College crime reports

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Three students at American International College in Springfield were victims of different crimes in September.  

22News reveals how many crimes some Western Massachusetts colleges' report.

Every college or university has to report crimes that range from rape to liquor violations, both on and off campus.  22News discovered how often schools are reporting the more dangerous crimes.  

Three American International College students were victims of different crimes this month.
An assault just off campus, an armed robbery on campus and an unarmed robbery just off campus.  That's according to the Campus Police incident log it has to keep and is cross-checked with Springfield police.  AIC students told 22News the campus keeps them aware of their surroundings and gives them options.  

"It's not recommended to walk alone they tell to take the shuttle", says A.I.C. sophomore Lauren Tosi.

The Clery Act requires all colleges that give out federal financial aid to keep and disclose any crime that happens on or near their respective campus.

"I always feel safe here, the community around here is so friendly, I never had a problem", says Springfield College junior Molly Goldberger.
 
Springfield College did report 13 burglaries and one forcible sex offense in 2010.  A forcible sex offense could be either sexual assault or rape.  

"Western New England is in a better part of Springfield, we're not in the best part", says Tosi.

Western New England reported one burglary and two forcible sex offenses in 2011.

Westfield State reported one aggravated assault, 10 burglaries and  three forcible sexual offenses in 2010.

Amherst College reported one aggravated assault, 13 burglaries, 15 forcible sex offenses in 2011.

In 2010, UMass-Amherst reported 15 aggravated assaults, 59 burglaries and 12 forcible sex offenses.  UMass-Amherst is the largest school in Western Massachusetts.

Hampshire College reported five burglaries and seven forcible sex offenses in 2011.

Smith College reported seven burglaries and three forcible sex offenses in 2011.

Mt. Holyoke College reported seven burglaries and one forcible sex offense in 2011.

American International College reported seven aggravated assaults, five burglaries and one forcible sex offense in 2010.

A.I.C. students told 22News using common sense could save you a lot of grief.

"Freshman year I remember there was an incident and a girl was sitting in the quad at 3AM by herself, sometimes I think people aren't very smart about it", says AIC junior Brittany Breault.
 
The reason for the different reporting dates is that 2011 Clery Reports aren't due until October, some schools have already sent submitted them.