Safety & Security Information (Clery Act)

No community can be totally risk‑free in today's society. However, working together, students, faculty, staff, and visitors can all help to create an atmosphere which is as safe and crime free as possible by reporting criminal or suspicious behavior and emergencies to the Napa Valley College Police Department. The College Police responds to all reports of criminal behavior, misconduct, and emergencies on the Main Campus. College Police officers are generally on duty on the Main Campus:

• Monday – Friday: 5:30am to 11:00pm
• Sat & Sun: 7:00am to 7:30pm
• College Holidays: 7:00am to 7:30pm

College Police officers are not assigned to the St. Helena Campus or the Center at American Canyon on a regular basis and only respond to crimes or issues upon request. Crimes that are not "in-progress" are handled by the College Police Department from the Main Campus. The College has agreements with local law enforcement agencies to respond to "in-progress" crimes at these satellite facilities. In progress crimes and emergencies should be reported to 911. The College Police should also be notified, after the local police agency, so we can ensure that appropriate services are provided.

• NVC Main Campus – Napa Police Department
• NVC St. Helena Campus – Saint Helena Police Department
• NVC Center at American Canyon – American Canyon Police Department

The College encourages anyone who is a victim or witness to any crime, threatening behavior, or misconduct on College property, including satellite campuses, to promptly report the incident to the College Police.

• A report of criminal activity or other emergency can be made by calling extension 7777 (on‑campus) or 256-7777 (off‑campus) or on the Main Campus by appearing in person at the College Police Department (located in building 2250).
• On the Main Campus the College Police can be contacted via the emergency phones located throughout the public areas. The emergency phone allows the user to call 911 or the College Police.
• The College Police office hours are generally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, office hours may vary depending on staffing levels.
• After 5:00 p.m. on weekdays or on weekends, call 7777 (on-campus) or 256-7777 (off-campus) to contact the on‑duty police officer.
• A report of criminal activity or other emergency can be made by via the NVC Safe app from a cell phone. NVC Safe allows a person to make a report by phone, email or text. NVC Safe is a free smart phone app available through the Google Play and Apple Store.
• Anonymous reports of crimes or misconduct can be made via …
  • NVC SAFE APP
  • Suspicious or Suspicious Activity Report

The College Police Department strongly encourages anyone who is the victim or witness to any crime or misconduct to promptly report the incident to the College Police.

Buildings

Most campus buildings are open Monday through Thursday 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, and from 7:00am to 5:00pm on Fridays. Campus buildings will normally be locked from 6:00 pm Friday to 7:00 am Monday. Facilities and College Police personnel will only unlock doors for weekend classes and other events in accordance with Napa Valley College Board Policy.

It is the responsibility of those who use rooms or offices to lock access doors, turn off lights, and close windows. College Police personnel will check many of these areas during off hours, but the primary responsibility for security rests with the user.

Keys

Keys are provided to individual staff members on a need‑to‑enter basis, as determined by the appropriate supervisor. Lost keys must be reported immediately to an individual’s supervisor and to the Facilities Department. Keys should never be loaned to other staff members or students. College Police personnel will confiscate any keys, which have not been specifically issued to an individual. Duplication of college keys is a misdemeanor.

Grounds

The Facilities Department works closely with the College Police Department to ensure that the campus is as safe as possible. Lighting, landscaping, and other safety‑related aspects of the campus are continually monitored, maintained, and repaired. Members of the campus community are encouraged to report any lighting deficiencies or other safety issues to the College Police Department at extension 7770.

College Police officers are fully sworn and armed peace officers under section 830.32 of the California Penal Code. College Police officers possess peace officer powers of arrest and enforce the laws of California and the rules and regulations of Napa Valley College. College Police officers have received the same training as municipal police officers and meet all the State standards to be a peace officer.

The Napa Valley College Police Department works closely with local law enforcement departments. College Police officers are able to contact the Napa Police Department by radio or phone to request assistance. The College Police have agreements with local law enforcement agencies to provide assistance when needed and who is primarily responsibility for specific crimes and incidents.

