Our Responsibility to Help Keep Our Community Safe

November 22, 2011

Members of the Rutgers Community:

Our hearts go out to the Penn State community, especially to anyone who has been victimized by the crimes that have been alleged. While we don’t know the full extent of what happened, this terrible situation should remind us here at Rutgers of our responsibility to each other in helping to keep our community safe.

  • In cases where you find yourself either a victim of or a witness to suspected criminal activities, you should take one or more of the following steps:
  • In an emergency, or if you believe immediate assistance is required, or you suspect criminal activity, dial 9-1-1 to contact the police.
  • New Jersey law requires that all persons who have reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to child abuse or neglect must report it to the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) at 1-877-NJ ABUSE (1-877-652-2873). We also urge you to call the Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD).
  • For a nonemergency situation, you may reach the Rutgers University Police Department on your campus by calling:
    • New Brunswick RUPD at 732-932-7211
    • Camden RUPD at 856-225-6111
    • Newark RUPD at 973-353-5581
  • You can anonymously report information on suspected criminal activity by either calling the Rutgers University Police Department on your campus or calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-939-9600.
  • Victims of crimes may contact the Rutgers Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance seven days a week, 24 hours a day, by calling 732-932-1181.
  • For confidential counseling about sexual assaults, victims may contact the Rutgers Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance. Students may also contact the counseling center or the student health center on their campus.
  • For suspicions of questionable financial practices or other unethical behavior, you can report the suspicions anonymously through EthicsPoint at http://www.financialconcerns.rutgers.edu.

The university is committed to not retaliating against any individual who reports a reasonable belief that there is a violation of law or policy. We strive to make Rutgers a community where we are safe in our educational and work environments.

Thank you for everything you each do for the Rutgers community.

Richard L. McCormick
President
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey