We want to share some information on sextortion, a criminal issue that is on the rise nationally and typically affects those in the age range of 13-20. In a crime of sextortion, the victim is persuaded to send sexually explicit images over the internet and then extorted to send money to stop dissemination of the images.  If you or anyone you know may be a victim of this crime please report it to Public Safety or the FBI immediately.

The FBI provides this educational video on sextortion, as well as these tips and information. 

Medical Amnesty

The University’s policy on medical amnesty is covered in the Bucknell Student Handbook. Medical amnesty is also defined in Pennsylvania law. We encourage only the lawful consumption of alcohol. While it is illegal to consume alcohol when under the age of 21, a.2018 amendment to the PA crimes code provides immunity under the following circumstances:

§ 2810. SAFE HARBOR FOR VIOLATION OF SECTION (a) Immunity for the individual seeking medical attention for another. An individual shall not be prosecuted for an offense under section 6308(a) (relating to purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of liquor or malt or brewed beverages) if the individual can establish all of the following: (1) A law enforcement officer first became aware of the individual’s violation of section 6308(a) because the individual placed a 911 call or contacted campus security, police or emergency services, based on a reasonable belief that another individual was in need of immediate medical attention to prevent death or serious bodily injury. (2) The individual reasonably believed the individual was the first individual to make a 911 call or contact campus security, police or emergency services and report that the other individual needed immediate medical attention to prevent death or serious bodily injury. (3) The individual provided the individual’s own name to the 911 operator or equivalent campus security officer, police or emergency services personnel. (4) The individual remained with the other individual needing medical assistance until a campus security officer, police or emergency services personnel arrived and the need for the individual’s presence ended. (b) Immunity for the individual needing medical attention. An individual needing medical attention shall be immune under this section from prosecution for an offense under section 6308(a) if another individual reported the incident and remained with the individual needing medical attention and is entitled to immunity under this section. 

For limitations, please refer to the Crimes Code 2018 Act 80 – PA General Assembly (state.pa.us). 

Please be aware that Public Safety Officers are not able to confirm whether a student will receive medical amnesty while responding to an incident. This decision is made by a conduct officer in the University conduct violation process, or by the Union County judge handling criminal charges, after a full review of facts has taken place.  It is not a decision Public Safety Officers can make in real time. We handle most student alcohol-related violations through Bucknell’s judicial referral process. That means we refer them to the dean of students’ office for review of a conduct violation. In those instances, in which we charge a student criminally for violating the law, it is handled through the Union County courts. Whether a criminal citation is issued, or a student is referred, medical amnesty is an outcome-based decision based on the specific facts of each situation. 

Parking

As of Oct 3, 2023 Public Safety had issued 1,501 parking permits and and just over 1,200 parking citations. We have worked to have some Bucknell facilities equipment moved to open up additional parking spaces. As a reminder, all students and employees must register their vehicles. Only passenger vehicles are permitted to park in student and staff parking lots. Complete parking information can be found on the Public Safety website. 

Clery Act

As an institution of higher education, Bucknell must comply with the federal Clery Act, which requires colleges and universities to make crime and fire safety information available to the campus community each year by October 1. We announced and published the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report in July 2023. To learn more about the Clery Act, please visit our website.