The Napa Valley College Police Department does not provide regular security at the satellite centers. The College Police has agreements with the police agencies to handle in progress crimes and emergencies. The College Police should also be notified, after the local police agency, so we can ensure that appropriate services are provided.

• Upper Valley Campus – Saint Helena Police Department
• NVC Center at American Canyon – American Canyon Police Department
• Wine County Regional Simulation Center – Yountville

Napa Valley College will not condone nor tolerate domestic or dating violence, sexual violence, or stalking. The College has enacted a number of policies and rules that address consent for sexual activity, domestic or dating violence, sexual violence, stalking, and other forms of harassment. Information about those policies can be found on the College’s website at www.napavalley.edu

Napa Valley College takes very seriously all reports of sexual assault and understands that reporting a sexual assault can be difficult. Napa Valley College is committed to respecting the privacy and limiting the sharing of your information to those people who have a need to know such information. Of course, Napa Valley College also has certain reporting, investigatory, and other requirements mandated by federal and state law, so the College cannot guarantee that information will remain confidential.

If the perpetrator is a student of Napa Valley College, in addition to criminal proceedings, you also have the option to file a complaint through the College's disciplinary system. In either instance, a College representative will be available to assist you through the process and will provide you with a written explanation of your rights and options.

At Napa Valley College consent for sexual activity is defined as being informed, freely given, and mutually understood. Consent is never implied and cannot be assumed, even in the context of a relationship. Consent for sex can be withdrawn at any time.

If a person is mentally or physically incapacitated or impaired so they cannot understand the fact, nature or extent of the sexual situation, there is no consent; this includes conditions due to alcohol or drug consumption or being asleep or unconscious. Consent is not:

• Body language: One can never assume by the way someone dresses, smiles, or looks that they want to have sex.
• Power differentials: When one person holds a great deal of power over another person (i.e., boss/employee or professor/student) it is more difficult to be sure that this difference of power is not influencing any sexual interactions between these two people.
• Marriage: Even in marriage, consent can never be assumed. Marital rape does exist, and it is just as severe as any other sexual assault. In California, there are marital rape laws that make a sexual assault in a marriage a crime. Marriage is not consent.
• Silence: Silence is never consent. The absence of a verbal “no” doesn’t mean “yes.”
• Coercion: Consent must be voluntarily given and may not be valid if a person is being subjected to actions or behaviors that elicit emotional or psychological pressure, intimidation, or fear.

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior committed by a spouse or intimate partner; by a partner you had a child with; by a partner you are living with or used to live with; or by a partner protected by California law. Violence is use by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.

Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. Domestic violence occurs in both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships and can happen to intimate partners who are married, living together, or dating.

Dating violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors used to exert power and control over a dating partner. The relationship may be serious or casual, monogamous or not, short-term or long-term. Dating violence does not discriminate – it can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. Anyone can experience violence, abuse or unhealthy behaviors in their dating relationships.

While there are many warning signs of abuse, here are ten common abusive behaviors:

1. Checking your cell phone or email without permission
2. Constantly putting you down
3. Extreme jealousy or insecurity
4. Explosive temper
5. Isolating you from family or friends
6. Making false accusations
7. Mood swings
8. Physically hurting you in any way
9. Possessiveness
10. Telling you what to do

Sexual Violence is a significant problem and refers to sexual activity where consent is not obtained or freely given. Anyone can experience sexual violence. The person responsible for the violence is typically male and is usually someone known to the victim. Sexual violence includes rape, sodomy, sexual assault with an object, fondling, incest, and sex with an underage person.

Sexual violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. Sexual violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. Sexual violence occurs in both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships and can happen to intimate partners who are married, living together, or dating.

Stalking is a pattern of repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, contact, or any other course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or the safety of others; or suffer substantial emotional distress. Stalking is generally considered two or more acts in which the stalker directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, or communicates to or about, a person, or interferes with a person’s property.

