College of the Holy Cross President Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J., and Worcester City Manager Michael V. O’Brien are in agreement about the following items that reflect our renewed, shared focus on improving the safety and quality of life for Holy Cross students and residents of the College Hill neighborhood.
Expectations for student behavior off-campus
The College’s Code of Conduct applies to all students. Holy Cross affirms that the Code addresses clear and comprehensive expectations for off-campus student behavior. There is no difference if a violation occurs inside or outside the gates of the College. Violations that affect the quality of life in the College Hill residential neighborhood or elsewhere in the City of Worcester will be swiftly adjudicated through the procedures established in the Code and set forth in the Disciplinary Procedures for Students.
Each year, the President of the College will send a letter to all students, parents, and members of the College Community regarding the expected standards of conduct in the neighborhood and the consequences for violations.
Violations of the Code of Conduct become part of a student’s educational record; and parental notification will be made in all cases that result in neighborhood disturbances or violation of any law.
The College mandates that students living off campus provide complete and accurate contact information, to include local addresses, phone numbers, emergency contact information, and landlord contact information.
The College will establish a comprehensive application, vetting, and education program for all students requesting to live off campus beginning with the 2011-2012 academic year.
Cooperation between Worcester Police and Holy Cross Public Safety
Under the Holy Cross President’s direction, the College’s Department of Public Safety will be in regular contact and communication with Worcester Police, including Holy Cross-funded Worcester Police details. Public Safety officers, will have an actively integrated presence with Worcester Police patrols in the College Hill neighborhood during certain times, as agreed upon. In conjunction with existing programs, Public Safety will explore options to improve upon the foundation that has been established.
Worcester Police, along with Holy Cross Public Safety and administrators, will continue to communicate with off-campus students to elicit voluntary compliance with norms and expectations for off-campus behavior.
At the end of each regularly scheduled assignment and/or subsequent to any public safety response or action, there will be an exchange of information between officers. This information will be forwarded to the Chief of the Worcester Police Department and the Chief of Public Safety and will include names, activities, and interactions.
Worcester Police reports involving Holy Cross students will be shared with the College. The College will confirm receipt of reports and provide regular resolution updates to Worcester Police.
The disciplinary process for quality-of-life infractions in the off-campus neighborhood will be expedited and conducted in accordance with established disciplinary procedures. Senior College Administrators will hold standing disciplinary meetings on Monday/Tuesday mornings following weekends for expedited proceedings. The Chief of Worcester Police, or designee, will receive a summary of disposition of violations and disposition of all cases.
Worcester Police details hired by Holy Cross will be provided with background and information on the College Code and Community Standards, along with guidelines on this Community Compact. Hired Worcester Police details will provide the College with detailed and timely information when there is an infraction.
Worcester Police at their discretion will take appropriate action in accordance with city, state, and federal laws, statutes and ordinances. Each instance will be tracked as to outcomes, both in the legal system and through the College disciplinary process, as detailed above. College reporting to Worcester Police and the City of Worcester will be made in compliance with the Family Education Right to Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 USC 1232g.
Alcohol
Enforcement of alcohol laws and College Alcohol Policies will include aggressive confiscation. Public Safety and Student Affairs staff will continue to work together to monitor and reduce the presence of alcohol on campus, in residence halls, and in the possession of persons entering the neighborhood or leaving the College. Public Safety will pay particular attention to high foot traffic times in campus parking lots and at the gates of the College.
The College and Worcester Police will share information about where and how underage students are procuring alcohol.
Crowds and noise
The College will state to all students through multiple media and clear, concise messages that any gatherings in the public ways and spaces are unacceptable. Public Safety and
Worcester Police will monitor to prevent and, if necessary, disperse any gathering crowds and return students to campus.
Disruptive parties will be identified jointly by Worcester Police and Public Safety and referred for on-campus discipline. The Worcester Police will collaborate with neighbors and the College to intercede, if necessary, prior to the party starting.
The College will explore a process in which students who plan to have a party must notify the College in advance.
On- and off-campus programming
The College will continue its established weekend shuttle services and will review its effectiveness and student demand for travel to Worcester locations such as the Canal District and Shrewsbury Street. The College is committed to finding gaps in services, and will maintain, manage, and market the shuttles.
Adding to the many on-campus activities occurring seven days per week, the College will implement more structured programming and activities on-campus for students 18-21, including during the midnight-to-2 a.m. hours. The results and recommendations of a major campus study on making the campus a destination for students’ social and recreational interests will be reviewed for implementation as part of the College’s strategic plan. Several recommendations are already in progress, including: keeping the campus Pub open additional hours; design and construction of a new outdoor social space (“Campus Green”); and additional open hours in the Field House for intramural sports and recreation.
The College is committed to exploring and implementing options for additional on-campus events, including offering attractive alternative programs during key dates and celebratory times in the College calendar.
Inspections/communication with landlords and tenants
The City of Worcester will continue its active city-wide enforcement of all housing and code complaints and infractions, including in the College Hill neighborhood.
The City will conduct coordinated inspections by its Property Review Team of houses hosting parties (including while parties are underway, if necessary) that do not conform to College Code of Conduct and city, state, federal ordinances, statutes and laws.
College Senior Administration will maintain its current practice of tiered response to violations and infractions, including in the off-campus neighborhood. A Senior Administrator is available to respond to any crisis or emergency situation on- or off-campus 24/7.
On an ongoing basis, City of Worcester officials will be available to address overcrowding issues, fire and code violations, sale of alcohol to minors, and communications to landlords responsible for permitting a public nuisance under MGL 139 if alcohol is discovered being sold and/or served to minors. The latter requires landlords to take all reasonable action to evict violators.
Holy Cross will communicate annually and host an annual meeting with all willing College Hill landlords.
Worcester Police will pursue appropriate charges, against tenants, if warranted, based on infractions of city, state, and federal laws, statutes and ordinances.
Members of the Worcester Police, Worcester Fire Department, and the City Manager’s Office will continue to support and participate in incoming and new student as well as off-campus student orientation meetings.
The Holy Cross Community Compact
This document will be shared with members of the Holy Cross Community Alliance and the College Hill Civic Association.
This document will be posted on a College website, along with information and resources specifically for community residents, including key telephone numbers at the College and the City; contact names for complaints and emergencies; and other timely messages that may affect residents of the College Hill neighborhood.
Nothing herein shall prevent or preclude the City Manager or the City of Worcester from engaging in any enforcement activity or program.
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Michael C. McFarland, S.J.
President, College of the Holy Cross
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Michael V. O’Brien
City Manager, City of Worcester
November 23, 2010