Policy

Safety Bulletins

In the event that a crime is reported on the University's campus property, non-campus property, or on the public property surrounding campus that, in the judgment of the Miami University Police Department, constitutes an on-going serious or continuing threat to the campus community, a Safety Bulletin will be issued. The purpose of a Safety Bulletin is to enable persons to protect themselves and to heighten safety awareness as well as to seek information that will lead to an arrest and conviction of the perpetrator when violent crimes against persons or major crimes against property have occurred. Every attempt will be made to distribute a Safety Bulletin soon after the incident is reported; however, the release of the Safety Bulletin is subject to the availability of facts concerning the incident. Safety Bulletins will not contain the names of victims. The University is not required to issue a Safety Bulletin with respect to crimes reported to a pastoral or professional counselor. 

Safety Bulletins are usually distributed for the following Uniformed Crime Reporting Program (UCR)/National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) classifications: arson, criminal homicide, and robbery. Cases of aggravated assault and sex offenses are considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the facts of the case and the information known by Miami University Police Department (MUPD). For example, if an assault occurs between two students who have a disagreement, there may be no on-going threat to other Miami community members, and a Safety Bulletin would not be distributed. In cases involving sexual assault, they are often reported long after the incident occurred, thus there is no ability to distribute a “timely” warning notice to the community. Sex offenses and burglaries will be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on when and where the incident occurred, when it was reported, and the amount of information known by the Miami University Police Department. The Miami University Police Chief or designee reviews all reports to determine if there is an on-going threat to the community, and if the distribution of a Safety Bulletin is warranted. Safety Bulletins may also be posted for other crime classifications as deemed appropriate.

On the Oxford campus, the Chief of Police or a designee is responsible for preparing and distributing the Safety Bulletin via blast email to all University email accounts. The University News and Communications Office may also send a Safety Bulletin working with the Miami University Policy Department. Safety Bulletins are posted on the Miami University Police website and distributed to students, faculty and staff via an email blast. Safety Bulletins may also be issued using some or all of the following methods of communication: text messages or emails sent through the University's e-2campus ALERT system, or building postings by building administrators. 

The Office of Business Services on the Hamilton and Middletown campuses and the Office of the Director at the Voice of America Learning Center are responsible for preparing and distributing the Safety Bulletins for their respective campuses via email blast to all University assigned email accounts of their faculty, staff and students on those campuses. The Dean of the Dolibois European Center or a designee is responsible for preparing and distributing the Safety Bulletins via email blast to the faculty, staff and students on that campus.

For the various campuses that support programs offered by the University’s Department of Teacher Education or Department of Educational Leadership, the site coordinators or their designees will work with the Miami University Police Department to prepare and distribute the Safety Bulletins via email blast to all University assigned email account of its faculty, staff, and students on those campuses.

Emergency Notification v. Timely Warning

If there is an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees occurring on campus, Miami will follow its Emergency Notification Procedures. No Safety Bulletin based on the same circumstance will be issued. However, follow-up information will be disseminated to the community as needed.

Related Form(s)

Not Applicable.

Additional Resources and Procedures

Websites

• Miami University Police website
• Emergency Notification Procedures

FAQ

Not Applicable.

Policy Administration

Next Review Date

7/1/2023

Responsible Officer

• Chief of Police for Miami University
• Clery Act Coordinator

Legal Authority

National Incident Based Reporting System

Compliance Policy

Yes

Revision History

Amended July 2020

Reference ID

• Student Handbook 4.7
• Graduate Student Handbook 2.10

Reviewing Bodies

Administrative