Stalking can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. Stalking affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. Stalking occurs in both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships and can happen to intimate partners who are married, living together, or dating.

While there are many things you can do to reduce your risk, it may not always be possible to avoid sexual assault. After a sexual assault, it’s not uncommon to feel fearful, confused, guilty, ashamed, or isolated. Many people find it helpful to talk with someone about these feelings. There are many concerned and professionally trained people at Napa Valley College and in the Napa community who are prepared to help you.

Regardless of what you did or did not do, if you are assaulted it is important for you to know that it is not your fault and to take the following steps;

Get to a place where you will be safe from further attack. For your own protection, call the police (911) immediately, especially if the assailant is still nearby. The police will help you whether or not you choose to prosecute the assailant. For an assault on campus, call the Napa Valley College Police Department (707-256-7777). If you are assaulted off-campus assault call 911 to reach the local police department.

Call someone you trust. Don’t try to deal with this situation alone; it is important to tell someone. It is an enormous burden to bear alone. Call a friend, family member, or someone whom you feel you can talk to (e.g., Student Health Center, College Police, or other individuals on the Napa Valley College staff).

Seek medical attention. All local hospitals have experienced staffs that are prepared to help sexual assault victims. It is important that you seek medical attention promptly to assess and treat physical injuries you may have sustained, to determine risk of any sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/Hepatitis exposure, and pregnancy. Some treatments must be initiated within 24 to 72 hours following the assault to be effective. Although seeking immediate medical attention is preferred for the reasons noted above, you may choose to delay treatment. Regardless of the time that may have passed, a medical exam is strongly recommended.

Try to preserve all physical evidence of the assault. Do not drink, bathe, douche, brush your teeth, change your clothes, or comb your hair. It’s only natural to want to do these things, but you may be destroying evidence that could be helpful in prosecution of the perpetrator. In the course of your medical examination, this evidence will be collected by a specially trained nurse. If changing clothes is necessary, clothing worn during the assault should be placed in a paper bag.

Seek emotional care. Regardless of whether you report the assault, it is often helpful to seek counseling for the traumatic experience you have survived. The crisis intervention and counseling services provided by Napa Valley College are available to you regardless of whether the assault happened on or off campus. The Napa Valley College Student Health Center is a place where sexual assault survivors and concerned friends can safely discuss their feelings associated with the assault. The center is staffed with therapists who are experienced in helping victims of crime and other traumatic incidents. Sessions are designed to explore the impact of an assault on everyday functioning and to develop skills to regain control over one’s life. The Napa Emergency Services "NEWS"Domestic Violence & Sexual Abuse Services has a 24-hour confidential hotline (707-255-6397) that provides survivors of sexual assault with telephone counseling and personal support. Specially trained counselors can provide support and advocacy in dealing with police, hospital, and judicial proceedings. The NEWS hotline telephone number is: 707-252-NEWS (6397)

Reporting the sexual assault to the police does not commit you to further legal action. The earlier you report an assault, the easier it will be for police to investigate the crime and to prosecute the case successfully if that is your choice. It helps to preserve your options for the future. Police departments in the Napa area have officers who have undergone special training in sexual assault investigation. In the initial meeting with the police, you will be asked to tell the police what happened, where it happened, and what your attacker looked like.

If you do not wish to report the assault to the police there are other options. You may report the assault or misconduct to the Title IX office (see Title IX below). You may also report the assault or misconduct to Student Affairs (see Disciplinary process below).

Napa Valley College offers a number of safety and prevention programs to students and staff about relationship violence, domestic or dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking. Information about these programs can be found on the webpages of the College Police and Student Health Center.

Napa Valley College will provide a student or employee who reports being a victim of domestic or dating violence, sexual violence, or stalking, whether the offense occurred on or off campus, a written explanation of the victim’s rights and options.

