Safety Posters

A. Policy Statement

It is the policy of the university to inform the Carleton University community concerning reported safety-related incidents on or near campus. The purpose of safety posters is to inform the community about activities that pose a danger and also to educate regarding dangers. Large posters featuring an orange “yield” sign provide information concerning safety related incidents on campus and the contact numbers that members of the Carleton University community can call should they have any relevant information concerning an incident or wish to find out more information about it.

Incidents reported to the Campus Safety Services of the following nature are to be publicized to the university community by the distribution of safety posters:

• Sexual assaults are defined as any unwanted act of a sexual nature imposed by one person upon another, including rape and any other unwanted fondling or touching;
• Physical assault between strangers, on women, and in other situations as decided by the Safety Poster Committee, including incidents of drugging such as Rohypnol (“date rape drugs”);
• Exhibitionism, defined as “flashing” or indecent exposure;
• Voyeurism, defined as peeping toms, men in women’s washrooms (or the reverse);
• Verbal assaults, threats, or patterns of hate incidents (defined as acts committed against a person, group or place because of sex, race, religion, ability, ethnicity and/or sexual orientation and
• Other situations as decided by the Safety Poster Committee.

B. Membership of the Safety Poster Committee

• Director of Safety
• Director of University Communications
• Director of Equity Services
• CUSA representative
• GSA representative

C. Procedure

The procedure for preparing copy is as follows (revised January 2000):

• The Campus Safety Services prepares draft copy from the incident report and sends the draft to Department of University Communications, and when necessary, University Communications will consult with Equity Services regarding terminology before approving final copy. In certain cases it may be necessary for the Safety Poster Committee to discuss how to proceed on an issue. Following the completion of final copy, the Department of University Communications arranges for the printing and distribution of posters.
• Posters are mailed to all departments on campus, with additional copies sent to Residence, the Library, CUSA, the Campus Safety Services, and Equity Services. CUSA puts the safety poster up on its usual posting spots in the tunnels and residence staff post on all floors in residence.
• Each department or unit is to designate an individual to ensure that posters are placed in visible locations and that, following a three-week period, they are removed. Should a poster be vandalized or stolen, the designated individual should call the Campus Safety Services to request another copy. It is important that each poster be put up as soon as it is received to ensure prompt notification of the university community. Posters are also to be placed in high traffic locations that are normally non-posting areas.
• Every effort is made to have safety posters distributed within 48 hours of an incident. Long weekends, university holidays, and/or closure may require a longer distribution time.
• Posters are to remain up for about three weeks. If posters are vandalized, the Campus Safety Services should be called for replacements.

Any questions concerning safety posters and this project should be directed to the Director of Safety or the Director of Equity Services.

The university has other forms of communication to alert the community on safety issues, such as Today@ Carleton, Carleton Now, the Charlatan, the Internet, etc. These other modes may, from time to time, provide a more appropriate response.

Source: Approved by the Presidential Advisory Committee on Personal Safety, March 2000.