The safety and security of the IUP community—students, employees, and visitors—is our primary concern.
In order to help keep you as safe as possible, the IUP Police Department has been fully trained and is committed to following the regulations outlined in the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Police and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) related to issuing a Timely Crime Warning.
Timely Crime Warnings are required when crimes defined by the Clery Act occur on or adjacent to campus. The reason for issuing a Timely Crime Warning is to aid in the prevention of similar crimes.
The IUP Director of Public Safety-Chief of IUP Police is responsible for deciding if a timely warning should be issued; decisions are made on a case-by-case basis based on factors including, but not limited to:
- Does the incident pose a serious or continuing threat to the IUP community?
- Has the suspect(s) been apprehended?
- Timeliness of the reported crime to IUP Police—how long ago did the crime occur, does issuing a timely warning aid in the prevention of a similar crime?
- Is there a pattern of crimes that indicates that IUP community members are at risk of becoming victims of that or a similar crime?
Timely crime warnings are delivered through the Everbridge Emergency Notification System, which includes the following delivery methods: text message, email to all student and employee IUP email addresses, voice message to the phone number on record, voice message to all IUP office phones, a message displayed on university computers via the desktop alert system, and posting the notice on the IUP Police website. All, or a combination of these delivery methods, will be used.
A Timely Crime Warning will be issued if the following three conditions are met:
- The crime reported to IUP Police is one of the following:
- Homicide – including murder and non-negligent manslaughter
- Sex Offenses – rape, fondling, incest, statutory rape
- Robbery – use or threatened use of force or violence
- Aggravated Assault – attack by one person on another to inflict severe/aggravated bodily injury
- Burglary/Motor Vehicle Theft – generally speaking, timely warnings will not be issued for single incidents. A timely warning may be issued if a series of incidents pose a continuing threat to the IUP community
- Arson – fires that have been willfully or maliciously set, particularly when occupied residences are involved
- Hate Crimes – involving bodily injury
- Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, or Stalking – only when a serious or continuing threat to the IUP community at large is determined
- The reported crime occurred at a Clery-reportable location, which is defined as:
- On campus;
- On public property within or immediately adjacent to the campus boundaries; or,
- In buildings or on property in a reasonably contiguous area, but designated as a non-campus location. Non-campus locations are owned or controlled by IUP, used for educational purposes, and frequently used by students.
- The reported crime presents a serious or continuing threat to IUP students, faculty, staff, or visitors.
Timely Crime Warnings are issued as soon as enough information is known to allow the IUP director of Public Safety / chief of IUP Police to make decisions.
There is no established timeline for when Timely Crime Warnings are required by the Clery Act; but it is IUP practice to disseminate Timely Crime Warnings as quickly as possible after the determination of the need for a Timely Crime Warning.
These messages will include directives for students and employees about how to maintain their safety, including directives to “Avoid Area” or “Remain in a Secure Location.”
In the case of ongoing concern for the safety and security of the IUP community, it is IUP’s practice and intent to provide updates on a 30-minute basis, or when new information is known, until the situation resolves.
When the situation has resolved, and as appropriate, it is IUP’s practice to offer messages about support options to students and employees via email and/or text messages as part of the notification process.
In addition to text messages, emails, and phone calls, Timely Crime Warnings are posted on the IUP Police website.
The IUP Police website also hosts Crime Alerts and IUP, Indiana Borough, and Pennsylvania State Police reports of crimes on campus or in the community that impact the IUP community.
Emails may be sent to students and employees with links to police reports related to Timely Crime Warnings as they are posted to the IUP Police website.
Informational Messaging About Incidents of Concern
When an incident of concern (power outage, suspicious package, fire, social media rumor) becomes known by IUP Police and the IUP director of Public Safety / chief of IUP Police determines that it does not rise to the level of Timely Crime Warning (does not pose an imminent danger or threat to the safety of the IUP community) but generates significant concerns from students, employees, or family members of students, the IUP director of Public Safety/chief of IUP Police may recommend an informational message for the IUP community.
Informational messaging about incidents of concern that meet this criteria (does not rise to the level of Timely Crime Warning, does not pose an imminent danger or threat to the safety of the IUP community) will be distributed via the Everbridge Emergency Notification System; usually via email, but text messaging may also be used.