Safety

In 1990, Congress passed the Student-Right-to-Know Act, which established the right of students, their parents, and employees to know about crimes committed on campuses and about campus security policies and procedures.  By having colleges and universities provide such information, Congress intended to increase the level of campus security awareness, thereby helping to create safer campuses.

In compliance with this law, now called the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), the Conway School presents information related to campus security and safety.  Anyone with information about crimes or violations of state or federal law, or school rules, should report the matter to one of Conway’s co-directors.

Title IX is a civil rights law that seeks to end discrimination on the basis of gender in educational institutions. Because Conway receives federal funding, it must comply with Title IX, and must designate a coordinator responsible for ensuring this compliance. The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) publishes guidelines for this position. The goal of the position is to help create a campus that is free from sexual violence and discrimination and that welcomes and supports all students. The current Title IX Coordinator at the Conway School is Kate Cholakis (titleixcoordinator@csld.edu). Please see the Title IX section below for additional information on Title IX compliance and Conway’s efforts to provide a safe place of learning for all students.

The Conway School shares the concern of students, families, and the community for the well-being and safety of all members of our community, although we also recognize that it is everyone’s basic responsibility to ensure their own personal safety and the safety of their possessions. While the Conway School has a long history of a safe and secure environment, it must be remembered that no community is immune to crime.  The community can only remain safe if each member does their part to ensure the security of the campus.

Please see the sections below for policies and documents related to the safety and security of our school.

The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Plan with Clery Act Report is compiled to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), and can be downloaded below. This report is prepared in cooperation with the local law enforcement agencies responsible for Conway School’s campus (by Co-Directors Ken Byrne, Priscilla Novitt, and Bruce Stedman; Title IX Coordinator Kate Cholakis; and Campus Manager Dave Weber).

Download the 2022 Campus Security and Fire Safety Plan with 2021 Clery Act Report here.

For Emergencies: Dial 911

• Fire/EMS: For non-emergencies, call the Northampton Fire Dept. at 413-587-1032.
• Police: For non-emergencies, call the Northampton Police Dept. at 413- 587-1100.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. Title IX states that, “no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Title IX applies to the Conway School because it receives federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education. The ED Title IX regulations  (Volume 34, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 106) provide additional information about the forms of discrimination prohibited by Title IX.

The Conway School is committed to the prevention of sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and stalking, and to providing faculty, staff, and students with an environment where they may pursue their careers or studies without being sexually harassed. New students and new employees are required to read through the Student and Employee Handbooks, both of which contain the school’s Sexual Harassment Policy & Procedures, and sign a statement confirming that they have read this policy. Sexual harassment of or by any member of the college is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. It is illegal and constitutes a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Massachusetts G.L.c.151B and 151C. Conway has in place a Title IX Coordinator responsible for monitoring compliance with Title IX and coordinating the school’s response to complaints of discrimination based on sex.

The Title IX Coordinator:

• Helps create campus policies regarding sex discrimination and sexual misconduct and oversees these policies.
• Provides complainants with information about institutional and law enforcement options for resolution of their complaints.
• Assists complainants in receiving health, counseling, and other support services and facilitates implementation of interim measures, such as modifications to class schedules. Helps to connect survivors with resources on and off campus.
• Receives complaints of gender inequity and gender-based misconduct. Investigates complaints of sex discrimination or allegations of sexual misconduct and enforces disciplinary actions in accordance with the school’s policy (as outlined in the Student Handbook). This might involve conducting interviews with the involved parties, informing all parties of the school’s grievance process, establishing witness credibility, evaluating evidence with an impartial view, determining appropriate sanctions against the perpetrator, and helping survivors find resources. Ensures prompt and equitable resolution of all sex and gender-based discrimination and misconduct allegations, including by means of investigation.

Conway’s current Title IX Coordinator is Kate Cholakis. She is available during academic hours, 40 hours per week. Students may approach her in person, email her (titleixcoordinator@csld.edu) or reach her by phone (413-203-6774). Individuals with questions or concerns about Title IX or who wish to file a complaint or have information about an alleged violation may contact the Title IX Coordinator. Students and school employees should report to the Title IX Coordinator when sexual harassment has occurred on campus and during off-campus educational activities and programs. If a current student has experienced or witnessed sex-based or gender-based discrimination or misconduct, please contact the Title IX Coordinator. Reports can be made anonymously using the form below. 

Emergency Numbers:

• YWCA Sexual and Domestic Violence Hotline (Domestic Violence and Violence Against Women): (413) 733-7100
• For Emergencies: Dial 911
  Fire/EMS: For non-emergencies, call the Northampton Fire Dept. at 413-587-1032.
       Police: For non-emergencies, call the Northampton Police Dept. at 413- 587-1100.
• 24/7 Medical Services
      Baystate Medical Center: (413) 794-3233 
      Cooley Dickinson Hospital (413) 582-2000
      Services: sexual assault exams, including evidence collection, and preventative treatment for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.

Important Information Regarding Reporting Options

The Conway School encourages students and members of the faculty and staff who are victims of sexual misconduct to talk to someone about what happened so they can get the support they need and so that the school can respond appropriately. A report may be made by an individual who experienced gender-based misconduct and/or an individual who has information that gender-based misconduct may have been committed. All employees are considered “Responsible Employees” and Responsible Employees have a responsibility for student and employee welfare and are required to share with the Title IX Coordinator any report of gender-based misconduct they receive or of which they become aware.

Inquiries about Title IX also may be directed to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights:

Boston Office
Office of Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education, 8th Floor
5 Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109-3921
Telephone: (617)289-0111
Email: OCR.Boston@ed.gov

The Conway School does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, religion, creed, color, gender, gender identity, marital status, age, national origin, disability of an otherwise qualified individual, or sexual orientation, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.  This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.  The school facility is handicapped-accessible as required by local, state, and federal law. Conway takes allegations of discrimination, intimidation, harassment, and retaliation very seriously and will promptly investigate when warranted. Equal employment opportunity includes, but is not limited to, employment, training, promotion, demotion, pregnancy, military service, leaves of absence, and termination.

Additional Title IX Resources (Policy, FAQ, Definitions)

During the orientation week, students are given a Student Handbook (click to download) containing all school policies, and shown the locations of phones, fire extinguishers, etc.  Evacuation procedures are reviewed.  Students are encouraged to be responsible for their own and others’ security while on campus.  No programs on crime prevention other than this initial orientation is provided unless unusual circumstances warrant.

New employees are given an Employee Handbook containing all school policies, and shown the locations of phones, fire extinguishers, etc.  Evacuation procedures are reviewed.  Employees are encouraged to be responsible for their own and others’ security while on campus.  No programs on crime prevention other than this initial orientation is provided unless unusual circumstances warrant. The handbook is not published online, as it contains personal contact information for faculty and staff.