Commission for Personal Safety. The chair shall be
responsible for ensuring that the commission meets once a month during the
summer session, fall and spring semesters.
The chair has the authority to call commission when deemed
necessary. The chair shall act as the
liaison to legislative council, cost center directors, the executives, and the
Committee on Personal Safety.
The chair shall be a non-voting member, unless it is
necessary to break a tie.
SECTION 4:
Composition. The commission shall be composed of the following voting members: one
(1) Tri-Executive, the UCSU Safety Director, one (1) member of UCSU Legislative
Council to be appointed by the legislative president with majority approval
present and voting of the legislative council, three (3) student at large
positions appointed by commission, and one (1) community member at large.
The commission shall be co-chaired by the elected
chair of the commission and a representative of the Office of Judicial Affairs.
The various departments that are now represented on the Committee on Personal
Safety shall also be represented on the Commission in order to continue the
work of the original Committee on Personal Safety. Quorum for the board shall
consist of four (4) voting members. The
board may also add any number of ex-officio positions deemed necessary by the
board. All members of the commission
are required to attend all Committee on Personal Safety meetings.
SECTION 5: Action. Any
action of the commission shall pass a majority vote amongst the commission
members. Any action taken by the
commission may be overturned by 2/3 of the legislative council.
SECTION 6: Dismissal.
Members may face dismissal after three (3) unexcused absences from
required meetings. Dismissal requires a
2/3 vote from the commission.
SECTION 7: By-Laws. The commission shall create and ratify by-laws of the commission to be approved by 2/3 vote of the commission, and a majority vote of the legislative council.
SECTION 8:
ENACTMENT. This bill
takes effect upon passage upon passage by the Legislative
Council and upon obtaining the signatures of the
Legislative Council President pro Tempore and
the Tri-Executives.
3/3/05 Passed 13-0-0
3/10/05 Passed 14-0-0