As a bystander you can intervene by taking the initiative to help someone who may be targeted for a sexual violence or who is incapacitated and can’t care for themselves. When deciding to intervene, your personal safety should be the number one priority. When in doubt, call for help. If you decide to intervene:

• Be with others. If it is safe to intervene, you're likely to have a greater influence on the parties involved when you work together with someone or several people. Your safety is increased when you stay with a group of friends who you know well.
• Care for the victim. Ask if the victim of the unwanted sexual advance, attention, or behavior if they are okay. Does he or she need medical care? Does he or she want to talk to someone or see about reporting the matter? Ask if someone he or she trusts can help him or her get safely home.

Adapted from University of New Hampshire's "Bringing in the Bystander."

You can reduce your risk of become a victim of sexual violence by using common sense, situational awareness and trusting your instincts. Following the tips below will also decrease your chances of being attacked.

• If you consume alcohol, do so in moderation. Studies indicate that about half of all U.S. sexual assaults involve the use of alcohol by the offender, the victim or both. In the college, alcohol may be involved in majority of all sexual assaults.
• Also, you should not leave your beverage unattended or accept a drink from an open container.
• When you date someone, communicate clearly with that person to ensure he or she knows your limits from the beginning. Both verbal and nonverbal (body language) communication can be used to ensure the message is understood.
• If you go on a date with someone you do not know very well, tell a close friend what your plans are.
• You have the right to say "No" even if you:
  • Say "Yes," and change your mind
  • Have had sex with this partner before
  • Have been kissing or "making out"
• Always have extra money to get home. Have a plan for someone you can call if you need help.
• If you feel uncomfortable, scared or pressured, act quickly to end the situation. Say, "Stop it" and leave or call for help.
• When you go to a party, go with a group of friends. Arrive together, watch out for each other and leave together.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Do not allow yourself to be isolated with a person you do not know or trust.
• Travel with a friend or in a group.
• Walk only in lighted areas after dark.
• Keep the doors to your home and car locked.
• Know where your phone is located.

Reporting the sexual assault to the police does not commit you to further legal action. The earlier you report an assault, the easier it will be for police to investigate the crime and to prosecute the case successfully if that is your choice. It helps to preserve your options for the future. Police departments in the Napa area have officers who have undergone special training in sexual assault investigation. In the initial meeting with the police, you will be asked to tell the police what happened, where it happened, and what your attacker looked like.

For information about the Title IX process and FAQs please visit the Title IX web page.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs, including athletic programs, or activities that receive federal funding. Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment, rape, and sexual assault.

Napa Valley College encourages everyone to report all forms of discrimination and sexual misconduct. It does not matter if you were personally involved in an incident or if you witnessed something happening to someone else. Napa Valley College follows a See Something, Say Something model, which means we expect community members to look out for each other and report misconduct. To report incidents involving any employee of the college please contact Title IX Coordinator Charo Albarran at [email protected] or call (707) 256-7100.

The College's disciplinary process is available at the Napa Valley College – Student Affairs webpage.

The College strongly encourages the prompt reporting of prohibited conduct associated with sexual violence. Delays in reporting can greatly limit the College's ability to stop the alleged conduct, collect evidence and/or take effective action. A report of alleged violations of may be made by;

• a person who believes they experienced sexual violence (a complainant); and/or
• a person who has information that prohibited conduct may have been committed (a reporter).

Once a report of prohibited conduct is received, the College will respond promptly and investigate the report in a fair and impartial manner. The purpose of an investigation, which includes interviewing the parties and witnesses, is to gather and assess evidence. The standard of evidence that will be used in investigating and adjudicating complaints made under this policy is the "preponderance of the evidence" standard. This standard is met if the allegation is deemed more likely to have occurred than not. Possible outcomes of an investigation are;

• a finding the allegations are not warranted;
• a finding that the allegations could not be substantiated;
• a finding the allegations are substantiated and constitute a violation of the policy and, if so, referral to the appropriate administrative authority for corrective action.

