101.2 Campus Safety Alerts – Timely Warning Notices, Emergency Notifications, and Public Safety Advisories

Date Adopted: 10/27/2008
Date Revised: 5/14/2020
References: The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy & Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1990
Issuing Office: Chancellor
Approved By: Office of the Chancellor

1. Policy

   As circumstances warrant, the University prepares and distributes – either selectively or throughout the campus – campus safety alerts. The Dean of Students or designee will decide when to issue a campus safety alert. The Dean of Students or designee will notify the Chancellor and/or the Provost/Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, and the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance.

2. Purpose

   The purpose of this policy is to protect the safety of those on the campus of the University of Montana Western.

3. Procedures

   In the event a crime is reported or a situation arises, within the University of Montana Western Clery Geography (on Campus, Public Property and Non-campus property), that, in the judgement of the Dean of Students or designee and in consultation with responsible authorities when time permits, constitutes a serious or continuing threat, a campus wide “timely warning”, “emergency notification” or “public safety advisory” will be issued.

   Depending on the circumstances of the crime, the campus safety alert may be posted, on a bulletin board in each building, at the doorway to each campus building, on our social media apps, face-to-face, or electronically through Regroup. This holds true for all situations that potentially pose an ongoing threat to students, faculty, staff, and visitors present on campus during the time the campus safety alert is issued, and the surrounding community.

   Timely Warning Notifications

   Timely Warning Notifications are typically issued for the following Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR)/National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) crime classifications:

   • Murder/Non-Negligent Manslaughter
   • Aggravated Assault (Cases involving assaults among known parties, such as two roommates fighting which results in an aggravated injury, will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if the individual is believed to be an ongoing threat to the larger UMW community.)
   • Robbery involving force or violence (Cases including pick pocketing and purse snatching will typically not result in the issuance of a Timely Warning Notice, but will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.)
   • Sexual Assault (considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the facts of the case, when and where the incident occurred, when it was reported, and the amount of information known by the Title IX Coordinator or designee)
     • All cases involving sexual assault, including stranger and non-stranger/acquaintance cases, will be assessed for potential issuance of a Timely Warning Notice.
     • Sometimes cases involving sexual assault are reported after a significant amount of time has passed. There is no ability to distribute a “timely” warning notice to the community.
     • Major incidents of Arson
     • Other Clery crimes as determined necessary by the Dean of Students or designee

   UMW may decide to issue Timely Warning Notices for other crime classifications and locations, even though not required by law.

   Timely Warning Notices will be distributed as soon as pertinent information is available, in a manner that withholds the names of victims as confidential, and with the goal of aiding in the prevention of similar occurrences.

   Timely Warning Notices are typically written and distributed by the Director of Communications or designee in consultation with the Dean of Students or designee.

   The institution is not required to issue a Timely Warning Notice with respect to crimes reported to a pastoral or professional counselor.

   Emergency Notifications

   Emergency Notifications are typically issued for immediate threat(s) to health and safety to those on campus including Clery-reportable crimes as well as other types of emergencies (i.e., currently happening or will be happening very soon).

   Emergency Notifications are issued upon confirmation of an emergency (when possible).

   Emergency Notifications are typically written and distributed by the Director of Communications or designee in consultation with the Dean of Students or designee.

   The types of incidents that may cause an immediate threat to the community (and therefore require an emergency notification) could include, but are not limited to:

   • An active shooter on campus
   • Hostage/barricade situation
   • A riot
   • Suspicious package with confirmation of a device
   • A tornado/earthquake
   • A fire/explosion
   • Suspicious death
   • Structural damage to a University owned or controlled facility
   • Outbreak of meningitis, norovirus, or other serious illness
   • Biological threat (anthrax, etc.)
   • Significant flooding
   • A gas leak
   • Hazardous materials spill, etc.
   • Other risk factors, including ones that have been present in the environment for an extended period of time such as asbestos or lead paint

   Public Safety Advisories

   Public Safety Advisories are issued at the discretion of UMW.

   Public Safety Advisories are safety or security situations that do not meet the threshold for distributing a Timely Warning or Emergency Notification. Examples may be series of bike thefts on campus, multiple reports of identity theft, etc.

   Typically, circumstances that warrant campus safety alerts are crimes reported to the Dean of Students, other campus security authorities, and/or the Dillon City Police Department (DPD). The University has requested the DPD inform UMW when crimes are committed on or near campus that might be potential or ongoing threats to the UMW community. This will assist UMW in determining the need for potentially issuing campus safety alerts.

   Individuals with information they believe warrants a campus safety alert should immediately report it to one of the individuals below:

   The Dean of Students
   In person at the Dean of Students Center
   By calling 406-683-7388 during regular business hours or after hours at 406-925-9782

   Director of Residence Life
   By calling 406-683-7664 during regular business hours or after hours at 406-925-9828

   Director of Facility Services at 406-683-7145 during regular business hours

   Director of Communications at 406-683-7201 during regular business hours.

4. Authority

   The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy & Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1990 (http://clerycenter.org/policy-resources/the-clery-act/)

5. Responsibility

   Chancellor, Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, Dean of Students