Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the jurisdiction of Bucknell Public Safety?

  Bucknell University is a Municipal Police Officers Training and Education-recognized Act 120 police agency. Bucknell sworn police officers have the same authority and powers as any state-certified police officer working for a municipal agency. We exercise our police powers within University-owned and adjacent properties and can respond to mutual aid requests from area law enforcement departments.

   

• Why do I see a Public Safety vehicle parked in the area of 7th Street and Moore Avenue?

  In the interest of safety, we try to position ourselves in high-traffic areas. That includes both vehicle traffic and pedestrian traffic. We often park in these areas to deter parking and traffic violations and enhance visibility. We are not parked there to focus on any individual property.

   

• What police agencies respond to off-campus events?

  If you reside off campus in Lewisburg or East Buffalo Township, the Buffalo Valley Regional Police Department will respond.

   

• Can an officer require me to provide my identification?

  It depends on the nature of your contact with the officer. There are three levels of contact we have with the public: consensual contacts, detentions and arrests.

  A consensual contact is defined as a voluntary interaction between an officer and a member of the community. In this type of contact, an officer can request to see your identification, and you can refuse.

  If you are detained, which means we have reasonable suspicion that a crime has occurred or is in progress, you can be compelled to provide your identification as part of the detention.

  If you are arrested, you can be compelled to provide your identification.

   

• What is the difference between Code of Conduct violations and Pennsylvania criminal law?

  Code of Conduct violations are defined in the Student Handbook. These are University-specific violations and are handled through an internal judicial process. Violations subject a member of the University community to the student disciplinary process. We make referrals to the Dean of Students office based on specific violations we encounter. Some of the most common violations we encounter involve noise and alcohol.

  Violations of criminal law can subject an individual to arrest and criminal prosecution for the offense. Depending on the severity of the offense, both a conduct investigation and criminal investigation may take place.

   

• What items are prohibited on campus?

  Items that are prohibited on campus and may not be stored in residence halls include: 

  • Illegal drugs
  • Fireworks and explosives
  • Firearms including airsoft, pellet and paintball guns

  • Knives with a blade longer than 3 inches
  • Swords

  You can learn more about Bucknell's Weapons on Campus Policy here. 

   

• If I am involved in an incident on campus, will my family be contacted?

  Family notifications are handled through the Dean of Students Office and primarily occur when incidents involve medical emergencies. Unless authorized, Public Safety does not contact parents or families directly.

   

• What is the relationship between Clery Act requirements and Title IX investigations?

  The passage of the Violence Against Women Act's (VAWA) amendments in 2013 had an important impact on Clery Act reporting requirements. In addition to the established list of Clery crimes required to be reported, VAWA added the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. Regarding the categories of bias used in reporting hate crimes, VAWA added the category of gender identity and separated national origin from ethnicity. Certain sex offenses reported to a Title IX official may also be Clery crimes, requiring evaluation for a timely warning. VAWA mandates prevention/ educational programming about domestic violence, dating violence and stalking for both students and employees, and specifically prohibits an institution from including a victim's name in a timely warning. There are also mandates surrounding an institution's judicial processes for students and employees. All of the programming and judicial information is required to be included in an institution's Annual Safety and Security Report, which provides Clery Act information and statistics.

   

• Can a Public Safety officer search my campus residence?

  Under certain circumstances, officers may search your campus residence.

  • You can give them consent to search.
  • If officers have probable cause to suspect a crime and you do not allow them inside, they may seek a search warrant. There may also be exceptions to the search warrant requirement depending on the situation.