Disciplinary action against a student will be imposed by the Office of Students Affairs in accordance with College's student disciplinary procedures. Student disciplinary actions may include but are not limited to, warning, censure, conduct probation, restitution, suspension or termination of financial aid, suspension, or expulsion.

The College will also provide interim and remedial measures, to the extent possible, to protect the reporting party and eliminate any hostile environment. The College has support services in place that serve to be sensitive to victims complainants who report sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, including informing individuals about their right to file criminal charges, as well as the availability of counseling, health, mental health, victim advocacy, legal assistance, visa and immigration assistance and other services on and/or off campus.

In some instances, when an individual reports an alleged violation of this policy to the College, the College may take emergency action to protect the emotional health or physical safety of the reporting individual and the larger College community. Such arrangements will be facilitated by the appropriate College officials, and all decisions will be based on the evidence available at that time.

The College may implement interim measures, as may be necessary to assure the safety and well-being of the complainant, to maintain an environment free from harassment, discrimination, or retaliation, and to protect the safety and well-being of community members. Appropriate College officials will decide if and what interim measures are necessary. Such interim measures may include, but are not limited to, separating the complainant's and respondent's academic or working situations, forbidding contact between parties involved in a complaint, suspending the right of the respondent to be present on campus or otherwise altering the College status of the respondent. Other interim measures may be implemented given the respondent's relationship with the College. These interim measures may be kept in place through the conclusion of any review, investigation, or appeal process.

It is the intent of Napa Valley College to use reasonable means to prevent crimes from occurring rather than to react to them after the fact. One of the essential ingredients of any successful crime prevention program is to encourage students and staff to be aware of their responsibility for their own security and the security of others. This is accomplished through information pamphlets, posters and programs.

Another critical element of a safe campus is crime prevention training and information. The College Police provides crime prevention training on topics ranging from personal safety to protecting personal property. These classes are conducted throughout the year and done upon request. Crime and safety information is available throughout the campuses via printed pamphlets and from the College Police website (napavalleycollege.edu/police).

Finally, an effective crime prevention program includes eliminating or minimizing criminal opportunities whenever possible and encouraging students and employees to be responsible for their own security and the security of others. All staff and students are asked that if you SEE SOMETHING – SAY SOMETHING by calling the College Police (707) 256-7777.

Napa Valley College will inform students and staff in a timely manner of any criminal activity or security problems that may pose an ongoing or continuing threat to their safety. Such information will normally be distributed through brochures, publications, special bulletins, published newsletters, emails, information on the college’s website, emergency messages via NVC Safe, and the College’s electronic information system. The decision to issue a notice will be made by Chief of the College Police (or designee).

If Napa Valley College confirms that there is an emergency or dangerous situation that poses an immediate threat to the health or safety of some or all members of the College community, the College Police will without delay and taking into account the safety of the College community, determine the content of the notification and initiate the notification system, unless issuing a notification will, in the judgment of the first responders, compromise the efforts to assist a victim or to contain, respond to, or otherwise mitigate the emergency. The notice may be to the entire College community or the appropriate segment of the community, if the threat is limited to a particular building or segment of the population will be notified. The notice will be through emails, information on the college’s website, emergency messages via NVC Safe, the College’s electronic information system, and other methods that are appropriate to the situation.

The Napa Valley College Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) outlines how the college will respond to disasters and specified emergencies. Upon confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation the appropriate plan will be activated by the President of the College (or their designee if not available) or the Chief of the College Police (or their designee if not available). Information about how staff and students should respond in an emergency is available in pamphlet form, classroom posters and on the Internet at napavalley.edu/police. The College regularly conducts emergency tests of its fire alarm systems along with other emergency drills and exercises in order to assess and evaluate its emergency plans and capabilities. Each test conducted will be documented with a description of the test, the date and time held, and whether it was an announced or unannounced test.

Since October 2003, Penal Code 290.1 requires all registered sex offenders to register with the College Police if they are enrolled as a student at the college (regardless of the location of the class); employed by the college, either full-time or part-time (including paid and unpaid employee or volunteers); working or carrying on a vocation at the college (e.g. contractors) for more than 14 days or an aggregate period exceeding 30 days in a calendar year (including paid workers as well as volunteers).

