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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — A University of North Carolina system report makes three dozen recommendations to improve campus security.
The report suggests ways to respond to sexual violence, increase law enforcement preparedness, and fight alcohol and drug abuse on campus.
The report comes after a year of study by a task force of university police chiefs, attorneys, medical professionals, student counselors and others who deal with crime, sexual assault and substance abuse.
The report estimates it would cost nearly $13 million to implement all 36 recommendations.
UNC Board of Governors Chairman John Fennebresque says the school will take the report seriously.
"We will give this project all the support we can," Fennebresque said. The report is to be reviewed in coming months, with more details coming on how to implement the recommendations.
They include creation of a system policy on sexual harassment and sexual violence. It also suggests that trained investigators and panelists who are not students should hear sexual assault cases.
The report also suggests better standards and competitive pay for campus police officers. The task force also suggests that a crime records specialist be placed on each campus.
There also is a need for more capacity to treat students' mental health issues, the task force said.
The report also recommends comprehensive programs to reduce alcohol and substance abuse on campus.
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