In an effort to provide members of the campus community with information about campus crime and crime-related problems, Sterling reports crimes using the definitions as described in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting program.

Additionally, officials of the College with significant responsibility for students and campus activities are required by federal law to notify the Department of Public Safety of crimes that are defined under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.

Criminal Offenses—Criminal Homicide, including: a) Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter, and b) Negligent Manslaughter; Sex Offenses including: a) Forcible, and b) Non-forcible; Robbery; Aggravated Assault; Burglary; Motor Vehicle Theft; and Arson.

Hate Crimes—Any of the above-mentioned offenses, and any incidents of Larceny-Theft, Simple Assault, Intimidation, or Destruction/Damage/Vandalism of Property that were motivated by bias; and

Arrests and Referrals for Disciplinary Action for Weapons—Carrying, Possessing, etc., Drug Abuse Violations and Liquor Law Violations.

The Dean of Community and Risk Management Committee review all crimes for manifest evidence that the victim was intentionally selected because of the victim’s actual or perceived race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender presentation, ethnicity, or disability. Any student, faculty member or employee who is the victim of a bias-motivated incident or hate crime is encouraged to file a report immediately. The College takes all reports seriously and will thoroughly investigate every incident and work with local law enforcement agencies whenever necessary.

By enrolling in Sterling College, or by accepting employment, individuals agree to abide by the full policy published in the Student Handbook.

Possession, use, or distribution of illegal drugs (including alcohol for those younger than 21 years of age) is prohibited on the campus. This policy includes being under the influence of such substances while on campus or participating in college-sponsored activities

Abuse of legal substances (including alcohol and cigarettes for those 21 years and older and marijuana use) which results in destructive behaviors will be addressed. Supplying underage drinkers with alcohol is considered a serious offense.

Marijuana and marijuana use in any form is not permitted in campus buildings.

In the event of a serious or ongoing threat to the safety of the students or employees on campus, the community will be notified by email. The email subject heading will begin ‘Timely Warning:’, and it may be issued by a member of the President's Cabinet, the Director of Student Life, a member of the On-Call team, or the Director of Communications & Marketing. Timely warning emails will be sent to three email lists: [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected].

In the event of an immediate threat to the safety of the students or employees on campus, the community will be notified by email. The email subject heading will begin Emergency Notification:’, and it may be issued by a member of the President's Cabinet, the Director of Student Life, a member of the On-Call team, or the Director of Communications & Marketing. Emergency notification emails will be sent to three email lists: [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected].

Students and employees should take responsibility for regularly checking their Sterling College issued email. PreCollege students will receive any notifications to the email address with which they registered at Sterling.

Sterling College will immediately respond to any report of a missing student who is currently enrolled as a residential student at the College. If a member of the Sterling community has reason to believe that a student is missing, they should immediately inform the Director of Student Life, a member of the On-Call Team, or of the President’s Cabinet. Employees receiving a missing persons report relating to a currently enrolled residential student are required to notify the Director of Student Life immediately.

The Director of Student Life, or their designee, will investigate the report and determine through exercising reasonable professional judgment whether the student who is the subject of the missing report has been missing for more than 24 hours; during this determination, the Director of Student Life will establish that avenues to contact the student have been exhausted (even when less than twenty-four hours of time has elapsed). If the missing student is not located within 24 hours after the time a student has been determined to be missing, Sterling College will make an official missing person report with local law enforcement. From that point forward, Sterling College will cooperate with, aid, and assist the primary investigative agency in all ways prescribed by law. 

If the student reported missing is under 18, the College will notify the custodial parent(s) or guardian of the student once it has been determined that they are missing. If the student reported missing is 18 or over, the College will notify the Emergency Contact once it has been determined that they are missing.

At Sterling College, we expect all members of the Sterling Community to act with compassion and care for each other and the natural world, and to focus on their individual growth through meeting new challenges and taking accountability for the impact of their behavior. Sterling considers two Community Behavioral guidelines to be critical to supporting a positive living and learning environment for all within our educational community:

1. Students must not exhibit behavior that threatens or compromises the physical or mental health, security, privacy, property or learning experience of themselves or other members of the community.

2.  Students must abide by all College policies.