Security can be reached in Harrison-Jones Memorial Hall by telephone at (276) 466-7950 (security office)  or (423) 335-7998 (cell phone).

Virginia Intermont College has an obligation to uphold the laws of the community. While activities covered by the College’s rules may overlap, the community’s laws and the College’s rules operate independently and do not substitute for each other. Intermont cooperates with all local and state police agencies in helping enforce the laws of the Commonwealth and the city. College policies create the campus community we are seeking. These policies offer a rationale for community guidelines, identify limits of acceptable behavior and call community members to be accountable to each other. Three principles form the framework of the campus policies: respect for others, safety and security and community expectations.

Alcohol/Drugs

Alcohol is NOT permitted at Virginia Intermont College. Compliance with this policy is mandatory. Parents may be notified of any violation of this policy by the Vice President for Student Development.

The College is strongly opposed to the possession, use, sale or distribution of any illegal substance and will not hesitate to take action necessary to prevent or halt these activities on campus. The use of drugs is not a “right,” even in the privacy of one’s residence hall room. Drug use is illegal. The College cannot and will not prevent prosecution of individuals found to be in violation of state and federal laws. Compliance with this policy is mandatory. Parents may be notified by the Vice President for Student Development of any violation of this policy.

Firearms/Weapons

The possession of any type of firearms or weapons is prohibited. This ban covers guns of any type, including pellet guns and BB guns. Knives other than pocket knives, such as throwing knives and switchblades, are also prohibited.

Harassment, Intimidation, Hazing and Physical Violence

1.) Harassment: Verbal or written acts of abuse via any means of communication are regarded as serious violations of human rights and are prohibited.
2.) Intimidation: Communicating a threat to another person via any means of communication is regarded as serious violation of human rights and is prohibited.
3.) Hazing: Forcing or requiring another person to perform an act which creates a substantial risk of bodily injury or emotional stress, with or without the consent of that person, as a condition of association with a group or organization is considered a violation of human rights and is prohibited.
4.) Physical Violence: Acts of physical violence or participating in a physical encounter that a reasonable person would consider fighting or physically abusing another is prohibited.

Sexual Misconduct

The following policy was developed by the Task Force on Campus Sexual Assault and the Council of Higher Education with the cooperation of higher education institutions in Virginia and under the guidance of the Office of the Attorney General.

The College is a community of trust whose existence depends on strict adherence to standards of conduct set by its members. Sexual misconduct is a serious violation of these standards and will not be tolerated. The College encourages all members of the College community to be aware of both the consequences of sexual misconduct and the options available to survivors. The College urges survivors to seek assistance using any appropriate resources.

A student or employee charged with sexual misconduct can be disciplined under the College’s conduct code and may be prosecuted under Virginia criminal statutes. Even if the criminal justice authorities choose not to prosecute, the campus can pursue disciplinary action. This disciplinary action could result in dismissal from the College. Sexual misconduct is defined as sexual contact without consent and includes: intentional touching, either of the victim or when the victim is forced to touch, directly or through clothing, another person’s genitals, breasts, thighs or buttocks; rape (sexual intercourse without consent whether by an acquaintance or a stranger); attempted rape; sodomy (oral sex or anal intercourse) without consent, or sexual penetration with an object without consent. To constitute lack of consent, the acts must be committed either by force, intimidation or through use of the victim’s mental incapacity or physical helplessness (i.e. being intoxicated).

Sanctions

Being found guilty of any violation of College policy, including alcohol, drugs, sexual assault or weapons violations will result in sanctions ranging from community service to dismissal from the College.

POLICY SANCTIONS

Sanctions can run the range from a warning to expulsion from VI. The following is a brief definition of each type of sanction.
Warning (W) - can be formal or informal and written or verbal - that certain behavior or activities constitute a violation of the College polices and that continuation of the behavior will result in a more serious sanction. All warnings will be documented on an incident report.
Reprimand (R) - a written sanction, the result of a more serious violation or repeat violation (usually combined with community restitution and/or a fine). This sanction implies that additional violations will result in Disciplinary Probation or a more serious sanction being assigned.
Disciplinary Probation (DP) - this is the most serious repercussion the College applies in response to behavior, short of separation from the College. In addition to possible community restitution and fines, disciplinary probation may carry additional restriction during the probationary period, i.e. loss of leadership position, participation in extracurricular activities, etc. A student violating the terms of disciplinary probation, or involvement in subsequent policy violations during this period may be suspended from the College.

Suspension - separation of the student from the College, this includes classes, housing, meal service and participation or attendance of College activities or events for a specific period of time. Suspension is usually the result of an accumulation of policy violations or a single violation which creates a notable threat to self, the college or another student(s). The decision to implement this sanction rests with the Vice President of Student Development or other college cabinet members.

Expulsion - the permanent and immediate separation of the student from the College due to significant and/or felonious acts against individuals or the College, or due to activities outside the College which could pose a threat to individuals or the College. The decision to implement this sanction rests with the President of the College in conjunction with the Vice President of Student Development or other college cabinet members.

Removal from the residence halls - Based on an accumulation of behavioral concerns, students may be removed from their residence hall and reassigned to another hall or required to move off campus. The decision to implement this sanction rests with the Director of Residence Life in conjunction with the Vice President of Student Development.

Community Restitution (CR) - involves the assignment of specific tasks or hours of work/service in various capacities across campus and in the Bristol community. Failure to complete community service will usually result in the CR being converted to a fine as well as an additional fine being added to the sanction.
Monetary Fines - assigned in cases involving alcohol or drugs, threats to do bodily harm and in the case of repetitious and/or disruptive behavior.

Alcohol Education Seminar - The College sponsors an Alcohol Awareness Seminar which is conducted on an as-needed basis. Students involved in first-time alcohol violations will be required to attend/participate in this seminar.

Programs

Each year, Virginia Intermont College offers different programs for members of the College community. Student participation in these programs is voluntary, but we encourage all students to take advantage of the programs offered.

The Resident Life Office offers programs to residential students on their floors through the Resident Assistants (RAs). These programs focus on keeping the residence halls safe and secure, safety when going off-campus at night, how and where to report incidents and many other related subjects.

The Residence Life and Student Activities Offices sponsor programs such as Drug Awareness Week, Alcohol Awareness Week and other major activities.

Campus Security is also available to work with members of the campus community on safety and security concerns.

These offices also work with programs dealing with rape, acquaintance rape and other sexual offenses. These programs are offered yearly and are open to all interested students at no cost.

Reporting Incidents

Intermont believes that it should be easy, safe and quick to report any incident regarding the safety and/or security of any member of the College community. While the primary location for reporting incidents, both on and off-campus, is the Office of the Vice President of Student Development, the Offices of Residence Life, Security and Student Support Services are also used by students, faculty and staff to report these incidents. A report may be made to any of these locations.

If you have been the victim of a sexual assault, you should contact one of the offices listed to report the violation. Do not do anything before calling the office you choose, especially anything that can tamper with the evidence of the crime, eg: taking a shower, changing clothes, cleaning up the room. Being found guilty of a sexual-related crime can lead to expulsion from the college. Both the accuser and the accused will have access to all disciplinary results. The various offices will also help students in dealing with off-campus police agencies if help is requested.

After normal office hours, any member of the campus community may contact either Campus Security in Intermont Hall or a member of the Residence Life Staff.

Virginia Intermont College Statistics

Download the current Safety statistics information here:

SafetyStatistics.pdf