Report: Off-Campus Incidents Down At UMass Amherst

A new University of Massachusetts report finds that off-campus incidents involving students in Amherst are down 18 percent for this past fall semester compared with the year before.

The Republican of Springfield reports that updated numbers recently released by the university show 227 incidents involving 289 students from September to December 2013. A year earlier, 268 incidents involving 431 students were reported in the same period. The numbers are based on reports by town officials.

Interim vice chancellor for student affairs and campus life Enku Gelaye says the drop reflects efforts to educate students about the importance of being good neighbors and the consequences of bad behavior.

The report says three students were suspended and 31 placed on deferred suspension. There were no expulsions.