Sex Offender must register with the College Police within five working days of commencing enrollment or employment with the college.

Public information regarding sex offenders in California may be obtained via the Internet at - http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov

Firearms of any type are not allowed on the campus, unless you are a duly appointed peace officer or possess a valid concealed weapons permit, or the firearms is for instructional purposes and has been approved by the Napa Valley College Chief of Police. Knives with a blade length of more than 2 1/2 inches are not allowed on campus.

Any person who disrupts the orderly operation of the campus may be immediately removed from the campus, under an appropriate penal code section(s) or the Napa Valley College student discipline policy. Any person removed for disruptive behavior may not return to the campus until an appropriate hearing or administrative procedure has taken place.

Napa Valley College is committed to being inclusive and welcoming of all people. The College strives to provide a safe place for everyone to work and learn. The College appreciates the diversity of humanity and rejects prejudice, discrimination, and acts of hate. Any incidents of hate crimes or violence should be reported to the College Police or Bias Incident Response Team (www.napavalley.edu/BIRT).

A “hate crime” is generally defined in Stae and Federal laws as "any or intimidation, harassment, physical force, or threat of physical force directed against any person, family, or their property or advocate, motivated either in whole or in part by hostility to their real or perceived race, ethnic background, national origin, religious belief, sex, age, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation, with the intention of causing fear or intimidation, or to deter the free exercise or enjoyment of any rights or privileges secured by the constitution or the laws of the United States or the State of California."

In accordance with Public Law 101‑226, "Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989," the Board of Trustees of the Napa Valley Community College District prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol on college property and as part of any activity sponsored or sanctioned by the college. As a condition of employment, all college employees shall abide by the college's policy of maintaining a drug‑free workplace.

The possession, use and sale of alcoholic beverages by anyone on property controlled by Napa Valley College, except as permitted by law for instructional purposes, is a misdemeanor, as per Section 25608 of the California Business Code, and a violation of the Standards of Student Conduct. The use, sale, or possession of any illegal drug is a violation of the law and any person found in violation may be subject to arrest by federal, state, local or campus law enforcement authorities.

Any student violating this policy is subject to disciplinary action as outlined in Standards of Student Conduct, Board Policy 6310. Any employee of Napa Valley College Community College District is subject to disciplinary action under Board Policy D1420, Establishment of a Drug‑Free Workplace. Criminal prosecution is separate from any administrative discipline that may be imposed by Napa Valley College.

All students and employees who feel that they have a drug or alcohol problem are urged to voluntarily seek confidential assistance through rehabilitation programs. For confidential assistance:

On Campus

Off Campus

Napa Valley College - Drug Free School and Campus Bi-enniel Report

Each year, an email notification is sent to all enrolled students and staff which provides the website address (www.napavalley.edu/police) where this report can be obtained. Copies of the report may be downloaded from the college website or obtained at the College Police Department located in Building 2250 or by calling (707) 256-7770. All prospective employees may obtain a copy from the College Police website or by calling (707) 256-7770.

The police departments from the adjoining cities are requested to provide the College Police with crime data for the areas surrounding satellite centers. The Department will notify persons using these facilities when security problems arise.

The Chief of the College Police is responsible for the preparation of this report and to ensure its compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. This report is prepared in cooperation with the police agencies surrounding our campus and centers, the Office of Student Services, Health Services, and the Counseling Department. Each entity provides statistical information.

The college does not recognize any fraternity, sorority or student organizations that have off campus houses or offices.

A complete copy of the SRTK Report with specific crime reporting data is available for viewing and download by clicking on- Student Right To Know- 2024

The individual crime reporting tables can be viewed by clicking on the links below:

• Napa Valley College Main Campus – Table- Main Campus- 2024
• Napa Valley College UVC –  Table- Upper Valley Campus 2024