Concerns About On-Campus Incidents

I am writing to share updated information about recent incidents of concern reported to IUP Police.

IUP Police received reports of a driver of a red truck yelling obscenities at pedestrians on campus on Friday, Nov. 14, and on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

IUP Police officers identified the owner of the vehicle, who is not a student, and Pennsylvania State Police troopers are working to identify the driver involved in this incident.

IUP Police are also investigating the report of the driver of a vehicle in the IUP Parking Garage throwing some type of firework out of the vehicle window the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 14.

Video of the incident, along with witness statements, confirm that the object was not directed against the student pedestrians who witnessed the incident.

Evidence also confirms that any verbal exchange made during this incident did not include racial slurs, racial intimidation, or threats of violence against the students witnessing the incident.

Based on the evidence they have found, IUP Police have also concluded that these incidents are unrelated to each other.

IUP Police have also concluded that these incidents are not related to flyers with information about the Ku Klux Klan found on sidewalks along Maple Street on Saturday, Nov. 15.

It is understandable that incidents like these, especially when all the information is not known, cause fear and anxiety.

IUP stands against illegal acts of racism, harassment, and discrimination at our University, and we are here to provide the support that you need.

IUP is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, equity, and diversity in support of the university’s Strategic Plan. In support of these values, the university is committed to not discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a veteran, or any other characteristic prohibited under applicable federal or state law.

IUP has committed to stand up, speak out, and foster the safest and most inclusive environment possible for our campus community.

If you witness, are involved, or become aware of an incident of concern, we want and need to hear from you as quickly as possible.

If this incident is determined by IUP Police as causing imminent danger to the IUP community, IUP Police will provide a campus-wide alert through the Everbridge emergency messaging system (text, call, and email).

If you are not registered for the Everbridge emergency system, you can register online.

We also need your timely report to effectively investigate the incident.  

IUP Police are available at all times at 724-357-2141. You can also call 9-1-1; the 9-1-1 dispatcher will share your report with IUP Police.

If the incident is not an emergency, a link to report an incident of concern online through the Office of Social Equity is at the bottom of every IUP webpage.

Because there is no indication that the incidents I am sharing with you today created an imminent danger to the IUP community, we are sending this information by email.

Update: Concerning Flyers Found on Campus

Thank you for your participation in our listening session on Monday, Nov. 17.

IUP Police are continuing to investigate flyers about the Ku Klux Klan found on campus on November 14. At the request of IUP Police, the Heritage Affairs Unit of the Pennsylvania State Police, dedicated to working with local law enforcement agencies to prevent and investigate hate and bias-related crimes, is investigating the distribution of these flyers on our campus and in area communities.

As new information becomes known, the campus will be informed.

Remember, you are never alone at IUP. If you need help, please use the resources that we offer. 

You can also contact members of the Community Response Team with concerns: Elise Glenn – Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Title IX Coordinator; Dr. Adam Jones – Dean of Students; Michelle Fryling – Executive Director of Media Relations; Dr. Jessica Miller – Counseling Center Chair and Haven Project Director; Timothy Stringer – Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police; Douglas Campbell – Investigations Lieutenant; Dr.  Gwendolyn Torges – Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and Free Speech Expert;  Shawn Jones – Associate Director of Admissions; and Dr. Roger Briscoe – Executive Director of Student Inclusion.