Campus Police Department

Safety and Security Report

The “Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998,” commonly referred to as the “Clery Act”, requires institutions of higher education receiving federal Financial Aid to report specified crime statistics on college campuses and to provide other safety and crime information to members of the campus community. You can access them by going to http://www.wnmu.edu/admin/businessaff/CampusPoliceLossControl/index.shtml.

Standards of Conduct

Students attending WNMU are subject to all state, city and WNMU laws, regulations and rules.

WNMU recognizes its responsibility to the individual student, to the state, and to the communities of which its students are members. It maintains, therefore, a policy of disapproving those types of behavior which violate the standards of acceptable conduct. Continued misconduct of any type will jeopardize the student’s privilege of recommendation by WNMU and may cause his/her suspension or permanent dismissal.

WNMU will cooperate with duly constituted legal authorities when a student is involved in violations of the law.

Students who are arrested by law enforcement officers and who are subsequently convicted for law violations may be subject to disciplinary action imposed by the University including warning, censure, restitution, probation, suspension and expulsion as the individual case warrants.

Students are subject to the provisions of New Mexico Statute and to disciplinary action by the University, including warning, censure, restitution, probation, suspension, and expulsion for engaging in the following conduct:

1. Dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to WNMU;
2. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of WNMU documents, records, or identification;
3. Obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures, or other WNMU activities, including public service functions or other authorized activities on WNMU premises;
4. Physical abuse of any person or of property owned or controlled by WNMU or at functions sponsored or supervised by WNMU; or conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person;
5. Theft of or damage to property of a member of the WNMU community, or of a campus visitor;
6. Unauthorized entry into or use of WNMU facilities;
7. Violation of WNMU policies or of campus regulations, including those concerning the registration of student organizations, the use of WNMU facilities, or the time, place, and manner of public expression;
8. Use, possession, or distribution of illegal narcotics, and drinking or possession of alcoholic beverages on the WNMU campus, as provided by the laws of the state of New Mexico;
9. Violation of rules governing residence in property owned or controlled by WNMU;
10. Disorderly conduct, including lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct or expression on property owned or controlled by WNMU or at functions sponsored or supervised by WNMU;
11. Failure to comply with directions of WNMU officials acting in the performance of their duties;
12. Conduct which adversely affects the student’s suitability as a member of the academic community.

Vehicle Usage

General Provisions

1. The operation and storage of a motor vehicle on campus is a privilege granted by WNMU. This privilege may be revoked at any time. A vehicle is the owner’s responsibility at all times. The owner must handle his/her vehicle with safety, operate it within regulations, and park and care for it without danger or problems to others.
2. All state, city, and WNMU traffic regulations will be observed at all times.
3. The maximum speed limit for motor vehicles on campus is 15 miles per hours, except in congested areas and around apartments, residence halls, and parking lots, where the maximum speed limit is 10 miles per hour.
4. Unnecessary noise from mufflers or any other noise making device is prohibited.
5. Pedestrians have the right of way at all times.
6. WNMU assumes no responsibility for damage or loss to a motor vehicle while it is operated or parked on the campus.
7. Double parking is prohibited.
8. Under no circumstances is any vehicle to be parked in such a manner as to obstruct traffic.
9. Parking in loading zones (green) is permitted for only 15 minutes.
10. The lack of parking spaces is not a valid reason for illegal parking.

Moving Traffic Violations

All moving violation fines must be mailed to the address on the back of the citation.

Permits

PERMITS ARE NOT REQUIRED. However, students are encouraged to register their vehicles with the Campus Police Department in case of an emergency or damage to the vehicle.

Handicapped Parking Permits

Handicapped parking permits, issued by New Mexico Vehicle Division, must be displayed along with a current identification sticker from WNMU on the vehicle, at all times.

Parking Penalties

Any person who violates a campus parking regulation adopted pursuant to Section 29-5-1, NMSA 1978, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $20 and not more than $120 ($60 for parking in a handicapped or $80 for parking in a fire zone) per citation.

Failure to comply with the regulations may subject the driver to the loss of driving or parking privileges on campus and/or the impounding of the vehicle. All costs, tow charges, storage, and fines will be charged to the owner. Other disciplinary action may be taken. Students who live in campus housing are required to park in their residence parking lots until 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday. If found in a parking lot other than their assigned residence lot, a $20 ticket for illegal parking will be issued. More than three unpaid violations may result in disciplinary action by WNMU and/or issuance of magistrate traffic citations. Lack of space is not a valid excuse for the violation of regulations.

Parking is not allowed in the following areas and doing so will result in receiving a ticket: Yellow (no parking zones or official parking only), Red (fire lanes), Green (loading zones), Purple (non-student or visitor), or Blue (disabled, unless a state handicap permit is present and visible). It is also illegal to park in the crosswalks, on the sidewalks, on the grass, or to be double-parked.

The parking lot in front of the University Museum is for museum visitors only. It is not a general parking area. Anyone who parks in this place, and who is not visiting the museum will be issued a parking ticket.

Payment of Fines

All parking and parking permit sticker fines must be mailed to or paid in person at the WNMU Business Office within five working days. After five working days, a $5 late fee will be charged per day up to $50 ($60 to $120 for parking in a handicap and $80 for parking in a fire lane). After remitting payment to the business office, the receipt must be taken to the Campus Police Department to resolve the citation.

Weapons and Firearms

It is the intention of Western New Mexico University to provide a safe an harmonious setting where students, faculty and staff can work without fear or threat of bodily harm.

The sale, possession, transfer or use of any weapon(s) or firearm(s) on campus, except in officer training programs conducted under the auspices of the United States Armed Forces, state or local government law enforcement agencies or by officers thereof, is prohibited. Weapons, which include firearms, knives, other than pocket knives not exceeding 4 inches in length when folded and kitchen utility knives not exceeding 7 inches in total length; clubs, explosives, spiked wrist bands, chains, brass knuckles, or other items that may cause or be used for the purpose of causing intimidation, injury or death. Any individual who has knowledge that another person has a weapon(s) or firearms(s) on campus has a duty to report the situation to the Campus Police. The failure to report a violation of weapon(s) or firearm(s) is a serious misconduct and is grounds for disciplinary actions. Such an offense, as accessory, will be disciplined and subject to the same penalty as the primary offender.

Persons with weapon(s) or firearm(s) must enter campus at the closest point to the Campus Police Department and deposit all prohibited materials at that office for the duration of their stay.