Front page of the 2024 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report Saint Xavier University
On Tuesday, Oct. 1, Saint Xavier University (SXU) Public Safety sent out an email with SXU’s Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Reports. The security report totaled over 100 offenses and no fires were documented in 2023.
“We maintain records of all incident response and general interactions within the community through written reports. These reports are classified using criminal codes for ease of tracking and generating mandated reports, like the Annual Fire and Safety Report,” explained Daniel P. Murphy, Chief of Police and Director of Campus Safety.
The report is available to view on sxu.edu.
According to the security report, in 2023, offences that were reported on campus included; one forcible sex offense (including forcible rape), two non-forcible sex offences (statutory and incest), three hate crime related, 89 liquor law violations, 58 drug law violations, three illegal weapons possessions, two dating violence, and one case of stalking.
According to Murphy, “Crime on campus is managed through the Department of Public Safety and in coordination with the local Chicago Police Department District 22.”
“Public Safety tracks all shift reporting, includes crime reports, vehicular assists, etc. Student Life (via the Dean of Students office) maintains a record of all student-related conduct reports, hearing records, decisions, and sanctions. These remain on-file in the Dean of Students office for 7 calendar years,” shared Keith O’Neill, Ph.D., Dean of Students.
“The Annual Security Report includes all reputable offenses occurring where classes are held, in adjacent parking lots, and on public sidewalks for the entire calendar year,” stated the SXU website. The report contained statistics for the past three years concerning reported crimes on campus.
Nearly all offenses occurred in Residence Halls, zero offenses took place where off-campus based field classes occur and numbers for liquor and drug law violations have increased significantly within two years.
O’Neill voiced, “More information is better than no information. The University – or any human – cannot act to address something wrong if it is unaware that it’s happening. Therefore, if someone sees something, they should say something.”
“We encourage all members of the Saint Xavier University community to take an active role in supporting campus safety through being aware of their surroundings and prompt reporting of concerns, ” shared Murphy.
“Reporting opportunities are available online, in-person, via phone, or email, and it’s always important to share details of what one sees – even if it seems insignificant. No one can do anything to change or stop behavior if no one knows about it happening,” O’Neill continued.
Crime statistics on campus are categorized into four locations: on-campus residential, on campus, non-campus, as well as public property.
On-Campus Residential: Student housing facilities, including lease agreements. The data provided for this category includes crimes reported in these locations.
On Campus: Properties owned by Saint Xavier University or “owned by the institution but controlled by another person, is used by students, and supports institutional purposes (such as food or other retail vendors),” according to the Annual Crime Report.
Non-Campus: Buildings operated by a Registered Student Organization (RSO). As well as any location that is owned or controlled by SXU.
Public Property: Thoroughfares, streets, sidewalks, all within campus or near to and accessible from campus.
Though no fires were documented, the Annual Fire Report consisted of the safety policies, fire prevention systems, and more.
SXU has strict safety policies to prevent the start of fires on campus. Items not allowed in University housing consist of; any smoking products, “incense, candles, flammable/combustible liquids and electrical appliances (i.e. space heaters, halogen lamps and any appliances with exposed heating elements),” according to the SXU website.
It is shared that each room in housing has a sprinkler system. The system follows the code for the City of Chicago. Each residence hall additionally has smoke detectors, pull stations, trouble indicators and annunciator panels.
The report also includes policies regarding campus safety and reporting requirements of the Higher Education Opportunity Act. Reporting categories included are: student housing fire safety, missing student notifications and expanded hate crime.
O’Neill explained that The Counseling Center brings a beneficial resource for information and support regarding the use/abuse of substances (alcohol, cannabis and other drugs). The Dean of Students office is another resource available to seek additional referrals and outside support.
To report a crime that took place on campus contact Public Safety, at 773-298-4400 (non-emergency), 773-298-3911 (emergency), “or simply picking up a blue light emergency phone on campus will connect to the Dispatch Center,” explained Murphy.
To report a fire contact 911.